The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has reaffirmed its support for both Governor Godswill Akpabio and President Gooodluck Jonathan, as well as for the party’s embattled National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

A statement by the State PDP Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, urged the public to disregard speculations in some print media and the internet purporting otherwise. Obong Ekpo spoke against the background of reports that the party during the New Year get-together and enlarged Caucus meeting in Uyo discussed the Tukur’s removal contrary to the wishes of President Jonathan and Governor Akpabio.

In the statement signed on his behalf by his media aide, Pastor Imeh David, the Akwa Ibom State PDP Chairman recalled that only two key decisions were taken at the meeting attended by over 700 party leaders including past and present Chairmen of the 31 Chapters and 329 Wards, as well as elected and appointed members of the PDP. The decisions, he said, were the commendation of Governor Akpabio and the endorsement of President Jonathan for a second term of office.

He maintained that during the meeting, following a motion moved by Senator Ita Enang, representing Uyo Senatorial District, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udo Kerian, the State Chapter of the PDP passed a Vote of Confidence on Governor Akpabio for his outstanding performance in the state and resolved thus: “In 2014, when the respective parties would have to produce their candidates for respective offices as will be declared by INEC, it is important to consider the candidate for the Presidency.

“We want to move that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, having creditably led this country, improved the economy of Nigeria, diversified the economy of Nigeria from oil into agriculture, successfully privatised the power sector and unified the country, successfully handled the security challenges in Nigeria and brought Nigeria to the eye of the international community through diplomacy, that this audience do resolve that we pass a vote of confidence and do urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to go ahead and contest the nomination of the PDP and win and contest the 2015 election as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Obong Ekpo also dismissed the allegation that PDP National Deputy Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, who witnessed the meeting, came with a hidden agenda. According to him, Chief Secondus was a guest invited to attend the Solemn Assembly organised by the State Government, “so as the Chairman of the Party, I invited him to witness the meeting of our party that held later in the evening.”

The purpose of the invitation, Obong Ekpo maintained, “was to enable Chief Secondus meet our members and have a feel of our togetherness as a party in the state.”

According to the party chairman the invitation paid off, as “Chief Secondus commended the Party stakeholders and members in the State for the high level of organisation and loyalty to the leadership of the party after witnessing the conviviality and oneness amongst members.”

Obong Paul Ekpo quoted Secondus as saying: “I am overwhelmed with what I have seen here today and believe that the PDP in Akwa Ibom is setting the pace for the entire country to follow.”

Thanking Akwa Ibom PDP members for their steadfastness and loyalty to the leadership of the party, Obong Ekpo stressed that the unity prevailing amongst party faithful in the state was commendable and a major requirement for winning elections at any level. He assured that the PDP in Akwa Ibom would stand tall in the 2015 elections.

•Photo shows President Jonathan and Governor Akpabio.