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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has stated that Nigeria was in a critical state when President Bola Tinubu assumed office from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, in May 2023.
Despite the challenging economic conditions inherited, Akpabio emphasized that Tinubu is resolutely committed to improving the nation’s circumstances just like he did when he was a governor of Lagos State.
The Senate President urged Nigerians to exercise patience with Tinubu, expressing confidence that the President would ultimately revitalize Nigeria in a manner similar to his successful tenure as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
Akpabio made these remarks on Monday in his home state of Akwa Ibom during a constituency briefing and empowerment program held in Ikot Ekpene.
The Senate President noted that Tinubu has already significantly impacted many lives nationwide, highlighting that the regional commissions established across the country are designed to foster regional development and empower the populace.
Furthermore, Akpabio acknowledged Tinubu’s commitment to equity and inclusiveness, particularly in the Southeast, by appointing individuals from the region to key positions in his cabinet and approving the formation of the South East Development Commission.
“President Tinubu met a very bad condition on the ground; nobody envied him. He said he was determined to change the situation. Let us encourage him to change the situation. We believe that at the end of the day, we will move the country forward. He did it in Lagos before, he will do it again in Nigeria. Just give him time, he will take us to our El Dorado.
“I want us to know that Nigeria was on life support when the people voted Tinubu to become the President. One day I asked him, ‘Mr President, after becoming the President and seeing the level of economy that Emefiele left behind, are you excited?’ He said, ‘Well, I’m determined to change the situation.
“The South-East has a lot of ecological problems; the South-East has very poor roads, just like the South-South and Mr president decided to give us the Ministry of Works in addition to other key ministries even the petroleum and gas ministries.
“Akwa Ibom is sitting on gas, all the way from Utapete down to Ibeno. Above all, the President allowed our state to produce the Number Three Citizen, the Senate President. The last time we had such an opportunity was in 1979. President Tinubu deserves all our support,” Akpabio said.
He also praised Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to maintaining peace.
“I want to express my appreciation to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno. Without peace, there will not be development. The governor has decided to embrace all Akwa Ibom people, irrespective of political lines. Even during Christmas, the governor sent 1,000 bags of rice to the APC in the state and because of that, I request that the PDP chairman should come forward and take 1,500 bags of rice for his members,” Akpabio said.
