Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, says the people of the state, across party lines, remain united in their resolve to support President Bola Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda for the benefit of Nigerians.
Governor Eno stated this during a New Year visit to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to the governor, the visit was to extend New Year greetings and to appreciate the Senate President for his leadership and for making Akwa Ibom State proud at the national level.
“We pray for more wisdom upon you to keep supporting President Tinubu because you are all tied together. We also assure you that we are holding the ground at home for you. That is one assurance you need to know.
“Akwa Ibom is united for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Akwa Ibom is united for you, Chief Akpabio. In fact four days ago the youths of Akwa Ibom State held a massive rally to endorse the President, yourself and my humble self.
“Akwa Ibom is united across party lines. We may have some storms in the teacup, they will always be there. But when you see at the general outlook, you would know that the State is very united as far as 2027 is concerned,” Governor Eno said.
The governor also commended Senator Akpabio for his New Year decision to order the withdrawal of all court cases instituted against individuals who defamed and slandered him, describing the gesture as an act of exemplary leadership.
“It gave me so much joy because that is leadership. Beyond what you did, it is a great encouragement to Pastors that our leaders can listen to a message and be inspired by it.
“It was Mahatma Ghandi who said that forgiveness is not for the weak but for the strong. It takes a strength of character to rise above such feeling of hurt to let go of the past. So I commend you for that,” he added.
Responding, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended Governor Eno for his steadfast support for President Tinubu, noting that the success of the President translates to the success of Nigeria.
“We are behind you just as we support President Tinubu. His reform agenda may be painful but it is working. I want to thank you for your support for the President and also uniting the whole State to support him. We are focused on assisting the President to succeed because if the President succeeds, Nigeria succeeds,” Akpabio said.
He thanked Governor Eno for the New Year homage and cited a quote from renowned author Chinua Achebe to underscore the importance of unity.
“When we gather together in the moonlit village ground it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so,” he said.
Commending the governor’s leadership, Akpabio added: “I commend you for the peace that we are enjoying in the state. You have done well in terms of the projects that you have executed. You have done well in terms of infrastructure. You have done very well in terms of human empowerment.
“I have seen joy on the faces of Akwa Ibom people. The joy that you have brought to this State, the unity that you have brought to this State will outlive you. Generations yet unborn will benefit from it. I wish you a happy new year.”
The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Dean of Commissioners, Mkpisong Frank Archibong; APC State Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo; Political Leader, Senator Effiong Bob; captains of industry and leaders of thought.