Nigerian States, Attah, Akpabio and the Grace of a Good Successor By Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye

“Let hundreds like me perish, but let the truth prevail. Let us not reduce the standard of truth even by a hair’s breadth for judging erring mortals like myself” – Mahatma Ghandi

Agreed! Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State is an Extravagant Spender blessed with abundance resources! In fact, some calls him a spend-rift! However, that he has performed above average is an affirmation of reality!

Without being sensational, let me declare that Akpabio has revolutionized Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State with modern class of infrastructures. Affirmatively, if you notice any porthole on the major roads in Akwa Ibom, that means you are on the way to Aba, Abia State and the coal city of Enugu. As at today, the major pathways in Uyo are porthole free. Also, the roads in Akwa Ibom major Cities such as Ikot Epene, Eket, Oron, Abak etc are not under any emergency.

Consequently, I give kudos to the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Obong Victor Attah for laying a good foundation for Akpabio to build on. It wouldn’t have been easy for Akpabio if Attah had not layed a good foundation. The good foundation layed by former Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu in Lagos State made it easier for Governor Fashola to perform. The Bus Rapid Transit, Atlantic City, Light Rail, total renovation and upgrading of Teslim Balogun Stadium, roads construction and rehabilitation, etc projects wouldn’t have seen the light of the day if Tinubu had imposed a brainless Governor on the Centre of Excellence.

The good foundation layed by Bukola Saraki in Kwara State made made it easier for Governor Abdufatahi Ahmed to perform. As at the last time I checked, the current Agricultural Policy of the Ahmed administration has attracted 38 awards to the Initiator (Ahmed).

Meanwhile, despite not supporting Akapio in 2007, I am of the opinion that ex-Governor Attah of Akwa Ibom should be grateful to God for having a good successor. In Cross Rivers State, all the meritorious policies initiated by ex-gov Donald Duke have decayed with no thanks to the visionless incumbent Governor of the state, Senator Lyel Imoke. Obudu project is now in shambles. Tinapa is now a mirage.

By May 29th 2015, Governor Theordore Ochendo Orji will be leaving Abia state worst than he met It on may 29th 2007. Aba, the largest commercial city in South Eastern Nigeria is still like what it was before Ochendo became Governor-A SLUM! I make bold to say that Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu owe the people of Abia State an unreserved apology for imposing an aberration on them in 2007.

Ex-governor Audu Abubakar opened the floodgate of infrastructure development in Kogi State, however, his successor, Alhaji Ibrahim ran the state a-ground for the 8 and half years he governed. Ibrahim, while leaving, imposed a smiling-visionless Governor in the person of Captain Idris Wada on his people. It is about 3 years that Wada got the insignia power with nothing magnificent to show for it. As Wada continue to smile, so Kogi workers continue to wail.

Fast forward to Enugu State. Like Nnamani, like Chime. The coal people of Enugu have been very unlucky. Good leadership has eluded the people of Enugu since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999. As Chimaroke wasted the patrimony of his people, so also a wife beater in the unbeffiting office of Governor, Sullivan Chime has been squandering the resources of his people on cosmetic projects since he was confidently elected.

Benue State is the worst hit since 2007. That the rooted and grounded former Governor of the state, Senator George Akume did well is an affirmative fact, however, the state has been yearning for dividends of democracy ever since Gabriel Suswan took over in 2007. It has been from one scandal to the other. As I write, Suswan led administration is indebted to Benue Primary School Teachers to the tune of 5 months salaries. The people of the state known as Food Basket of the Nation now wallows in squalor and abject poverty imposed on them by Gabriel Suswan. According the the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Benue has the highest prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

Without much ado, let me, un behalf of all the lovers of good governance in Nigeria, appreciate Governor Godswill Akpabio over the people oriented policies he has implemented in Akwa Ibom State. Before, Akwa Ibom has the highest number of children out of school in Nigeria but today, the story has changed. There’s total free education from primary to secondary schools level in Akwa Ibom. Before, Akwa Ibom has the highest number of prostitutes in Nigeria but Akpabio’s has rendered prostitution useless in his State. The degree of the Daughters of Jezebel trading at Uyo has drastically reduced. The day of visiting Akwa Ibom for child trafficking is gone.

Lastly, as Akpabio prepare to complete his glorious and remarkable administration, I beg of him to please consult God before endorsing a successor. He should remember that a leader without a good successor is a failure. Also, i also plead with Akpabio to place more priority on the welfare of workers. The infrastructures in Primary and Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom need more religious attention.

Lives on Akpabio.

Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye, Magodo, Lagos
Maxwell_adeleye@yahoo.com

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