Victor EzejaThe New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said its governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State in the upcoming election, Senator John Udoedehe, is not stepping down for any other candidate.
Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Akwa Ibom State, chapter, Solomon Johnny, in a statement released on Saturday debunked the rumour that Udoedehe may step down for Senator Bassey Albert, governorship candidate of the Young Peoples Party (YPP).
He accused some opposition parties of disseminating such rumours, out of fear of defeat give the popularity and acceptance of Udoedehe in the state.
Johnny also said it is not true that Udoedehe is in talks with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the race, Pastor Umo Eno.
He declared that the NNPP governorship candidate has not spoken with anybody about stepping down or having any possible alliance with any candidate or politician as being rumoured.
He said that Udoedehe has no reason to do so, claiming that the NNPP candidate is the most credible and is confident of victory.
The NNPP publicity secretary in the state maintained that such rumours are used to deceive supporters of the candidate and warned Senator Bassey Albert, Akan Udofia and Pastor Umo Eno to call their supporters to order and desist from “spreading malicious rumours” against Udoedehe.
He urged the party’s supporters to ignore the rumours and continue with their campaigns ahead of the 11th March election.
The statement reads: “We have read a few Facebook posts and heard insinuations on radio purporting that Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, Governorship Candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) may step down for Senator Bassey Albert, Governorship Candidate of Young Peoples Party (YPP) who was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment on charges of financial crimes preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last year.
“The posts in reference and the insinuations that follow same are the most asinine and ridiculous political speculations of this season. How can Senator Udoedehe, who is the only unencumbered and unstained candidate in the race, step down for a convicted felon or any other battling to validate their candidacy days before the poll?
“The PDP camp is also manufacturing false rumours to the effect that Mr Umo Eno has called Senator Udoedehe to discuss possible political alliance. Never.
“We wish to state categorically that Senator Udoedehe has never spoken to the PDP candidate in the last several years.
“Similarly, our candidate has also not discussed any possible alliance with any candidate or politician. He has no reason whatsoever to do so. We believe that these rumours are generated by other contestants out of fear of defeat and desperation to score cheap political points.
“In the past, opponents used the same tactics to hoodwink our supporters and create doubts in the minds of Akwa Ibom people to stop them from voting for Akpanudoedehe. We shall never take such rumours lightly any longer. This is why we are issuing this stern warnings to Sen Bassey Albert, Mr Akan Udofia and Pastor Umo Eno to call their supporters to order. They should cease and desist from spreading malicious rumours against our Candidate or risk unpleasant feedback.
“We call on all our supporters and NNPP members to disregard any such statement in whatever guise it may be presented. The fact remains that Senator Udoedehe is the man to beat in this contest, and he will win the Governorship election convincingly on Saturday, 11th March 2023.
“It is well known that Senator Udoedehe has conducted the most respectable and issue-based campaign ahead of this poll. He has not insulted anybody and has not used any foul language throughout the campaigns. Senator Udoedehe’s Blueprint is the most well-articulated and relevant to the problems of Akwa Ibom people, and that explains why the other candidates have copied from his agenda.
“Our candidate is the first and only governorship candidate to visit all the 329 Wards in the State and has just completed a tour of all the Villages in Uyo LGA where he hails from. Uyo is the most deprived Local Government Area in the State.
“Senator John Udoedehe has been well received by a cross section of our people, and he’s been endorsed by many groups and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT). Besides, of all the governorship candidates, Senator Udoedehe is the most experienced, credible and respected. He is in this race to win and he will win convincingly.
“We enjoin our supporters to continue to go about the campaigns respectfully and responsibly, and turn out in large numbers on Saturday to vote NNPP, the party with fruit basket on map of Nigeria as its symbol.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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