The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says it is fully in support of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s choice of a successor ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.

Governor Emmanuel had, on Sunday, during a meeting of PDP Stakeholders at the Government House in Uyo, presented the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Eno Umoh, as his successor.

However, the move has polarised the party in the state with some politicians who have been nursing the ambition of running for the position, lampooning the Governor and the PDD over the choice of Umoh.

However, the state PDP said it was happy and comfortable with Emmanuel’s succession plan and have thrown their weight behind him.

The Chairman of the party in the state, Aniekan Akpan, gave the governor the backing when Emmanuel visited the party secretariat on Wednesday, pledging the party’s unalloyed support and loyalty of the party structures across the state to enable the governor actualise his completion agenda.

We pledge our unflinching support towards the actualisation of your completion agenda. The party, through your support, has stabilised. We commend your achievements. You have done a lot. You are a pride to PDP.”

A former state chairman of the party, Paul Ekpo, who was also in the entourage of the governor, echoed the party chairman’s line by saying:

We will ensure that your completion agenda gets to a successful end.”

While responding to the party leaders, Governor Emmanuel said his action in choosing Umoh was in the best interest of the people.

“I would never do anything out of selfish interest. I am ready to take the bullet for the people. I am ready to take all the insults. Leadership is instituted by God. As a party, we will continue to remain united,” he said.