March 02, (THEWILL) – The National Coordinator of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC) and incumbent Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has charged members of the Committee on the need to remain united as one family to assist President Muhamadu Buhari to produce his successor from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akpabio gave the charge while receiving state chairmen and leaders of the Committee on Tuesday, in Abuja.
The minister, who said he was excited to receive and hear from the leaders after a while, declared, “I am most delighted to receive you my brothers today. I am always available for your suggestions and advice on how to move this group forward and by extension our great party.
“Let us make efforts to gather all our members across the country because in unity, we are stronger.
“It is your right to support any candidate of your choice in 2023, but after the primaries and candidate(s) emerge, we must close ranks, forget individual differences and work for the unity of the party to ensure our victory at the polls.”
The Minister, who narrated the events that led to his appointment as the national coordinator of the group by President Muhamadu Buhari shortly after flagging-off his second term campaign in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, said, “As the National Coordinator, I inherited nothing, but I put in my best to bring back the Committee.
“Through our collective efforts, the activities of the group were seen and felt in all the 36 states of the federation before and during the election, which led to our victory at the polls in 2019. We can still repeat that feat in 2023. ”
Speaking further, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State declared that; events after the swearing-in of President Muhamadu Buhari for second term, was not encouraging.
“Some misled individuals, thereafter, went ahead to make a lot of illegal pronouncements in the media, which attempted to paint the group, which has very prominent Nigerians as members in bad light.
“But today, I can say with all seriousness that out of the ashes of the ruins of the PSC, a group has risen to rebuild the House and that group is you. God has not forgotten you and He will adequately reward you all.
“As members of the PSC, know that you are a formidable group within our great party, in a very vantage position to assist Mr President to produce a credible and acceptable successor from our great party”, he declared.
Earlier in his remarks, the Cross River State chairman of the Committee and Chairman of Chairmen, Hon Elijah Ettah, informed that chairmen and other Zonal leaders of the committee were in Abuja to thank the Minister and the National Coordinator for the leadership qualities and achievements as a public officer.
“As Chairmen of the state chapters, we appreciate President Muhamadu Buhari for the confidence reposed on our national coordinator, Senator Godswill Akpabio. His leadership of the Committee is never in contest and his commitment to the committee has never been in doubt.
“We came here today to appreciate all your efforts towards revamping and bringing back to life the committee after several failed attempts by some misled and misinformed members of the committee to destroy it.
“Few people will achieve what you have achieved in public office as a Commissioner, Governor, Senator and now, a member of the Federal Executive Council, superintending over the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry.
“It is on record that there is no where you go, that you have not left your positive steps on the sands of time.
“The President made no mistake in appointing you, our National Coordinator. You have been a great leader. This period is a defining moment in the political history of our nation, do not allow it to pass you by without you making a statement.
“We have confidence in you. You are a man of credible character, which you have demonstrated in your supervisory role over the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Therefore, Nigeria is looking up to you for direction”, he stressed.
On those who had left the group, Ettah said, there was no room for detractors, saying they will look for the group when the time comes even as they will be welcomed back into the fold.
