Emmanuel urges politicians to support Eno to build state

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has urged politicians to join hands with the governor-elect, Pastor Umo Eno to build the state.

Speaking during his last Easter broadcast message to the people on Monday, Emmanuel urged aggrieved politicians to sheath their swords and work with Umo Eno for the growth of Akwa Ibom.

Emmanuel stated that it was a privilege to serve as governor, and commended the people for the prayers, support and encouragement he received in almost eight years, adding that he was leaving the state better than he met it.

“I urge our political class to sheath their swords and join hands with the Governor-elect, Pastor Umo Eno to build an economically vibrant State where the yearnings and hopes for our collective growth and development would be attained for the good of us and the generations yet unborn.

“​It has been my great honour and privilege to serve you as your Governor. As I am getting ready to hand over the baton, I do so, with the full conviction and deep faith that given the resources available, given the challenging economic tailwind that we faced, given the two recessions and a pandemic of historic proportions, God has been merciful, God has been kind and I am leaving this State better than I met her.

“Akwa Ibom is rising and as the line in our State Anthem so movingly states: Forward ever, backward never! It can only get better,” he stated.

Emmanuel called on the people to be united and love themselves, and charged them against allowing politics to cause a separation among them.

He saluted security agencies for the peace experienced in the state and encouraged them to extend the same dedication and cooperation he received to the governor-elect.

“We may have disagreements on political front, we may have pursued growth and development through different political prisms, but we must resist the impulse of letting politics create unbridgeable schism and chasm of alienation amongst us as kindred,” he said.