By Dianabasi Effiong

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday assured the people of Akwa Ibom that the State would be integrated into national politics and development following the formal reception of the State Gov. Umo Eno into the All Progressives Congress (APC) fold in Uyo.

Vice President Kassim Shettima, who represented Tinubu at the ceremony told the crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium that Umo Eno would benefit from his membership of the party since his expectations would be met by the party known for its commitment to its faithful.

“We are here today because we understand the fundamental truth that for any political party, the most enduring power does not come from division, it comes from unity of purpose.

“This friendship we seek is not found in standing alone, nor in fighting among ourselves, but in standing together. And that strength grows with every voice that joins this cause.

“That is how we move forward, not by clinging to what divides us, but by running around what leaves us.

“We are here because we believe in building bridges, not walls, in mending fences, not erecting new ones. And above all, we are here because we know that the political party is more than a political party is its people. The people are the party,” he said.

Shettima also assured Umo Eno that “President Tinubu is a bridge-builder, a democrat” adding that the Akwa Ibom governor’s “decision to come home to the APC is one that you will never regret.”

“Mr President, asked me to assure you personally, no one will question your place here. The party is your home. You will not be humiliated. You will not be forsaken. We are your brothers and sisters in the high tide.

“We rise with the low ebbs, we ride together, and we rise together, and we protect those who put us through fire and plot. That is why, ten years on, despite all odds, we remain the party to beat,” Shettima said.

Also, the Senate President, Sen Godswil Akpabio, congratulated Umo Eno for his resolve to join the APC.

According to Akpabio, Eno’s decision is a signal that the remaining states of the South-Douth geopolitical zone will soon join the ruling party.

Akpabio said that President Tinubu, as a sincere and compassionate leader, would deliver on the expectations of the people of the state on Ibom Deep Seaport and other key signature projects.

He said: “What is happening is not just political movement, it is political maturity; not just a generational responsibility, but the language of statesmanship and because you have been faithful with a little entrusted to you, your step is ordered by God.

“You have placed the unity and progress of Akwa Ibom State above party lines, you have chosen partnership over partisanship.

“So to the men and women of Akwa Ibom State who have followed you diligently in this defining moment, our leaders, our thinkers, our patrons, I say to you, welcome home to the progressive family.

“We are not just here in numbers. You are not coming to add to the number of progressive members, but you are going to add value to the progressive family.

“You are bringing capacity to bear because you are a performing governor, the entire state is with you, the house of assembly is with you, all the local government chairmen are here, all the stakeholders are here, then who are those that would have caused trouble there is none, they are not here.

“So let us now move from mere handshake to hard work, from celebration here we are going to move to collaboration, the path ahead may be steep but the reward is certain so long as we work together, so long as we speak together, and so long as we move together.

“We are here coming to you, the APC, with loyalty, competence, and strategic importance to our youth who are living in this country, and we will insist respectfully that our state be given its rightful place in our national equation.

“So, our dear president, we plead with you that you extend your grace and support to the request that the governor will make, including the deep seaport so that we can develop our blue economy, lead to the empowerment of our youths, and the elevation of our women across the board,”

Similarly, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, said the movement of Gov. Umo Eno’s movement to the party was a movement from national political isolation to political relevance.

He said that the movement of South-South governors into the APC was also a signal that President Tinubu’s administration’s policies were not only inclusive but worth aligning with.

According to him, with Eno’s movement to the APC, President Tinubu will begin to implement programmes that would solve the environmental problems in the state and region as well as provide employment opportunities for the youths.

“Today is a historic moment because the governor has decided to join our party with these millions of followers including all his political party structures. You are most welcome to a progressive party.

“In fact, from your antecedent, from your disposition, you are a progressive governor. We welcome you for coming home. Those that he met in the party, don’t regard him and his followers as newcomers. No, regard them as your brothers and sisters who went on sabbatical leave and now decided to come back home because they are progressive and they are meeting progressive party followers.

“We assure him that our party believes in internal democracy. Our party believes in progressive ideas. Our party believes in discipline. Our party believes in orderly progress. Our party believes in the overall development of democracy.

“So you are most welcome into our party. We have to acknowledge Mr President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. People are coming into our party, our political agenda, our renewed hope agenda for the South-South geopolitical zone is working,” he said.

In his remarks, Eno said he took a risk to abandon the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in the APC to secure and actualize the Ibom Deep Seaport.

He said that the movement was from a position of strength, adding that he was ready to face the political storm ahead as long as he secured the Ibom Deep Seaport for Akwa Ibom.

He also reassured the people of the state that he would remain a governor for all in spite of party affiliations.

He said that his administration was passionate about the implementation of the ARISE agenda.

He urged all factions within the APC to sheathe their swords and close ranks to move the APC forward.

“Let me reassure all Akwa Ibomites that regardless of my political alignment, I will remain a governor for all Akwa Ibomites as we continue to implement progressively the Arise Agenda, which is our social contract with the Akwa Ibom people.

“Today, your Excellencies, we step out bold, fearless, brave, courageous, and happy. For this is an uncommon but progressive move, from a position of strength.

“For we are not afraid of the future, nor afraid of the storms ahead. As I’ve been making a good decision, we have taken a risk by joining our son, the distinguished Senate President, to work with him and to deliver our President in 2027,” Eno said.

Those on hand to welcome Eno at his grand reception into the APC included the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

No fewer than 24 Governors of the ruling party including the Cross River; Imo; Kwara; Kogi; Jigawa; Delta; Edo; Ebonyi; Lagos; Ogun; Sokoto; and Ondo States graced the event.

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