Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the National Assembly will work with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to amend laws that impede Nigeria’s progress and development.
He expressed his gratitude to the president, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his Senate colleagues for their support when he ran for President of the 10th Senate.
Speaking at the Thanksgiving Service held in his honour at the Regina Pacis Auditorium of St. Anne Cathedral Ifuho in the state’s Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akpabio made this claim.
According to him, “the current National Assembly will rally round and support the programmes of the current administration by eliminating all inhibiting policies affecting the progress and development of the country. We would be partners in progress for the sole benefit of Nigerians.”
Speaking further, the former governor of the state, who was met at the Victor Attah International Airport by cheering locals of all political stripes led by the governor of the state, Pastor Umoh Eno, promised the residents of his district that he would provide them with excellent representation as their Senator and President of the Senate.
“I thank you all for coming out to celebrate God’s goodness in my life and that of my family. I thank you for your support during the campaigns and election proper. To those who didn’t vote for me, I will represent you well. Continue to pray for me and my colleagues as we daily navigate and steer the ship of the National Assembly for the betterment of all Nigerians.
“This show of love humbles me. Humility is all that matters in life. You will see the difference. What I want you to take back home is the fact that Nigerians have elected an uncommon Senate President. We will run an uncommon Senate for the benefit of the uncommon people. That is why I am here today to thank God for what he has done for me,” he stated.
Earlier in his homily, Most Rev Camillus Umoh, charged the 10th Senate to work for Nigerians and right the wrongs of the past to show that they are different through legislation.
He said, “We pray for collaboration and unity from your colleagues in both Senate and House of Representatives to make laws that would be just and for the good of Nigerians.
“Our prayer is that at the end of your tenure, Nigerians could say that a man from Annangland landed in Abuja and left with the imprint of Annangland and that you brought to bear the catholic character of justice and fairness.
“That from Ikot Ekpene Diocese came a Senator and President of the Senate. Let it be said that the kindheartedness of this place would also influence your character. Unite this country with legislation that is not selective and discriminatory.
“As you continue to guide the activities of the NASS, make it so that after your tenure, people would be saying when Akpabio was here, this wouldn’t have happened. Destroy things that would scatter this country. Go ahead and do things that you know how to do best; the uncommon transformation of Nigeria. This is the little Nazareth from where you rose. Let it be said that one good thing can come out of Nazareth,” he stressed.
Senator Dave Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, thanked President Tinubu in his brief remarks for supporting the senator’s bid to lead the 10th Senate. We all appreciate President Tinubu, whom God used to notice this unusual transformer, he remarked.
“A man of courage. During those daunting times, he stood his ground. We thank him. The president, his vice and our Senate President and his family need your prayers to succeed.”
“To those who thought they betrayed him,” he said, “to the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District for creating a Senator like Akpabio for Nigerians. God is who He is. Our struggles lead us to praise God alone, as we are doing right now. Due to his forgiving nature, Akpabio is successful.”
Following the first Bible reading from the Book of Psalm 49 I-6, the Senate President concluded the ceremony by leading the church’s mass choir in a rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus to the delight of everyone in attendance.
