Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), statutory delegates in Akwa Ibom State comprising select ward and chapter officers, and former elected officers of the party have defied the state government with their public endorsement of Mr Onofiok Luke.

Onofiok Luke is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, as governor for the 2023 elections.

Ever since Governor Emmanuel announced the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno as his successor, many discontent party members have declared their support, though secretly, for other gubernatorial aspirants.

The delegates and other party members numbering more than 250 publicly endorsed Luke, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke, on the platform of Great Supporters of Onofiok Luke.

Spokesman for the group, Mr Abraham Udoekong, said they have resolved to support Onofiok Luke for the governorship in 2023 irrespective of the antics of the state government to unprecedentedly endorse one aspirant.

Speaking on Thursday in Uyo, Udoekong explained that Luke has the capacity, character, love for the people, ideas and passion to drive economic and social development of the State.

He stated that they gave themselves a mandate to scout for and mobilise committed delegates for Luke, as such, the public endorsement, which they say would benefit the general good of Akwa Ibom people.

“We are taking this bold step for the general good of our state. We started mobilising ourselves for the Onofiok Luke’s governorship project in 2020; today we have mobilised delegates to come here and endorse Onofiok Luke. We believe in him, we will vote for him,” he said.

Udoekong said they were not disturbed by recent political happenings in the state, noting that their resolution to support Onofiok Luke at the party primary was absolute.

Also speaking, the Director of Operations, Amazing Grace campaign organisation, Mr Victor Brownson, thanked the delegates for coming out to publicly endorse Barr. Onofiok Luke.

Brownson reassured them that Luke would not betray the confidence reposed in him by the group and Akwa Ibom people.

“There was a time we were looking for delegates; now delegates have seen the truth; they are now coming for Onofiok Luke,” he said.

Receiving the PDP delegates on behalf of Mr Luke and the Amazing Grace campaign organisation, Mr Imo Udo, lauded them for bold action they had taken.

“I thank you for adopting Barr. Onofiok Luke as your sole candidate for the governorship in 2023. Onofiok Luke is one man who is associated with good works and I believe that is why you want him to be governor of Akwa Ibom State. We need a good man on the saddle of governorship and Onofiok Luke has demonstrated in words and actions that he is a good man.”

Udo urged the group to carry on their mobilisation peacefully. “Our sole focus is to make Onofiok Luke the governor in 2023,” he stated.

Meanwhile, another group, Onofiok Luke Support Network led by Mr Edemekong Edemekong, was also on hand to endorse Onofiok Luke for the 2023 governorship election.

The group said; “We have seen the divine oil of anointing on Onofiok Luke’s forehead. Therefore, we have endorsed Onofiok Luke as our sole candidate for governorship.” (Daily Trust)

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