A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. James Iniama has urged the people of the state to ensure that they do not choose political leaders on sentiments rather based on contents and competence.
He asked that all the aspirants be subjected to critical examination to ascertain what they can offer to the state.
Ahead of the 2023 general election in the state, many governorship aspirants have emerged hoping to clinch the ticket for the primary election of PDP, which is the ruling party in the state
The aspirants it was gathered have started building camps while others are in aggressive consultations to see if they will be favoured by Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel as the preferred candidate but the governor has remained silent over who would be his successor.
Iniama, one of the governorship aspirants while interacting with journalists in Uyo on Tuesday said all the aspirants should be put in a box where they (including him) would be scrutinized so that the best would emerge.
He urged Akwa Ibom people to be wary of the incident of 2015 where Nigerians elected President Mohammadu Buhari out of sentiment without proper scrutiny adding that the scenario must not be replicated in the 2023 polls in Akwa Ibom State.
Iniama who said gone are the days politicians use transient items to woo the people, urged residents to look out for business-minded political persons who would improve on the economy of the state.
He said, “This is the time to look inward and be very deliberate, let us not make the mistakes of Nigeria. Nigerians were sentimental in 2015. We left President GoodLuck Jonathan and voted APC’s Mohammadu Buhari. So we have to be careful about our choice of leadership.
“We need aspirants who understand what needs to be done, and who is ready to fill the gaps to meet the needs of the people. We need leaders who understand the philosophy of leadership, not just a career person but a business-minded political person”
The aspirant who lamented the security challenges in the state lauded the initiative of incumbent governor Udom Emmanuel in building bridges of unity and love with the recent launch of the national executive leadership of Main Peace Movement.
He called on the people to embrace the peace initiative of the state government for the sustainable development of the state.
