BEVERLY HILLS, July 07, THEWILL) – Former governor of Akwa Ibom state and Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio has likened the 1914 amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates by the Colonial master, Lord Frederick Lugard to rape, pointing out that “it is only in rape that the consent of the woman is not sought”.
He stated this on Thursday while
addressing members of his senatorial district that showed up for his first constituency briefing at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium. Akpabio doled out cash and equipment to his constituents in the 10 local government areas making up Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, assuring that the present recession is not insurmountable.
He argued that Nigeria is “child of rape since Lord Frederick Lugard and his wife did not consult our forefathers before amalgamating Nigeria, and it is only in rape that the consent of the woman is not sought. I will plead with Nigerian children not to allow the circumstances of their father’s birth to affect their future.”
The PDP bigwig maintained that Nigeria is a sick nation which needs everyone to join hands to revive, else it dies. He warned that unless those beating drums of separatism and war were checked, the steady heartbeat of the country could eventually run into convulsion.
While condemning the demarketing of the country by the powers-that-be, Akpabio said, “you cannot solve the national recession by demonising the citizenry and expect foreign investment because investors, when they come, would talk to the citizens. You cannot demonise all Nigerians and expect recession to end.”
The Senator was accompanied by his colleagues, including Dino Melaye, Theodore Orji and the Senate Minority Whip, Philip Aduda.
In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel commended Akpabio for a sterling performance since going to the Senate, despite being a first-time senator.
He agreed that the Nigeria is sick economically, but pointed out that on the political turf, the country is vibrant.
Emmanuel argued that it is only in an economically sick but politically vibrant country that constituents would seek to recall a senator who has performed well like Senator Melaye.
On his part, Melaye lauded the Akwa Ibom State Government for good governance which he said is lacking in his home state of Kogi.
