President of the Senate and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the decison of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, to link the state to the centre of Nigeria politics was not an easy decison, noting that that singular action has finally bonded Akwa Ibom State into one united entity.
Akpabio stated this while speaking at the formal reception of Governor Eno into the All Progressives Congress (APC), inside the mainbowl of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday.
A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted him as saying, “Governor Eno, it was not an easy decision. But I thank you for being the man of your word. You have, by today’s action, brought us back to the good old days of Akwa Ibom State. Today is for you, today is for President Bola Tinubu, the South South, Akwa Ibom State and most especially for Nigeria.”
Akpabio noted that from his interactions with Akwa Ibom indigenes from different strata, he was very convinced that the people of the state were behind his decison, saying ” the whole state is behind you. You are not all alone in this. You have not moved away from the heart of the people. The people are with you. This is not a defection, it is a movement. This is not merely a reception for a Governor, it is a unification of Akwa Ibom with Nigeria, and you as the governor made it possible.
“This movement is historic. Apart from being the region that produces the wealth of the nation, we have in the past been supportive of the government in the centre. In 2023, we decided to go our different ways, but today God has used Governor Eno to link us back to the centre. “
Speaking further, Akapbio noted that ” come 2027 the South South will go one way and will vote President Tinubu. I can boldly say that you are the first governor to be re-elected in 2027, and President Tinubu will get over 90 per cent of the votes from Akwa Ibom State. “
Akpabio advised Eno not to think that everybody would be happy with his decision to join the APC. According to him, “You think everybody will applaud you on this? A few of them will say you shouldn’t have done it, but you will only answer them with the result of the development you are going to bring to the state. It will shock them. The APC under President Tinubu will never deceive you. You will get even more than what you requested.”
