Transporters in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Transporters have announced their endorsement of the aspiration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the next governor of the state.

Arising from a meeting in Uyo, the various transports stakeholders announced that a solidarity rally would be held today in this regard at the state capital, Uyo.

Akwa Ibom Transporters said the rally would involve various transport unions, associations, groups and constituting units of the sector including operators of earth-moving equipment, heavy trucks, tippers, buses, cars, tricycles, and motorcycles.

According to a statement jointly endorsed by the Coordinator of the programme and State Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comrade George Udoh, the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Uwem James, and the State Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Road Levies Implementation Scheme, Dr. Victor Eddie, the rally is scheduled to hold at the State Cenotaph and Park Ground along Sir Udo Udoma Avenue by noon.

The statement reads in part: “We want to organise this rally to express our sincere solidarity and support to our PDP Governorship Candidate, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, and our Senatorial District Candidates in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo and Eket Senatorial Districts.”

The transporters revealed that “highlight of the rally shall be a solidarity procession ride by all our heavy trucks, tippers, lorries, buses, cars, tricycles and others around the major streets of the State Capital . . . led by lowboard trucks decorated with carnival floats.”

“It shall be an unprecedented movement that will demonstrate our total commitment to this project as our project and hope for the future,” the organisers said.

Already, giant billboards bearing the photographs and campaign messages for the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Obong Bassey Albert and Chief Nelson Effiong as PDP candidates for the Senate seats, and Mr. Udom Emmanuel for governorship, have been erected around major routes in the state.

News Express learnt that no fewer than 17 transport unions and groups have indicated their intention to participate in the solidarity rally, and it is the first time in the State that an amalgamation of transporters will come together to show support to a candidate or candidates before an election.

They include NURTW, RTEAN, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Akwa Ibom State Tricycle Union (AKTU), Tricycle Union of Nigeria (TUN), Akwa Ibom State Commercial Tricycles/ Motorcycles Association (APCOTMA), Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC), Central Park Management Committee, Akwa Ibom State Tricycle Management Committee, Akwa Ibom Transport Company Lease Operators Forum, Tippers Contractors Development Association, Earth Moving Equipment Union, Tricycles Owners’ Welfare Forum (TOWF), Transport Operators Movement (TOM), Lorries and Heavy Trucks Union, among others.

•Photo shows Udom Emmanuel.