The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State and present Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has vehemently refuted story making the rounds in the media that he is unhappy with his successor, Udom Emmanuel, for alleged wastage of public funds in attending the just concluded AKISAN Convention in the United States of America.
Akpabio, speaking during an interview with newsmen in his office at the National Assembly Complex on Wednesday, said he is extremely happy with Udom, and particularly commended him for his inclusive governance style of getting Akwa Ibom people in the Diaspora involved with his developmental blueprint for the state, especially that of relentlessly bringing investors to the state, which was a major purpose of his attending the 2015 AKISAN Convention.
He reinstated his faith, belief and total support for the Governor, whom he extolled for defying detractors to take bold steps to respond to the yearnings of the Akwa Ibom people.
The Senator said he is displeased that even after he had left Office as Governor of the State, mischief-makers are still peddling untruths and cautioned these rumour mongers to “leave Akpabio alone”.
He advised agents of disharmony to desist from their disruptive tendencies as Akwa Ibom state is moving Forward to Greater Heights under the leadership of Udom. He stressed that he does not have the time to meddle into the affairs of the State – not because he does not care, but because he has his hands full with matters in the Hallowed Chambers as the Senate Minority Leader, and because Udom whom the entire state voted into office, is more than capable to pilot the affairs of the State to greater heights.
Akpabio insisted that his relationship with his successor is very cordial but warned detractors to desist from sponsoring false rumours and join hands with the industrialization plan of the current administration.
He restated that when he was a governor he righteously attended the AKISAN conference because it is a viable forum for social and economic interactions between Akwa Ibom people from across the world.
The event has been a necessary interface between the Government and its people in the Diaspora in which case the gains of a vibrant diaspora to its home state or country are many and varied. Primarily, this network of kinship is a well-known provider of remittances.
It also helps improve economic activities by creating and conducting business transactions across international borders, promoting foreign direct investment, in addition to transferring new knowledge and skills. And Foreign Direct Investment is the immediate direction of the state Governor’s policy thrust.
Finally, to put the rumours to bed, the Senator stressed his confidence that the Governor will take Akwa Ibom to higher heights and advised the idle hecklers to please “leave me alone” as he is very busy with the affairs of the office of the Senate Minority Leader in the red chambers.
