Akpan Umoh, Uyo
Akwa Ibom North-East Elders Forum has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his lofty infrastructural development as well as the appointment of Akwa Ibom sons and daughters into Federal agencies.
This was contained in an eight-point communique issued at the end of a meeting held in Uyo and made available to newsmen on Friday.
The communique which was signed by the chairman of the forum, Otuekong Sunny Jackson and the Secretary Akparawa Okon Imeh commended the President on the recent approval for immediate establishment of a Federal University of Technology in the state, the $1.4 Morocco OCP Fertilizer Plant, the Liberty Oil and Gas Industrial Free Zone, among others.
The forum, however, urged lawmakers at the National Assembly to consider siting the school in Akwa Ibom North-East that has no Federal or State Government-owned tertiary institution.
“The forum requests that while considering the site for the recently approved Federal University of Technology, its leaders at the national level should immediately make strong representations for the suitable site for the university to be located with special reference to a federal constituency in Uyo Senatorial District with no federal or state government-owned tertiary institution.
“The forum affirms its unalloyed support to Mr President and the Federal Government for the appointment of Uyo Senatorial District, sons and daughters into various Federal Government positions, notably the appointment of Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs to Mr President, Sen. Ita Enang
“The Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority, (OGFZA) Obong Umana Okon Umana and others. The forum thanks Mr President for the appointment of Sen. Godswill Akpabio as the Honourable Minister for Niger Delta Affairs.
“Without sounding like Oliver Twist, we appeal to the president to appoint more of the numerous deserving Akwa Ibom stakeholders and loyalists in the party into Federal Boards and Parastatals.
“The forum also congratulates all federal appointees from Uyo Senatorial District and the state at large and urges them to see it as rallying points to guide and improve on the fortunes of the people in the state,” the communique stated.
On the 2023 Governorship election in Akwa Ibom, the forum resolved that it shall not accept any form of imposition of candidate in the state.
The forum urged credible men and women in the Akwa Ibom North-East senatorial district as the governorship is zoned to the area to come out and make their intentions known.
“In full recognition of the fact that the position of the governor of Akwa Ibom State returns to Uyo Senatorial District come 2023. The forum firmly resolved that it shall not accept any form of imposition of candidates for the position of governor.
“Consequently, the Forum encourages sons and daughters of Uyo Senatorial District, who are willing and able to contest for the office of Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2023 to feel free to make their intentions known and to work towards the achievement of their aspirations within the approved guidelines and regulations of the party and Electoral Authority,” Communique said.
The forum assured that it shall continue to serve as buffer to all its members and the people of the district and cooperate with government in all efforts to develop Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.