Allowing APC to Use Stadium for Presidential Campaign Not a Sign of Weakness

 

The decision by the Akwa Ibom State Government to allow the ‘Nest of Champions’ stadium to be used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in the state should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state.

The Director-General of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation for PDP governorship candidate in the state, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, Thursday said the decision was evidence of a sound and mature leadership exhibited by the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Such humane disposition of the governor, he said, was a clear indication that the leadership of the state has respect for constitutional offices especially the office of the president.

The one time military governor of the state observed that the way and manner the opposition interpreted the initial decision of the state government on the use of the stadium not minding the huge cost it would involve the state to repair the facility after the event, was an indication of desperation anchored on selfish agenda.

He said: “We wish to state unequivocally that the PDP and indeed the good people of Akwa Ibom State are united in a common determination not to mortgage the soul of state for pittance.

“It is also worthy to note that the decision is a clear indication of the huge sense of maturity and exemplary statesmanship by the governor. This action is more profane if you consider that some of the key protagonists of APC today while in power, had several times displayed a clear lack of tact and class.

“One incident that most Akwa Ibomites would not forget in a hurry is the deliberate denial of Obong Victor Attah the use of the facilities of the Ibom Hotels and Resort for events of his 70th birthday. Gratefully, history offered the state an opportunity to right the wrong when the current state government did not only approve the use of the facility for the former governor’s 80th birthday but also bank-rolled the events.

“At the national level, we are all living witnesses to the blatant refusal by the management of the Eagle Square in Abuja to former PDP presidential aspirant the use of the facility despite having made the requisite rental payments.

“On the contrast, it is on record that the Akwa Ibom State Government has at several instances granted APC the use of Uyo Township Stadium even when it wasn’t the most convenient thing to do.

“In September 2018, the state government approved for the APC the use of the Uyo Township Stadium less than 24 hours before and after events of the state 31^st anniversary which took place at the same venue.”

Nkanga, who managed the campaign organisation of the former state Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in 2007, 2011 and that of the incumbent governor in 2015, said the people of the state would ever remain grateful for having Emmanuel as their governor because of his humane disposition.

“Recently, the Ooni of Ife decorated Governor Emmanuel as the Overall Best Performing Governor in 2018 at a prestigious event in Lagos. All these are testimonials of the governance credentials of the PDP government in the state,” he stated.