Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, who is also a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said he has solutions to Nigeria’s myriad of problems.
At an engagement on Thursday with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja to intimate them of his presidential ambition, Udom said he was in the race for the 2023 presidential election to solve problems that had proved intractable to the present administration.
Udom likened Nigeria to a country at war on many levels, adding, “we cannot leave our Generals and best hands behind while we fight the war.”
He described himself as a “bridge builder” and said further: “I have the capacity, I understand the issues, I know the problems and I have the solutions.
“Anywhere in the world, the economy is preeminent. As a trained, tried, and tested economist, I know what to do. Besides, I will not only tell you what to do but will also tell you how to do it.
“I performed in the corporate world, and I have also performed in government,” he stated.
Udom reminded the PDP chieftains that he stood with the party through thick and thin and has not for once jumped ship.
He further said: ” With all modesty and due sense of responsibility, I have done so much for the party. And it is not too much for the party to stand by me now. One good turn deserves another. I am poised to lead the party to victory in the next election.
“I have the solutions to our problems. I have the creativity, the ideas, and the capacity. I have demonstrated that in Akwa Ibom state with Ibom Air where Nigeria as a country does not even have a national airline.
” I have also demonstrated that by moving Akwa Ibom to the second position on Foreign Direct Investment coming into Nigeria.
“Today Akwa Ibom manufactures one of the best syringes in the world and these are in hot demand even by foreign countries. Our Kings Flour Mill is also world class.”
The presidential aspirant said he was running to bring hope to despondent Nigerians and restore the country’s lost glory.
“We aspire to inspire our people – the youth, women, the middle class, the corporate world and every other stratum of our society.
“Hope belongs to those who can see the future. I can. Here I am, send me” he requested.
The presidential aspirant was well received at the Wadata House headquarters of the PDP where the NWC was led by the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu supported by other members.
Ayu said he was impressed by Udom’s presentation, his pedigree as well as track record of performance and achievements as Governor.
He promised a level playing field for all aspirants and enjoined them to let their campaign be issue based.
“We don’t want aspirants running around stadiums. What the people are interested in are the problems bedeviling the economy and insecurity and how to solve them”, he said.
Ayu expressed delight with Udom’s understanding of these issues and his proposed solutions to them.
He described the ruling All Progressives Congress as a “fragmented alliance; very soon they will disappear”.
The PDP National Secretary, Senator Sam. Anyanwu described Udom as “one of the people Nigerians are waiting for. APC has collapsed. Nigeria is waiting for PDP”.
Governor Emmanuel was accompanied by former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam; former military administrator of Niger State, Col. Habibu Shuaibu (rtd.); former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Bala Buhari; Immediate Past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan; Immediate Past National Youth Leader of PDP, Hon. Sunday Kelly Udeh-Okoye; and former Akwa State chairman of the PDP, who is currently National Ex-Officio member of the party, among others.
