Stand Firm, Saraki Charges Udom on Akwa Ibom Politics

Okon Bassey in Uyo
Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Friday praised the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his maturity in the face of recent political development in the state, tasking him to be firm and ignore the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Senate President, who was in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on a solidarity visit to Governor Emmanuel, lauded him for keeping the PDP intact despite of the shock that followed the defection of the former Senate minority leader to the APC.

Saraki expressed satisfaction with stakeholders in the state for their support for the governor and urged them to continue to give him wise counsel.

“I am glad to notice that you are serving your people well and also that you have demonstrated your worth, capacity and leadership skills. I wish to also commend you for rising above provocations. I want to urge you not to be deterred.

“I also want to congratulate you for keeping PDP in Akwa Ibom intact. In the House of Assembly you have 24 out of 26, eight out of 10 in the House of Representatives and all the 31 council chairmen. I am happy for you and the people of Akwa Ibom have shown that they love the governor.

“Since God and the people are with you fear nobody. Events will unfold but still fear nobody because all the signs are that the people are with you.” Saraki said.

Welcoming the Senate President to the State, Governor Emmanuel said Nigerians remained proud of his resilience and stance on national issues and urged him to continue with his Nigerian project.
The governor said PDP in the state remained 98% intact despite the defection of Senator Akpabio. “Akwa Ibom is PDP and PDP is Akwa Ibom”, he stressed, adding that his interest remained building a future for the Akwa Ibom child.

“You fought a good fight and you have shown that you are a true son of your father. But I am not surprised because a lion must give birth to a lion. I also commend your return to PDP. Your stay in APC was an alliance, but PDP is your home.”, the governor said.