Party politics is over, Gov Eno declares… says Tinubu our father, Akpabio our big brother

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, on Monday, said President Bola Tinubu is his father and Senate President, Godswill Akpabo, his “big brother.”

The governor, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, added that party politics is over while urging that political party differences should not be a factor in working for the good of the people of his state.

Akpabio returned to the state’s Government House in Uyo, the state capital after serving as governor between 2007 and 2015, accompanied by some political bigwigs and was received by the governor.

His visit marked about 10 years since he had last visited.

While appreciating Akpabio’s visit, Eno said, “Your excellency. I know you’ve been in the state several times because it is your home, but this is the first official visit to the state seat of government since you left. Tonight is a historic night in Akwa Ibom and, indeed, in Nigeria. Party politics is over. Even though we belong to different political parties, the love and support we have received from you as our big brother has united us; reach out to us, work with us, advise, and counsel us.

“For me as a person, I believe that God brought me here by grace to bring about reconciliation of our people. Nigerians can come and see how people can work together across party lines, and I think this is a real collaboration that Nigerians need at this time.”

In his remarks, Akpabio relished the governor’s conduct in not criticising the administration of Tinubu despite being in the opposition party and experiencing the current economic realities that he said were happening around the world after the advent of COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is well with you, and it is well with my state. I want to extend the goodwill and felicitation of the Federal Government to Governor Uma Eno. I want to assure you that if there is anything the National Assembly can do for any government, we will do so for you. I’m expected to sit here and criticise you because I’m not in the same political party as you, and you are expected to sit there and criticise Asiwaju (Tinubu) and the Federal Government, but I think that elections are over, and we are now doing governance.

“So we must work together across party lines. And a time like this with the difficulties in the country and all over the world, after COVID-19, many countries are in recession even United Kingdom. It is important that we don’t add sorrow to the people through divisive  policies. Unite your people,” the Senate President noted.

Eno further maintained that his administration would continue to support the Federal Government as there was no need to be confrontational.

“If we can get anything for our state. If our state becomes great. If our state becomes the place of envy as it is and continues to grow, we will have no alternative other than to work together. If we miss this opportunity, I don’t know when else. We need that synergy, and this is the best opportunity.

“Our father, the President, will succeed; all of us need to give him that support; we need to give him that understanding; we need to work together across party lines to solve myriads of problems. I believe that the solution to Nigeria’s problem does not lie in one person or party, but when God chooses a leader, everyone relies on that leader.

“We all need to come together to support the President and interpret his vision so that Nigerians can benefit from one another and enjoy the dividends of democracy. Criticism will not solve the problem we have at hand,” he pleaded.

Earlier, Eno had lobbied for Akpabio to use his position as the third-placed Nigerian citizen to realise the vision of establishing a deep seaport, palm oil refinery, and petroleum products depot in the state.

He explained that the development of the seaport, which has the deepest and longest water stretch in Nigeria, would be an economic catalyst for Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea.