The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the April 11 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Umana O. Umana, has congratulated Christians across the country for witnessing the 2015 Christmas.
Umana in a statement on Thursday, noted that Christmas, which is the celebration of the birth of the saviour, Jesus Christ, is significant in many ways.
He said the period emphasizes the need for love and togetherness.
The APC governorship candidate also harped on the importance of living in peace, noting that no country can develop in an atmosphere of rancour and violence.
Umana also seized the opportunity to urge all Nigerians to be patient with the current administration, saying it has good intentions and laudable plans aimed at developing the country and that very soon, people will begin to see results.
“I also use this period to remember our military operatives who are fighting to secure lives and property in the North-East, and I pray that God continues to strengthen them. I also pray for families of slain soldiers, that God continues to give them fortitude to bear the loss”, he said.
Umana, who recently won his case at the Appeal Court, also remembered victims of election violence in his state, Akwa Ibom and other parts of the country.
“As we celebrate, I urge us to remember victims of election violence and to also pray for the families they left behind. I must also add that the greatest way of honouring them is to ensure that we eschew violence in subsequent exercises and for all those who were robbed to reclaim their mandates”, he said.
Chief Umana further called on well-to-do individuals and groups to ensure that they assist the less privileged this season so that they too can be part of the Christmas celebrations.
He wished Christians a merry Christmas and all Nigerians a prosperous 2016.
Which victims of election violence is Mr Umanah talking about. Is it the once he engineered in 2011 elections while serving as secretary to Akwa Ibom State Govt under Now Sen Godswill Akpabio or the once he orchestrated running as gov candidate under APC? Mr Umanah should visit the families of the victims of his pernicious activities while trying to satisfy his selfish ambitious greed. Under PDP he plotted terrible attacks and violence on political foes and his killer squads made havoc on innocent souls and he continued his acts in APC. Mr Umanah is not a saint as he is making people to think. He must come clean and should not try to deceive people BC every Akwa Ibomite know his antecedents. We don’t need a masquerade @ the Hilltop Mansion but true leaders. He should tell the world why he suddenly bolted to APC to grab the govshp ticket from the genuine aspirants.
Pls somebody tell Mr Umanah that Akwa Ibom people don’t need tribal leaders but TRUE REFORMERS. We don’t need people on vendetta but leaders who are careful showing love and true forgiveness. Somebody tell Mr Umanah that leadership is not a do or die affair. We don’t need people who are scheming to take over power at the local level rather we need people that will go to Abuja and show their skills there and attract Federal government presence to the state. Right now Akwa Ibom state cannot compare to Cross River or Rivers State in terms of appointment. So what are the so called elders from Ak Ibom now in APC doing in Abuja.