From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Sunday appealed to people from the South-eastern part of the country to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lawan who spoke during an interdenominational service to mark the first year anniversary of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma appealed to the Igbos to grab the opportunity to be at the center of Nigeria’s politics.
The Senate President stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is ready to support every part of Nigeria to fast-rack the country’s development.
Lawan expressed optimism that the ruling (APC) will spread its dominance to Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi.
His statement reads, “I will take this opportunity to appeal to our people in the southeast, grab the opportunity to be at the center of Nigerian politics,” the Senate President said.
“The APC administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is so liberal and forthcoming to support every part of Nigeria to make sure that Nigeria is evenly developed.
“What we are witnessing here in Imo will be replicated in Ebonyi. We hope, by the grace of God, Anambra is coming on board. We are expecting Abia to be on board and Gburugburu to bring Enugu on board.”
In his words, Lawan said, Nigeria should be a united country where progressives would provide leadership for the nation’s greatness.
While noting that the country faces myriad of challenges, notably security issues, the Senate President said there is no country that develops without confronting some problems.
What matters, he explained, is the willingness of the Federal Government to tackle the issues on the ground for the betterment of the citizens.
Lawan also called on all Nigerians irrespective of political, ethnic, or religious differences to support the government in overcoming the nation’s challenges.
Speaking further, the Senate President recalled that when Governor Hope Uzodinma, was a Senator representing Imo North in the National Assembly, he was not found wanting in any assigned task.
“We served in so many parliamentary organizations within and outside the country and I have never found him wanting.
“So when he was given the judgement to be the governor of Imo State, I just thought Imo would be taken to the next level by the grace of God.
“Today we are celebrating one year of his governorship in Imo, the National Assembly is here, the presence of the Vice President who ably represents Mr President and all the governors here is a very clear testimony of his relationship with the centre of Nigeria,” Senator Lawan added.
Earlier, the Senate President was received on arrival at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport by a delegation led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
On arrival at the airport, Senate President Lawan was welcomed and presented a flower bouquet by little Miss Omasirichim, before the delegation proceeded to the venue of the event.
He was accompanied on the trip from Abuja by the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Senator Sani Mohammed Musa, Senator Bello Mandiya and the Senate Spokesman, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
Lawan thereafter joined Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma and his wife Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello and others, at a Thanksgiving Service at Dan Anyiam Stadium to commemorate Governor Uzodimma’s one year in office.
