Akpabio Hands Over State’s APC Leadership, Political Structure To Gov Eno

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO 
Following the recent movement of the Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has handed over the leadership and political structure of the party, at the State level, to the governor, as both leaders pledged to work together for the progress of the State and benefit of the people. 
Akpabio handed over the mantle to Eno on Friday, during the first APC stakeholders’ meeting in the State, which took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, during which he described Eno as a great unifier, a man of foresight and vision, whose leadership has brought peace and unity to Akwa Ibom and repositioned it for future growth.
He saw Eno’s movement into APC as a merger, and not an acquisition and urged all members to join hands to work for the progress and overall interest of the State.
The Senate President enjoined the governor to integrate the State, as his position as the Senate President is not to lord over the governor but to protect the interest of the State to ensure its progress, leaving behind a legacy of love, peace and unity for unborn generations.
He announced the modification of the party’s slogan to encourage integration, love, unity and progress.
Pastor Eno, in his response, urged the party’s leadership, from the wards level upwards, to accept the movement and merger with open arms, to enable everyone to be beneficiaries of the movement.
According to him, “This is a merger and as the Senate President has said, we must, therefore, approach it with love, unity, and understanding. There has to be some sacrifices from both ends. Let the leadership and members bring down the rhetorics so that we all can come together in droves and build a truly united All Progressives Congress in our State. 
“We have heard stories where some ward leaders have brought out lists of requirements for people that want to join the party as if it is a marriage ceremony. Honestly, that should not be. We should be happy that Akwa Ibom is getting united, and we are all better for it”.
Eno assured the stakeholders, especially Senator Akpabio, of his readiness to work together with the party’s hierarchy, and support the ideology and interest of the party for the overall good of Akwa Ibom  people.
The state chairman of the SPC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, lauded the governor for his exceptional leadership style that has transformed the State to a united and peaceful haven, assuring Eno of the willingness and support of the party’s leadership.
Ntukekpo urged members to submit to Eno’s leadership, guidance and direction, for the expected growth and progress of the State.
Speaking separately at the event, the State APC woman leader, Obonganwan Obonodo Uko, youth leader, Dr. Clement Awakessien, representatives of chapter chairmen, Mr. Utitofon Jeremiah, and representatives of ward chairmen, Mr. Edidiong Dama, appreciated the governor for his inclusive leadership disposition and especially for reaching out to them even when he was yet to join the party. 
They noted that a good number of their members were beneficiaries of the governor’s empowerment initiatives, and pledged their readiness to support him to attain his lofty ideals for the party and the State, as contained in the ARISE Agenda.