The gully-of-disaffections between former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and the incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, became wider as the former could not hide his feelings on the butchered relationship between them.
Akpabio-Emmanuel, when the going was easy and rosy.
He even expressed regrets for what he called “imposing” Udom on the people of the state.
Apologising before a crowd at Ikot Ekpene Plaza, Akpabio, who returned from his mother-in-law’s burial at Enugu on Sunday evening, said Emmanuel was the greatest mistake he made in a hurry, and asked to be forgiven.
Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North West in the Senate, noted that Emmanuel “is a mistake that must be corrected in 2019.”
“Udom (Emmanuel) is a mistake that must be corrected in 2019. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the mistake is corrected for a people-oriented leadership under the ruling All Progressives Congress at the centre.”
According to him, “Emmanuel’s administration has failed the people,” forcing him to take decisive actions to correct the anomaly for posterity to be fair on him.
Akpabio spoke of the prevalence of hunger and deprivation in Akwa Ibom State since the Emmanuel administration assumed power, adding that it was time for “holistic action” to liberate the state from the shackles of bad governance
But recall, Akpabio had, in the run up to the 2015 elections, declared Emmanuel, then Secretary to the State Government, next in line to succeed him, even when 26 aspirants jostled for the post.
However, GrassRoots.ng traces Akpabio’s latest outburst to a supposed ‘cordiality’ he witnessed between the incumbent and immediate-past Governors of Enugu State- Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Barrister Sullivan Chime.
Just last weekend, Senator Akpabio expressed delight with the relationship between Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and his predecessor Sullivan Chime.
Sen. Akpabio, who spoke during the funeral ceremony of his grand mother-in-law, Madam Mercy Uduoku Neife Igwenagu in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, which was attended by Gov. Ugwuanyi and ex-Governor Chime, among other dignitaries, told Chime that “it is not easy to see to a successor giving you this respect; keeping up with your projects; maintaining the projects; improving on them and ensuring the peace of the state”.
The Senator commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his uncommon leadership style anchored on peace and good governance and encouraged the immediate past governor of Enugu State to “support Gov. Ugwuanyi for the good works he is doing in this state”.
Sen. Akpabio noted that he was impressed with the giant development strides of Gov. Ugwuanyi, the state’s peaceful atmosphere and the warm hospitality he observed when he visited Enugu with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for the burial of the late former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme, stressing that all these were achieved when “there was recession”.
Ugwuanyi, Akpabio and Sullivan.
“The joy you (Ugwuanyi) also gave me was when I left Enugu Government House in the night, I saw street lights everywhere. I said, I thought in many states that they said that there is recession and I entered those states and there were no street lights again. But you have not only been able to maintain what you met on ground, you have improved on them, you are still improving on them”, Sen. Apkabio pointed out.
Speaking on Gov. Ugwunayi’s humble disposition and penchant for peace, the Senator stated that the governor’s humility is “disarming”, saying: “Because you have shown humility to God; that God will give you your heart’s desires”.
His words: “We want prosperity and peace. It is in the heart of the individual. It is the love you have in heart for your people that gives prosperity and peace. Our prayer is that God will give you (Ugwuanyi) more resources as you continue to add to the development of Enugu State. And as you continue to add to the beauty of Enugu City, may God bless you for your good works in Jesus Name.
“I am very proud you have been not just an in-law but a great son of Enugu State. Enugu remains the capital of South-South and South-East, and I am sure you know that this whole city will continue to see progress and that can only come with peace and love among all of us. You have shown love from the successor to the predecessor and then to all of us”.
Another highlight of the event was the performance of a highly cherished traditional dance in the Igbo land, Igede, by Gov. Ugwuanyi, Chime and Akpabio.
So, if you have been asking why Akpabio had to make the comment on his return to Akwa-Ibom, look no more. Now you know- it is because of the Ugwuanyi-Sullivan collaboration in Enugu State; even though they now belong to different political platforms.