The people of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district of Akwa Ibom State yesterday endorsed the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Godswill Akpabio as their sole senatorial and governorship candidates for the next year  general elections in the state.

Following the endorsements the people rolled out the drums to celebrate and affirm their collective resolve to support the duo’s return for second term as governor and senator respectively in 2019.

The event held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, which attracted important dignitaries from across the state and beyond was the second in the series of such endorsements to be recorded in the senatorial district.

Speaking at the ceremony, chairman, a former deputy governor, Chris Ekpeyong, said the people of the senatorial district resolved to endorse both   Governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswil Akpabio for second term because of their track record of achievements.

“Our resolve to endorse both Governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Akpabio   draws it strength from performances of the two political titans especially for acquitting themselves creditably in-service delivery and bringing development to the district”, Ekpeyong said.

He thanked the people for their loyalty and support to the governor and Senator Akpabio in the past and urged them not to relent in their effort to ensure that peace reign during elections.

In his remarks, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio lauded the people’s support for the governor, saying that since the district has the largest number of votes in the state and has no other candidate for 2019 the victory of Emmanuel was assured.

He thanked the governor for his vision in touching the lives of the people through the enthronement of good governance and making Akwa Ibom a proud state.

Akpabio noted the effort and determination of Emmanuel to unite the three senatorial districts and cautioned against any plan by politicians to truncate the peaceful environment of the state.

“We must continue to preach unity in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, love ourselves, we must not allow anybody within or outside the state to come and cause any division among us through ethnicity and tribalism so that we can progress. It is only through peace that the government can achieve development”, he said.

Akpabio, who thanked the people for the confidence reposed on him by their unanimous endorsement, assured them of more dividends of democracy.

The state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Obong Paul Ekpo who commended Ikot Ekpene people for organising the rally in support of Governor Emmanuel   reassured the governor that he would win the governorship election come 2019, adding that the party remains loyal and committed to his success.

Responding, Governor Emmanuel thanked the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for honouring  and endorsing him and Senator Akapbio for second term.

He said that the Senatorial District has shown the entire world that they genuinely loved him and that their love for him is not sentimental but strategic.

‘’This is a very rare show of love which I quite appreciate and I can assure you that I will not take it for granted. I will continue to do my best in ensuring that every part of the state feel the  impact of our collective governance, ’’ Governor Emmanuel stated.