Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, says Nigeria fared better under the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) than it has done under the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC).
He explained that the country witnessed growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), industrialization and other sectors of the economy during the reign of the PDP as the party promoted growth of the private sector.
The ex -Vice President who stated this at Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when he paid a visit to the state as part of his tour across the nation to ascertain the state of affairs in the country, commended Gov. Udom Emmanuel for his giant strides in economic development and infrastructural transformations.
He said; “Nigeria fared better under the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Just compare the economic indices during the PDP and also the APC reign, the growth in GDP and industrialization and other sectors of the economy, we did extremely well and we also promoted the growth of the private sector.”
Atiku who appreciated the level of economic development in the state, further commended previous Governors in the state for their selfless contributions which laid the foundation for rapid economic and industrial growth.
“Quite a number of things have endeared me to Governor Udom Emmanuel, the infrastructural development in the state, the other sectors of the economy in the state particularly the industrialization policy of the governor and coupled with social sector development, health care and education. These are very key areas of human development and he has not left them untouched.
“He has made a very remarkable impact that actually impressed me. I used to come to this state when it was barely anything, and I want to pay tributes to Governor Victor Attah who laid the foundation for this state today. We are here today to further cement that relationship and that brotherhood so that we can further take this state and the country to the next level.
“We want to commend your brotherly welcome and hospitality extended to us which we acknowledge that Akwa Ibom is at the top.”
Also speaking, former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, described Gov. Emmanuel as a silent achiever.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel has done so well with little noise in Akwa Ibom State, and has also succeeded in taming those that do not know that their tenure ends in eight years. He is one of the few with the ability to ensure that our party the PDP remains united.”
In his remarks, Gov. Emmanuel welcomed the former Vice President and his entourage to the state, and described him as a detribalized leader who is committed towards the growth and progress of the nation.
He stated that Akwa Ibom though richly endowed with mineral resources has not been given a fair share of its resources, lamenting the deprivation of the state is evident in the near absence of federal government projects.
According to Gov Emmanuel; ‘’You are someone that we admire, today if you check the leaders of this country there are few leaders like you who are highly detribalized. You are one of the leaders I believe if God had given you an opportunity earlier than now, probably, Akwa Ibom wouldn’t have been where we are now, we have been badly cheated.
“A state that sits on 36.5% oil and gas reserves of this nation let them tell you what the federal government’s presence is, every single dual-carriage way you drive here is done by the state government, every single structure you see in the state outside the Police they posted to me they have not given me anything.
“I don’t even have a depot to store downstream petroleum product, I am developing one of the smartest and modern airport development in this continent, the simplest appreciation I would have gotten from the federal government would have been to give me a fuel Jet A1 dump as an Oil and Gas producing state”, Governor Emmanuel added.