IN THE INTEREST OF PEACE
While it is the right of all to stake their interest in the political development of their state, it is also circumspect to play by the book in order to further the peaceful coexistence of all citizens irrespective of their political differences.
As the political climate of Akwa Ibom State continues to gather momentum ahead of 2023 elections, several groups and platforms have emerged, angling for recognition and possible alignment with some interest in the State for relevance.
While it is the right of all to stake their interest in the political development of their state, it is also circumspect to play by the book in order to further the peaceful coexistence of all citizens irrespective of their political differences, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
However, a worrisome trend where some groups hype the names of some public officers for whatever office of interest they deem fit for the person, in gross disregard to INEC and political parties’ guidelines on campaigns, should be outrightly discountenanced as such portrayal may be detrimental to the integrity of the person, even as the public may misconstrue such gestures.
In the North and parts of Southwest, posters of some politicians and public office holders keep appearing, only for the individuals to deny publicly their knowledge of how those posters emanated and those behind them.
Just last weekend, a similar trend was observed in Akwa Ibom State, as a billboard with the picture of the Hon. Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, was sited along Aka Road, Uyo, by an unidentified group, purporting to support the Commissioner for 2023 governorship.
Though it was swiftly brought down, such an act is at variance to the position of the Honourable Commissioner who has vehemently stated at many fora that his major focus was to deliver on the terms of his engagement in the Ministry of Lands and Water Resources, while at the same time supporting the State Governor’s stand that it was too early to talk about 2023 elections.
Yesterday, we checked with the Media Aide to the Commissioner, Anthony Udoh who asserted that the position of the Commissioner regarding the next elections has not changed, and that the public should ignore such antics, as it is preposterous.
It is on record that the Commissioner, though ably qualified to contest, has not indicated any interest by consulting anyone for the elections, as he was abiding by the State Governor’s position on the coming elections.
While investigation is yet to unveil the group or persons who erected the billboard, QuestNews24 calls on the political stakeholders, the media and all interested in who emerges the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State to exercise restraint in the interest of peace and support the State Governor in his efforts to complete ongoing projects and bring more foreign investments to the state.
