Governor Emmanuel Tackles Tinubu, Says President Buhari Did Not Construct A Single Road In Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has stated that the state has not benefited even a single kilometre road from the All Progressives Congress government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Peoples Democratic Party governor said the APC government was always nonchalant in response to the state projects, while accusing the federal government of causing the delay in the flag off of the seaport project in Akwa Ibom.

Governor Emmanuel made these remarks yesterday at Government House, Uyo while inaugurating newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen and Members of Boards and Commissions, and a Transition Committee which was to ensure the smooth transition of power to the next administration.

While speaking, the governor berated the APC administration, saying that despite being the highest revenue contributor to the federation account, Akwa Ibom State did not get a single kilometre of road from Buhari’s government since he took over power nearly eight years.

The governor stated this while fuming over a statement earlier by the 2023 presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu.

It would be recalled that Tinubu was in Uyo, Akwa Ibom’s capital city earlier on Monday for his presidential campaign rally. While speaking during the electioneering event, Tinubu ‘insulted’ the sitting governor, addressing him as a boy.

The former Governor of Lagos State condemned Emmanuel for bringing the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, into his state to canvas support for him.

“Akwa Ibom, that Boy brought Atiku here, was de call himself state Governor, tell him enough is enough! He lives in my backyard in Lagos; if no be say we be one, I would drive him home. You see that mansion he is living in; I would just use lizards, pigeons and scorpions and put them inside,” Tinubu said.

Governor Emmanuel, however, said he would prefer to allow peace to reign by ignoring the APC presidential flag-bearer.

He said Tinubu always resorted to abusing and insulting people during campaigns because he has nothing to bring forth for Nigerians. The PDP Governor asserted that his candidate, Atiku has never spoken ill of any state governor during his campaign rallies like Tinubu goes about doing.

Speaking on the event of the day, Governor thanked the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries for accepting the onerous task of service and urged them to see themselves as ambassadors and work towards raising the bar of leadership, which would encourage productivity and promote good working relationships with subordinates in the service.

He said: “This is one thing I promised Akwa Ibom people that appointment of Permanent Secretaries shall be totally on merit and not by mercy, let those that can do the work be given the opportunity. Permanent Secretary is not a promotion, it is an appointment on merit.”