Deputy Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo has charged Nigerian Editors to deploy all resources available to them to ensure all stakeholders strive for credible elections ahead of the 2019 general elections while urging them to hold political leaders to account.

Mr Ekpo made the call while delivering a speech at the 14th All Nigerian Editors’ Conference (ANEC) holding in Asaba Delta State.

Speaking on the theme, Credible Elections, Sustainable Democracy and the Nigerian Media, Mr Ekpo noted “The Media  must hold our political leaders’  feet to fire and demand credible elections.We are all witnessness to the shenanigans that have occured in the last elections in Ekiti and Osun States that have made a mockery of what democracy is all about.

” A case of open disenfranchisement of the voters using the instrument of coersion by government, a case of  ooen collusion between those who were supposed to be impartial impires, the INEC and a political party, does not bode well for the deepening of the political culture”

He stated that if we must have sustainable democracy, the media must begin to ask politicians to define their stand on core issues germane to our national aspiration.

He also enjoined the media to demand the execution of the social contract especially regarding promises made by politicians at every election circle.

Mr Ekpo used the opportunity to reveal that the  state government led by Mr Udom Emmanuel has worked hard to fulfil its own campaign promises.

According to him ” we ran a campaign that was acutely distilled into a five point agenda: Job creation, poverty alleveiation  Wealth Creation, Economic  and Political Inclusion and infrasteucriinal consolidation  and Expansion.

” In the immediate past dispensation in our state and in an atmosphere of fanfare, Akwa Ibomites were promised industries in each of the 31 Local Governments, none was established”

He noted the Emmanuel administration has established such industries  as the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing company, ths best metering solutions company, flour mill, fertilizer blending plant, plastic manufacturing company, Coconut Oil factory and a pencil manufacturing company.

He also reeveled that inspite of the challenging economic climate, the state has  constructed 1,700 Kilometres of road and crashed the price of stable food with its innovative agricultural initiatives.

Also speaking at the occasion were Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, NGE President, Mrs Funke Egbemode, Mr Mike Iginni who represent INEC Chairman and Dr Tony Iredia who was Chairman of the occasion.

Adding that despite what seem like a bleak future, his party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP) last Saturday exhibited through its preaidentail primary that there was hope with seamless election of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate.