People’s Democratic Party ward leaders in Akwa-Ibom have vowed to remain in the party, even as the state governor is leaving.
They described the state governor’s plan to dump the party as the melting point of marginalisation and betrayal.
Members of the PDP Ward Leaders Forum, who spoke with our reporter in Uyo, accused the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, of using and dumping them after the election.
They recalled with regret the critical roles they played before and during the governorship and other elections in 2023, and called on the governor to fulfil his electioneering campaign promises to them or else they would remain in the PDP.
They said the governor had promised to engage them in his cabinet, boards and other state parastatals, but to their surprise and disappointment, for the past two years the governor has not made any attempt to fulfil his promises.
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“We are not appointed into the state EXCO, even when we have members who are eminently qualified. We are not appointed into boards. Not even a meeting to appreciate us after the election. The governor has not done anything for us, so we are not leaving the PDP to go anywhere,” they declared.
They said since the governor cannot recognise and appreciate them two years after the election in PDP, there is no hope that their interests will be protected in the wider, new APC, hence their reluctance to follow the governor in a hurry.
They did, however, appreciate the state governor for the gift of a car to the state leader, Mr Michael Bush, but reminded him that the leader did not lead himself, but led others to succeed in 2023.
The state commissioner for information, Aniekan Umanah, could not be reached at the time of filing this report, but a source from the Government House advised the aggrieved ward leaders to exercise patience, promising that the governor will interface with them before he leaves the party officially.
“The governor is currently meeting groups. Their turn will come soon,” he assured.
