By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Ahead of 2023 general elections, Governor Udom Emmanuel has taken initiatives that will ensure sustainable peace in the state and drive a successful succession plan.
Known as ‘Maintain Peace Movement (MPM),’ is a political group of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Chairman of MPM in the state, who is the immediate past PDP National Legal Adviser, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, said that MPM birthed in the state on July 28, 2021 with the blessings of Governor Udom Emmanuel who is the Grand Patron of the movement.
Enoidem, who spoke at a press conference at NUJ Secretariat in Uyo on Monday, explained that MPM is an initiative formed by progressive minded stakeholders of the PDP who appreciate the legacy of Governor Emmanuel in the area of peace which has engendered all-round development in the state. The historic endeavour, Enoidem said would be formerly launched this Friday, November 19 by Governor Emmanuel, and is intended to make the legacy of peace in Akwa Ibom State enduring and sustainable by ingraining it in the minds and hearts of the people.
“The overarching message which this Movement has taken to all the nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom State, has been that Peace has been the firm foundation and the anchor which Governor Udom Emmanuel has built the strong pillars of development across all sectors of our state economy.
“On account of this, as people who have witnessed firsthand and cherished the benefits of peace, we lauded out to plant the seeds of peace across the the land. “For instance, it is an incontrovertible truth that the 3 aircrafts that opened the door for the flagship Ibom Air project which has become a watershed in the Nigeria’s aviation sector could not have touched down the Victor Attah International Airport if irate and warring youths of the host communities had closed down the airport as a way of ventilating any grievance.
“We also acknowledge the fact that the numerous industries that have created a viable means of direct and indirect employment for several Akwa Ibom State indigenes would not have been sited anywhere in this state if the one who superintends over the affairs of this state did not send a clear message early enough that he is a man of peace.
“Today, with over 7 aircrafts in the fleet and counting, the very young but award-winning Ibom Air project has become the airline that defines the path for the nation’s aviation sector and has added a beauty to the magnificent brand name that Akwa Ibom State has become”, he said”.
The chairman of the MPM added that, “As we march vigorously towards the actualization of the Ibom Deep Seaport, we shudder to think what will befall this project, which will stay as a golden goose for Akwa Ibom people, if we do not build on the present legacy of peace that we currently enjoy as a State.
“This is why we have decided to bring the message of peace to a wider audience at the State level. Come, Friday, the 19th Day of November, 2021, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the Grand Patron of the Maintain Peace Movement will mount the rostrum to amplify the clarion call on every Akwa Ibom person to lend their hands to the patriotic task of sustaining this cherished ideal of peace, Enoidem stated.
The Governor is expected to formally unveil the Movement and Inaugurate the National Executive Committee of the Movement at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.
