By Paul Ukpabio
The journey to Nigeria's presidential election next year 2023, seemed hazy and confusing until, Godswill Akpabio, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs declared his intention to join the 2023 presidential race.
With myriads of internal problems bothering on insecurity, socio-political struggles, ethnic, religion and economic issues, Nigeria as a country, struggled on with uncertainty, leadership challenge and possible crisis of political transition, come 2023.
Then came, the still voice of hope and opportunity, when out of the blues, a group from the south south, promoted the candidacy of Honourable Godswill Akpabio, a tried and tested former Governor of Akwa Ibom state in the South-south part of Nigeria.
A man who has been popularly known and confirmed as "Mr Uncommon Transformation."
In his eight years of being the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio berth and blessed a hitherto undeveloped, unharnessed Akwa Ibom state with development, a feature which within his tenure was immediately referred to as an Uncommon Transformation. A rural Akwa Ibom State suddenly became a city of light, good roads, business hub, industrial focus, with technologically driven and motivated work populace.
A legacy which the incumbent Governor, has been able to maintain and build upon.
And so, when he declared his interest for Nigerian presidency, Akpabio came with a good public service slate worth flaunting! A good name, a brilliant CV with work experience at the state level and at the national level as a federal Minister and a chummy, loyal man to the All Progressives Congress party.
At his declaration in Ikot Ekpene, Akpabio simply said:
“I, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, with great humility, hereby submit myself for your kind consideration as your next president. Therefore, my declaration is a trumpet call for unity and action.
He said further:
“My dear compatriots, I am determined to pay the debt of gratitude I owe our nation for the opportunities to serve in high offices of public trust and am determined to let our nation drink from the deep well of experience acquired in these offices."
Unity of the country is upper most in the mind of Akpabio because he cherishes the diversity of the country amidst her numerous resources to be harnessed for the benefit of all.
But also more important is that Akpabio calls for action, a necessary urgent panacea to restore Nigeria to the glory it deserves as the giant of Africa.
Akpabio remains the necessary best choice for Nigeria's presidency at this time, because he is not only a man in his prime, but one who is ready and willing to roll up his sleeves and guide Nigeria with necessary action to lead the country to eldorado.
It must be recalled that Akpabio said:
"Nigeria must be great again," during his famous declaration of intent to contest for the presidency.
Akpabio is not coming in to run down past leaders, no, instead, Godswill Akpabio recognises the various developmental contributions made by our past leaders.
“I pay tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari for the patriotic work he has done as our President, he has given hope and direction to governance and fought corruption with uncompromising zeal," said Akpabio.
He went further to say of President Muhamadu Buhari:
“He has touched lives and empowered people, he has made great advances in agriculture, human capital development and indeed in all sectors of our economy.
He has uplifted the integrity of the Nigerian nation. A lot can be said about all his amazing successes and achievements, but suffice it to say that I have come to perfect his marvelous works."
That's the Godswill Akpabio spirit. He doesn't believe in winning as an individual alone. And never for one moment claimed the Uncommon Transformation in Akwa Ibom state to himself alone, but collective effort.
Nigeria's former Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, will therefore step forward at the upcoming APC Presidential Primaries, already identified as:
"the only presidential aspirant that would be totally committed to continuing with the fight against insecurity, disunity and implementation of policies and programs of President Muhamadu Buhari, if given the mandate to succeed him."
Akpabio is tested and trusted. He never forgets his benefactors. He doesn't look down on anybody. He has excelled as a governor, he excelled as a Senator and as a Minister of the Federal Republic.
A happy fellow, Akpabio has an open mind devoid of ethnic bickering, committed to development and to the development of human capital.
"I believe in one Nigeria and that the country would shine one day as a strong nation," said Godswill Akpabio at a recent political forum.
Indeed, it will not be too much, if Godswill Akpabio emerges the consensus candidate in the forthcoming APC presidential primaries.
Though there are equally, qualified Nigerian leaders in the 2023 Presidential race in APC, who could lead the country in the next political dispensation, but the truth remains that Senator Godswill Akpabio, stands out amongst the lot.
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