2023: I will not impose any candidate – Akpabio

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Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has vowed not to impose any candidate on Uyo Senatorial District as its choice for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

The minister made the disclosure on Saturday at the inauguration of executives of Uyo Senatorial District chapter of Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF).

By the zoning arrangement in the state, the next governor is expected to come from Uyo Senatorial District (officially known as Akwa Ibom North East) while Akpabio hails from Akwa Ibom North West (or Ikot Ekpene senatorial District).

There have been impressions that a group known as Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum, under the former Governor, is meant to sell his candidate.

But in his reaction, Akpabio said: “My goal is to work with like-minded associates in Uyo Senatorial District (USD) and nominate a suitable candidate that would win the election. I have no particular person in mind, and I cannot repeat the mistake I made in 2015.”

He added that ‘’Akwa Ibom people of various political persuasions do agree that we need a dependable leadership in 2023’’, which is a direct reference to the motto of the group.

‘’In that case, I will work with all of you to identify and support any candidate that will develop our state,” he said.

Akpabio went on to say that ‘’Uyo Senatorial District is capable of bringing up good a good candidate that would be acceptable to the rest of the state. ADF will work with Uyo in this regard.”

His pledge was received with a standing ovation by the crowd that included eminent politicians like HE Sam Enwang, Dr. Maurice Ebong, Dr. Emaeyak Ukpong, Chief Etim Edem Akpaudo; Her Honour, Mrs Valerie Ebe; Mrs Geraldine Ita Etuk, Bishop Ekpe James among many others.

In his remark, HE Sam Ewang, a retired military officer who was governor of Ogun and Rivers State during the military era, confirmed that he has had several heart-to-heart discussions with Akpabio on the 2023 politics and he is certain that the minister ‘’will not impose any candidate on Uyo’’.

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