IKOT EKPENE: Obong Chris Ekpenyong Throws Weight On Hon Akan Eyo’s Senatorial Bid
The senator for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Obong Chris Ekpenyong has thrown his weight behind the aspiration of Hon Akaninyene Eyo as the next senator for the Senatorial District come 2023.
Ekpenyong bared his mind, Monday, at his Ikot Ekpene residence when Hon Eno officially consulted him, adding that, all his followers across the District would also support the Etim Ekpo born politician.
The senator described Hon Eno as a very intelligent, pragmatic and people-friendly personality who understands the nitty-gritty of legislative business. Ekpenyong stressed that the District needed a ranking officer in the Senate to be properly positioned in the scheme of things in the country.
“As a former member of the House of Representatives, I am over confident that you will be on a familiar terrain that will benefit the Senatorial District, nay, Akwa Ibom in various ways.
“As one who is in the National Assembly now, I know the import of an experience and ranking in the Upper Legislative House. It’s not a time to do trial-and-error, for the Senate is not a place to go and learn.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on delegates of the 10 local government areas that make up the Senatorial District to shun sentiments and pecuniary tendencies but vote the aspirant who has been there before, knows the terrain, have the connection within the Chambers and will be very disposed to carry them along in representation,” the former deputy governor said. He congratulated Hon Eyo for having the interest of his people at heart and for aspiring to represent the District in the Senate, saying, “with you in the Senate, I will be fulfilled.”
He said with the calibre of politicians that constitutes the campaign trail of Hon Eyo, he was confident that he would have massive votes from delegates from the District in the coming party nomination.
The senator, who prayed and blessed Hon Eyo, advised him to go about his campaigns with decorum and civility, telling the delegates what he knows about the National Assembly and how his representation would benefit them. Ekpenyong scored his performance in the Senate highly, stressing that he has provided visible and verifiable projects in all the local government areas that make up the District, promising to invite Hon Eyo to witness their inauguration soon. Hon Eyo thanked the senator for giving him the audience and for the encouragement he has given to him. He said his desire to go to the Senate was borne out of the urge to give his people effective representation in legislation, oversight and even dividends of democracy.
He said, as a former member of the House of Representatives, he knows the workings of the National Assembly and that he would bring his experience, connection and contact to bear in delivering the goods for the District.
The former member of the House of Representatives said his records as the member for Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the National Assembly between 1999 and 2003 were there for people to see, adding that, if given the mandate, he would replicate and even surpass such performance in the 10 Local Government Areas that make up the District.
Those in the entourage of Hon Eyo were the former member of Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Saviour Udoh, former chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area and member of the State Secondary Education Board, (SSEB) Barr Martins Umanah, retired permanent secretary from Obot Akara Local Government Area, Pastor Nicholas Ekarika, former chairman of Obot Akara, Surv. Felix Emmanson, Chief Innocent Pius, Uzoamaka, Hon Innocent Ntuk and Dr Godwin Udoma.