2023 : AKPABIO, THE LAWMAKER WITH POLITICAL INFLUENCE
By Mfon Patrick
January 10, 2023
There are persons that would occupy an office that was once seemingly not heard of but because of their brilliance, wit, political weight and the office becomes a subject of national prominence.
One of such institutions is ().
In the past three years; NDDC was in the news for the positives because the then Minister, .. , former Governor Of Akwa Ibom State took over the remains of the commission and remedy all worrisome situations.
He completed NDDC Headquarters 25 years after groundbreaking () and relocated members of staff of the said commission from a rented property (where the commission expended millions annually) to their permanent NDDC complex, head office…
NDDC was in the news for completing an abandoned University hostel. Senator Godswill Akpabio, the then Minister took up the abandoned project, completed, and handed an ultramodern Hostel to the University Of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in Niger Delta Region.
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF): to prioritize security in Niger Delta Region, the then Minister took over another abandoned project, completed and commissioned the police special protection unit through the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Port-Hacourt, Rivers State.
To bring back the integrity of the commission and allows its functionality, the presidential order for forensic audit was ensured to a full completion with implementable results.
The East~West road was receiving same utmost attention when a call for a higher national duty warranted the resignation of the immediate past Minister. For patriotism, he resigned in readiness to face the looming tasks ahead as a principal lawmaker in the forthcoming 10th assembly.
The uncommon record that defined that tenure was the direct supervision of the commission by the Honourable Minister, Ministry Of Niger Delta Affairs. Before the nomenclature change, the Senator Akpabio, inaugurated three successive administrative management team right in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Unfortunately, such powers and influence has been tactically withdrawn from the office of the Minister. The recent swearing-in of NDDC management board members was administered by the SGF at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja while the present Honourable Minister becomes an onlooker.
The Presidency gave power to Akpabio and withdrew their power soon as Akpabio left. This speaks volumes of the political weight of the former Senate Minority Leader. Obviously, Akpabio is the pride of Akwa Ibom that can be trusted with public mandate; he has a truckload of administrative experience, legislative temperament and the political influence to attract good governance to his region.
On the strength of this, the entire youth of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, (through several calls to the author of this piece) and the entire Niger Delta Region call on his constituents to show patriotism by () as the next Senator, representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and one that will command good governance to Niger Delta Region.
Gone are the days, the state or region will waste their votes on another sleeping senator when there is readily a better option, a brilliant lawmaker, a former Governor who understand the plights of his people. A man who has turned boys to men through empowerment programmes, political appointments, employments and the likes. We rise for a man who has conquered the fear of ethnic sentiments, for a transformer who understand the body language of the presidency and a team player. A man who is ready to bring in massive employment to Akwa Ibom youth and the Niger Delta youth.
, / Write from Abuja