… 4 for House of Reps, 2 for Governorship and 1 for Senate
By Ekebo Ekanem
As the battle for
the re-election into the state House of Assembly continues to generate heat and
tension in some state constituencies, some serving Lawmakers wishing to seek
re-election so as to guarantee them automatic tickets to occupy principal
positions in the state Assembly are not found wanting in the show.
About eleven state
lawmakers currently in the 5th Assembly are making consultations day
and night to ensure that they return back to the 6th Assembly in 2015.
Our House
Correspondent, Ekebo Ekanem, in this Special Report takes a look at some of the
Lawmakers jostlying for second term tickets and the issues that may hinder
their second term ambitions.
Hon. Kufre-Abasi Etuk - Uruan
Hon. Kufre-Abasi
Etuk is the member representing Uruan State Constituency in the State House of
Assembly from 2011- till date. He is one of the Lawmakers seeking for
re-election in 2015. According to his scorecard, Hon. Etuk has given the people
of Uruan effective representation ranging from schoolarship, youth empowerment,
construction of modern infrastructure in various schools and markets.
Hon. Kufre-Abasi
Etuk believes he will be given another chance by the people of Uruan because he
has made them proud in the 5th Assembly. According to a P.D.P Chieftain in the
area, the Party has resolved to work in unison to ensure that Kufre Etuk is
returned back in 2015. He is from southern Uruan political bloc.
Hon. (Barr) Onofiok Akpan Luke – Nsit Ubium
There is not much
talk on the second term ambition of Hon. Onofiok Luke because his works will
speak for him at the polls. The 6th Assembly from 2015 will not be complete
without the likes of this erudite gentleman. He is one of the most influential
Parliamentarian when it comes to the point of debating and contribution of
positive ideas. He is also one of the movers and shakers of the House after the
Speaker.
Hon. Onofiok Luke
is a Lawmaker par excellence whose effective representation cannot be
compromised. One of the factors that may
hinder his inability to clinch the party ticket is that he has taken the turn
of NSIT and is now left for UBIUM to produce the next House
member. This seems not a problem as Nsit
Ubium needs a performer like Luke. Recently he was endorsed by a cross section of
the Party faithful, youths and women to continue on his legislative business in
2015. His empowerment packages cut across all classes of the people in
Nsit-Ubium, so this man, according to his people, deserves a second term.
Hon.(Sir)Udo Kerian Akpan – Oruk Anam
He is currently
serving as the Deputy Speaker of the House. His second term ambition has
generated much heat and tension in Orukanam which clearly stated that it is the
turn of Anam bloc in the area to produce the next representative.
As a former Labour
Leader in the state, Hon. Sir Udo Kerian
Akpan has tried his best in terms of empowerment. The reason behind his
aspiration according to an insider in his camp is that the Deputy Speaker may
emerge as the next Speaker if re-elected
by his people in 2015. The plot by the Lawmaker to return back may suffer a
major setback as the people are insisting on earlier laid down zoning principle
of the area.
Hon.(Mrs) Sarah Elijah - Nsit Atai
She is seriously
embarking on her second term consultations, but the people had earlier rejected
her candidacy, and again pointed out that she is being imposed on the people by
her husband, Obong Sunny Elijah, who is believed to be the political leader in
area. The Lawmaker, according to
the people has not been
able to represent them creditably at the parliament. They have argued that the zoning principle of
the area will not favour her second term ambition.
Hon. (Comrade) Friday Iwok - Abak
He is one of the
sound, bold and courageous Lawmakers who has been able to attract and deliver
the dividends of democracy to his people. The people of Abak State Constituency
are eager to return him back for a second term in 2015 because of what they say
of his effective and responsive representation. Hon. Friday Iwok’s second term ambition has received massive
endorsements from the ruling Party, Elders, Royal Fathers, women and the
Youths. But it is true that in Abak from
1999 - 2011 there has been no second term for revious House Members of that area and Hon Iwok is aware of this
fact, just as he has many forces in the area seeking to oust him in 2015. By
God’s grace, will Elder Iwok break the
second term Jinx? In terms of human empowerment and development, he has raised
the bar of leadership.
Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Akpan – Ukanafun
In 2011, Hon.
(Elder) Aniekan Akpan was the only one among his collegues who rose from a
position of a Council Chairman to the House of Assembly as a member. His
performance while he was serving as a Council Chairman between 2008-2011 contributed
immensely to his success at the polls in 2011. He is seeking for a re-election
under the platform of P.D.P in 2015. For
this former Secondary School teacher,
delivering the dividends of democracy to the people he represents remains
paramount in his agenda. Though his
critics are ready to say many things yet many opinions from his stock hold that
Ukanafun people will vote massively for Hon. Aniekan Akpan at least for the
role he played in the construction of some miserably bad roads in the area by the
state government. A chieftain from the area told our House Correspondent,
“People have done it before for Aniekan Akpan, they will do it again in 2015”.
