Barrister Aniekan Etiebet, the scion of Etiebet clan and Managing Director of Data Sciences Nigeria Limited, Lagos has urged the people of Akwa Ibom State to stand on the side of history and posterity by supporting the election of Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term in office.
Etiebet made this assertion during a parley with journalists at his country home in Abak.
The son of the former governor of old Cross River State noted that he was impressed by the strides the Udom administration has made despite the paucity of funds arising from the national economic meltdown which has witnessed a sharp decline in receipts by States from Federation Account.
Etiebet observed that the industrialization agenda of the administration has been well articulated and driven with 9 industries within a little over three years, maintaining that the industries would generate employment with massive domino effect on the local economy.
He said that it takes goodwill, confidence and trust to attract industries to a national clime where uncertainties still prevail owing to insurgency ascertaining that the peace which he credited to the Christian disposition of the governor is the single reason why investors still see the State as an investment haven.
In the area of infrastructure, Etiebet said that Udom being a product of a corporate world appreciates the fact that only good infrastructure can support industrialization, noting that the roads which he has built and is currently building would not only help in the evacuation of products from the industry but also facilitate access to raw materials and farm produce from the rural areas.
Barrister Etiebet commended the governor for the huge investments he has made in the power sector, asserting that “power is a critical artery to the purposeful industrial take-off which Governor Emmanuel has initiated”.
He also lauded the governor for the investment in the health sector noting that only a healthy population can take full advantage of the initiatives in industries and other capacity building and empowerment programmes of the Udom Administration.
Waxing philosophical and political, Etiebet said that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, pointing out that “since others with even less performance quotient did two terms, it is morally beholden on all Akwa Ibom people to grant Udom the same two terms they gave others.”
He said that the case of Governor Udom Emmanuel was even more apt and logical “as there is need to allow him a second term to enable him consolidate on the industrialization initiatives.”
Etiebet said that allowing Udom to finish the two terms would ensure peace and equilibrium in the polity insisting that as a State with over 99 percent Christian population, the minimum standard of Christian value which includes justice, equity and fairness must be adhered to, stating that Akwa Ibom people must situate their actions in line with these core Christian values in the matter concerning the governorship of the state in 2019.
On the Senatorial bid of His Excellency, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, the PDP bigwig lauded the choice, stating that he does not only have the capacity to wrest power from the incumbent but would also give Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District selfless, focused, disciplined, deep moral and effective representation.