Minna – Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has said that the revival of the nation’s battered economy , redesigning of the security architecture and women empowerment will be accorded due priority if he becomes Nigeria’s President in 2023.
Emmanuel, who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made the promise on Thursday in Niger State during a meeting with the party’s delegates from the state.
The Presidential aspirant assured that he has the solution to insecurity which has bedeviled Niger State and other states across the country.
He regretted that the Jebba Paper Mill and other companies that used to be the pride of Niger State have become moribund.
His Presidency, he assured, will pursue policies that would reverse the worrisome situation and revive the industries.
‘’Regrettably, our economy has gone down but if you build the economy, you will reduce insurgency; if you build the economy, you will reduce poverty; if you revive the economy, you will make our people happy,” he said.
Emmanuel further promised to replicate his feat in Akwa Ibom State at the national level, saying that he has the capability and capacity to turn around the economy.
“The time has come when we must overcome sentiments and biases and choose wisely.
“I have all it takes to replicate at the national level what I have done at the sub-national level; give me the opportunity and I will not disappoint you, ’’ Udom said.
Earlier while speaking, the Director -General, Udom Emmanuel Campaign Organisation, Senator Gabriel Suswam said that the aspirant has the experience, knowledge and capacity to save Nigeria from the imminent collapse and put it on the right track of growth and development.
‘’Udom has the capability, the ingenuity and creativity to do what even Nigeria as a country cannot achieve,” Suswam said.
He cited the Ibom Air which the governor established within a short period of his governorship as a product of good thinking and good leadership.
While describing Udom as someone who will revive the nation’s comatose economy and restore the lost glory of Nigeria if given the opportunity, Suswan said Akwa Ibom had moved from the backward, to a destination of choice both locally and Internationally due to the great job that the governor has done in the state.
“Our change will be positive change. Our next level will be positive higher level, ” he added,.
The Director-General said he came to present Udom to Niger State delegates with the assurance that if elected, he will perform as excellently as he and Shuaib, did as military governor of the state.
Recalling the bond of relationship between Niger State and Udom, Hajia Zainab Kure, wife of the former Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure explained that she hardly shakes hands or hug men but she shook hands with Udom because of the warm relationship between the aspirant and her late husband and ex-governor of Niger state.
“Udom was about the last person my husband discussed with before going on medical treatment to Germany where he never returned alive; my late husband and Udom were very, very close.
“I also want to say how the Director-General of Udom’s campaign, former military governor of Niger state, retired Col. Habibu Shuaib, handed over power to my husband in 1999.
“Not only did he hand over power to my husband, he mentored my husband. His wife also mentored me. They stood with us and they put us through. I can never forget that, ” she added. (vitalnews)
