BEVERLY HILLS, October 21, (THEWILL) – Immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom now Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and his successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel, have ruled out the possibility of disaffection coming between them as has been the case with many a governor and their political benefactors in several states.
This was as they vowed never to step on the “banana peel” of disagreement usually placed on the path of former governors and political godsons they helped to succeed them.
Both leaders spoke on Friday at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly at Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
Akpabio, who chaired the event and endorsed Emmanuel for second term, said: “What happens in Abuja that make people to fight people in their states will not happen between Udom and I. We will remain together and united… In 2015, they said Udom right. Udom is right for 2019.”
He also used the event to advocate the sustenance of cordial relations between the executive and legislative arms of government in Akwa Ibom.
Akpabio assured that the Senate will revisit the issue of devolution of powers to the federating units to boost development in the states and grassroots.
Speaking in the same wise, Governor Udom Emmanuel said nothing will separate him from the love of his leader (Akpabio), adding, “the banana peel in Nigeria that make governors and their leaders fight, Akpabio and I will not march it.
“We have where we are going in Akwa Ibom and we will go together. That is why anything you write about us in the papers that will divide us we have ignored,” he said.
The governor also stated that the executive enjoys harmonious relations with the legislature in the state, and urged the lawmakers to continue on the path of legislative excellence.
On his part, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke said the House is working hard to ensure harmonious relations among former and serving leaders of the state to ensure peace, stability, continued growth and development of Akwa Ibom.
He harped on the need for leaders of the state to be united, Speaker Luke said: “In the House, we told ourselves that we must ensure there is bond between Senator Akpabio and Governor Udom Emmanuel, including Obong Victor Attah.”
While commending Emmanuel for not interfering or influencing the decisions of the House, the Speaker said the House is not a rubber stamp legislature but “iron seal legislature that iron seals development and infrastructural Renaissance”.
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