Member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Samuel Ikon, said, as a true party man that believes in the development and progress of Akwa Ibom State, he has relinquished his second term ambition to satisfy equity, justice and fairness.
Speaking with journalists at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday during the Governorship primary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ikon, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of State Legislatures of Nigeria (CSLN), advised the Senator Representing Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Bassey Albert, to do same by being a statesman that respect equity, justice and fairness.
According to Ikon, “In my case, it was a strong argument that Etinan Local Government Area has had their two terms, me and my late brother, Surveyor Aniedi King. Nsit Ibom had their two terms through the Hon. Emah Bassey, and that Nsit Ubium only had one term through Hon. Daniel Akpan. It is appropriate that Nsit Ubium be allowed to have their second term. In order to satisfy equity, justice and fairness I had to consider that position.”
“So, I also call on others who have similar case to do same. For instance, the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Bassey Albert, should do same. There has been a lot of heat and I am speaking on behalf of my Federal Constituency which hopes that in the near future of eight years that the Senate seat will come our way. We (Etinan Federal Constituency) have done our eight years, Itu/Ibion Ibom Federal Constituency have done their eight years through Senator Ita Enang and Senator Bassey Albert, a very capable Senator in every regards. But I believe that for the purpose of equity, justice and fairness, he should concede to Uyo Federal Constituency just as I have done. So, that we can have the flow and also to avoid a situation where my constituency will have to wait a bit further. And once that is done, it simply means that when Uyo takes over, Uyo can also extend to 12 years using the excuse that Itu/ Ibiono Ibom had done 12 years. It is a difficult pill to swallow, he may not be happy about it but we must make necessary sacrifices to make sure our party is strong and people within our constituencies are happy,” he further explained.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the process used by the PDP to pick its candidates, the National Assemblyman said “I am satisfied. Aspirants were allowed to purchase the nomination forms, returned same and screening was conducted. We are now in the processes of the primaries and so far there has not been anything to worry about. So, I am very okay with the process.”
