GODSWILL Akpabio, Senate minority leader, has described Nigeria as a sick nation which needs everyone to join hands to revive, else it dies.

Addressing a crowd of supporters at his first constituency briefing at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, on Thursday, July 6, Akpabio, who was in company some of his colleagues from the Senate such as Dino Melaye, Theodore Orji and Philip Aduda, minority whip, warned that unless those beating drums of separatism and wars were checked, the steady heartbeat of the nation could eventually run into convulsion.

The senator also described Nigeria as “child of rape since Lord Frederick Lugard and his wife did not consult our forefathers before amalgamating Nigeria, and it is only in rape that the consent of the woman is not sought. I will plead with Nigerian children not to allow the circumstances of their father’s birth to affect their future.”

“You cannot solve the national recession by demonising the citizenry and expect foreign investment because investors, when they come, would talk to the citizens. You cannot demonise all Nigerians and expect recession to end,” he said.

The former governor of Akwa Ibom used the occasion to dole out cash and equipment to his constituents in the 10 local government areas making up Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, and assured them that the current recession was not insurmountable.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State commended Akpabio for a sterling performance since going to the Senate, despite being a first-time senator.

Emmanuel noted that Nigeria is sick economically, but vibrant politically. He said it was only in an economically sick but politically vibrant nation that constituents would seek to recall a senator who had performed well like Melaye.

He asked beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme to make good use of the opportunity so that by next year, they would have been able not only to multiply the equipment given to them, but, also, to employ other persons so that unemployment in the state would reduce.

Aduda presented a goodwill message from Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, while Melaye, in his remarks, commended the Akwa Ibom State government for good governance, which he said is lacking in his home state of Kogi.

He seized the opportunity to invite Emmanuel and Akpabio to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.

—  Jul 17, 2017 @ 01:00 GMT