HISTORIC DEFECTIONS: PRESIDENT TINUBU RECEIVES GOV ENO INTO APC
…re-assures citizens of better days
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described Governor Umo Eno as a rare leader with remarkable wisdom and vision who had drastically redefined and upgraded the developmental landscape of Akwa Ibom State.
The President made this remark when he formally received Governor Umo Eno into the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the party’s grand reception ceremony at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
President Tinubu said the movement was remarkably courageous and will usher in a new dawn with renewed hope for the people of the State.
Represented by Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu assured the Governor that his stay in the APC will bring much more dividends of democracy to the people and the State, as it stands in good stead to better fulfill its dreams and visions as captured in the ARISE Agenda.
While commending the sterling leadership prowess of Governor Eno, he assured the Governor of Federal Government’s collaboration and partnership with the State to realize its lofty developmental projects and programmes in the State.
Earlier in his speech, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, described his movement with the State to the APC as a progressive one, occasioned by enlightened State interest with a view to aligning the State properly with the centre for the overall benefit of the State.
He noted that despite his movement, his developmental focus is based on the trajectory of the ARISE Agenda, and deeply appreciated the people of the State, party faithful and supporters who also decided to move with him enmasse to the APC to better the lot of the State.
“Today, we step out bold, fearless, brave, courageous and happy for our uncommon but progressive move from the position of strength for our future is bright and full of positive gains.
According to the Governor, for over 30 years, “Akwa Ibom State has struggled to no avail to realize its dream of having a deep sea port,” but, with the strategic alignment with the Federal Government, there was an assurance and hope of its realization.
The Governor expressed gratitude to past leaders of the State, Obong Victor Attah, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akapbio and Deacon Udom Emmanuel, whom he noted have all made great contributions to the development of the State.
“Today, with our ARISE Agenda, and with what we have achieved already in the past two years, we are determined to deepen and expand the layers of our development and growth, which is what this progressive movement seeks to achieve and consolidate,” he said.
The Governor commended President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and provision of adequate funding to states, adding that the funding has enabled the State Government to finance its various projects spread across the State, assuring the people that his choice to move to the APC will change the future of Akwa Ibom State as enshrined in the state’s anthem ‘forward ever/ backward never.”
In his remarks, Senator Akpabio commended the Governor for his bold decision to align the State with the Centre, describing it as a historic reunification of the State to Nigeria.
He also thanked the Governor for leading the State with humility and dignity through inclusive governance which he said has earned him the trust, love and support of Akwa Ibom people.
Assuring the Governor of support from the Federal Government,
he acknowledged that the State has endlessly yearned for a deep seaport and assured him of the Federal Government’s commitment to grant the request.
He thanked the Governor for his faithful display of political maturity which he discribed as not just a generational responsibility, but the language of statesmanship.
He eulogized Governor Eno for prioritizing the unity and progress of the State above party affiliation and for choosing partnership over partisanship.
The Senate President assured that by reuniting the State to government at the Centre, Akwa Ibom will be given its rightful place in the national equation.
National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in his address thanked the people of Akwa Ibom State for coming out enmasse to support not only the Governor but the President, Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.
Congratulating the Governor on his strategic move, Ganduje commended his ARISE Agenda initiative, describing him as a wise leader who chose national unity and prosperity over national isolation and declared him leader of the APC in the State.
Chairman, Progressive Governors Forum and Governor Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma said the APC was honoured to have such great crowd coming out to support the governor, which according to him, indicates massive acceptance of APC by people of the state both at home and in the diaspora.
Uzodinma further said the decision by Akwa Ibom State people to join the moving train was not only strategic but wise, and encouraged the governor to continue with his outstanding governing style that has brought about a united and progressive Akwa Ibom.
Earlier in his remarks, the APC State Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, stated that the strategic progressive move by the Governor, though unprecedented, was historic and signifies a new dawn for the State.
Describing the Governor as a man of purpose, Ntukekpo welcomed the governor to the APC, adding that his bold and courageous move signifies his commitment to development and governance as well as his readiness to collaborate with the centre.
He noted that Akwa Ibom joining the APC, symbolizes the beginning of greater investment, progress and growth for the State.
Highpoints of the occasion were the handing over of the official flag of the party to the Governor and his formal declaration as a member and leader of the Party in the State by the National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
The event witnessed an unprecedented crowd of politicians across party lines in the State, dignitaries, party faithful, supporters, and the general public.
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