2015: Akwa Ibom Must Show Love To Eket Senatorial District In The Spirit Of Easter

On behalf of my wife, Her Excellency, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio and the Government of our dear State, I share with all Akwa Ibom People the joy of the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

This season holds a special meaning for all Christians. Jesus Christ was crucified on trumped up charges of violating Roman laws. The fear of death drove His disciples to run from him, because they were afraid to share His fate. But a few days later, the same disciples were found preaching the gospel boldly, their fear of death broken because Jesus Christ conquered death.

The victory of Jesus Christ over death should liberate us from the fear of death. That He went through the humiliation He did for our sake should provide us with a lesson in public service and a template for us to place public good above our personal comfort.

Therefore, as we mark this momentous event of Easter, let us find comfort in our shared commitment to unity, and find strength in our common aspiration for a greater Akwa Ibom State. Let us think in terms of what we can do for our State and not what the State can do for us. Let us think in terms of justice, fairness and equity in this season of politics.

I am not unaware that this would be the last time I would celebrate Easter with you as the Governor of our dear State. In the last eight years I have run the race, fought a good fight of faith and I am set to complete my course. In all these years, I have sought to let all Akwa Ibom people come together not as Ibibioor Annang or Oro but as brothers and sisters and children of God. I have sought to let the example of Christ's love for us remain the foundation of our unity.

The lesson of Easter was recently brought home to us by the statesmanlike action of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,when he opted to concede the Presidential Election in the public interest even before the announcement of the final result. By this act, Mr. President has resurrected morality, good conscience, patriotism and goodwill for our country. On this score, I wish to commend Mr. President for this powerful national lesson during this season of love and sacrifice. He lived up to his vow that no ambition was worth anybody's blood. We should bear this in mind as we prepare to elect our next governor on April 11, 2015.

The true Akwa Ibom spirit of loyalty was tested in the Presidential Election and we acquitted ourselves creditably. We were with the President right down to the finishing line and we are proud that we turned in close to a million votes for the President. We are proud of his performance and proud of our support for him. This nation now knows that we have no place in this blessed Land of Promise for the Judas Iscariots.

I thank you for electing your representatives to the Senate and the House of Representatives. By your kind mandate, I will be representing you in the Senate hereafter, and I am aware that to whom much is given much is expected. I thank you for the confidence reposed in me.

The echoes of our principled stance that justice should be done to the good people of Eket Senatorial District, who have not tasted the gubernatorial office in 27 years of our State's existence, should ring louder in this season of love, justice and sacrifice. Let us play politics of inclusion and not exclusion in order to give all parts of our dear state a sense of belonging in the Akwa Ibom project.

I urge all Nigerians, particularly Akwa Ibom people, to remain united in spite of the outcome of the past elections and to face the forthcoming elections with great hope. As we go out to vote, let us remember that what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. Let us show love to our brothers and sisters from Eket Senatorial District by giving them the opportunity to taste what we from Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts have tasted already. There is no greater way to show love that is consistent with the spirit of Easter than to exhibit this sense of equity and fairness to our brothers and Sisters from Eket Senatorial District.

Let the words of the late American Civil Rights activist, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that “we are all bound in a single garment of destiny,” resonate in us. Let those who seek to divide us with politics be reminded that Christ said it was through loving one another that one can prove himself as being a true disciple.

Let the lessons of Easter, therefore, inspire us to make sacrifices for the unity and progress of our State and Nation. Let the life and teachings of Jesus Christ inspire us to strive for a world knit together by love, and a State bonded in brotherhood and a nation united in diversity. As Easter stands out as a perfect example of unconditional love, let us give unconditional love to our neighbors and share love with the less privileged..

Please accept our best wishes for a Happy Easter Celebration. God bless you all.

BEING AN EASTER MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE, CHIEF GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO, CON, TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE, APRIL 3, 2015

Essien Ndueso
Personal Assistant to the Governor,Media
[email protected]