Onofiok Luke surrenders, backs out of Akwa Ibom Guber Race
Few hours to the Akwa Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in the state, one of the governorship aspirant to that primaries, Rt Hon Onofiok Luke has backed out of the race.
Luke who is a former speaker of the state House of Assembly and the current the member representing Etinan Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Abuja made this known in a release this morning, Wednesday, 25th May 2023 citing lack of enough delegates as reason.
According to the release, ” I entered the ongo ing Governorship race of our dear State to change the narrative in the political system and governance by seeking more inclusion through our Building Together and Growing Together agenda. We took our message to all the 31 Chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. That message was well accepted by members of our party and soundly resonated with Akwa Ibom citizens. Our hope of victory was dependent on God using the delegates at the PDP primaries and ultimately Akwa Ibom people at the general election.This was our conviction and it is still our conviction today.
“”However, unfolding realities within our party and the Nation have called for a reconsideration of my participation in the gubernatorial primaries of our party today. This is for the simple fact that we will not be going into this election with our largest support base which is the statutory delegates. We also do not have any of the ad hoc delegates as our supporters who bought forms to be Adhoc delegates were excluded from the process. This position they have stated in a formal protest to the national headquarters of our party and have also sought redress.””
This development has given credence to the speculations and insinuations in some quarters that Luke was not sincere about his governorship ambition.
A source very close to the aspirant told this reporter that Onofiok Luke was doing business and was not serious about his ambition in any way.
He said, “Onofiok was sponsored by a certain Alhaji from the north whom he use popularity stunt to deceive the man. He told the man that he has the governor’s backing to be governor and that he is the most popular aspirant in the state and got a good amount of money from the Alhaji from the North.
“”We know from the beginning that Onofiok wasn’t serious and sincere though he also underrated Governor Udom Emmanuel and undermined Pastor Umo Eno his town man preferred by the governor for the top job. Onofiok had thought he will use his fake crowd to intimidate the aspirant but all that was for nothing.
Another Source said, he received so much money from the governor, Udom Emmanuel in 2019 before supporting him a situation the governor was not very comfortable now that he is seeking to succeed him.
“How can the governor support him when he did not support the governor in 2019. They are talking about how much the sacrifice for the party and I asked, which party? Did he do that for free? Didn’t he collect his reward? You see, my problem with politicians like this is that I always pity their supporters. They will never told their supporters the truth and they’ll be following them blindly. This is always the result.
“I am not surprised about his withdrawal from the race because I knew from day one that he wasn’t serious. I only pity those that believe him and went about insulting people for him,” remarked
