AKWA Ibom State First Lady, Mrs Unoma Akpabio is living up to her reputation as the campaigner-in-chief of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
By Chioma Onuegbu
Few days after the state chapter of the party rounded off its local government and major markets campaigns, she kicked off a two-week ‘Meet-the-Women local government tour’ in an obvious move to woo and ensure the party did not lose grip with the women at the grass-roots to the opposition.
Apart from Obong Umana Okon Umana of the All Progressives Congress, APC, another major governorship candidate seeking to stop PDP’s Udom Emmanuel is Bishop Samuel Akpan of the Accord Party.
Many PDP stakeholders have confidence in Unoma Akpabio’s mobilisation power following her efforts in the 2011 election that contributed immensely to the successful re-election of her husband, Obong Godswill Akpabio.
Unoma’s fiery team
PDP women stakeholders and party campaigners in her campaign train include wives of commissioners, wives of state legislators, women Commissioners, the deputy governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, and wife of the governorship candidate, Martha Udom Emmanuel.
Also in the team were officials of Family Life Enhancement Initiative, FLEI, her pet project; wife of the Managing Director of the NDDC, Mrs. Christy Dan-Abia; wife of the DG Udom Campaign organization Mrs. Funmi Idongesit Nkanga; the State PDP woman leader, Mrs. Gloria Effiong and chairmen of councils to mention a few.
Campaign flag-off
•Unoma Akpabio (middle) Martha Udom Emmanuel (2nd L), Chairman Ikot Ekpene LGA, Gloria Useh (1st R), wife of the state PDP Chairman, Mrs Vivian Paul Ekpo and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Glory Edet digging it out for Udom Emmanuel
Flagging off the grass-roots women rally on Monday at Godswill Akpabio Unity Hall Ukana, in Essien Udim Local Council before proceeding to Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene local councils, the governor’s wife said that the continuous interaction with the women became important especially as the elections are approaching.
Why women should vote PDP
She spent time to convince the womenfolk on why they should vote PDP candidates both at the state and national levels at the polls.
She told them that no other political party apart from the PDP would be able to promote their welfare and their interest in politics and therefore charged them to resist any temptation from the opposition to rob them of such benefits.
The achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan and the need to consolidate on the uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State were among the reasons she gave on why the PDP should be returned in the elections.
She listed the revived railway transportation, establishment of federal polytechnics and overall improvement in the education sector, agricultural sector, youth empowerment and especially being the first Nigerian President to accord the womenfolk 35 percent affirmative action in appointments to buttress her call to return President Jonathan
She added: “In Akwa Ibom, your governor has done everything for you. He has performed very well and I assure you that Udom Emmanuel will do more. We want the uncommon transformation to continue. And I assure you that Udom Emmanuel will do more.
“We are not here to campaign because there is nothing we have not told you before. We are here to emphasize that the broom should not confuse you. On the day of the elections vote the sign of the umbrella. Do not go to where there is broom. That is APC. On March 28, we will vote for President Jonathan because he has performed more than any other president of this country.
“Market women, I hope you are holding your cards. Let nobody come and deceive you. We are with the umbrella. When the opposition come to you tell them to leave, that you are for the PDP. Chapter women leaders, mobilise our women so that they can go into the villages to sensitize others. Go from unit to unit,” Unoma pleaded.
She stressed that they would have no regret returning the PDP because it is the only gender friendly party made possible by the Jonathan administration.
Don’t allow your children to be used for violence – Mrs Emmanuel
On her part, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel charged the women to caution their children against being used by self seeking politicians to perpetrate violence during and after the elections.
She assured them that she would carry them along and consolidate on the laudable footstep of the outgoing first lady if her husband was voted into office. Other women PDP stakeholders and campaigners at the different local government areas toured so far took turns to convince the women that the PDP remained the party to depend and rely on.
The PDP state woman leader, Gloria Effiong said: “We are here to tell you that the PDP has performed well; our dear governor has performed well too. And for us to continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy and empowerment, PDP is the answer. The only way women can appreciate the support given to us is by voting PDP during the elections.”
Hi. I’m a Web Developer and Graphics Designer, I enjoy blogging as part-time and I draw a lot when I’m free. Thanks for visiting my blog today and I hope you come back next time.
0 comments:
Post a Comment