Hon. (Barr) Ime Okon - Ibiono Ibom
This is his first
term at the State Assembly. His performance since 2011 till date will be
difficult to forget by the people of the area. Hon. (Barr) Ime Okon has
distinguished himself as a leader with passion, love and care. He is loyal,
dedicated and committed to the course of reducing poverty and unemployment among
the youths and women of Ibiono Ibom State Constituency. During the reception in
honour of the former Finance Commissioner, Hon. (Barr) Ime Okon was unanimously
adopted as the sole candidate for the House of Assembly race come 2015.
The knowledge
acquired by this lawmaker during his public and private engagements will
enhance his contributions to the growth and development of Ibiono Ibom if he is
re-elected again in 2015.
Hon. Victor Udofia - Ikono
Hon. Victor Udofia
is a new comer to the House of Assembly. He is also an individual who does not
fear anybody when it comes to the business of the day. As chairman House
committee on N.D.D.C Projects, recently he lambasted the Commission for not
completing all the abandoned projects in the state. Hon. Udofia is re-contesting again in 2015
because one good term deserves another.
Though arguably some House Members have opined that they cannot perform effectively
with only term, he is being endorsed by who is who in the politics of Ikono
local government area and he is said to have been assured of their support to return him back to the
House of Assembly in 2015.
A political analyst
in the area maintained that Hon. Udofia’s performance is so impressive, but he
may be considered for another opportunity.
Hon. Ayang Akanimo Ayang – Eket
Many people in Eket
State Constituency may be opted for Ayang’s replacement in the Assembly. His
performance alone cannot assure him of second term ticket. He needs to
re-energise and work hard so that he can earn the support of the electorates.
Grassroot interaction from time to time matters a lot in this business, it is
one of the criteria used by the people to disqualify those they don’t like when
it comes to election period, grapevine investigation reveals. Many people in
the rural areas have always voted for an aspirant that is closed to them, but
Ayang is the best material for the plum Job according to his people.
Hon. Godwin Oton - Onna
The re-election of
Hon. Godwin Oton in 2015 may be a serious battle which his people are working
round the clock to ensure that he cannot get the second term ticket due to what
they called his ineffective representation.
Hon. Oton may face
a stiff opposition from the people because most of his people who cared to lend
voice to this report said that he was imposed on them by the immediate past
Deputy State Chairman of P.D.P, thereby he is not a good choice. But since
everything lies in the hands of the Party, he may be considered for a second
term ticket. Since he is not the preferred candidate, Hon. Oton needs to
re-structure his political strategy in other to get the people’s support. It is
not debatable that without the electorates voting for a candidate, no matter
what that candidate does there may be difficulties here and there.
Those eyeing House of Representatives seat in their Federal
Constituencies
Hon. (Elder) Samuel Ikon
Rt. Hon. (Elder)
Samuel Ikon is the Speaker of the 5th Assembly. He is one of the major
aspirants seeking to represent Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives
come 2015. He is also the Chairman of Confernce of Speakers in the county. His
performance since assumption of office is commendable. The two positions
occupied by Samuel Ikon may not earn him the ticket if the Party sticks to the
zoning principle of that Federal Constituency. His Etinan Local Government Area
has produced Late Hon (Surv) Aniedi lkpong King who served between 2007- 2011. Then in 2011, the zoning pattern rotated to
Nsit Ubium which saw the emergence of Rt. Hon. (Obong) Dan Akpan from 2011 till
date. Come 2015,it is expacted that Nsit lbom will take it turn to produce the
next House of Repesentatives member. These are the challenges the Speaker may
face since the ruling Party which sticks strictly to zoning had zoned the governorship
to a section of the State may also insist on zoning other political offices. It
is expected that the party will also follow the zoning principle in the Local
Government Areas. The only escape valve
for this soft-spoken and peaceful Speaker is where Nsit Ibom will come forth to
cede its slot for him to go because of his, bravery, alluring mien, candour,
peaceful nature and experience.
Rt. Hon Obong Anietie Etuk – Nsit Ibom
He is currently the
member representing the people of Nsit Ibom State Constituency. He served as a
one time Speaker and was succeeded by the present Speaker. According to his
people, Anietie Etuk may be considered as the best man for the House of Reps
job as he is currently favoured by zoning. If the ruling Party gives a level playing field, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk may
likely emerge as the next House of Representative member for his Federal
Constituency. His phylantropic gesture will surely speak for him when the time
comes. This is a man that can deliver Etinan federal constituency effectively
through responsive representation.
