Chidi Tony/ A former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akaninyene Eno Eyo has joined the Senate race in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, otherwise called Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
In a chat with newsmen in Uyo recently, Hon. Eyo, who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he was the best among the aspirants in the senatorial district being the only one with legislative experience.
“I feel I am extremely ripe, ready and prepared for more representation being someone of age of above 55 years and whereas I have been in the House of Representatives before. I feel if I go into the Senate, I would go there as a ranking member with cognate experience which would be to the advantage of not just myself but to the senatorial district and the state in general because we know the advantages of ranking and cognate experience in parliament. And above all, the current Senate leadership is made up of my colleagues in the House of Representatives starting from the Senate President. So, I am going to a familiar terrain. My representation this time will be stupendously robust. The PDP delegates know who we are. They know what we did when we had little opportunities. They know what we will do if we have another opportunity.”
Looking back at his tenure in the House of Representatives for Abak Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2003, Hon. Eyo stated that he attracted many signature developmental projects to the constituency including communities of his fellow aspirants, adding that he did not do those things to corner or enslave anybody.
He pledged to do more for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District if elected Senator.
He stated that he was not going to the Senate to build an empire for himself but to give effective representation.
Hon. Eyo condemned the recent attempt to adopt a consensus candidate for the senatorial district.
“There was nothing like consensus on the issue of who becomes a candidate. Anything that brings rancour, even from one person, means there is no agreement and no consensus. In this case, the crowd resisted clause 4 of the communique because a particular name was mentioned as few people planned.
Secondly, you don’t attach attendance list to any consensus. Most people that saw their names published in favour of the failed or purported consensus have come out to say that they did not sign any consensus communique and that they went there for a different purpose. There is nothing wrong with the Governor’s completion agenda and his quest for maintenance of peace though the management of the movement by its leadership is highly questionable for turning the said peace movement to his own personal and selfish political agenda. The Governor, I know, and the party leadership, I know, will maintain peace and equity for all members and will provide a level playing field for all aspirants.”
He said that he was not against a consensus arrangement provided that it was done properly.
“If a consensus body is well constituted, why not? But not when personal assistants to certain aspirants attend meetings as stakeholders whereas real stakeholders are not involved. The real stakeholders must be involved and an agenda of consensus must be stipulated in any occasion. A consensus that is done and the party is involved is apt. By God’s grace, I will be favoured in any well-constituted consensus arrangement. And in any case, I have not seen any reasonable person who would think of consensus when it is about six to seven months to primary. I don’t know why some people are in a haste. I advise them to try and live their lives outside government especially when they are of very renowned professions.”
Hon. Eyo pledged his support for Governor Udom Emmanuel’s completion agenda and succession plan.
He dissociated the Governor from claims that he was supporting one of the aspirants in the Ikot Ekpene senatorial race.
“This Governor is different. He does not do politics as others used to do. This is one Governor who is very, very honest. The Governor wants the best for all parts of the state. Nobody should name drop the Governor in this Senate race in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District like I am told they are doing. Please leave the Governor out of this.”
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