President of the Senate and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, stated on Saturday that he would continue to work for the peace and development of Akwa Ibom State across party lines.
Akpabio promised while speaking at the Thanksgiving Mass held in honour of the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, at Our Lady of Mercy Chaplaincy in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
A Special Assistant on Media statement to the Senate President, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, “As an elder statesman, my major concern now is to work for the peace and unity of the state and, by extension, Nigeria.
“I am not interested in any kind of war. I am more interested in bringing development to the state. If there should be any competition amongst us, let it be in the overall interest of our people, like competing for development and life-changing projects for our people.
“If the governor is bringing a project to street or road A, as the President of the Senate, I should be seen working on bringing water or electricity to the street or road B. That is the kind of competition I want to see, not unnecessary bickering that brings no good to our people,” he noted.
Speaking further, Akpabio lauded Hon Ekpo for remembering to thank God after his nomination and swearing-in as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and member of the Federal Executive Council.
He noted that “we are who and what we are today because God made it possible for it to be so. It is, therefore, imperative that we give thanks always. I thank you for not forgetting the God who made it possible for you to be who you are today.
“Let me also use this opportunity to once again thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting an Akwa Ibom son to occupy the number 3 position in the country. It has never happened since the creation of our dear state.”
Speaking at the Thanksgiving Mass, Pastor Umo Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, called on the people to unite behind any indigene in any position of authority for the state’s benefit.
He also stated his readiness and that of his government to put the state and its people first without any political or religious considerations.
Earlier in his speech, Hon Ekpo, Minister for Petroleum Resources (Gas), disclosed that the sudden introduction of Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, as the ministerial nominee from the state, to President Bola Tinubu looked like a joke to him.
He said, “When my leader and the president of the Senate formally introduced me to President Tinubu for this ministerial appointment, it looked like a joke to me. Subsequently, the Senate announced my name as a nominee and instructed me to bow when I appeared before them. Today, I am a Minister of the Federal Republic.”
Speaking further, Ekpo said he was in God’s presence to return all his thanks to God for using President Tinubu and Senator Akpabio to make his appointment possible.
“I am here today with my family to return thanks to God Almighty for making today possible. I also thank our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, for finding me worthy of this appointment.
Ekpo pledged his readiness to do his best for the state, its citizens, and Nigeria to ensure that the country reaps the benefits of its enormous gas resources for its development.
