Elected executives in the just- concluded Ward Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Akwa Ibom State have been charged to ensure absolute loyalty and commitment to the ideals of the party, as holders of the forte at the grassroots.
The Governor and leader of the Party in the State, Pastor Umo Eno, gave the charge while fielding questions with journalists at his Ward Centre, Ibiakpan Obotim Ward II, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, where he participated in the exercise.
Governor Eno commended the members of the PDP across the State for maintaining decorum and ensuring smooth and successful conduct of the ward congress across the State, while charging the newly elected officers to live up to expectations in line with the confidence reposed on them by their fellow party members.
“From the report we have received across the state, Congress went well and all the party guidelines and principles were observed. We have our party representatives from Abuja, independent observers as well as INEC around. So all the requirements were met. It’s been a very peaceful congress and we trust God that this is how it will continue,” the Governor affirmed.
He described the exercise as the beginning of building a new structure for the party and cautioned the executives and members against any diabolic oath of allegiance to any person, other than the oath of office to serve the party.
“Now we have started the process of setting up a brand new structure for the party and we want to request that all our team and all our people that are elected will do their work and be loyal to the party. Don’t go and take oath from anybody. The only oath is your swearing-in to office today. What the party directs let everyone do. The party is supreme. What the party wants is what will happen, not your personal opinion,” he said.
The State Chairman of the PDP, Elder Aniekan Akpan, corroborated the reports from returning officers in the various wards indicating that the process was very peaceful and smooth, affirming the readiness of the party to participate and win the upcoming local government elections.
Barrister Hassan Yakubu, a representative of the PDP at the national level, who was there to observe the exercise spoke of the credibility of the exercise, commending the peaceful conduct of the congress.
The elected Chairman of Ibiakpan Obotim Ward 2, Mr. Jephath Tom, in his reaction, thanked the leaders and members of the party for trusting him with the responsibility of leading the ward.
He particularly thanked Governor Eno for making out time to also file behind him to ensure his success in the exercise and promised to ensure absolute loyalty by placing the party’s interest above other considerations in the exercise of his duties.
