…debunks rumours of his defection
By Ime Silas
The Leader, and 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Uduak Udoh Ph.D has reaffirmed his commitment towards the growth and success of the party in subsequent elections in the state in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Obong Uduak Udoh who recently bagged a Doctoral Degree (PhD) from the prestigious University of Calabar stated this in a Press Release he personally signed, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent.
The Uyo-born entrepreneur cum politician in the release also explained why he took some time off politics after the rigorous 2023 elections, noting that he had learnt a lot through his painstaking post-election study and analysis of events and actors as they pertained to the reappraised electoral processes.
Details of the Press Release which he addressed to the leaders of the Labour Party in Akwa Ibom state read thus in full:
16 September 2024.
Dear Leaders,
I am grateful to be in your midst, and I sincerely thank you for holding up perseverance this far.
It’s been a long way coming. In 2023, we all came together to pursue a common objective of giving Nigeria a new leadership that would work for the people in the person of Mr. Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed. In Akwa Ibom State, even though my entrant into the race was a bit late, saddled with mixed opinions and misconceptions, we did a great job at the State level. I have no regrets, rather it has added to my wealth of experience that can only be earned through hard work and dedication. Having gone through the hurdles of campaigning length and breath of Akwa Ibom for all the Candidates of our dear Party to succeed beginning from the Presidential, Senatorial, National, State Assembly and mine (gubernatorial) election. I am well equipped to lead and serve our party’s interests, with your support we can achieve our common goal.
Yes, We were hurt, betrayed, lied against, maligned and blackmailed. It was expected, though not at the scale at which it came. Let me reiterate my stand; I am a proud member of the Labour Party, I still have the flag of our dear Party in my living room. I want to unequivocally dismiss the rumors and misconceptions of me defecting to the ruling Party either at the State or the national. Such a move wouldn’t have been done through a backdoor considering my political status in the State stemming from the 2023 elections.
I want to use this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my supporters for their unwavering loyalty during the campaign. Let me also readdress all the claims and blackmails including false claims and defamatory accusations against me, including allegations of accepting money from parties or individuals, betraying the Party during the 2023 elections and being a stooge. These were baseless attacks aimed at discrediting both me and our campaign team. To those who spread these defamatory statements, I have chosen to forgive you all.
Also, it wasn’t my idea not to pursue the case in court against the PDP in the State over the final result as was announced by INEC, as my immediate team members prevailed that it wouldn’t be necessary.
It is an established fact that, I campaigned rigorously for our Presidential Candidate, touring all the major markets in the State, the media houses, the streets et’al. We invested our resources while my campaign team never received a dime from the PCC and the Party both at National and State level, rather, we provided support. I supported all the candidates in the State financially and otherwise. And, on the eve before the elections I gave the token I had to all of them. However, I am aware that some didn’t receive the money, which is part of my regrets entrusting funds in the hands of people that came with a dubious mind and for their personal gains.
I have had adequate time to reflect on the post-election period and have decided to let it slide and start the healing and the building. I urge us all as leaders and Party Faithful to do the same.
I’m aware of all that has been happening, I’ve been following up on the events at the national level with keen interest. I want to state my total support to the decision of the national leadership of the Party in the persons of Dr. Alex Oti, and Mr. Peter Obi. It was long overdue as we cannot continue to sweep under the carpet the issue of building a formidable structure from bottom up. Let me also congratulate Senator Esther Nenadi Usman on her appointment as the National Caretaker Chairman of the Party. I thank the NLC and other Stakeholders of the Party for a great job.
My silence was occasioned by some factors; (1) I wasn’t willing to engage with a Party leadership that was not ready or willing to build and strengthen the Party. (2) I needed to distract myself a bit from politics to recuperate, hence I went back to complete my PhD program at the University of Calabar, which God has seen me through.
People have reached out to me personally and corporately since after the last elections on the way forward. Now, I can point you to the way forward. It is the decision that was taken at Abia State. That’s what I intend to build on as the leader of the Party in Akwa Ibom State. I will reach out to as many stakeholders as possible so we could start the building process. Let’s forgive ourselves. I have dealt with the pains and have forgiven everyone. We will heal, but we will also be careful with elements that do not represent the collective interest and people we can never trust.
I am aware of the dilemma of our Chairmanship Candidates for the forthcoming Local Government elections in the State. We can help them. We can support them. They are carrying the Party flag. We must respect the flag under which all of us exist while sorting our differences. I will reach out to them to understand the issues.
Let’s expect a much more elaborate and inclusive engagement going forward.
I appreciate you all.
God bless you.
Long live the Labour Party!
Long live Akwa Ibom State!
Long live Nigeria!
Obong Uduak Udoh Ph.D
Labour Party Governorship Candidate, 2023
Akwa Ibom State.