A’Ibom leadership is not for experiment – Akan Okon, governorship aspirant

In Billie, Uyo

A governorship aspirant and immediate past Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Akan Okon, says the leadership of the state is not for the experiment.

Okon, who resigned to contest for the 2023 governorship seat, stated that he has been tested and trained as commissioner in different ministries, as such, was qualified to be governor.

Speaking in Uyo during his post-resignation media briefing, Okon stated that while serving as finance commissioners for both Governor Udom Emmanuel and former governor, Godswill Akpabio, he discharged his assignments creditably.

He maintained that his service record proved his mettle in governance, adding that as such, he cannot be held by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for any financial crime.

“At 34 years, Akwa Ibom State cannot afford to be an experimental ground where people come to learn leadership in public service. We need someone who understands Akwa Ibom so that from day one, he could hit the ground running.

“My take is that public service is not an avenue for leadership experiment. By God’s grace, Akwa Ibomites will experience a new lease of life with the ‘One With God Team’ on the saddle.

“I want to say that God helping me, I discharged my duties, the various assignments given to me creditably.

“I joined the Akwa Ibom State Government in 2013, and my first assignment was in the Ministry of Economic Development. I spent six months there and then I was moved to the Ministry of Finance where I served till the end of the administration of His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio.

“When Governor Udom Emmanuel won the election and was sworn in, I was reappointed to that office which helped me create a record as the only person to serve two Governors as finance commissioners. I served in that office with integrity.

“Why I’m saying so? In Nigeria we live in, the easiest way to have issues with the EFCC, is to be a financial officer. And I left in December 2016 and I want to tell you that EFCC has never invited me and they will never invite me.

“From that office, I was sent to the Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal and Special Duties, and my responsibility and key deliverable was the 21-storey building which I’m sure we all can see. Another deliverable was the Governor’s lounge in Lagos which has been completed and put to use.

“The airport was under my supervision. Being in that ministry gave me the opportunity to correct the abnormality that I noticed in our airports,” he stated.

Okon explained that at 34, it would be suicidal for the people of Akwa Ibom to elect a governor who has not been trained, tested, and proven to be competent given the humongous achievements of past administrations in the state.

He stated that within his eight years period of service to the state government, he received thorough training which led to his remarkable impact on three cardinal development focuses of Gov. Emmanuel in the state: land, water, and air space.

He mentioned that he has been a personal friend to Governor Emmanuel for about 40 years and had informed him of his intention to contest for governor since 2021.