Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel responded to All Progressives Congress presidential candidate Bola Tinubu on Monday, saying that he (Tinubu) always resorts to abusing and insulting people during campaigns because he has nothing to do with it. bring to the table for Nigerians.
He also said that despite being insulted by the former governor of Lagos State, he would prefer to allow peace to reign by ignoring him and focusing on helping to install good government to rescue Nigerians from their current problems.
Emmanuel spoke Tuesday night at Government House, Uyo, inaugurating the new Permanent Secretaries, Presidents and Members of Boards and Commissions, as well as a Transition Committee to ensure the smooth transition of power to the next administration.
Recall that Tinubu had said during his rally in Uyo on Monday afternoon: “Akwa Ibom, that boy we will bring Atiku here, who will call himself Governor, tell him enough is enough! He lives in my backyard in Lagos. If it is not said that we are one, he would have taken it home. You see that mansion he’s living in, he would just use lizards, doves, and scorpions to put him inside.
But a few hours later, the governor of Akwa Ibom state said: “For the country to remain at peace, one of the parties must ‘play holy’ and therefore refrains from responding to Tinubu.
Emmanuel, who is the chairman of the DPP presidential campaigns, said: “I also go to other states, and if you look at our campaigns, my director (Atiku Abubakar) has never talked about any governor, he has never talked openly about Asiwaju before.”
He added that it is unfortunate that Tinubu, who was given state facilities such as the airport, security, stadium and a good environment to enter and sell his manifesto, ended up coming to insult the integrity of more than 7.9 million Akwa Ibom. . people.
The Governor wondered if it is possible for any Akwa Ibomite to go to Lagos where Tinubu stays or to the actual state where he comes from, insult Tinubu in the same way and still be allowed to return home safely, “but here our people in the stadium including some state governors just laughed and applauded him.”
“What makes you think you will rule Nigeria? If I answer now, people will call me and say, haba oga, you’re not like that. But I will answer you some day. Here there is nothing like ’emilokan’ (it’s my turn), Nigeria is in God’s hands”.
He further argued that despite being the largest revenue contributor to the federation account, Akwa Ibom State has not gotten a single kilometer of road from the APC-led federal government for almost 8 years, adding that the poor response of the federal government also caused the delay. start of the seaport in the state.
Meanwhile, the Governor thanked the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries for accepting the onerous task of the service and urged them to see themselves as ambassadors and work to raise the level of leadership that would encourage productivity and promote good working relations with subordinates in the service. .
“This is one thing that I promised the people of Akwa Ibom that the appointment of Permanent Secretaries will be entirely on merit and not mercy, that those who can do the job get the opportunity. A Permanent Secretary is not a promotion, it is a merit appointment.
Governor Emmanuel also reiterated his commitment to improve efficiency within the Civil Service, noting that civil servants have been promoted annually during his administration.
He assured that before his departure from office, more Permanent Secretaries will join the service to fill the vacancies left by retirees.
Addressing the chairmen of boards and commissions, Governor Emmanuel, who described them as pillars in the government, acknowledged their commitment in particular, the chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Akpan Ikim, for winning laurels for the state through their outstanding performance in maintaining and making the state the cleanest in Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2018 to 2022 and commissioned others to create an impact that highlights them.
In the same way, the members of the Transition Committee were given the task of ensuring a smooth transition of the government to an incoming administration and also verifying all the projects executed by the current 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 of Local Government.
The Transition Committee is composed of Ms. Ekereobong Umoh -Chairperson, Uko Udom SAN, Prof. Augustine Umoh, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, Ms. Nsemeke Daniel, Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan, Mr. Elijah Udoiyak, the Ms. Esther Inyang, Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, Mr. Isaiah Ntekim, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong and Ms. Bella Akpanya as members.
