Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno yesterday said his administration resolved from inception to work with people across party lines.
The governor stated this while receiving the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Moses Essien, back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Essien represents his Constituency on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
At the brief event held in Ikot Ekpene, the governor said Essien’s return to the PDP only indicates a change of party nomenclature, as his commitment to the interest of the state and contribution to governance from inception of the administration has been laudable and devoid of party sentiments.
He further assured the returning politician of full reintegration into the party at all levels and urged the PDP leadership to ensure Essien’s full acceptance and restoration.
He however said PDP has been a family for Akwa Ibom people and will remain strong irrespective of what happens in other places, given its track record of successive governments in the state.
He said: “We warmly welcome our brother, Honourable Moses Essien, back home. I don’t see you as a new person. You have been a member of PDP and for whatever reason you left, we want to believe you have put that behind you.
“We thank you for choosing to come to work with us. From the inception of this administration, we have accepted to work with people across party lines. We want to thank you that even when you were in the YPP, you saw reason to work with us.
“You worked with us and we worked with you. So for us, I think today is just a change of address. There is really nothing new rather than a change of address from one party to another, and it strengthens us.
“I want to assure you that there will be no discrimination whatsoever. We trust that you will work with your people on the ground. Fortunately, the political leader of PDP in Ibiono Ibom is our Exco member, Comr. Ini. Ememobong. I will also hand you over to him to integrate you properly and give you your right of place. You will hold meetings together and make sure we have a strong force in Ibiono Ibom,” he said.
Presenting the returnees to the governor and leader of the PDP in the state, the speaker, Rt Hon Udeme Otong, lauded the large-heartedness of the governor in leading the state as one family, devoid of discrimination and communicated the delight of members over the increasing unity in the House of Assembly occasioned by the return of Moses Essien, who left to seek election on the platform of other parties.
He affirmed that 25 of the 26 House Members are now in the PDP family.
The state party chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, on his part, described Essien’s return as victory for PDP.
He noted that the lawmaker who left the party as an ordinary member has now returned as an elected legislator, assuring that the party has embraced the returning member and will integrate him to build a stronger PDP in Akwa Ibom State.
Earlier in his remark, Essien thanked the governor and the PDP in Akwa Ibom State for the warm reception accorded him, explaining that his return was informed by his belief in the Governor’s clearly defined ARISE Agenda and inclusive governance.
He pledged his support to the Umo Eno-led administration to ensure the successful implementation of his lofty plans for the State.
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