Special Adviser, Bureau of Political, Legislative Affairs and Water
Resources, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson has extolled the
executive-legislature harmonious working relationship in Akwa Ibom
State. This, he said, is one lesson the State Government can showcase to
Nigeria.
Barrister Ekong Sampson having served extensively in both
arms of government at various levels: a former LG Chairman, Chief
Legislative Aide at the Senate, two-time State Legislator and later
member of the State EXCO., described the need for various arms of
government to work together as critical and in the larger interest of
the state or nation.
On the Legislature-Executive squabbles and
wrangles at the national level, the Special Adviser, while fielding
questions on a radio interview at Planet FM opined candidly that the
sooner the nation's executive and legislative arms of government decide
to collaborate and allow the larger interest of the nation supersede
personal or sectional interests, the better for Nigeria.
Barrister
Sampson expressed worry about the vendetta between the arms of the
national government, some of which, according to him, are not even
necessary.
“We cannot afford to be fighting”, he said, adding that
Nigeria should learn from the Akwa Ibom model, where Executive and
Legislature work in harmony, being guided as it were, by the larger
interest of the people.
He described the Akwa Ibom State Government
as a great team. He said having been in the House for 8 years, some
current members were my colleagues, some friends, the State
Executive-Legislature relationship has been harmonious.
I am very proud
of this team and my Bureau is committed to drive and sustain this
relationship, referring to his recent engagement with Akwa Ibom
Legislators at the national Assembly as a necessity to cement such
relationship.
Ekong Sampson also described the Speaker, Rt. Hon.
(Barr.) Onofiok Luke as a very competent hand, who shares in the concern
of making Akwa Ibom a better place, placing the interest of the State
above other inconsequential considerations the people stand to benefit.
He pointed that the timely signing of the State’s 2017 budget into law
was an indication of such teamwork and respect of each arm for the other
as an institution.
Barrister Sampson reiterated the description of
Governor Udom Emmanuel as a “Tripod for Peace”. He commended the
Governor’s strides and vision of uniting the State, describing the of
hosting former Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers and other great
Akwa Ibom minds at the State’s Hilltop Mansion as an exhibition of high
level concern for peace and the Akwa Ibom Project, rather than
self-seeking leadership.
Barrister Ekong Sampson he was pleased to
see an array of great Akwa Ibom personalities such as their
Excellencies, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Obong Victor Attah, Otuekong Idongesit
Nkanga, Senators Anietie Okon and Ibok Essien, Chief Nduese Essien,
former Minister, Dr. (Mrs.) Akon Eyakenyi and others, sit together to
share the joy and reflecting on challenges from the Akwa Ibom
perspective.
He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for painting the pan Akwa Ibom picture.
Credit..Ifiok Itiaba
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