By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has said that APC Presidential candidate Mr Bola Tinubu has nothing to bring to the table for Nigerians, hence his decision to abuse people during his presidential campaigns.
He has also said that despite being insulted by the one time Lagos State Governor, he would ignore him and focus on helping install good governance to rescue Nigerians from their present woes.
Emmanuel stated this on Monday evening in Uyo while inaugurating newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen and Members of Boards and Commissions, as well as a Transition Committee to ensure the smooth transition of power to the next administration.
Tinubu had during his rally in Uyo , said, “Akwa Ibom, that boy wey bring Atiku here, wey dey call himself 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, I would just use lizards, pigeons and scorpions and put inside.“
But reacting few hours later, the governor said that for the country to remain at peace, one party must ‘play saint’ and that is why he would refrain from replying Tinubu.
The Governor who is the Chairman of the PDP presidential campaigns stated that, “I also go to other states, and if you watch our campaigns, my principal (Atiku Abubakar) has never spoken about any Governor, he has never spoken openly about Asiwaju before.”
Emmanuel said it was unfortunate that Tinubu, who was granted State owned facilities such as the airport, security, stadium, and a good atmosphere to come in and sell his manifesto, ended up insulting the integrity of over 7.9 million Akwa Ibom people.
The Governor wondered if it is possible for any Akwa Ibom person to go to Lagos where Tinubu stay or the actual state that he hails from, to insult him in like manner and still be allowed to safely return home, “but here our people at the Stadium including some state governors just laughed and applauded him”.
“What makes him think he will govern Nigeria? If I reply him now, people will call me and say, haba oga you are not like that. But I will reply him one day. There is nothing like ‘emilokan’ (it is my turn)here, Nigeria is in God’s hands.” He said.
Emmanuel 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, encourage productivity and promote good working relationship with subordinates in the service.
“This is one thing I promised Akwa Ibom people that appointment of Permanent Secretaries shall be totally on merit ; let those that can do the work be given the opportunity. Permanent Secretary is not a promotion, it is an appointment on merit.” He said.
The Governor handed the Transition Committee members the task of ensuring a seamless transition of government to an incoming administration, and also verify all projects executed by the present administration.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are; Mfon Inuaesiet Edemekong Esq., Dr. Stephen Effiong, Atim Chelly Okoko, Iquo Okon Abia Esq., Uwem Sunday Andrew-Essien, Isaiah Robson Ntekim and Emaeyak Nyong Akpan as Auditor General for Local Government.
The Transition Committee has a former State Head of Service
Mrs. Ekereobong Umoh as Chairman, Uko Udom SAN, Prof Augustine Umoh, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, Mrs. Nsemeke Daniel, Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan, Mr Elijah Udoiyak, Mrs. Esther Inyang, Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, Mr. Isaiah Ntekim, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong and Mrs. Bella Akpanya as members
