The Citizens Network For Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPD) has passed vote of confidence on the Senate President, Godswill O.Akpabio, describing the former Akwa Ibom Governor as a blessing to the Niger Delta region.
The group was reacting to recent criticism against the Senate President by some individuals and groups from the region.
The criticism is termed frivolous and orchestrated to tarnish the image of the Senate President and reduce his popularity, especially in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement released Thursday in Abuja by the executive director of the CNPD, Barr. Francis Okereke Wainwei, specifically called on Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe to do an objective analysis and a thorough research on the tenure of Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to enable him arrive at a more accurate and informed account of events within the period.
“We reaffirm our faith in the competence and transformational leadership of His Excellency, Sen.Godswill Akpabio. We declare that Sen. Akpabio is a blessing to Nigeria and the Niger Delta region and therefore, we are calling on all his critics to be,factual,constructive and patriotic.
“Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe should thereafter render an unreserved apology to the Senate President for making such unfounded ,spurious, malicious and reckless statement against him.
“It’s a well-known fact that Chief Godswill Akpabio sanitized the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) and repositioned it to be able to effectively execute its original mandate of bringing development to the Niger Delta communities. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) before the emergence of Chief Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs was a “conduit pipe” servicing the financial interests of a few individuals in contrast to its mandate of developing the Niger Delta communities.The current success and progress at the agency were made possible by the uncommon transformational leadership of Chief Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
“Chief Akpabio has also enthroned legislative excellence and stability in the National Assembly.His transformational leadership and vision has made the National Assembly to be more result-oriented and productive.He is indeed a blessing to Nigeria and the Niger Delta Region.He should be celebrated and not vilified.He is a true Ambassador of the Niger Delta people.
“It’s therefore, surprising and disheartening to read about uninformed and baseless comments made against Sen.Godswill Akpabio ,such as the one made by Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe,alleging that Akpabio betrayed the trust of Niger Deltans and brought about the worst era in the history of the Niger Delta Development Commission, under his administration as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”
The statement totally condemned malicious and fabricated falsehood targeted at pulling down Senator Akpabio.
“We urge all those that are involved in such distasteful and nefarious activities to desist forthwith from such activities and “turn a new leaf.”They should become patriotic and responsible citizens for the betterment of our nation.
“It’s pertinent to note that criticism is part of the means to enthrone probity and accountability in a society but such must be done objectively,truthfully,factually and constructively, and should be devoid of any form of bias, falsehood and negative sentiments.
It’s unfortunate that the “stock in trade” of some persons is to try to pull down political leaders by “casting aspersions” and spreading falsehood against such leaders. The activities of such persons have the capacity to distract and slow down the efficiency and productivity of our leaders,which can negatively impact on public governance and development in the country.
“Furthermore, it is with the highest sense of patriotism and unflinching commitment to the unity,peace and holistic development of this country, that we are calling on all patriotic Nigerians to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR and the Senate President, Chief (Dr) Godswill O.Akpabio,GCON to strengthen and foster national unity and cohesion.
As patriotic citizens under the auspices of the Citizens Network For Peace and Development in Nigeria,we believe strongly that a united,peaceful and prosperous nation should be the ultimate interest of all patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians. Therefore, supporting the Federal Government in its bid to transform and accelerate the holistic development of our country should be the primary focus of all patriots. Nigerians should eschew divisive tendencies and focus on national unity and development.
“We consider it very important and necessary to make this patriotic call because Nigeria needs a stable,peaceful and productive environment to thrive and prosper . We don’t need to unnecessarily distract our leaders.We must give our leaders the encouragement and enabling working environment to optimally perform their duties for the prosperity and betterment of our nation.”
