Let peace and love reign, Gov. Emmanuel urges Akwa Ibom political leaders

Gov Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has called on all political leaders in the State to let peace and love reign to build the new Akwa Ibom in the remaining two years of his tenure.

Emmanuel made the appeal in his broadcast to Akwa Ibom people to mark the sixth anniversary of his administration in Uyo on Saturday.

The Governor said since 2015 when he came into power, the central focus of his administration was to rapidly industrialise the State and change the narrative as a purely civil service oriented State to an industrialised state.

He said that through the efforts of the Technical Committee on Foreign Direct Investments which he had set up in 2015, the administration has attracted over 20 industries to the state.

“Finally, let me appeal to our leaders to continue to let peace and love shape and distill their hearts. Let us live as brothers and sisters and not to allow politics divide us.

“Akwa Ibom State is all we have and we must do all we can to deepen and cement the bonds of our unity and brotherhood.

“I hereby reiterate my unflinching commitment to utilising the remaining two years of my God-given mandate to solidify the foundation of a New Akwa Ibom – politically, industrially and socio-economically.

“With our unwavering faith in God to actualize what He began in 2015, and His promise to continually do a new thing in our dear State.

“I therefore, implore you my dear brothers and sisters to please join hands with me to sustain and deepen all that God Almighty has used me this far to achieve for our dear State,” Emmanuel said.

On his succession plan, Emmanuel said that the state deserves a leader that would continue to bring development to the state.

According to him, his successor should have the capacity and discipline to build the Akwa Ibom where the children will live in peace and strive to excel.

He urged the people not to look for a leader that would turn back the hand of the clock of developmental strides experienced in the state.

“So my dear Akwa Ibom people, if what you are desiring is a successor who will not have the capacity and the discipline to build a State where you and your children will live in peace and strive to excel, if you are desiring a successor who will turn back the clock of our developmental strides, if you are desiring a successor who will bring out the worst in our youths as opposed to galvanizing their energies and challenging them to be the best they can be;

“If you are desiring a leader who would not efficiently utilize the resources of this State on projects that have redeeming value, then I am sorry to disappoint you, God will not give us such a successor,” he said.

Emmanuel said that in spite of the challenges confronting the state and country, in the course of governance, his administration has done exceedingly well.

The governor also commended the security agencies for being great and dependable partners in the determined efforts to make Akwa Ibom an oasis of peace and development.