By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The Niger-Delta Youth Alliance for Good Governance has urged Senate President, Godswill Akpabio not to dissipate energy attacking former Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel at every given opportunity, but focus on making laws that would improve the lot of Nigerians.
The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Iniobong Ekpenyong and Secretary, Silas Etuk and made available to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday observed that the remarks made by Akpabio at his residence in Abuja when Governor Umo Eno and his entourage visited him and those made during a Thanksgiving Service/reception held by Mr. Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, Rivers State were unwarranted and denigrating.
The statement noted that Akpabio’s emergence as the Senate President was as a result of his hard work and track record of performance as a PDP Governor of Akwa Ibom urging him to rather partner with the present Governor of Akwa Ibom who is willing to draw federal presence to the state.
“The Niger Delta Youth Alliance for Good Governance, however, frowns at some remarks made by Senator Akpabio concerning the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, CON, particularly those made at his residence in Abuja when Governor Umo Eno and his entourage visited him and those issued during a Thanksgiving Service/reception held by Mr. Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“We wish to advise the distinguished Senator to live up to the expectations of the Akwa Ibom people by liaising with the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno who has indicated interest to work with the Federal Government for the development of the State. Akpabio should rather make such an effort, his preoccupation.” It said.
While commending Governor Umoh Eno for identifying with the Senate President for the development of Akwa Ibom State irrespective of political party leanings, the group advised Akpabio not to use the avenue to run down the former governor and cause a cold blood between the current Governor and his predecessor.
The group observed that no Governor in Nigeria could protect his predecessor the former Governor protected and respected Akpabio when he left office recalling how the then governor Emmanuel blocked the anti-graft agency, the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) from probing Akpabio’s alleged 108 billion Naira fraud.
“Mr. Udom Emmanuel has never been an enemy of Senator Godswill Akpabio and will never be one. Instead, he has demonstrated a leap of beneficence in protecting Akpabio’s image and his record of service.
“It is on record that before and after the exit of Senator Akpabio from the PDP, Mr. Emmanuel cautioned his aides not to comment or write anything negative about Senator Akpabio, and anytime the opposition wrote negative stories about the Senate President, Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s media aides rose to Akpabio’s defense.
“Fortunately, former Governor Udom Emmanuel has never insulted, abused, or denigrated Senator Akpabio in public or anywhere before. That is the level of regard Mr. Emmanuel has for Akpabio.
“Available and self-explanatory records in the public domain show that Mr. Udom has protected Akpabio more than any Governor in Nigeria protected their predecessors in office, including Akpabio legacies.
“Mr. Udom completed the majority of the projects started by Senator Akpabio. The Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road dualization project, the Ibom Airport, Four Point By Sheraton, and Ibom Tropicana are among numerous projects abandoned by Senator Akpabio which were completed by Mr. Udom. Mr. Udom also inherited and maintained the appointment of over 90 percent of Akpabio’s Aides and political associates.
“Mr. Udom Emmanuel went further to do the unthinkable by resisting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for seven times from investigating the Akpabio administration, earning Udom a place in history as the first governor in Nigeria to challenge the powers of the EFCC to inquire into the finances of a State Government. These facts are public knowledge.” The statement read in parts.
The group however urged the Senate President to be recompensed as to why God placed him in that position and ponder on various ways that he could work with Eno to help the state move forward and not to be obsessed with the thoughts of his successor who never abused him in the midst of provocations.
