Former Deputy Inspector General of Police and senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (ret.), has dismissed as ludicrous rumours that he has resigned in favour of Senator Godswill Akpabio.
He stated that he would be expelled from the territory if he stepped down.
Ekpoudom stated that although he has been subjected to pressure, he would never yield to it since doing so would be a betrayal of his people.Information Guide Nigeria
In response to insinuations that some elders have persuaded him to step down in favour of Akpabio, the retired DIG stated on Friday in his office in Ediene, Abak Local Government Area, that his senatorial ambition was not his personal project but rather the project for the redemption of Abak five communities, which have not had a shot at the National Assembly for the past 16 years.
Other Top Stories:
- Tinubu mourns PUNCH’s columnist, Olukotun
- Why I can’t support any presidential candidate —Ngige
- Ayu denies meeting Wike in Port Harcourt
- A’Ibom PDP, APC gov candidates shun peace accord
“It is laughable to say that I stepped down for anyone, some people have been appealing to me to step down but I have been saying no, and will continue to say no because it is not my project precisely but the peoples’ project. I don’t want to be chased away from Abak Federal Constituency.NYSC portal
“I don’t want to betray my people, you can even imagine now, for 16 years this part of Akwa Ibom has not produced a senator, it is only Ikot Ekpene which had produced five senators and somebody wants to come in again, it is not possible. Abak-5 is ready or the whole Ikot Ekpene senatorial district is ready. I look at those coming to tell me to step down as enemies of the Abak federal constituency.JAMB portal
“Even if they want to offer me the head of state, I won’t accept it. All I want is to get what belongs to us. If Abak loses now, it would affect the whole federal constituency and senatorial district.”
Ekpoudom, who is the proprietor of Tower of Ivory Schools in the state, described Senator Godswill Akpabio as a “desperate politician who has turned deaf ears to the voices of prominent stakeholders including, Don Etiebet who has advised him not to contest”.
He said, “That is how desperate my brother is, he has the right to do whatever he wants to do. If I were him, I wouldn’t go because he has turned himself into the enemy of the Abak people and that’s not the best, Don Etiebet is somebody that we respect in Akwa Ibom, if somebody like that talks to him and he didn’t hear who will talk to him and he will hear.”
On his plans for the constituency, the former DIG promised to address the high level of poverty in the district if elected.
“I want to alleviate the poverty and sufferings of my people. My people are so poor, they don’t live as if they are in Nigeria. The people they sent there only went to enrich themselves. Look at my youths, moving like nomadic people, because no work for them. Something must be done,” he added.JAMB Result
