I will not respond to Tinubu’s abuses – Governor Emmanuel

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel says he is more concerned about putting good governance in place to save Nigeria and Nigerians from their current misery than about taking issue with All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Governor Emmanuel responding to an allegedly insulting statement made by the candidate at the APC Rally in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state on Monday, noted that Tinubu has nothing to offer Nigerians hence his decision to abuse people rather than issue-based campaigns.

The Nigerian Tribune reports that Tinubu had said at his meeting in Uyo on Monday afternoon, “Akwa Ibom, that boy would have brought Atiku here, he would call himself state governor, tell him enough is enough! He lives in my backyard in Lagos. If we don’t say we’re one, I’d drive him home. You see that mansion where he lives, I would just use lizards, pigeons and scorpions and put them inside.”

In a subtle response, despite being insulted by the former governor of Lagos State, the governor said he would prefer to let peace reign by ignoring him and focus on helping to install good governance to protect Nigerians. save them from their current misery.

During the inauguration of newly appointed permanent secretaries and government, chairmen and members of councils and committees, as well as a transition committee to ensure the smooth transition of power to the next government in Government House, Uyo said, the governor said, for the country to remain in peace, one party must ‘play holy’ and so he would refrain from answering Tinubu.

The governor, who is the chairman of the PDP’s presidential campaigns, stated: “I also go to other states, and if you look at our campaigns, my director (Atiku Abubakar) has never spoken about a governor, he has never spoken openly about Asiwaju before.”

Mr Emmanuel said it was a pity that Tinubu, who was given state facilities like the airport, security, stadium and a good atmosphere to come in and sell his manifesto, ended up compromising the integrity of more than 7.9 million Akwa Ibom- offended people.

He wondered if it is possible for an Akwa Ibomite to go to Lagos where Tinubu resides or to the actual state where he comes from, to insult him in the same way and still be allowed to return safely? “But here our people at the stadium, including some state governors, just laughed and applauded him.

“Why does he think he will rule Nigeria? When I answer him now, people call me and say, haba! you’re not like that. But I will answer him one day. There’s nothing like ’emilokan’ here (it’s my turn), Nigeria is in God’s hands”. He stressed.

However, he thanked the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries for accepting the arduous task of the agency and urged them to see themselves as ambassadors and work to raise the bar of leadership, which will boost productivity and promote good working relationship with subordinates in the service.

“This is one thing I have promised Akwa Ibom people that the appointment of permanent secretaries will be entirely on merit; let those who can do the work have the opportunity. Permanent Secretary is not a promotion, it is an appointment based on merit.

Governor Emmanuel also reiterated his commitments to improve efficiency within the civil service, noting that civil servants have been promoted annually during his tenure, adding that before he leaves office, more permanent secretaries will be appointed to the service to fill vacant positions to fulfill those left behind by those who retired.

Governor Emmanuel, describing them as pillars of the government, addressed chairmen of councils and committees and expressed his appreciation for their commitment, in particular Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection & Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) Prince Akpan Ikim, for winning laurels for the state through its outstanding performance for five consecutive years from 2018 through 2022, sustaining the state and making it the cleanest in Nigeria, and commissioning others to create an impact that will make them stand out.

In the same vein, the members of the Transition Commission were tasked with ensuring a seamless transition from government to an incoming government, and verifying all projects carried out by the current government.

The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are; Mfon Inuaesite Edemekong Esq., Dr. Stephen Effiong, Atim Chelly Okoko, Iquo Okon Abia Esq., Uwem Sunday Andrew-Essien, Isaiah Robson Ntekim and Emaeyak Nyong Akpan as Auditor General for Local Government.

The Transition Committee has
Ms. Ekereobong Umoh -President, Uko Udom SAN, Prof Augustine Umoh, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, Mrs. Nsemeke Daniel, Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan, Mr. Elijah Udoiyak, Ms. Esther Inyang, Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, Mr. Isaiah Ntekim, Mr. Effiong Ekpenyong and Ms. Bella Akpanya as members.