Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has called on the political class angling for offices to allow passion and mission guide them in serving their constituents.
Akpabio gave the advice Friday at the funeral service of Deaconess Aniema, daughter of the late Senator Donald Etiebet, the former Governor of old Cross River State, held in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Leading other Senators to the funeral, the Senate President described the deceased as “a very strong supporter of mine, who had the sight and the vision of what was about to happen in the Senatorial District.”
“She did all she could to ensure that I emerged the Senator representing the good people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, which finally led to my being elected by my colleagues as the President of the 10th Senate.”
The former Governor said, “Aniema was a chip off the old block. When some people who were misled, gathered at Ritman University against me, Aniema stood her grounds against them.
She invited me to her father’s house, prayed for and campaigned for me. God answered her prayers because she had the vision of a better thing for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.”
Akpabio called on all women to emulate the visionary character of Aniema, saying, “Apart from being my sister, she was my political ally who stood by me and ensured that all the gang up against my ambition fell flat.’’
Present at the service were Don Etiebet, one-time Minister of Petroleum Resources and Aniekan Etiebet, one-time Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, among others.