By Bassey Anthony, Uyo
Senate President Ahmed Lawan has said political differences should be a factor for enhancing national unity.
He urged Nigerians, irrespective of their party lines, ethnicity and religion, to unite for the nation’s development.
Lawan spoke on Sunday during the thanksgiving service on Senator Akon Eyakenyi’s 60th birthday at Destiny International Missions Church in Uyo, the state capital.
Eyakenyi is representing Akwa Ibom South in the National Assembly.
Dignitaries at the ceremont included Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-agege, Governor Udom Emmanuel, Deputy Governor Mosses Ekpo, Senators Rochas Okorocha, Danjuma Goje and Elisa Abboh.
Lawan described the celebrator as a hardworking senator who has made her voice very audible since the beginning of the Ninth Senate.
The Senate President urged others to borrow a leaf from her commitment to service.
Lawan, who praised his colleagues in the Ninth National Assembly for being peace-loving, advised fellow Nigerians to continue to pray for peace in the Senate so that the Upper Chamber could continue to work for national development.
He warned politicians across party lines to desist from starting the 2023 campaign now but to focus on fulfilling their promises to their people, for which the electorate voted them into office.
The Senate President expressed optimism that the nation will soon overcome its challenges.
“Akwa Ibom State has great senators. This is because they exert seriousness in their function.
“I celebrate Senator Akon Eyakenyi on her 60th birthday. She is a very hardworking woman, always working for the good of her constituency in the Senate.
“We should work together, irrespective of political, ethnicity and religion, for the betterment of our dear country.
“What is before us should not be 2023, but the people that voted us into the positions of power,” he said.
Governor Udom Emmanuel hailed Lawan for leading a peaceful Senate.
The governor described him as a man of peace.
He also urged all politicians to work for unity in the nation.
Emmanuel thanked God for Eyakenyi’s life of service, which he said had kept her going stronger.
The governor warned politicians in the state not to distract his attention with consultations and political campaigns for the 2023 elections.
“I appreciate the Senate President for leading the first-ever peaceful Senate.
“Today is another great day because when you see people coming from all political divide like this, it is a call for unity.
“I have known Eyakenyi to be a devoted woman. I am satisfied with her representation in the Senate so far and I, as well as my wife and my family, join her in thanking God for her life.
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“I have no power to anoint anybody for governor in 2023 until God reveals him to me. Let me warn that nobody should come for consultation because I want to work and bring in more investors into the state in the Year 2020,” he added.
Eyakenyi expressed gratitude to God for helping her to overcome all the challenges she faced since childhood and form her political victories.
She hailed Lawan and Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, who she described as fathers, for giving room to everyone in the Senate, irrespective of party difference.
She thanked Emmanuel and her senatorial district for her success at the 2019 election.
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