2023: Militants issue 30-day ultimatum to Gov. Emmanuel to revoke decision of preferred successor

Militants under the aegis of ‘Unyekisong Akwa Ibom’ has urged the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel to revoke his endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno as his successor in the 2023 governorship election.

The group, who gave the governor a one-month ultimatum to comply, said they will not fold their arms and watch the governor impose a candidate on the state.

A statement issued by the group in Uyo on Wednesday and signed by General Ekpo Ekpo, Commander Akan Bassey and Commander Sampson Umanah appealed to the people of the state to obtain their PVCs to enable them to fight the imposition of candidates in the 2023 general elections.

According to them, the governor’s action was a huge threat to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the entire state.

“The Coalition of all Freedom Fighters and pressure group in Akwa Ibom state have been meeting for the past few days to review the current political situation in-state/endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno by Governor Udom Emmanuel as the next governor of Akwa Ibom.

“Unyekisong Akwa Ibom totally rejects and condemns the endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno as the next governor of Akwa Ibom state by Governor Udom Emmanuel and state strongly that this is unacceptable.

“The endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno is not only a threat to the PDP family but the entire state which will bring anarchy, insecurity and killings. The nomination of a particular candidate by the governor and leader of the party is totally unjust and unfair to other governorship aspirants in the state.

“After carefully studying the report submitted by credible sources, we have come to the conclusion that the endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno is not for the benefit of the state but would rather serve as a POS and commissioner to Mr. Udom Emmanuel after leaving office to siphon money.

“We, therefore, give the Governor one month ultimatum to withdraw his support for Pastor Umo Eno, go back to the drawing board and do proper consultations before making further statements concerning his successor, failure shall be disastrous as we will not fold our arms and watch his imposition unchallenged,” the statement added.