By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has pledged to run a bi-partisan and inclusive government in the state as he moves from his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Pastor Umo Eno gave the assurance, weekend, during a press briefing on the occasion of his movement from the PDP to the APC, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.
Eno emphasised the need for politics not to separate or sever the ties of brotherhood, common heritage and aspirations of Akwa Ibom people, pledging to be governor for all Akwa Ibomites irrespective of political persuasion or affiliations.
He stressed that he and his team were not joining APC from the position of their weakness but from the position of their strength, adding that they were bringing values to the APC in Akwa Ibom, and also coming to the APC with a ministry of reconciliation, to reconcile all fronts, and to work with them and all the stakeholders to continuously build a prosperous State.
“Today, as I make this formal movement from the PDP to APC, I pledge to you again, my dear Akwa Ibomites, that I will still run a bi-partisan and inclusive governance. Akwa Ibom, I promise you, will be a model of how to work together, pray together, aspire together, dream together and achieve together without the polarising impulses of partisan politics. Political parties remain vehicles for elections. I will continue to ensure that governance is done through the prism of bi-partisanship.
“Let me also say it here, that political parties are vehicles to run for elections. Governance in my considered opinion should be done without rigid attachment to political labels, since these parties are not defined by ideology but by enlightened set of interests.
“In two years, since my inauguration as governor, I have not worn a toga of a political party rather it has been my passionate commitment to pursuing the larger interest of our state and our people. The Arise Agenda, has been our Governance Blueprint, and that’s what it will be as we make this movement. I, therefore, appeal to you, my people, to join me in this necessary movement to align our State with the centre and to facilitate more development to our State.
“Our dear State is nationally considered as one of the safest and peaceful States in the nation. There is an urgent need to sustain and deepen this important catalyst for growth, by not engaging in unnecessary political bickering. Peace brings development, peace brings unity and unity breeds brotherhood and inclusivity and our State is the ultimate beneficiary.
“I have always said I will work for the unity of our State by running a bipartisan administration. This has been a well-thought-out position that was so eloquently stated in my Inaugural Speech May 29, 2023.
“On that historic day, I had stated thus: ‘Elections are over, and our kindred spirit must be renewed and deepened. We are all Akwa Ibomites first before politics. Together, with the old and the new, we will build our dear State, with unity, with peace, with inclusivity, with love and kindred spirit in accordance with the lines in our State’s Anthem that: ‘our dreams be ever one, rising beyond ethnicity,’ to ‘build with love, our Promised Land,’ so we may go ‘Forward Ever and Backward Never! That is what I am dedicating to doing and I ask you to continue to support and pray for us.
“Like the children of Issachar in 1st Chronicles 12:32, were “men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel should do” I also expect the understanding of the times we are in, and why we are doing this movement. As the children of Issachar pitched their tenth with David, for the common good of Israel, I expect unflinching loyalty of our Team – a point that is further eloquently illustrated in John 10: 27 “My sheep hears my voice, and I know them and they follow me.
“I am convinced that the voice I heard that led us to this day and to this movement, was the right voice and I know my people will follow me and continue to give us their support.
“Let us strategically Arise together to the promise of a better, more inclusive, stronger and united Akwa Ibom that is aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR led-Federal government.
“To those who may be concerned by this progressive movement, I want to assure you that, I have received enormous assurances of support and seamless integration from our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“The Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, and the Progressive Governors’ Forum. Those who know our dear President will attest to the fact that his words are his bond. This movement, falling on a day that we mark Sallah, is our own gift to our President and it has divine connotation,” he said.
The governor said he had consulted widely with critical stakeholders across the state, and that having completed the rounds of his consultation as the servant he has been elected to serve them, he has therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.
“Standing before you today, I make bold to state categorically that, I have by today’s event changed my political affiliation, but I will continue to uphold my values, my moral fibre, my foundational principles that I have nourished and cherished all through my life. Those values will remain unchanged, and I will always work with you regardless of party affiliation,” the governor said.
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