Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom have called on the electorate to reject political aspirants who have a history of violence in next year’s general elections.
He has also urged stakeholders across the political divide to eschew hatred, anger and violence but sustain the spirit of the Akwa Ibom Enterprise to endure and flourish.
Emmanuel who made the call in his Easter message to the people of the state maintained that no political office should compel anyone to shed the blood of another.
“There is no ambition that is so deep and sacred that we would be willing to turn our State into a cauldron of violence, in order to satisfy our craving for power. All powers belong to God and He alone, grants such to whom He has favoured.
“Akwa Ibom has in the past seven years, remained an oasis of peace and tranquillity, We will never go back to the years of violence and the years where we couldn’t sleep with our eyes closed.
“We will not return to the years where kidnapping and politically motivated killings numbed our sensibilities and made us question the central purpose of governance, which is the security of lives and property.
“Akwa Ibom people have collectively and unanimously said goodbye to those years, and have welcomed the era of peace and security. Anyone who markets violence should and must be rejected.
In the last seven years, he said, his administration has laid a good foundation of growth and development that would, like Dubai, was in 1985, blossom in the next few years transform the area into a fast industrializing and glittering State where, the people’s aspirations would be met;
“Where from Land, Air and Sea, our State would be the cynosure of all eyes, where the economy would be private-sector driven, where our youths would be engaged, where the brightest and the best among us would enjoy incredible opportunities for growth and fulfilment.
“My dear Akwaibomites, this is the way modern societies that we travel to, and love, were grown and established. That is what I am doing for our people and posterity will remember and celebrate us for seizing the moment.” The Governor maintained
He singled out developements in the Aviation sector particularly the International Terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport, the Maintain, Repair and Overhaul (MRO,) world-class Taxiway, as physical foundations that could transform the state into an emerging industrial Tiger.
“As you leave the airport, I am sure you have seen the expansion of the road to an 8-lane boulevard. All over the world, the heart and character of a city is defined and shaped by what people see as they enter into the city centre.
” The 8-lane road from the airport leads into a city centre where visitors will be greeted by another 10-lane Ring Road Three, which promises to be one of the best boulevards in the nation. Even our naysayers have acknowledged the beauty of this road.” Emmanuel said.
He commended Christians for their prayers which have helped in no small measure to maintain the stability of the state and called on them to eschew hatred and pull down syndrome enimical to the growth of the society.
