Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has promised that he will stand on sustainable and uncommon development of the state if voted into office as the next governor in next month’s election.

Udom, who was addressing a mammoth crowd of the party supporters at the Uyo Sports Stadium at the 2015 campaign flag-off of PDP in the state, assured Akwa Ibomites that he would sustain and improve upon the free and compulsory education programme of the present government.

He pledged “to continue where Gov. Akpabio will stop” and to make Akwa Ibom State University one of the best in the country, as well as improve the welfare of teachers and civil servants in the state.

The PP flag-bearer stated that his administration would embark on programmes that would increase job creation opportunities for the unemployed in the state, adding: “There will be aggressive industrialisation of the state.”

Still on the economy, he said “there is going to be entrepreneurship revolution” and that “with the economic blueprint of my administration, the Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia State, will surely witness a decline in business activities” since the influx of Akwa Ibom State businessmen and women “will definitely decrease.”

“The Ibaka deep sea port in Mbo will be developed to become one of the best sea ports in Nigeria. My government will create wealth through AKADEP for women and youths of the state,” Udom stated.

He promised that “women of Akwa Ibom State will have more than 35 per cent in government representation,” assuring: “Within the first two and a half years of my administration, food prices will tumble in Akwa Ibom State.”

On sports development, Udom stated that the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo would be transformed into an International Institute of Sports, stressing that he would create wealth through sports and would ensure the continued infrastructural transformation of Uyo, the state capital.

He appealed to defecting members of the PDP and new ones to “embrace the party” as, according to him, “there is still room for all.”

Udom also canvassed for unrelenting support for President Goodluck Jonathan to sail through his second term bid.

News Express reports that the highpoint of the rally held last Friday included the formal presentation of Udom and his running mate, Mr. Moses Ekpo, to the electorate and the presentation of the party’s flags to its candidates for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate elections.

•Photo shows Udom Emmanuel salutes crowd at declaration.