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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has remarked that Nigeria’s state of affairs was akin to being on life support when President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, following the tenure of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Akpabio, however, emphasized that despite the grim economic circumstances inherited by the current administration, President Tinubu remains resolute in his commitment to transforming the nation’s fortunes.
He assured Nigerians that this unwavering determination would guide the government’s policies, signaling a clear intent to reverse years of economic challenges and foster a path toward sustainable growth.
Calling for patience, Akpabio reassured Nigerians that President Tinubu possesses the capacity to replicate his transformative achievements in Lagos State—where his governorship from 1999 to 2007 ushered in widespread development—on a larger national platform. He urged citizens to trust in the president’s long-term vision for revitalizing the country.
Speaking from his native Akwa Ibom State on Monday, the Senate President took the stage at a constituency briefing and empowerment programme in Ikot Ekpene. The event served as a platform for him to connect with his constituents and share insights on legislative efforts and empowerment plans.
He said, “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 Senate President said already Tinubu had touched so many lives across the country, saying the regional commissions set up across the country were aimed at development of the regions and empowerment of the people.
Read also: Tinubu, AGF, Akpabio Dragged To Court Over Removal Of CCT Chair
Akpabio said Tinubu had shown love and fairness to the South-East by making key appointments to his cabinet from the region and for approving the establishment of the South East Development Commission.
“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.
During the empowerment programme, he distributed items such as bags of rice, cars, generators, deep freezers, tractors, tricycle vans, tricycles and mini-buses. Other items distributed included motorcycles, sewing machines, make-up kits, N200,000 cash transfers to 2,000 undergraduates.
Akpabio was the empowerment programme was supported by President Tinubu, to thank the people for their votes and support. He commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, for his peaceful disposition.
