Special Adviser in the Bureau of Political, Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Barrister Ekong Sampson, has extolled the executive-legislature harmonious working relationship in Akwa Ibom State, one he said is one lesson the State Government can showcase to Nigeria.
Barrister 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 Executive Council., 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.
The Special Adviser also described the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barrister 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 to the timely signing of the State’s 2017 budget into law as 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.
He was pleased to see an array of great Akwa Ibom personalities such as theirExcellencies, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Obong Victor Attah, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, Senators Anietie Okon and Ibok Essien, Chief Nduese Essien, former Minister, 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.
THE LEGISLATURE-EXECUTIVE WRANGLES: “NIGERIA SHOULD LEARN FROM THE AKWA IBOM MODEL” –EKONG SAMPSON
