Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, Tuesday, called on the people of the state to support his reelection as governor of the oil-rich state in 2019.
Mr. Emmanuel, who was addressing a town hall meeting with Akwa Ibom indigenes in Abuja and 19 northern states, also used the occasion to showcase his achievements.
The governor appealed to the people to live in peace with one another and support development efforts of the state government at home.
He said that only God appoints people into leadership positions, saying he has used the opportunity God gave him to bring meaningful development to the state.
“God alone decides the leader He gives to the people He loves,” Mr. Emmanuel said.
He said his visit to indigenes of the state in the 19 northern states was the first time a sitting governor would hold such an interactive session with people in Abuja.
The governor said he loves the people of the state, adding “I’m showing my love through selfless service to the people. I have already told God to use me to develop the state in all its ramifications.”
Mr. Emmanuel said there is no place people would go in the state without seeing signs of development by his government.
He noted that his administration was in the last lap of the development of a deep sea port that would help jump-start economic activities in the state.
When the state’s international airport is complemented by a deep seaport, the governor said Akwa Ibom would be ready to fly.
According to him, the state has concluded arrangements to commission one of the best plywood processing plants in the country in December.
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If given a second term, he said more than 80 per cent of the food consumed by the people would be produced and processed in the state.
He listed construction of hospitals, schools, roads and industries as some of his achievements.
A former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and PDP chieftain in the state, Nduese Essien, urged the people to support Mr. Emmanuel for a second term.
Mr. Essien explained that despite initial setbacks, the governor has settled and was doing his best to develop and empower the people of the state.
He said the governor was initially bogged down by heavy debts from the previous administration, adding that during his second term, Mr. Emmanuel will turn around the fortunes of the oil-rich state.
