“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it”. William Arthur Ward.
Government exists to look after the welfare and security of the state. Good governance is about the welfare of the governed, their security and the security of their properties.
The first and most powerful arm of government is the legislature. It makes laws for the operation of all arms and tiers of government and their agencies. It serves as a watchdog to the executive and can remove same albeit, in accordance with the very laws it makes. The legislature can only be dissolved by the executive when it has lived out its span per term as the law stipulates.
Importantly, the legislature has the mandate of the citizens to act on their behalf. In the light of this, every constituency owes herself the duty of sending in her best to that all important assembly of representatives.
In our country, the legislature is reconstituted every four years, therefore, each constituency has an opportunity to either send back her representative or replace them as the case may be. That opening is here again and, a few of our party members and my humble self, vied for an opportunity to fly the party’s flag.
The journey to clinching the party’s ticket on my part started quite a while ago. I stepped into the game with an open heart trusting that power belongs to God and that, He gives it to whom he pleases through the instrumentality of men. Armed with this consciousness, I first of all had to consult with the Almighty God and seek His guidance.
I proceeded to meet with the leader of our party and the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel who incidentally is the foremost stakeholder of our party from the district. I took out quality time to go round all Elders and Stakeholders of the party within and outside the district. I did consult with the youths, women, elders and the twelve local government councils across the district, giving reasons why I intend to serve at that level.
The party primaries eventually came and the contest though fierce, was more of a family affair – rancour free and without bad blood between us (the contestants as we then were) and our supporters. The processes of that primary election conduct was such a bold statement and a promise that, we can get it right if we so desire to make a difference.
Above all, I was dazed by the depth of love and the magnitude of honour done me by majority of our people. The level of acceptability demonstrated through the number of votes cast in my favour, in the just concluded primary election is quite amazing. I cannot express how grateful I am for the confidence you have reposed in me.
I cannot fail to thank Our Leader, the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State, HE Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and HE Deaconess Martha Udom Emmanuel. The leadership of our party in the state deserves more than commendation for ensuring a transparent, free, fair and credible election conduct – the level of transparency exhibited on 2nd October, 2018 was unprecedented. Thanks to the delegates who took the decision of electing who flies the party’s flag on behalf of the party in the district.
I am indebted to all Elders/Stakeholders of our party across the district, All NASS and House of Assembly members, all chairmen of council, chapter/ward chairmen of our party, men, women, youths, students, the disabled; DG, DDG, SG, all Directors, Dean of Chapter Coordinators and all Local Government Coordinators/Secretaries, all members of the Central Planning Committee and indeed, all Team Members of Better Deal 2019, Convener Akon Volunteer For Udom, Coordinator Friends of Akon Eyakenyi International, all other group leaders and members, individuals, friends, others outside the PDP family and the entire Senatorial District.
I deeply appreciate, congratulate and very specially commend, my delectable comrades in the concluded primaries, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim – a Distinguished Senior Party Man and, Barr. (Mrs.) Comfort Bassey – a Worthy Party Faithful. These duo are perfect examples of good sportsmen who treasure the success of the PDP and respect the will of the people above personal gains. Comrades, the last exercise produced no loser but, a win-win situation for all of us. I shall hold the senatorial position in trust for you and the generality of our people across the district. Let us therefore work together as partners during this planting season that we may enjoy the harvest as a family.
This is only the first stage of the struggle for a Better Deal for Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. We have the second and concluding stage coming by February next year. There is a saying that a people deserve the leader they have. We shall progress or retrogress as a people, depending on our choices per time. The next senate shall be a critical one where far-reaching decisions on Restructuring, Resource Control, Devolution of Power, State Police and lots of other weighty questions shall be addressed. Who we send at this crucial time will determine what we will have to live with after such decisions are reached.
Let us therefore keep faith and strive to depart from the errors of yesteryears. We need a proactive senator to exact commensurate benefits from the pool for our district. We need a lobbyist, team player, a conscious and solicitous fellow. Someone with a human heart and a conscience, who will feel and understand the people’s plight. We must all resolutely work towards securing an improved welfare and security for our people by ensuring the emergence of a person, who shall not abscond with the people’s mandate.
Thank you Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District for the support and solidarity. Together we shall rescue our constituency and, push forward her frontiers of development.
