By Bassey Nkponam
ETIM EKPO
Etim Ekpo Local Government Stadium was filled to capacity, Friday, as the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno; state chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Stephen Ntukekpo, and others, received the former national legal adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, into the APC fold.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at the reception ceremony, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged the leadership disposition of Gov Umo Eno, describing him as an exceptional bridge builder and unifier.
Akpabio saw Eno as a practical man of peace and reconciliation, whose visionary and impactful leadership was phenomenal.
He commended Eno for reconciling Enoidem to his brothers in APC, noting that meaningful development and progress of the people could only take place in an atmosphere of peace and unity.
“My governor, you are indeed a practical man of peace and reconciliation. Your visionary and impactful leadership is truly phenomenal, and I’m very proud of you,” he said.
Welcoming Enoidem into the fold, Akpabio, a former governor of the State, described him as a man of impressive capacity and impact, saying Enoidem’s reception into the APC fold was his reconnection to one of his political mentees.
“This is reconnecting me to one of my political mentees. Barrister Enoidem represents hard work, steadfastness, and excellent service. His return to us means huge peace and progress in Etim Ekpo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District”, Akpabio said.
Governor Eno thanked Senator Akpabio for honouring the event to ensure that peace and togetherness reign in the senatorial district, attributing the success of the event to Akpabio’s love and care.
“Our success today would not have been possible if not for the fatherly love and care of Senator Godswill Akpabio”, Eno said and appreciated the liberal mindedness and concern of Enoidem to bring lasting peace and unity amongst his people for the overall good of the State.
In his remarks, Enoidem commended Eno for the hard work and reconciliatory spirit which was responsible for the day’s accomplishment, noting that he was happy to be reconciled to his former boss, Akpabio.
According to Enoidem, everything works for the growth and betterment of the area, the senatorial district and the State as a whole.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom, Chief Stephen Ntukekpo, noted with admiration the reconciliatory and uniting efforts of both the governor and the Senate President towards sustainable peace, unity, growth and progress of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in particular and the State in general.
Ntukekpo commended Enoidem for his exemplary maturity and love for meaningful peace and unity amongst his people, and decorated him with the party insignia (broom) to officially receive him into the party’s fold.
In his welcome remarks, the chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government, Mr Gideon Uwah, thanked Eno for being a unifying force and bridge builder whose leadership style has saved the area from unnecessary political clashes.
Uwah noted that through the reconciliation and trajectory of reunion among political stakeholders of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, the senatorial district and the State as a whole has become one united family.
He described the Senate President as a beacon of hope and pride to Akwa Ibom people, and expressed gratitude to his political mentor, Enoidem, for his counsel which has helped him excel politically.
Speaking separately at the event, the speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong; minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo; Chief Assam Assam; chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Saviour Enyiekere; State woman leader of the APC, and Etim Ekpo chapter chairman of the APC, among others, expressed gratitude to God for bringing peace to Etim Ekpo ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
They thanked the Senate President, Akpabio, for shelving other important national engagements to receive Enoidem into the APC, and for his fatherly role and leadership quality which have reminded Akwa Ibom people of great human value and love for one another.
They also congratulated Governor Eno for his visionary and sacrificial leadership aimed at uniting and bringing development to the State, while saluting Enoidem for choosing the path of peace, unity and development over bitterness and political sentiments.
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