Today will go down in history as the day when the good people of Uyo, the can-do-city, rose as one to re-invent themselves. It will go down in history as that day when the good people of Uyo took their destiny in their own hands and beckoned on others to follow a new direction. I am indeed very proud, and happy to be at the center of this great story.
I give all glory and honor to the Almighty God who has given us the grace to see this day and to be a part of this great event. Let me therefore express my joy and immense gratitude to the patriotic men and women of Uyo under the umbrella of the Forum of Uyo Patriots who not only had the vision, but labored day and night to translate their vision into the reality which we have witnessed today. This event is a further testimony that it takes a people with vision and courage to call a halt to stagnation and rot. It takes a people with vision and courage to call a halt to insecurity and hunger.
I wish to use this moment to acknowledge and appreciate God's special gift to our people, our State and Nigeria: His Excellency, Arc Obong Victor Attah, life member, PDP Board of Trustees, an accomplished master planner. The father of modern Akwa Ibom State. The man who laid the foundation for the Akwa Ibom International Airport. The man who built the Ultra Modern Le' Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, The Ibom power plant, several Model Schools, the man who founded the Akwa Ibom University of Science and Technology.
The man who fought and won for Akwa Ibom State the billions which the present State Government now receives monthly from the Federation Account. Do I need to mention several roads? Hospital? Water and Electricity projects across the State? The man who initiated the inter-ministerial Direct Labour jobs, integrated Farmers Scheme, the various Co-operatives which serve to empower and enhance the living standard of our people.
Obong Attah is a courageous man. He has the heart of a lion. His presence here today proves that the is not a leader who shies away from taking big and momentous decisions. He was the one who shifted power to our Annang brothers. Today, he wants it back to the majority. And he will get it back, not for himself but for the vast majority of our people. He wants it back for the sake of good governance and for the progress of our dear state. Your Excellency, thanks you for accepting to be physically present at this event today. Thank you for honoring me and the people today.
And in all humility I accept your public endorsement of my aspiration today.
This event, witnessed by my brothers, sisters, friends, and associates from across the four corners of our dear State has boosted my confidence and strength and it is very significant because for once, a prophet has been honoured in his home.
I want to use this very special occasion to formally announce my resolve to contest for the position of Governor of Akwa Ibom State at the next general elections. I have served you as a Local Government Chairman, Chairman of a Federal Government Polytechnic Governing Council, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory. In the aforementioned roles, I fell back on my history as a self made man, supported a lot of our people and collaborated with many Akwa Ibomites and other Nigerians at all socioe-conomic levels to bring economic support to the State. Today, I am prepared and ready to serve you as Governor from May 29, 2011.
I wish to assure all of you gathered here today that I will not disappoint your expectations when you make me your Governor. When this storm started gathering about nine months ago, we were dismissed as jokers who would soon be bought over, but today, our people have seen our strong and steady resolve. Let me say it again, and let this reverberate in all the nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom State, I will never disappoint your expectations.
I want to make it very clear that though we are here on the platform of the forum of Uyo Patriots, this is not an Uyo project, nor is it an Ibibio project. My dear and loving wife is an Annang woman.
I love and cherish her. She is a loving and caring mother to my children and I am a proud in-law of the Annangs. Apart from this, I have, over the years built and sustained close and special relationships with people from other ethnic groups across the State. So, let nobody be mistaken, this is an Akwa Ibom Project. Hunger and deprivation know no ethnic divide. We have co-ordinators in all the wards and local government areas of Akwa Ibom State because our goal is to liberate Akwa Ibom State and set it on a course of positive progress.
Let nobody be intimidated by the common talk of incumbency. In every democratic society, it is the power of the people that determines who is elected. Incumbents have lost elections in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Kebbi and Kogi States to mention but a few. The challenge is for you to register and be ready to vote when the time comes and also stand by to protect your votes.
Your votes must count and be counted in favour of positive change. Let me use this occasion to commend the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan on his resolve to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in 2011. This means that in 2011, your support and votes will count.
When elected, my Government will work to usher in an era of peace and sustainable prosperity for all in our dear State. We will be more committed to the protection of lives and property of our people. We will work to ensure that Akwa Ibom re-establishes itself as an oasis of peace in the Niger Delta through effective community policing. We will protect the interests and develop our deserving indigenous contractors while also giving patronage to foreign contractors. We will show respect to our leaders and elders.
We will introduce a welfare allowance for every unemployed adult in our state while also working to ensure that our teeming youths are gainfully employed. We will set up neighborhood centers, introduce a cluster system of industrialization and we will bring back our best brains to work for the progress of the State.
The present government is very corrupt, arrogant, occultic and serviced by cultists. The present Government is selfish and divisive.
We will exhibit humility, selflessness, accountability and promote the unity of our people. We will bring youths, men and women of integrity into government.
My fellow compatriots, I cannot thank you enough for this reception. I thank our village Heads, our Clan Heads, our Paramount Rulers and indeed all of you who have trooped in from across the State to witness this event. As you return to your various localities, let me emphasize what I have said on several occasions that no political party will be our stumbling block. With the Almighty God and you as our strength, we will surmount every obstacle in this march to unshackle our State from the vice grip of a tyrant.
Akwa Abasi Ibom State belongs to God. And we will return it to the Almighty God.
Thank you and May God continue to bless Akwa Ibom State.
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