I am not seeking AKS Gov’ship in 2015 - Prof Etok Ekanem

A former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in the State, Prof Etok Okon Ekanem has debunked claims by a state-based tabloid(not The Waves newspaper) that he is seeking for the Akwa Ibom State governorship in 2015 under the platform of Labour Party.

Prof Etok Ekanem, former Commissioner
of Agric & Nat. Res. AKS

In a press statement dated December 1, 2014 and signed by the erudite scholar entitled, “IT IS NOT TRUE. I AM NOT CONTESTING FOR AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNORSHIP POSITION IN 2015”, the Professor of Food Technology said, “The purpose of this Press Statement is to state, categorically, that I am not running for the Office of Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015, whether on the platform of the Labour Party (as alleged in the story) or that of any other Political Party whatsoever. I have indeed, never contemplated vying for the seat of Governor in 2015, talk less of mentioning or discussing this with anybody or the Media. I am indeed, not contesting for any elective public office in 2015”.

Prof Etok  Ekanem said the Paper alleged that he was running for the governorship of Akwa Ibom in 2015 under the platform of the Labour Party and hence stated categorically, “I am a long-standing and royal member of the PDP, conspicuously registered as serial No. 0001 in the Party register in my Ward, East Itam IV Ward 6, Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. I am not (and have never been) a member of the Labour Party or any other political party whatsoever. I am therefore, shocked by the present story in Global Newstrend purporting that I am the sole aspirant of the Labour Party for the seat of Akwa Ibom State Governor in 2015”.

Prof Etok frowned that the story by Global Newstrend was “intentionally concocted, published and circulated to embarrass and ridicule” him, and requested “all well-meaning citizens of Akwa Ibom State (particularly my political allies and associates), the Nigerian public in general and my Party, the PDP, to ignore and disregard the story as it is entirely false, baseless and misleading”.

The former  Commissioner for  Agric who said he hails from Nkim Itam in Itu local government area in Uyo Senatorial District of the state noted that he had consistently held the firm position of fair play, justice and equity that the successor of Governor Godswill Akpabio should be from Eket Senatorial District and has “over the last couple of years, been working assiduously with like minds in the State to actualize the emergence of a Governor, elected by the popular mandate of Akwa Ibom people from Eket Senatorial District in 2015” and that within the confines of his constitutional right, he is currently, deeply and publicly committed to this cause within the PDP, arguing that there is no way he would, in the circumstance, contradict and betray himself, and step out, from Uyo Senatorial District, to vie for the position of Governor in 2015 as that would totally be inconsistent with his way of life and character.

To assuage his feelings about his character and integrity impugned by the said tabloid he said has decided to seek lawful redress by instructing his lawyers to immediately commence appropriate legal action against the said newspaper “its Editor(s) and all other relevant persons connected with the story and its publication”.

The Paper had alleged, in Volume 14 No. 203, November 27 – December 2, 2014 edition in paragraph 3, page 3:, according to the Press Statement thus,  “Nationally, the intention of the vibrant opposition is to give the ruling PDP the real fight. In Akwa Ibom, there is the resurrection of the Labour Party with Prof. Etok Ekanem as its sole aspirant.”