Akpabio backed for second term

Godswill Akpabio
Akwa Ibom people, along with their representatives at the various levels, have adopted a motion endorsing Governor Godswill Akpabio for a second term in office, starting from next year. Led by members of National Assembly caucus of Akwa Ibom extraction, the adoption was done through a voice motion, thereby re-affirming their support for the governor's quest to re-contest, based on his remarkable achievements in just three years.

Senator Effiong D. Bob, the caucus leader, moved the motion on Saturday during the celebration of this year's Democracy Day at Uyo Sports Stadium. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bernard A. Udoh, representing Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency.

“We, on behalf of the entire people in the state and in the National Assembly caucus, having seen what the governor has done for the past three years hereby move that he continue in the office in order to complete all the ongoing projects,'' he moved.

As soon as the senator moved the motion, he put it into a voice vote of 'ayes' and 'nays' and the 'ayes' carried the day amidst jubilation by other caucus members and the crowd.      

  
Before moving the motion, Senator Bob, representing Uyo Senatorial District had enumerated the achievements of Akpabio administration in the last three years to include introduction of free and compulsory education, and infrastructural development in the state.

The senator recalled that the late Pa Obafemi Awolowo's free education policy led to the education of many people in the defunct Western Region and hoped that in the future, the Akpabio's free education would produce many directors of companies, lawyers, bankers and other educated ones to man various sectors in the society. 

Flanked by Senator Eme Ufot Ekaete representing Eket; Senator Aloysius Etok representing Ikot Ekpene; all the members in the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State, Bob used the occasion to congratulate the people on the celebration of Democracy Day and third year of Governor Akpabio administration.

Chief Akpabio said change has come to the state through the execution of various people-oriented projects and asked the people to embrace it for better.

Akpabio thanked the Akwa Ibom people for the show of solidarity to his administration and urged them to disregard the handiwork of detractors and blackmailers, stating; “We won't be distracted by cosmopolitan politicians who move about with petitions.

 ''We have not arrived yet but we will get there when industries start. We will get there when Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Uyo Federal Road is dualised. We will get there when Eket-Etinan Road is dualised,'' added.

In a goodwill message, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Patrick Ekpotu, said from 1999 to 2007, Nigerians had a president who ruled the country for eight years while the governor ruled the state for eight years, reasoning that it would be injustice and a misnomer not to allow Akpabio to equally rule the state for eight years.

Mr. Ekpotu enjoined aggrieved Akwa Ibom politicians who left the party for one thing or the other to return to avoid being stranded in the future.

On the occasion, Senator Anietie Okon, vice chairman of Arik Airlines, Edidem Papa Udo Tom Tingiko Enodien, Akwa Ibom chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Unyime Usoro, chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom Council, Onofiok Luke, president of Nigerian Youth Parliament, Iniobong Ememobong Essien, President of National Association of Nigerian Students and Mrs. Grace Anwana, Akwa Ibom Head of Service, among others delivered goodwill messages.