Though not clear
whether he would vie as he appears yet to be interested in it, he is not
boisterous; is unassuming, unambitious and not a new comer in legislative
business.
Rt. Hon. Ekaette Ebong Okon - Itu
She is currently
serving as the Deputy House Leader in the State House of Assembly. Rt. Hon. Ekaette Ebong Okon is also seeking to
contest for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency seat come 2015. Already the
occupant of the seat presently, Hon. Kenneth Archibong is re-contesting for a
second term and he is also from the same Itu Local Government Area. The battle
now lies between the three of them as Barr. Rahael Etim who has been in the
race earlier has also shown interest in 2015. Will Hon. Kenneth Archibong make his people
proud if given another chance? The
verdict is in the hands of his people and the Party. Some grumbling voices in Itu LGA said during
his Party’s Primaries in 2011 his Party gave him ticket against all odds for Kenneth to bear the Party’s flag for the
sake of his father who served the State in the past as a Military
Administrator.
Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson
He is the member
representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency, a former Council Chairman in 2007
before moving into the House of Assembly. The people of Ikot Abasi Federal
Constituency maintain that if Barr Ekong Samspson is allowed to clinch the
ticket, he will contribute his wealth of experience to the industralization
project of the state. A Legal practitioner by profession, Barr Sampson, having
served for two terms believes he has what it takes to win the primary election, but the present
occupant of that office, Hon. (Dr.) Akpan Micah Umoh is slugging it out with
him for a second term. His empowerment programmes cannot be mentioned in a
hurry. If he wins the support of his people that will be
seen in the polls.
Those Aspiring For Senate
Hon. Barr Bassey Etienam
The Urueoffong/Uruko
representative in the State Assembly is contesting to represent Eket Senatorial
District in the Senate. His pedigree and Academic qualifications, it is believed
will scare other aspirants. He is among who is who in the state parliament and
has a subtle but convincing way of always attracting other Lawmakers to support
his arguments. He has a solid political structure across the district which can
deliver his project in 2015. Hon. (Barr) Bassey Etienam has done well in terms
of empowerment and has many beneficiaries on his scholarship list ranging from
secondary to tertiary institutions. A son of a late business mogul from the Oro
nation, believes in fairness, equity, justice, unassuming, firm, focused and
the dignity of the human person.
Those Aspiring for Governorship
Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh
He is the Leader of
the House who represents Esit-Eket/Ibeno State Constituency from 2003- till
date. This is his third term in the House of Assembly. A former member of the
House from his area passed on and the Party chose him to fill the gap. For still holding sway to be in the House up
until now means he is at home with his people.
He is also among those eyeing the governorship seat in 2015. Rt. Hon.
Etteh has founded his political group called IKPOTO AKWAIBOM. He is
also enjoying the support of the presidency and is favoured by zoning. He had since strated consultation from his
family in Upenekang. In a recent
interaction with press men, Rt. Hon. Ettte says he is the only governorship
aspirant with roots everywhere in the state.
He says this of himself, “In fact, I am the only pan-Akwa Ibom aspirant amongst all
my brothers and sisters seeking the position. I am from Ibeno in Eket
Senatorial District. My mother is from Obio Itak in Ikono Local Government
Area, the acclaimed Ntippe Ibibio. I have every right an Ibibio son or daughter
has because of this factor. My 88 years old grandmother, who, by God’s grace,
is still alive, is from Obio Offot in Uyo Local Government Area of Uyo
Senatorial District, which is the heart of Ibibioland. My wife, Ekaete, is from Utu Etim Ekpo in Etim
Ekpo Local Government Area in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, the heart of
Annangland. You may have heard that the progenitor of Ibeno was a certain man
called Mbang who is known to be a brother to Ukpabang, the progenitor of the
Oro people. Every Oron man knows this aspect of history and sees an Ibeno man
as a brother”. But will the brick-bat
intrigues and pranks associated with the incumbency and succession theory allow
him emerge at the PDP primaries? The
rest of the story lies with the PDP delegates and the ruling Party which is
bent on zoning 2015 governorship to Eket Senatorial District which Etteh
belongs.
Rt. Hon. Jerome Isangedighi
Rt. Hon Jerome
Isangedihi is a former House Leader and he is representing Oron/Udunguko State
Constituency. He is one of those from Oro nation jostlying for the governorship
seat in 2015. Some pundits say he seems to be running on the billboards as they
claim he seems not to have any solid political structure on ground in the state. He is a two term legislator of
his area in the 5th Assembly.
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