TheCable

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says the federal government is ready to partner with Enugu state to bring about economic prosperity in Nigeria.

Akpabio spoke on Friday in Enugu where he led the federal government’s delegation to the funeral of Jane Nnamani, wife of Ken Nnamani, a former senate president.

The delegation included George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives; Nuhu Ribadu, special adviser to the president on security.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, at the government house, Akpabio said the elections were over, adding that it is time for governance.

“It is customary that coming to a place like this, we should pay you respect and assure you that the government, which sent us to console Senator Ken Nnamani and the good people of Enugu state, would require your cooperation and the cooperation of all the stakeholders and practitioners of governance in Nigeria, irrespective of political parties, in order to the develop the country,” Akpabio said.

“In the renewed hope of the administration, we want to work with you. We believe that the time for election has passed and now is the time for governance.

“The president’s interest is to work with all the states in Nigeria, and we can focus on the two most important issues: revitalising the economy, and securing the lives and property of our people.”

In his response, Mbah assured the delegation of the readiness of his administration and the people of Enugu to collaborate with the government for the good of the state and the nation.

He commended the federal government for its readiness to work with all stakeholders across party divides to move the nation forward.

“We are hoping that the partnership and the collaboration you made reference to is one that we are going to grab,” Mbah said.

“When we addressed our people, we expressed a humungous vision; a vision that was anchored on collaboration and partnership.

“That was why I spared no time in going to have a meeting with the president to get his buy-in into the vision we expressed to our people. We also talked about the security of lives and property.”