Buhari’s govt won’t go down, Akpabio boasts

Minister for Niger Delta Development and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio has blamed insecurity in the country on political and external forces saying that the present government led by President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be pulled down.

Akpabio, who spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, while on a courtesy visit to the Secretary, APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, James Akpanudoedehe stated that the level of insecurity was a combination of external and internal insurrection.

The Minister, who governed Akwa Ibom State for eight years said his visit to party secretariat was to give impetus to the APC CECPC Secretary, a brother from Akwa Ibom State, denying any rift between them.

There had been allegations of political wrangling between the duo on who is the leader of the party in Akwa Ibom State.

Fielding questions from the media, Akpabio said, “I am a stakeholder in APC and I believe strongly that the APC will wax stronger and stronger.

“I am happy with what the APC Caretaker Committee is doing so far. Almost in every state of the federation, people are trooping into the APC. The recent registration exercise that was conducted by the caretaker Committee was a huge success.

Even though there are still thousands of people who are saying they still want to be members and should be allowed to join. The more the merrier.

“Most especially the acting secretary of the party is from Akwa lbom State. At a time, he was one of my subjects when I was Governor of the state. But most especially, he was one of my allies.

“I am delighted that he is the Caretaker Secretary of our party here, together with the executive Governor of Yobe state.

I am here to offer my advice on how we can move the party forward and we have a lot of issues that I think the party can help us to resolve with all hands on deck, as Nigeria is concerned today, for us to solve the myriad of problems including security challenges, as his not the time for blame game.”

Asked to speak on what should be responsible for the present insecurity in the country, the Minister said: “The issues of insecurity for me have already assumed a very worrisome dimension.

If you notice, it is not limited to one region, it is not a function of North East, it is not a function of South East, even in the South South, in my own local government, and if you read everyday what is happening in Kogi state and other States, we have never in the history of this nation witnessed where people in uniform are targeted for elimination.

“That will show you that we have infiltrators in our midst. The security of our neighboring countries must also remain a priority, because all these heavy arms entering into Nigeria when Libya failed, when Mammah Gadafi was taken out, and people looted the arms. If you enter Chad or Niger Republic, just like you buy Nigerian petrol by the roadside, you can pickup any arm you want.

“So, that has led to very heavy arms entering into the wrong hands. In the Niger Delta region, we have been able to contain the situation, with the amnesty programme, and as I speak today, I think that is the most peaceful region today in the country. The area is very calm and we intend to keep it as such.”

Speaking further, he said, “In my view, I think most of the problems are politically motivated. So, we must use our binoculars to be able to look, to dictate the sponsors of the insecurity that we are witnessing in the country.

“What is happening now is not Nigeria, this is unNigerian. As far as I am concerned, right from when I was a kid in federal government collage, we were taught the unity and oneness of this country.

“Many fought the civil war and died to keep this country together and handed over the country to us. As leaders today, we must do everything possible, even through advice, to make sure that Nigeria remains united.

“I believe in the oneness of Nigeria and I believe that I will bequeath a better Nigeria to my children and the future generations to come. So the party, the APC is going to be the pivotal, the fulcrum that will roll that new Nigeria.

“Mr President has already commenced that with what he is doing in the Niger Delta. You can see that most Niger Deltans are excited with him. For 26 years the NDDC never had any office. The construction started in 1994 or 1995, but the president has completed it and commissioned it.

“In the next two weeks, the President will be commissioning an ultramodern multipurpose barracks that is meant for the Special Operations Unit of the Police, with complete Armoury and all that.”

Akpanufoedehe in his remarks said this is a surprise visit so, “I am happy that this proposal has come finally, because it is what I have been waiting for.

“Let me tell you something, it is like America, Britain or world powers, if a small country wants to survive, you have to rush to America to support you.”