Governor Godswill Akpabio, has charged Akwa Ibom delegates to the national conference to be united and defend the unity of Nigeria as an indivisible entity. He also urged them to show patriotism in their deliberations at the conference.

Akpabio gave the charge in Abuja during a meeting with delegates on the eve of the conference, which was declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday evening in Abuja. The Akwa Ibom State Governor commended President Jonathan for convening the conference and said it would afford Nigerians the opportunity to design a road map for the country.

According to Governor Akpabio, “As a state, we have confidence in your ability to represent Akwa Ibom well and make us proud. I urge you to remain united and speak with one voice on issues that affect us as a state.

“I must commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his foresight in convening this conference at this point of our national life and I am confident that Nigeria will emerge from this conference more united as I expect that every issue that has confronted us as a nation would be discussed frankly and resolved amicably.”

Speaking on behalf of the delegates a one-time Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Atuekong Idongesit Nkanga, thanked the Governor and the President for their nomination as delegates to the national conference. He pledged the delegates’ resolve to be good ambassadors of Akwa Ibom State at the conference.

According to Atuekong Nkanga, Akwa Ibom delegates had resolved to bring to the front burner at the conference issues of devolution of powers and fiscal federalism while the delegates would also support a united Nigeria.

Other delegates present at the meeting were former member, House of Representatives, and former Minister for Lands and Housing, Chief Nduese Essien; veteran journalist, Mr. Ray Ekpu; pioneer national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Anietie Okon, among others.

•Photo shows Governor Akpabio (6th from right) flanked by Akwa Ibom State delegates to the National Conference after a meeting on Sunday in Abuja.

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