By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Some stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oniong East Ward 1, in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have adopted Pastor Umo Eno as their sole sole candidate for 2023 governorship race in the state.
The position was sealed after an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting held at Ikot Akpatek in Onna, where they unanimously adopted Pastor Eno as their preferred aspirant, considering his pedigree as an established entrepreneur.
It would be recalled that Governor Emmanuel had in January this year, announced his former Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno as his preferred successor in 2023, a decision which has generated mixed reactions within the PDP as a party.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the leader of the ward, Obong Akaninyene Idem noted that all other interests in the party have been subsumed in the aspiration of Pst. Eno.
According to him, “The essence of the meeting was to formally adopt the preferred candidate of our party, Pastor Umo Eno as the choice of this ward, that means all other interests have been subsumed under that preferred candidacy of the governor of this state.
“As loyal Party members of PDP, Governor Udom Emmanuel as the leader of the Party, has given us the direction and indication of who he finds fit to succeed him, and we are part and parcel of that succession plan. The Ward today, unanimously adopted Umo Eno as the sole candidate for the election, we have no other aspirant and that is our decision.”
The leader noted that the decision was in tandem with the Electoral Act 2022 as amended where it allows for either direct primaries or for consensus process to choose a Party flag-bearer at any level, noting that their action does not foreclose the fact that other aspirants can go and consult even as he added, “here we have our preferred aspirant.”
Also speaking, the General Overseer of His Divine Redeemed World Ministries, Apostle Elijah Jack who is also from the Ward, said looking at Pst. Eno’s resume and track record of entrepreneurial achievements, he had no option than to adopt and support him also.
According to Apostle Jack, “Apart from being a fellow Pastor, it was upon the basis of what Umo Eno has done, his achievements outside government, a sound entrepreneur who has employed thousands of people that made me to adopt him.
“I’m supporting Pastor Umo Eno, because he has the capacity to carry everyone along, he is an entrepreneur par excellence, and a very industrious son of the land from Uyo senatorial district which the gubernatorial race is currently zoned to. I strongly believe that Pastor Umo Eno will govern us well and sustain the industrialization projects of our dear Governor, HE Udom Emmanuel.
“I feel that the Governor did not make a mistake by choosing him. The Governor is a man of God and we want anyone that will succeed him to be a man of God.”
The Clergy made a token donation to the party at the ward level for the registration of members into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
“Yes I gave that token to the the party for registration because I don’t like a situation where people struggle to achieve something that I know I have the capacity to do.
“I don’t know the Governor one on one or the aspirant but it is my little way of supporting the party at the ward level.”
