The National Coordinator, Akwa Advancement Group, Chief Elijah Ifot (JP) has said that his pre-occupation right now is to secure one million votes from Akwa Ibom indigenes in Lagos to ensure Governor Udom Emmanuel’s second term.

In a recent chat with News Express, the Lagos-based business man and immediate past President of Akwa Ibom State Community in Lagos (AKISCOM) said his members are well pleased with the performance of their state governor back home which is what informed his founding of Akwa Advancement Group in Lagos and other parts of the country. The main objective of the group being mobilisation of the state indigenes to return home and cast their votes for the incumbent governor during the 2019 general elections.

“As I am talking to you, there are well over 80,000 Akwa Ibom State indigenes in Lagos alone. That is more than the population of some of the 31 local government areas back in the state. That is why Lagos is considered as the 32nd LGA of Akwa Ibom State. We in Lagos have a lot of influence on our people back home. If each Lagos-based Akwa Ibom person returns home and influences at least 10 relations, that will translate to 800,000 votes. It’s as simple as that. That’s why I have given myself the target to deliver one million votes to our performing governor in the forthcoming general elections,” Ifot narrated.

On how he intends to convey his people to their home state, he said: “My people believe in me as their leader. I have been mobilising them with my resources through the Akwa Advancement Group, and they are quite willing to go back home and vote. All we need is to get the logistics right in terms of mass transportation, and we are working on that.”

Meanwhile, the community leader disclosed that through the efforts of his group, a good number of the Lagos-based indigenes have already transferred their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in their home state for regularisation.

Speaking on the likely effect the recent defection of former Governor Godswill Akpabio to the All Progressive Congress (APC) will have on the direction of voting in the state, Ifot said: “Up till today I cannot say precisely why Senator Akpabio defected to the opposition party in the state. I know he must have his reason which I believe is personal. But I can say that his defection cannot change anything. My people and I have declared our support for the PDP, Akwa Ibom State is undoubtedly for PDP. So, defection or no defection, (Governor) Udom is bound for second term. Well the APC may get some votes here and there, but the heart of Akwa Ibom people is for the PDP.”

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