Group tackles Akpabio, makes case for N'Delta women

A GROUP, Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Democracy (GIPD) has taken on Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State over his alleged ''hasty'' re-election campaign.

According to them, Governor Akpabio's 2011 project was distracting him from pressing ahead with his administration's ''giant strides'' on the development of the state.

Executive Director of the group, Akinaka Richard, who spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday, also identified women as key factors in the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis.

Taking a look at Akpabio’s style of governance and politics, thje activist noted that while the governor has made marks on three areas of social concern in the delivery of democracy dividends, ''his hunger for power is distasteful''.

''It is a matter of concern for us that Akpabio has started campaign for his second term mid-way into his first tenure. This is not acceptable to us as a grassroots organisation. At this point in our democracy, the Nigerian people should be given the freedom to choose their leaders'', the group said.

According to them, “the recent floating of Akpabio's campaign organisation appears to be too early, ludicrous and distracting”, adding that the people should reserve the right to express their freedom of choice.

  “In as much as we commend the governor on youth development, road construction and transportation, we hold the view that it is too early for him to start campaigning for a second term”, GIPD said.

Continuing, they said, ''a seeming desperate bid for second term will not only distract him, but will also short-circuit his administration from getting the rural people, particularly women, engage deeply in agriculture. This is a critical ingredient in resolving the Niger Delta problem''.

“The history of development of any society is based on agriculture, adequate food production which foster increasing and happy population which in turn brought about civilization and modernization'', they added.