The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, has lauded the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno for his impactful leadership marked by infrastructural transformation and peaceful engagements across the state.
Dantalle made the remarks at Government House in Uyo, the state capital, when he led a delegation of the national leadership of IPAC and newly elected members of the State Executive Committee on a courtesy visit to the governor.
He said that from his observations during the few days he had spent in the state, it was evident that the governor was channeling the resources of the state into meaningful development projects.
While noting that IPAC was not an opposition political platform but a body comprising all registered political parties, Dantalle explained that the new leadership of the council seeks to ensure that political parties remain veritable vehicles to power and channels for amplifying positive performances in governance without bias.
The IPAC national chairman described the peaceful conduct of the council’s election in the state as a demonstration of inclusivity in leadership, urging members of the council to separate politics from governance.
He later presented the new state leadership of the council, led by Chairperson, Mrs. Blessing Umoh, to the governor and urged them to collaborate with the state government in advancing the ARISE Agenda.
In his response, Governor Eno congratulated Mrs. Umoh led executive and thanked the national chairman for upholding the good moral principles of the state during the election, noting that peace is naturally prioritised and valued in the affairs of the state.
He urged the new executive to pursue peace and promote collaboration for the overall interest of the state rather than opposing growth, unity and development in the guise of criticism.
“We thank God for the conduct of your election, and we thank all the participants for making it peaceful. In Akwa Ibom, we naturally preach peace because without peace, there is really nothing anybody can do. We would be fighting. Once trouble starts, we only know how it starts, we don’t know how it would end, and other things that would be involved.So, for Akwa Ibom, God has blessed us with peace, and we continue to preach peace in whatever we do,” he said.
Governor Eno also promised to welcome constructive criticism, strengthen collaboration with IPAC, and maintain a positive view of the committee rather than regard it as opposition.
Present at the visit were Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Stephen Ntukekpo; Dean of Commissioners and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mkpisong Frank Archibong; and the immediate past chairman of IPAC and member representing Ini State Constituency, Lawrence Udoideh amongst others.