JOE EFFIONG, UYO
The Okuibom Ibibio and paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium LGA, His Eminence, Edidem Solomon Etuk and other monarchs of Ibibio land have reconciled Pastor Umo Eno and brother, the Chairman of House Representatives Committee of Judiciary, Hon.Onofiok Luke.
Luke and Eno who are from the same community, were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirants but the stakeholders in the state, led by Obong Victor Attah, picked Umo Eno as the preferred aspirant, causing a great disaffection among the aspirants and forcing Luke to withdraw from the race.
Since withdrawing from the race, Luke had kept silent, raising the speculation that he might have defected to another party to contest for the 2023 governorship, even as there was no evidence to that effect.
All such speculations were however put to rest at the palace of Okuibom who summoned the two of them appear before the councils of Ibibio elders at where he advised that both of them should go and work together for the benefit of the state,
Edidem told Luke in particular that he invited him before the people to reason with him on the need to declare support for Umo Eno.
He described Luke as an illustrious son of Nsit, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, saying that with him working with the governorship[candidate for victory, everyone in the state would benefit.
In his response, Hon Luke said all his life he had struggled to better the life of his constituents in particular and the state in general as such it would be strange for him to begin to work against the federal constituency he represents at the national assembly from producing the next governor of the state.
“I have to honour my people, my fathers – the traditional rulers, the PDP which gave me a platform to serve the people. I will work for the emergence of Pastor Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“As a person, as Onofiok Akpan Luke,I say I am in total support of my brother’s governorship ambition. But since I I had people that supported and are still su[pporting my aspiration, I would go and have a meeting at which I would brief them before I could make that announcement publicly.” Luke said.
He asked the governorship candidate to ensure that his supporters would not be segregated against, rather they should also be given equal treatment like other members of the candidate’s team.
He also asked the governorship candidate to consider integrating some of his blueprint into his programme so that poverty could be reduced, especially among the youths of the state.
On his part. Pastor Umo Eno, that the Okuibom for his fatherly role of bringing unity between him and Hon Luke, who he described as his younger brother but with more political experience.
He promised to ensure that everyone who was in Luke’s Amazing Grace team, is fully integrated in his team.
“I will work with you with an open heart. I am your senior in age but God has raised you as my senior in politics. I will never take this for granted. Help me reassure your teeming supporters that your people shall be my people.”
“I don’t make promises like politicians do. I am a pastor. I have realised that my brother’s programmes are in line with my Arise Agenda blueprint.Together, we would work to the benefits of the state and move to prosperity in agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, security and education.”