By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has been presented with the 2023 Presidential Nomination forms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Human Rights Radio, producers of the popular national radio/TV programme, Brekete Family Show.
The brief presentation took place at the Government House, Uyo when the delegation from the media organisation visited the governor.
The governor thanked the founder of the organisation, Ordinary President, Ahmed Isah and his team as well as all Nigerians who contributed towards the purchase of the forms.
“Honestly when I heard this plan to buy me a Presidential nomination forms was going on, I asked myself, how can they raise up to N40million to buy me a form?”
“But today it has become a reality. There are over 200million Nigerians, but you choose to accord me this honour and privilege, and I don’t take this for granted. I really want to appreciate this family, I register my appreciation to all Nigerians, for this confidence.”
Governor Emmanuel explained that whatever he has achieved in the state presently has been with the support of his people, and expressed that whatever success can be attained in Nigeria can be achieved collectively.
He said Nigeria presently needs leaders with capacity, sincerity of purpose, selflessness and readiness to make sacrifices.
“Money is a principal thing. Nigeria today needs someone who understands money. It is unfortunate that if we are looking for an MD of a particular company, the CV we seek, spans 3-4 pages, but when we are looking for a President of the country, based on the constitution, all we need is WAEC, no experience.”
He lamented that premium is not paid to the leader in whose hands lie the destiny of over 200 million people, as it is done for a managing director of a company that had only few shareholders and stakeholders.He urged that certain things needed to be corrected in 2023, so that the country can move forward.
Governor Emmanuel reminded them of the importance of God in the business of leadership, and expressed the hope that the group had sought the consent of God before embarking on the venture.
Be rest assured that I have accepted the form. All Nigerians cannot come together to give me something and I refuse, adding that anyone with the experience of running a state in Nigeria for eight years can pilot the affairs of the country.
Speaking at the presentation, the leader of the delegation, Mr Innocent Orji said although Governor Emmanuel was not the only one hosted on their programme, but that after they came to Akwa Ibom and discovered more than what they had heard from the Governor on their interview programme that they took a decision to encourage him to go for Presidency.
“We all agreed that if you can do these in a State, if given that opportunity, you will do even better in the national level.”
Orji, also known as Scaffold, said, “We don’t believe in too much talk, so here today we are presenting to you the nomination forms for presidential candidate of your party.”
Also speaking, a member of the delegation and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Buhari Bala said the Brekete Family crew who had interviewed the Governor in a live studio programme in January, came to Akwa Ibom for three days, only to witness even more projects than the Governor had disclosed to them.
“After that programme, the Brekete Family sent in a delegation to Akwa Ibom State. They spent about three days here and sent in a report, and what was in that report showed that what they found on ground was more than what you told them during the live programme.”
“For that reason, a decision was taken by the family, that when the time comes, they will contribute money and purchase a form for you to contest for the Presidency of Nigeria. And true to their words, when the PDP started selling forms, they went there and surprisingly paid and collected the forms,” Alhaji Bala stated.
