From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Umo Eno has congratulated the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on his election as President of the 10th Senate.
Governor, who is the 5th elected governor of the state, while Senator Akpabio was the third, said his predecessor’s emergence as the president of Nigeria’s 10th senate calls for celebration from Akwa Ibom people with no recourse to party lines.
Speaking with newsmen on his way out of the state on official engagement at Victor Attah International Airport, Eno described Senator Akpabio’s election as Nigeria’s number three citizen as a milestone for the people of the state, explaining that the feat was a harbinger of good things to come for the state, especially linking the state to the government at the centre to expedite development.
“We’re very excited. Every Akwa Ibom person today should be thankful to God and be happy because the number three man in this country is from Akwa Ibom. That means development-wise, we can now link our state to the centre and we can collaborate”, Governor Eno remarked.
He congratulated the Akwa Ibom former governor and second-time Senator, Chief Godswill Akpabio on his emergence as the President of the 10th Senate and charged citizens of the state to celebrate and thank God for the feat.
“We congratulate him and I know that it’s a great milestone for Akwa Ibom State and every Akwa Ibomite, across party lines should be happy and thankful to God”, he added.
On his part, the former special assistant on Niger Delta Affairs to President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Ita Enang, also congratulated Senator Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a brief telephone chat with Daily Sun, Senator Enang asked the people of the state to extend their hands of fellowship and support to the new Senate president.
“It is beyond party, ethics or tribal lines. Every Akwa Ibom person should feel proud to be identified with this development. And I expect the Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to equally congratulate him as a worthy son of Akwa Ibom State.”
When informed that the governor had already done so, Enang quipped; “that’s the best thing to do.”