…Says He Doesn’t Know Why People Are Against His Return
… “The Agitation For Onofiok Replacement Are Done By Outsiders
“-Akpanusoh
By Ndueso Umanah
Following media Agitation and rumour of ongoing plot to remove the current Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Barr Onofiok Luke, the former speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Elder Aniekan Uko has opened up on the alleged move by his colleagues and other stakeholders of the Party to compel Barr Onofiok Luke to resign, saying that he is not struggling to become Speaker of the state Assembly.
Elder Uko spoke on Monday at the state party House shortly after he received a loyalty award by the state working committee of the Party.
Uko, who was removed as Speaker of the state House of Assembly by election appeal court recently after being challenged by the APC opponent won his opponent in a landslide victory to return to the Assembly.
According to him, “I was elected the Speaker of the state Assembly by my colleagues before the Appeal Court took a decision on Ibesikpo Asutan case which they had ordered us to go for rerun and which I won. I did not struggle to become Speaker, even when I was not on the picture, my colleagues found me worthy, why should I struggle now? ”
“What people fail to understand is that the process of electing a speaker is vested with the members of the Assembly. ”
While wondering why people are campaigning against his return to the state Assembly , the Ibesikpo Asutan born politician said,” I don’t know why people are afraid of my return to the House, I am a member-elect to represent Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency .”
Reacting to the rumoured move to sack Barr Onofiok Luke as Speaker, the chairman, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Usoro Akpanusoh said the House as it currently stands is 100% in support of Barr Onofiok Luke.
He dismissed the alleged agitation as the work of middle interlopers who has no business in the Assembly. “disregard any rumour that the house will remove Barr Luke as Speaker because the House is 100% in support of the current Speaker, the agitation is from members of the public not Assembly” Akpanusoh thanked the state working committee of the Party for finding them worthy of honour after serving the Party for years.
Meanwhile, the agitation for replacement of Barr Luke is still ongoing by the member of the public who said that they are fighting for their interest, as a party stalwart, Etubom Joe in an interview with our correspondent said the only solution to Barr Onofiok Luke replacement will be “sacrificing” Paul Ekpo as the State Chairman of the Party. Etubom Joe said the people of Atai Uyo will not go to sleep unless their right is granted.
According to him, “what is good for Mr. “A” is also good for Mr. “B”, this is the only case that will test the integrity of Governor Udom Emmanuel and PDP as a party in the state. They brought zoning, which we all abide on. Zoning must be adhered to even to the later. It’s either they give us our Speakership slot or they give us party chairmanship slot and a juicy Commissioner slot.”
