Former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien has denied joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Essien stated this in clearing the air over his presence at the Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State venue of Governor Eno’s defection to the ruling APC.
Addressing Journalists concerning his presence at the ceremony on Tuesday in his Eket, the elder statesman debunked the claim, explaining that he was at the defection ground in solidarity with the governor who, according to him, is vested with the constitutional rights to take decisions best on his personal interest.
He said: “The event, which I attended in solidarity with the governor as an elder statesman and an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, has led to several misrepresentations in the media and on social platforms. Some have falsely claimed that I have joined the APC.
“Let me state without ambiguity: I have not defected from any party to another. My attendance at the event was not a declaration of political affiliation, but a demonstration of support for the governor, who has shown a rare level of maturity and inclusiveness in governance.
“Since my decision not to contest for any elective office at the age of 70 in 2014, I have chosen to function purely as an elder statesman—offering advice, promoting peace, and standing for what is just and equitable in our state and country.
“Let me also make it abundantly clear that governor Umo Eno’s defection is his personal political decision, backed by his constitutional right and informed by what he must have considered the long-term interests of the state.
“It is not my place to question his right to reposition himself politically. The most cogent reason for his defection is the lingering uncertainty over the future of the PDP in a self-inflicted debacle through years of impunity and lack of internal democracy in the party.”
He added that, “Seeing the unending nature of the controversy, the governor has taken the right decision to secure his next election in a party platform that is relatively stable, for now, at the national level. Joining the APC naturally takes him to work with the government at the centre with envisaged ancillary benefits. It is my wish that his hopes be fulfilled in this regards.”
Essien however faulted the decision of the governor to coerce members of the state, National Assembly and Chairmen of LGAs, saying it calls into question the sincerity of the governor’s commitment to inclusiveness and political tolerance.
“These elected officers are operating on a separate and independent mandate, and should be free to take their decision.
“Let me also highlight that even before his defection, the governor had shown an admirable level of maturity in navigating party lines. He supported the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC for a second term, despite being a PDP governor.
“These actions, while controversial to some, were calculated to ensure peace, stability, and strategic alignment for the benefit of the state.”
“Sadly, such magnanimity has not been reciprocated by the Senate President or his political machinery. Appointments, empowerment programmes, and political opportunities have remained exclusive to APC loyalists, leaving out PDP members and even those who have chosen neutrality for the sake of peace.
“This lack of inclusion has continued despite the governor’s overt gestures of goodwill and cooperation.
In contrast, Governor Umo Eno has empowered citizens across party lines, ensured that appointments reflect the state’s diversity, and resisted the temptation to weaponise government against perceived opponents. That is commendable.
“But the current moves to exclude or sideline those who refuse to defect with him could erode that legacy of fairness and compromise.
“The support for Senator Akpabio, in his position as Senate President and number three man, is most commendable.
“It is not often that this position comes to any state for a long while. It has taken 40 years for it to come back to the South-South. Teaming up with the Senate President in his party will generate respect and strengthen his position in the APC and in government,” he said.
He appealed to all political actors, supporters, and the public to lower the temperature. “Let us not destroy our state’s hard-earned peace through needless provocations. Those in government should respect one another’s convictions and rights, just as we expect the wider political system to respect the governor’s choices.”
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