2019 USD SEAT: ELECTION IS ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT – AKPABIO
Former two term member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly that represented Uruan State Constituency and who is currently aspiring to represent Uyo Senatorial District in the Senate, Barrister Usenobong Akpabio, has said the election that will throw up a new representative for the people of the area “is about what is right, what is politically expedient and what will preserve the district.”
Speaking with journalists shortly after consulting with the State Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Obong Paul Ekpo, the former Assemblyman said the people of the district should “look at the election as something that will ensure fairness, equity and justice,” maintaining that “the time has come for us to set the records straight so that posterity will not judge wrongly.”
In his words, “This election is not about Uyo Federal Constituency, nor federal constituency versus federal constituency. This election is about what is right and what is wrong. It is not about me and any other contestant. It is about what is politically expedient, right and what will preserve the Senatorial District. I want us to look at this election as something that will make sure fairness, equity and justice is done as far as Uyo Senatorial District is concerned. The time has come for us to set the records straight so that tomorrow, posterity will not judge us wrongly.”
He further said “For the State Chairman of the party to have said that the era of impunity in PDP was over means that the party has gone a long way to really strengthen the people, the party and the contestants. For him to have also said that he is going to ensure a level playing field for all the contestants means that our prayer for the party has been answered.”
When asked how his party, the PDP, will regain its relevance, Barrister Akpabio said “PDP has always been relevance. It is just impunity that has tried to hamper us. Once our nomination processes and elections are done democratically, the party will shine again. There are so many people, like me, who like things done the proper and right way. If our party behaves in such a way that it will accommodate people, then we are in the process of taking back the centre because even as we speak, the party at the centre, the APC, is not doing very well, therefore, we, the PDP, have an election to win as far as the centre is concerned. For the state, we have enough reasons to support Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term considering what his government has done.”
On why seek the Senatorial District seat, the former lawmaker said “I have been in the parliament for eight years and so I understand the rudiments of parliamentary work. As a Senator, I will strive to make sure I do my legislative work properly, make laws that will affect the people of the state effectively. I will do constituency briefing yearly as the need arises It is on record that the Anti-Cultism Law was proposed by me, the Law for the Regulation of Oil Servicing Companies in the state was proposed by me and it was passed into law. So, I know what I am going to the Senate to do. There are so many things that I will ensure my people get. Things like employment and recommendation for employment, positioning our people to get what they want and I will also ensure our people go to school.”
Earlier, Barrister Akpabio briefed the State Chairman of his intention to run for the Uyo Senatorial Seat, saying “I came here in all sincerity and humility to submit myself to you for the senate job.”
In his remarks, Obong Paul Ekpo, who told his life story to shape the minds of the would-be delegates that accompanied Barrister Akpabio, thanked them for the hunour done him and the party, and assured that the era of impunity in PDP was over.
Obong Ekpo said he will strive to be an unbiased umpire and promised to adhere to the rules of the game when the time for nomination shall come, adding that he will give a space that will be devoid of any rancor.
“If it were to be a thing of personal nomination and recommendation, I would have written your name, but it will be by the delegates,” he stressed.
He said “Usenobong Akpabio has been part of him all his life. As a party, we will ensure there is a level playing field for every aspirant.”
The consultation was witnessed by the State Party Deputy Chairman, Mr. Godwin Afangideh; State Secretary of the party, Mr. Harrison Ekpo, and the State Organizing Secretary, Obong Saturday Akpan.
