ETIM EFFIONG
A group under the auspices of the National Transformation Movement has called on Sen. Godswill Akpabio to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
According to the group, Akpabio having gone through the six geopolitical zones of the country and former governor of Akwa Ibom State has been seen to be a man of capacity that could lead Nigeria to its desired destination.
The position of the group was contained in a communique issued at the of their meeting in Uyo on Sunday and jointly signed by Messrs Ubong Idemudo, Victor Bassey, Daniel Ime, and Dr Imo Effiong.
They said the landmark achievements recorded by Akpabio in his eight years in office as the Governor of Akwa Ibom were still fresh in their memories, adding that if given the opportunity to govern Nigeria, Akpabio would perform even better.
The group in their communique said that Nigeria needs a President like Akpabio, who is detribalized in all facets of his endeavor and could maximize the agricultural sector to scuttle the menace of food insecurity if voted into power.
“Nigerians are desirous of a man that can restructure international trade policies in favour of a common man in numerous uncommon ways.
“Nigerians are contending for an engine in a man that can design monetary and fiscal policies that will encourage foreign direct investment and in turn create employment using green accounting measures to sustain the green economic environment.
“We are after a man that has the zeal to interpret the root cause of insecurity in Nigeria for effective crisis management for sustainable public order.
“Having strategically considered the plight of Nigeria as a country, we through a thorough analytical cross-sectional perception study conducted within the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria unanimously declare to compel Sen. Godswill Akpabio to contest for the position of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We the Nigerians fully represented here attributed our desires for you as a President, because of your landmark achievements in governance spanning from your prominence and remarkable achievements when your policies as a governor restructured Akwa Ibom state economically and improve its infrastructures,” the communique stated.
The group said Akpabio performance as a Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has repositioned the ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission to an enviable position worthy of duplication in all parts of the country.
The group added that Akpabio benevolence and wisdom have calmed the inherent tension and youths’ restiveness of the Niger Delta region and reduced militancy since the assumption of office as the minister.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which was almost comatose has been rejuvenated and corruption reduced to a minimum through the forensic audit supervised by the Honourable Minister.
“The completion of the NDDC Corporate Headquarters of NDDC which has been seemingly impossible since the inception of the NDDC and completion of a countless number of projects in the region,” the communique stated.
According to the communique, the group said if Akpabio accept the clarion call to contest for the office of the President, they would purchase the nomination form for him.