The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu as he diligently works to rectify the state of the economy.
Akpabio, characterizing the economy as “foamy,” indicated that it was left unstable by the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, whom he accused of creating a significant deficit in the national treasury.
He mentioned that Tinubu took over a weakened economy, which he is currently striving to revive and steer away from the grip of corruption and dishonesty.
The Senate president made this appeal at the Ikot Ekpene Stadium during the weekend, where his kinsmen from the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District hosted him and his National Assembly colleagues in a grand welcome reception following his assumption of the Senate Presidency last year.
He recounted that his previous comments regarding Emefiele being the primary offender in the economic downfall had provoked the former CBN governor, who took legal action against him (Akpabio), but emphasized that he takes his stance, despite the legal challenge.
Displaying hope and confidence in the economy’s resurgence, Akpabio reassured that President Tinubu possesses the expertise to revamp the economy and set it back on the path of growth, as he did during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, which emerged as one of the most prosperous economies in Africa.
He mentioned that the collective knowledge and political acumen of three former governors, namely Tinubu as President; Kashim Shettima, former Borno State Governor (Vice President); and himself, as former Akwa Ibom State governor, will aid the country in returning to the correct economic direction. He guaranteed the populace of the state, the South-South region, and the country as a whole, of comprehensive federal presence, ensuring that the coastal road stretching from Lagos to Calabar would traverse various states in the South West, South East, and South-South political zones, fostering socio-economic advancements.
The Senate President also pledged to Governor Umo Eno, concerning the Deep Seaport and other federal government projects, advising him to collaborate with the managing director (MD) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, to extend the current road project from the neighboring Abia State to Ini, Ikono, Ikot Ekpene, and linking Uyo, the State capital.
“You have requested a Seaport, and you will not just receive a Seaport, but also roads, flyovers, and other federal projects, all for your benefit,” he emphasized.
While urging the governor to uphold high moral standards as a Pastor, to which the governor concurred, Governor Eno expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing a son of Akwa Ibom to the prestigious position of the third-highest citizen and pledged to collaborate with the central government, regardless of political party differences, to bring development to the state.
He, therefore, implored the Senate President not to disrupt the gubernatorial succession plan established in the state through successive administrations since the advent of democracy in 1999, by allowing him to complete his eight-year term, similar to Obong Victor Attah (1999-2007); Chief Godswill Akpabio (2007-2015); and Mr. Udom Emmanuel (2015-2023).
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, lauded the leadership qualities of Senator Akpabio.
