Governor Tasks CAN On Equity In Politics

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio has tasked the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the need for Nigerians to embrace equity in politics among the various geo-political regions of the country.
Chief Akpabio gave the advice recently when the CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Lodge, Uyo.
The Governor said Nigerians should extend the presidential slot to the South-South Region by voting Dr. Jonathan Goodluck as a president in the next general elections.
He stated that voting for President Jonathan would re-unite and re-integrate the various geo-political regions, observing that in the Country’s 50 years of political independence, Nigerian political leadership was manipulated by small group of people at the expense of a larger segment of the people.
The Governor observed that catering for the few had led to instances of corruption and capital fight and charged CAN to add voice in reversing the Country’s negative image.
On education, Chief Akpabio said the free and compulsory education programme of his government is open to Akwa Ibom indigenes and Nigerians alike, irrespective of origin, and was aimed at national unity and integration, listing other programmes of his administration to include free medical health care services for pregnant women, the children and the elderly above 70 years.
The Governor who congratulated CAN President on his election also hinted that Akwa Ibom government has given loans and grants for micro enterprises to the Christian and Muslim communities in the state, but called on CAN to assist the government in monitoring activities of Christian organizations, hoping “This Country will change if we have leaders who think of the welfare of the people”.
Earlier, the National President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor thanked Governor Akpabio for granting him an audience and for encouraging the growth of CAN in the state saying, he visited to inform the governor on their intentions to host National Executive Council Meeting on CAN in the state soon, noting “It will be a good thing for CAN and the Akwa Ibom people”.
He congratulated the governor on his people-oriented projects, stating “Akwa Ibom is fast developing and becoming an example that other states have to look up to. Even as a young state, it is surpassing others in terms of development”.
The CAN President restated the readiness of the organization to identify with the visions of Akwa Ibom government especially in sensitizing the electorate on the principles of one man one vote in the next year’s elections.