‘Good leaders do not plan for the next elections; they plan for the next generations’- Gov Emmanuel

Akwa Ibom state governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel has called on citizens of the state to involve themselves in constructive criticism, instead of intentionally manufacturing falsehood and slanderous articles.

He gave this advice during a statewide broadcast to mark his fifth year in office and first anniversary of his second term in Uyo
yesterday.

He warned those whose stock in trade was that of tarnishing the image of leaders in the state to desist from such obnoxious acts or be ready
to answer and defend their published report in both the law courts and the court of public opinion.

He reminded the people of the state that, time for politicking was over and that now was the time for governance, adding that, all should
come to the table so that the state could be ranked number one in terms of growth and development.

The governor advised the people of the state not to belabour themselves with 2023 politics now as enough time was still in their
favour, adding, “Good leaders do not plan for the next elections; they plan for the next generations”.

“I call on our media practitioners to understand that words either spoken or written have meaning and thus, should allow the highest
level of circumspection moderate the manner they report their State and leadership.

We are all for robust media engagements and constructive criticism. But intentionally manufacturing falsehoods and slanderous articles at the behest or promptings of faceless groups orpolitical interests sure do have consequences.

As the popular saying goes, if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. If you
intentionally libel or besmirch the sterling character of a public official, you should be ready to answer and defend your published
report in both the law courts and the court of public opinion.

“As I have always said, this is the time for governance and all hands must be on deck to ensure that we move our State collectively to a
path of steady growth and development. It is too early to engage in the politics of 2023. We will have enough time to do so, when the time
is ripe. Good leaders do not plan for the next elections; they plan for the next generations.

“Let us therefore, see the next generation of Akwaibomites as assets that must be nurtured, expanded and made ready for the future.

Destroying the chords of our unity at the altar of partisan politics, or waging wars against brothers and sisters just to settle ancient
animosities should be discouraged”, he said.

Udom further told Akwa Ibom people that, since he came to power five years ago, there have seen and enjoyed peace, warning that,government
would resist any attempt to return the state to the days where killings and kidnappings was the order of the day.

“Let me emphatically state here, that Akwa Ibom people enjoy the peace and security we currently have and will resist any attempt by
individuals or groups to return us to the evil years when kidnapping and politically motivated killings brought untold fears into this
land. Akwa Ibom people have made a choice to stay and live in peace, and this is the new normal. Those who traffic in violence should take note.

Government will ensure that those who are planning such evil as a strategy for winning elections will be sorely disappointed.

“Akwa Ibom people have gone beyond those fearful years. I call on all patriotic Akwaibomitmites to come join the train of peace and development as it moves gingerly on the path of our Completion Agenda.

We have achieved a lot for our people in five years, and we hope to do as much with the resources at our disposal in the coming years”, he added.

Going through memory lane, the governor recalled that his cardinal agenda when assume office is anchored on industrialization, saying
that, in the last five years his administration has attracted 18 industries to the state, some of which are, largest syringes manufacturing company in Africa, the metering solutions company, the plywood factory, the fully digitized flour mill, coconut refinery,
whose work is at advanced stages of completion, numerous cassava processing mills; Pencil and toothpick industries, Rice mills, plastic
making factory, among others.

“These industries have helped with our job and wealth creation agenda.

We will continue to make our State a destination of choice for investors, post-Covid-19”.

Apparently going through his score-card, he noted that industrialization cannot thrive without infrastructure; hence, in the
last five years his government has deployed huge finical resources into the provision of solid road infrastructure.

The governor acknowledged the support he got from the people of the state right from his reelection till now, appealing to all
irrespective of political leanings to come and join him to build a better Akwa Ibom for all.

“I call on our people to come together and bury the poisonous chalice of politics, of blackmail, of sponsoring false and libelous stories about our leaders in the press just to settle political scores”, he said.