Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has dropped a bombshell to his people by saying that he does not want to be remembered as the best Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio who spoke during a town hall meeting/ constituency briefing with Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency people this Friday, said despite the huge achievements and successes recorded by his administration, his happiness would be pronounced if he has successors that can surpass his strides in the State.
The Governor who enumerated the several projects by his administration in the Federal Constituency, however said that he was interested in witnessing more performing governors in the State in his lifetime.
Akpabio who used the visit to commission projects in the three local governments said the commissioning now brings to 565, the total number of rural and community based projects in the federal constituency, with 189 in Ikot Ekpene, 266 projects in Essien Udim and 110 projects in Obot Akara
He described Ikot Ekpene as historic not only because it is the first experimental local government in West Africa created by the colonial administration in 1951, but also because of the vast economic and tourism potentials of the area.
Akpabio lamented the unfortunate neglect of the federal constituency by successive administrations in the country, but expressed joy that renewed economic and commercial activities has now returned with the several roads construction and urban renewal drive of his administration.
He also assured that the new 13 storey - 150 room - 3 Star Hotel being constructed in the former location of the Ikot Ekpene prisons, will be completed in March 2015.
As was expected, the town hall meeting turned out to be a carnival of a sort, with different groups and associations in colourful regalia and various banners and billboards urging the Governor to go for the Senate after his current tenure in 2015
Those who spoke at the ceremony included the Paramount Rulers and community leaders of the three local governments as well as a former Deputy Governor, Engr Chris Ekpenyong, who endorsed Governor Akpabio to represent the Senatorial District in the Senate in 2015.
According to Chris Ekpenyong, Akpabio as their son, had made them proud by being a worthy ambassador, and has made Akwa Ibom now a reference point for good governance in Nigeria.
The Paramount Ruler of Ikot Ekpene Engr. Augustus Assiak said that Akpabio was a good testimony of power shift through the uncommon transformation he has brought to the State, and also drummed support for Eket Senatorial District to produce the next governor.
A former Senator Engr. Emmanuel Ibokessien also lend his voice on the clamour for Akpabio to represent the State in the red chambers of the National Assembly, adding that as a former senator, he has not seen such achievements by a governor in the history of the State.
On his part, Engr Sam Inyang noted that Governor Akpabio’s greatest legacy was the human capital development through the free and compulsory education which has armed the children to be secured for their future.
The general notion at the Ikot Ekpene Town Hall meeting was that the people where strongly ready to support the transition of power to any competent successor from Eket Senatorial District in the spirit of equity, justice and fairplay since Uyo senatorial district had already held sway for eight years.
They however requested more roads in the constituency and added that due to the strategic position of Ikot Ekpene they had unanimously requested for an ultra modern commercial market in the area.
The youths of the federal constituency also announced a donation of N5million to the Governor to enable him purchase the senatorial form and commence his consultations.
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