Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reiterated his accusations against Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), accusing him of leaving behind a “foamy economy” and a significant gap in the national treasury.
Speaking at Ikot Ekpene Stadium during a reception hosted by his kinsmen from Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Akpabio urged Nigerians to remain patient with Chief Bola Tinubu’s administration as it navigates through the challenges inherited, emphasizing Tinubu’s efforts to rally cash and employ his expertise to revive the economy.
While urging Nigerians to be patient with Bola Tinubu’s administration, Akpabio alleged that Emefiele “left a very big hole in the national treasury.”
Akpabio stood by his previous remarks blaming Emefiele for Nigeria’s economic woes, expressing confidence in Tinubu’s ability to steer the country towards economic recovery, citing Tinubu’s track record of success as Governor of Lagos State.
With Tinubu, Kashim Shettima and himself, a former governor, Akpabio believes their collective experience in governance will be instrumental in rescuing the country.
Highlighting plans for infrastructural development, Akpabio assured the people of all-round federal presence, including the construction of a coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, with expected socio-economic benefits for various regions. He also pledged support for federal projects in Akwa Ibom State, including the Deep Seaport.
“You have asked of seaport, you will not only get Seaport, you get roads, flyovers, and other federal projects, and we are going to do this because of you,” he emphasised.
In response, Governor Umo Eno pledged to collaborate with the Tinubu administration for the development of the state, despite political differences.
He appealed to the Akpabio not to uphold the governorship succession plan laid down in the state by successive approximations since the return of democracy in 1999, by allowing him to see through his eight years as was the case of Obong Victor Attah (1999-2007); Chief Godswill Akpabio (2007 -2015) and Mr. Udom Emmanuel (2015-2023).
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu commended Akpabio’s leadership as the National Assembly Chairman, praising his role in fostering executive-legislative harmony.
