42 vie for A-Ibom Govt House

UYO—At least 42 persons including Bishop Samuel Akpan, believed to be the man behind the emergence of Chief Godswill Akpabio as governor in 2007, have indicated interest to contest the governorship of Akwa Ibom State in 2015 on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Others are the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, former SSG, Obong Umanah Okon Umanah, former Commissioner for Finanace, Obong Bassey Albert, former Deputy Governor of the state, Obong Nsima Ekere, former Ambassader to Russia, Asam Asam,SAN, a former Senior Personal Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, Professor Richard King, former Minister of Women Affairs and serving senator, Senator Helen Esuene, former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Ekpenyong Ntekim, former Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Effiong Abia, among others.
Bishop Akpan, who declared intention to contest the governorship election, yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, said he was in the race to enable him wipe out poverty from the state through employment generation and industrialization, bringing new development and creation of new cities and improving on the economic and financial profile and total transformation of the state.
He said: “We will have no business again with poverty. Poverty must be wiped out while unemployment will be a thing of the past and no longer the portion of the people of Akwa-Ibom State.”