Okon Bassey enters a conversation with the National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem on some of the intriguing issues that characterised the 2019 national elections
The only person who left the party that had some impact on the party was Senator Godswill Akpabio, because he was one of the foremost leaders of the party in the state, Senate Minority Leader and former governor for two terms, as well as a former commissioner for six years. He was freely loved by the people until his fall and decision to join the APC.
I can say it categorically that if election was orderly conducted in Essien Udim, Senator Akpabio would have failed to deliver that local government. This is how massive the PDP is and how dogged the followers are in the state.It could definitely be the combination of the two. By 1999, Akwa Ibom was a glorified village. All the developments in Akwa Ibom today are the products of the PDP government from 1999 to date. The party is in tangent with its followers.
The attitude of the agent, Bishop Samuel Akpan at the State Collation Centre was a reflection of the APC attitude even before the election, instead of campaigning they were only protesting.
Igini is a hero of democracy in Nigeria. His heroic fame did not start from Akwa Ibom State. He had been REC in about five states before he was posted to Akwa Ibom, and has had positive track record in those states. He said he did not come to count money in Akwa Ibom State but to count votes. He has been invited several times for a meeting outside the country but he turned down all the offers, insisting that any meeting should be held in his office.
We have Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister for Budget and National Planning; Nsima Ekere, the immediate past Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ; Managing Director of the Oil & Gas Free Zone, Umana Okon Umana; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters , Ita Enang. What have they brought from the so-called centre into the state?
Our party was rigged out of the election. We were rigged out of the election in the North with the help of the military and police. There was suppression of voters in the South-South/South-East including the Middle Belt. What happened in the last election was because it was a local election, and the sentiment of the people could not be suppressed like they did in the presidential election. The back servers of INEC shows that PDP won the election.
Barr Enoidem is a strong political force in Akwa Ibom. When Akpabio left and Enoidem didnt defect with him I knew Akpabio would fail. There are just some generals you must have on your side if you desire victory. God bless Akwa Ibom State!