‘My Deputy Resigned To Face His Business’

 

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has dispelled rumour making the rounds that he had a strained   relationship with his deputy, Mr. Nsima Ekere before he resigned from the government. On the contrary, the Governor said that he left on his own accord to face his business.

Akpabio who gave the clarification, yesterday, at the Government House in Uyo during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed first female deputy governor of the state, Mrs Valerie Ebe, said that though, Mr. Nsima Ekere did not give any explanation except for personal to take care of his business,

‘’ I am aware that as a successful   businessman, it was not very easy for him to mix  the demand of his vast businesses  with governmental duties. I believe that he resigned in order to devote more time to his personal business and I wish him well in his future endeavour’’ chief Akpabio stated.

The Governor expressed appreciation to his former deputy, Mr Ekere who before becoming the deputy governor   had served   the state meritoriously as the chairman, Akwa Ibom Investment  and promotion Council, AKIPOC, from 2007- 2011.

He congratulated the new deputy governor Lady Valeria Ebe on her appointment and added that being the   first female deputy governor since the creation of the state has placed a huge burden on her and urged Mrs Ebe to discharge her assigned duties with utmost loyalty and dedication.

Chief Akpabio said that as a former commissioner and executive member of the Peoples Democratic Party who appreciated the commitment of delivering dividend of democracy to the people, Lady Valerie Ebe would fly the banner of his uncommon transformation programme in the state.

The Governor who used the occasion to thank the Speaker and other members of the state House of Assembly for confirming his nomination of the new deputy governor said that there was nothing new in the change of baton.