Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has taken oath of office for a second term of office with a call to the opposition to join hands with him to improve the economy and well-being of the state.
Governor Emmanuel and his deputy Mr Moses Ekpo, Wednesday, were administered oath of office by the State Chief Judge, Justice Godwin Abraham, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Emmanuel in his second term inaugural speech regretted that the last election in the state was characterized by bad blood.
He however extended olive branch to the opposition political parties to join hands with him in his effort to move the state forward.
He said: “We have just concluded an election where the atmosphere of engagement was poisoned by the manufactured instrument of division, where political power was defined as a matter of life and death, where certain tactics and approaches employed by the other side, challenged and called to question the foundational core of what we are known for: a peaceful and hospitable people. The elections have come and gone and the people have made their choices known on whom to govern and represent them.
“The time then has come for the healing of our land. As I said in my victory speech, I extend again my hands of fellowship and bond of friendship to my brothers and sisters on the opposite side of the political divide. I call on them to join me in building a State that we all, irrespective of political affiliations will be proud to call our home. We went to the polls as brothers and sisters and as the 6th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln said in his second inaugural speech on March 4th 1865 “we are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”
