Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel has attributed the political persecution of Bukola Saraki, the Senate President by the Nigerian government to his worth and capacity to positively turn things around in the country.
Emmanuel said “If you don’t have anything to offer, nobody will attack you. You are being attacked because you are about scoring goal. So, don’t take that for granted, count it all joy and blessing. We really love the way you protect project Nigeria”.
The governor who spoke this on Friday when Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Senate President paid him a solidarity visit at Government House, Uyo, noted that “Let me also salute your courage. You’ve fought a good fight and we say, just ride on. You have the support of the masses of this country. You might not know that. If the people see you with the flag of this country, they see project Nigeria.”
He stated that despite the ordeals, the Nigerian masses back him as they believe in his commitment to protect project Nigeria.
Governor Emmanuel thanked Saraki for extending a hand of friendship to the state, adding that the presence of many political stalwarts and senior citizens of the state was an indication of the love and respect Akwa Ibom people have for him and his position at the Senate.
He lauded the resilience of some members of the National Assembly, saying that their actions speak volumes to individuals aspiring for political positions and maintained that such positive stance served as evidence of mentorship, character, intergrity and placing interest of the people above personal interest.
While emphasizing that the Akwa Ibom government was laying foundation for social and economic growth through discipline, the Governor assured his guests that the people fully support the PDP to continue in delivering dividends of democracy in the state.
The Senate President said that he and his colleagues in the 8th Assembly were in the state to pledge solidarity to the government and people of Akwa Ibom in the wake of defections to the opposition party by some prominent politicians in the state, urging the Governor not to be distracted from his good works as he has the support of the majority of National Assembly members and the people of the state.
“We are here on a solidarity visit to you and the good people of your state, to let you know that we are strongly and fully with you. We are here with you because we know you are serving your people well. You have shown your worth, capacity and leadership skills. You have done a lot of good works and I don’t want you to be distracted. We will work together and make this country better.
“We are also here to congratulate you. When you have that kind of movement (defections), and you look at the National Assembly, out of 10, eight are there for you, out of 26 in the State Assembly, 24 are there, I am happy for you. The people of Akwa Ibom have spoken that they are strongly behind you”, Saraki stated.
He lauded the Governor’s developmental strides in the state, noting that his superlative performance has endeared him to the people and added, “continue to forge ahead, my little experience has shown that once you have God and your people with you, fear nobody. We will work to support you because you mean well for your people”.
Describing the Governor as a dynamic, young, determined and focused leader, the number three citizen said that the state was blessed to have such a Governor with commitment to the welfare of his people which earned him their trust and hoped that the confidence would be expressed at the polls to return Emmanuel for a second term in office.
Saraki who defected from All Progressives Congress, APC to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP visited the governor who is also a PDP member to pledge support and commitment of the National Assembly to work with State governors to ensure positive development of the country.
The Senate President visited the governor to douse tension generated by the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio representing Akwa Ibom North West in the National Assembly and who is seen in the political circle as a ‘’big fish’’ and ‘’uncommon defector’’ from PDP to APC.
Saraki was accompanied by Senators Biodun Olujimi (Mrs) – Ekiti South and Senate Minority Leader; Philip Aduda – Federal Capital Territory; Dino Melaye – Kogi West; Clifford Ordia- Edo Central, Isah Misau – Bauchi Central and Bassey Akpan -Akwa Ibom North East and Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas as well as the Liaison Officer to the Senate President on State Matters, El Osaro Oniwo, among others.
Top government functionaries who witnessed the event included Mr. Moses Ekpo, the State Deputy Governor; Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, former military administrator of the state; Obong Paul Ekpo, state Chairman of the PDP; Emmanuel Enoidem, PDP National Legal Adviser; Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government and Mrs. Ekerebong Akpan, Head of the Civil Service.
Others were some members of the State House of Assembly led by the House Leader, Hon. Udo Kierian; Chief Assam Assam (SAN), former Attorney-General of the state, some Local Government Chairmen led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Frank Archibong.
