Udom did nothing in my senatorial district – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday accused the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, of refusing to implement any project in his Northwest Senatorial district despite making him governor.

Akpabio spoke on the floor of the Senate during a back-and-forth with Akpan Sampson, senator representing Akwa Ibom South.

Udom, who succeeded Akpabio, was governor of Akwa Ibom from 2015 to 2023.

Sampson was contributing to a House of Representatives bill sent to the Senate seeking to establish a Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in every state.

Sampson complained that his senatorial district was not captured in the bill, and suggested that the legislation be stepped down so that all districts could make the cut.

But, Akpabio said Sampson should sponsor a bill to establish an FMC in his senatorial district.

He said: “I gave you a governor for eight years that did not do anything in my senatorial district. I am not criticising the governor — he did nothing in my senatorial district.

“So if God gives you an opportunity to be in the Senate, sponsor a bill to establish a medical centre in Eket, and also add Ikot Ekpene. If you do not sponsor it, it cannot come to this stage.”