A Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has restated his commitment to transform Nigeria to enviable heights if given the mandate as the president.
The former Governor of Akwa Ibom and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, stated this on Friday in Ibadan, while wooing Oyo State party delegates for their votes ahead of next week’s convention and primary.
Akpabio was received by Sen. Teslim Folarin representing Oyo Central Senatorial District and the state Governorship candidate of the party and the state executive members led by Hon. Isaac Omodewu.
Addressing the delegates, the former minister said his little effort transformed Akwa-Ibom into an enviable state, noting that such was his vision for a greater and better Nigeria.
Recounting his achievements as the governor of Akwa-Ibom and Minister of Niger Delta, he assured that replication of such in Nigeria would put the country in good stead.
Akpabio said, “My little effort in Akwa-Ibom as a governor transformed the state into an enviable state among states in Nigeria. These efforts in Akwa-Ibom cut across all sectors.
“I followed the footprint of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo on education by declaring free education in Akwa-Ibom.
“I spent N100 per term per child in the primary and N300 per term per child in the secondary”.
The former governor while acknowledging the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration on security, also promised to tackle insecurity.
He continued, “I will involve the traditional institution and other relevant stakeholders in achieving this.
“We must give traditional rulers and other stakeholders roles to play in tackling insecurity.
The presidential hopeful said he would ensure national integration and promotion of moral ethos toward fostering unity, as well as discipline in the country.
“I remain a Nigerian and hope to bequeath Nigeria to my children”.
Akpabio who is putting finishing touches to his first phase of campaigns by intensifying his lobby for the delegates’ votes as the deadline for the conduct of APC primaries inch closer, however, urged the Oyo delegates to consider integrity, credentials, antecedents, and achievements in picking the party’s presidential candidate.
Also speaking, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), noted that the choice of who becomes the president of the country was very important.
According to Modibbo, it was important because “there is the need to enthrone people with electoral value and vast experience like Akpabio”.
He added that Akpabio was one of the most experienced of the aspirants, having served as the Commissioner, Senator, Minister, and Governor.
In his remarks, Folarin said he had asked Akpabio to visit Oyo State delegates in Ibadan.
“We have 99 delegates, the third-highest in the country, so those who need our votes come here to see us.
“For us, those aspirants who are wooing delegates through newspapers are not serious.
“Among all the aspirants from outside South-West who have visited us, we will support you,” the Oyo APC governorship nominee said
