Udom tasks new council chairmen on commitment to completion agenda

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has restated his commitment and determination to actualise his administration’s completion agenda, describing his mandate as sacrosanct.

He made the assertion yesterday at the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected council chairmen and vice chairmen in Uyo, the state capital. Udom charged the council bosses that had been elected to serve diligently at a tough time and that service at this time was a difficult task, as they would have to work hard to deliver government’s mandate.

His words: “We have only one government, one state and we are one people. We are developing a state where we don’t place much emphasis on party affiliation, but what you can do for your people and what you can do to help us achieve our mandate.

“Political party is just a platform, but what matters most is God giving you the opportunity to serve. All elected officials are servants of God and as such, you must realise that and act that way. So, I charge you to work towards our completion agenda.”

Governor Udom, who applauded Akwa Ibom citizens across political party lines for their support towards the successful council election, cautioned those who lost out against spreading falsehood about his government.

He further charged the new council bosses to always stay focused on where they were going to and not be distracted by negative criticisms and political propaganda.

“The last local government election was adjudged the most peaceful ever since the creation of this state. If you could not win in the election, don’t try to destabilise the state through the back door. We won’t allow that, because nobody can accept or tolerate that.

“So let’s know where to draw a line between politics and governance. There is a difference between politics and governance. And we want to ensure that we give our people good governance. To that extent, let’s work together for the peaceful coexistence of our people,” he said.

He stressed that nobody should forget that 2020 had been a peculiar year, noting that the entire global economy was in shambles and Akwa Ibom was not an exception since it was operating within Nigeria.

“Whatever affects Nigeria affects Akwa Ibom and whatever affects the whole world will affect Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. We should thank God for life, because once there is life, there is hope. The economy can bounce back, but we cannot bring back life that has been lost,” he added.