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Akwa Ibom 2023: Luke signs pact with people on better life   

By Muyiwa Adeyemi (Politics Editor)
03 April 2022   |   3:39 am
The recent declaration of the member, representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium in the House of Representatives and former Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke to contest for the governorship...

Luke during his declaration

The recent declaration of the member, representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium in the House of Representatives and former Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke to contest for the governorship, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, has changed the political calculation in the state.
  
He is determined to contest the party ticket with other aspirants, including the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District and former Commissioner for Finance, Bassey Akpan; former Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Akan Okon; and Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Oil & Gas, Ani Wellington.
  
Since last year when the state governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel had openly declared his support for his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno to succeed him in office, many thought other members of the party with aspirations to govern the state in 2023, should have looked elsewhere but that did not deter Luke, who looks better prepared for the office.
   
For those who are familiar with the political trajectory of the first Speaker of Nigerian Youth Parliament and former President, Student’s Union Government (SUG), University of Uyo, were not surprised with Luke’s ability to spring surprises to secure the ticket.

  
The mammoth crowd that thronged the Ibom Hall, in Uyo where he declared his intention to become governor of the state in 2023 and marked his 44th birthday was an eloquent testimony of his political strength in the state.
   
Hon. Luke, who is the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary is known as a mobiliser, grassroots politician and promise keeper, who has won confidence of many in the state, including youths, market women, religious leaders and party members that have declared their support for his aspiration.
  
Looking at the visible PDP governorship aspirants, some PDP chieftains believe that the pendulum may swing to Nsit Ubium Local Government Area where both Onofiok and Eno hail from. However, observers said Luke stands a chance of grabbing the throne, as he possesses the qualities needed for a governor.
  
The astute politicians, who promised to make welfare of people a priority if elected as governor of the state said the time has come to address poverty and improve living standard of people of Akwa Ibom.
 
Unveiling his agenda to the people titled: Building Together, Growing Together through the Power of Conviction, Hon Luke paid glowing tributes to successive administrations in the state whom he noted had laid a strong foundation he intends to build on if given the PDP ticket and ultimately, winning next governorship election. From the pioneer civilian governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah to Godswill Akpabio and the incumbent, Udom Emmanuel, Honourable Luke, who told the gathering that he is the bridge between the past, present and future, spoke about them in glowing terms.
   
He promised to rally the abundant human resources towards building a vibrant and diverse economy in the state, while leveraging infrastructure development and active youthful population to create jobs and provide visionary and selfless leadership to consolidate on the gains of past and present administrations.
  
After acknowledging the achievements of past and future administration for the solid foundation on socio-economic infrastructure, Luke submitted that it was time to build the average Akwa-Ibomites, through empowerment to compete favourably with their peers in others states, outside the region and globally.
  
He said: “This is the time to reinvent our economy and society to ensure a rapid progression on economic development and shared prosperity trajectory; to hearken to the yearnings and aspirations of our people; to restore hope and earn the trust of our people in governance; to provide the critical infrastructure that has so easily eluded us; to end the neglect of rural communities; to empower the women and youth; to support our micro, small and medium scale enterprises; to reduce the incidence and severity of poverty in our land.
   
“The most important part of my value proposition is increasing our productivity level to ensure that Akwa Ibom State can compete with other emerging economies. We can do this easily if we engender a greater sense of inclusiveness by ensuring that as we build together, we will also partake in the benefits, and grow together. Akwa Ibom is one of the most peaceful and resource-rich states in Nigeria, blessed with brilliant minds. It is therefore important for us to invest in human capacity development to improve skills and empower our people to build and grow, while improving infrastructure and attracting
   
Speaking on why he wanted to govern the state, Luke said: “I am a local boy with the understanding of the challenges of our people, with a world view of development issues; having been born, suckled and bred in your neighborhood and having also gained international experience as a scholar and as a representative of my country at various levels.
  
“I represent the bridge between the past, the present and future, I represent the young and the old, the analogue and the digital generation, the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots. This gives me a unique perspective on issues that cut across the various strata of our society.”
   
On his audacious manifesto, Luke explained: “I intend to use my wealth of experience as a public sector administrator, a lawyer, and an advocate of good governance to serve this state by bringing government closer to the people for socio-economic development, and to reposition Akwa Ibom State for greater prosperity under the theme of Building Together, Growing Together.

“We have been blessed with good leaders who have contributed in great measure towards the development of the state, with transformative projects and progressive policies in areas such as Agriculture, Education, and Infrastructure etc.

“One example of such transformative policies is the area of education, free and compulsory education programme, which was initiated by the administration of his Excellency, Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio and sustained by the administration of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel with the aim of improving access to the education for young people.

“Our state’s Aviation development is another example in this regard. The Victor Attah International airport was initiated by Governor Victor Attah. The airport was built by Governor Godswill Akpabio whose administration landed the first plane and commenced commercial activities.
  
“Governor Emmanuel has since continued with this vision leading to the birthing of an airline- Ibom Air and the implementation of various improvements at the airport and today effort is being made towards the completion of the MRO
  
“Today, Ibom Air is the envy of other airline operators, and a symbol of the innovation and willpower that Akwa Ibom State possesses. This is evidence of the synergy and continuity in policy implementation that has existed in our state, and that is why, we intend to also continue building upon the achievements of previous and present administrations; add our own initiatives, all aimed at positioning us for a broad-based prosperity.
  
“These policies’ continuity, adaption and improvement can also be seen in the deep seaport development and in the agricultural sector etc.”
  
While responding to his critics, who he said have wrongly judged him, the young politician said: “To those who feel I’m too young and those who feel I have spent so many years in public service, have I been found wanting in character, competence and delivery throughout my spell in the different offices I have occupied?
   
“As every human is prone to be, I may not be perfect in the discharge of my mandates but I know the heart I have for humanity and the passion I have for service; a passion that has led me to be selfless in my years of public service.
   
“I invite and urge you therefore to make the Amazing Grace Project your preferred choice for the governorship of our dear state come 2023.”

   
Luke’s governorship aspiration has received boost from groups and civil society organisations that have endorsed him to run for the number one position in the state.
  
Akwa Ibom Youths under the umbrella of Akwa Ibom Youths Mandate adopted his as their 2023 preferred candidate.
Arising from a recent special stakeholders meeting of the organisation in Uyo, the youths stated that the lawmaker “is the only aspirant that has articulated his blueprint and has clearly demonstrated capacity, experience and ability to execute the demands of the office of the governor of Akwa Ibom State.”
  
Besides, six political groups have also endorsed Luke. The groups – Social Justice Movement (SJM), Democratic Alternative (DA), Akwa Ibom Students Congress (AKSC), Not Too Young To Lead Parliament (NTYLP), Political Action Initiatives (PAI), and Maintaining Peace From Justice Movement (MPJM), in a joint communiqué, stressed that they were throwing their weight behind him because “he has been with the poor, the high and the mighty and still remembers that there was serious hunger in the streets of the state.
  
“In 2019, Luke almost lost his life while defending the cause of this state. It takes someone, who has the love of his people to shun all approaches to sell out the House of Assembly to the then growing opposition to impeach the governor; it takes someone who is courageous, intelligent, experienced but humble to govern a state like ours”, the communiqué stated.

 

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