Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio has told the Governor-elect, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to break new economic frontiers to generate gainful employment opportunities for people.

Akpabio, who gave this charge Friday when Elders and people of Eket Senatorial District paid him a thank-you visit at Governor’s Office, Uyo said at the level of the state infrastructure, there was need to create alternative economic base to sustain development in Akwa Ibom, charging, “I know you can do it. I want you to move a bit further in economic development and it shall be better than this.”

Akpabio, who lauded the people for the visit, said this has debunked stories of violence and has clearly shown that Udom’s victory as divine mandate and his emergence God’s will being done again and again in Akwa Ibom State, stating that it would go down in the annals of history as signifying unity, harmony and understanding.

He described the decision to zone the governorship slot to Eket Senatorial District as a fair, just and equitable one that would enhance the unity, togetherness and understanding among the people, pointing out that it was difficult to pick an Oron person as a governorship candidate because some people in Uyo Senatorial District had already embarked on a tribal campaign.

The Governor expressed the belief that Udom would perform creditably and live worthy legacy for the people, calling on aggrieved persons and contestants to sheath their sword in the interest of the development of the state.

The Governor-elect, Udom Emmanuel thanked the Governor for his support and Akwa Ibom people for voting him into power as their governor and called on aggrieved person to join hands with him in the development of the State.

Emmanuel said once Ibaka Deep Seaport is approved, he would bring in investors to develop the Seaport, pledging the readiness of his administration to embark on economic transformation of the state.

“We will run the state with high discipline. I accord adequate respect to our elders. I will empower the youths and ensure adequate welfare for our students,” he added.

The leader of the delegation, Rt Honourable Nduese Essien recalled that the zoning governorship slot to Eket Senatorial District was a product of a tour to the ten Federal Constituencies in the State and popular opinion of the people.

Essien thanked Governor Akpabio for supporting power shift to Eket Senatorial District and described him as “a good pilot, sound administrator and a straightforward person” and Udom Emmanuel as “a good material who would do the State proud and move the State to the next level.”

He debunked accusations that there was no governorship election in the state on April 11 as peddled by some persons and called on aggrieved persons to join hands with the governor-elect in moving the state forward.

•Photo shows Akpabio and Emmanuel celebrating the latter's electoral victory.

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