By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
In what appears as a call for higher responsibility, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan has called on Governor Udom Emmanuel to step up and join the 2023 presidential race.
Senator Lawan made the made while he was in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital on Saturday for the Thanksgiving/commissioning of projects initiated by Senator Albert Bassey Akpan, member representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Lawan, who took note of the infrastructure renaissance and ambience of peace in Akwa Ibom, said that the state was fast developing when compared with other states of the federation.
He described Governor Emmanuel as a gift to Akwa Ibom people, and someone who has championed the development of the state in just few years in office as the governor, and concluded that he was the kind of person Nigerians are looking for in leadership.
The Senate President further alluded that Governor Emmanuel’s style of leadership and governance in Akwa Ibom is one that has touched the people positively.
He described Governor Emmanuel as an intelligent and detribalised leader with an eye on peace, development and growth of Nigeria regardless of political party differences.
“Your Excellency, when I contested for the office of the Senate President, I remember what you said which still remains indelible in my mind. You never cared which political party I am, what you care about was the unity and growth of Nigeria; and that is who you are. That we cherish you, we adore you and we love you, and that is how it should be in our Country because our political parties are merely platforms, what people need is services regardless of party platform.
Eventhough we don’t share the same political platform but the truth must to be told, you have transformed Akwa Ibom state for the best. We are waiting for you to come and work with us. We want Champion like you and there’s no shame in asking. We are asking for peace, development and growth of our Country and it doesn’t matter who that person is.
“When you see something that is so good, you have to say something that is so good too, that in you we have seen something that is so so good for the leadership quest of Nigerians,” he concluded.
Earlier, Governor Udom Emmanuel had welcomed the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, and described him as someone he greatly loved and respected.
He said that he was pleased to have him visited Akwa Ibom state for the event of commissioning the multipurpose recreational facility built by Senator Albert Bassey Akpan, a project he added would have direct bearings to the yearnings of the people of the state and Nigeria in general.
