…We need a ranking Senator at such a time like now -Sen Effiong Bob
Anny MICHAELS
As part of resolutions reached last Saturday, Stakeholders of Uyo Senatorial District urged aspirants to the Senate from the District to support Senator Bassey Albert for re-election come 2019 as the Senatorial District seriously need a ranking Senator in the 9th Senate.
Speaking at an enlarged stakeholders meeting, a former Senator who represented the District, Senator Effiong Dickson Bob said ”I respect your rights to contest for the Senate seat but let me urge you as an experienced legislator to allow that ambition to wait for now as we seriously need a ranking Senator to represent our senatorial District and Ibibio nation in the current turn of events in Nigeria . Let me most sincerely thank Senator Bassey Albert for standing with his people despite the many reasons he would have done otherwise and he has represented us well ”
Other speakers including Senator Anietie Okon, Rt Hon Onofiok Luke, Speaker Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Comrade Iwa Udofia, SSA on Youth Matters among others alluded to Senator Bob’s views. ‘.
Bob noted that as the practice is, those who indicated interest before now will be properly accommodated in the scheme of things to cushion the effect of their decision.
In a communique issued at the end of the enlarged stakeholders meeting in Uyo they said they are very satisfied with the stability of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria while urging all to continue to support democracy to thrive in Nigeria.
iChairman on the occasion, His Excellency, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga who read the communique after extensive deliberations by stakeholders on issues affecting the Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State and the Nigerian Nation.
The meeting, which was convened by Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, Senator Representing Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo); Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Mr Okon Nsentip, the State Vice Chairman (Uyo Senatorial District) of PDP, attracted political chieftains; labour leaders; leadership of socio-cultural organizations; CAN and religious bodies; youth groups; women organizations; the media and civil society groups of Uyo Senatorial District extraction.
The Stakeholders re-affirmed commitment to the unity of Akwa Ibom State as an indivisible entity, made up of three (3) Senatorial Districts: Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo); Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) and Akwa Ibom South (Eket), under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, devoid of ethnic colouration and bigotry.
They also took a dispassionate review of the established convention in the sustenance of political leadership in the State since 1999, and accordingly restated its faith in the principle of power rotation among the three component Senatorial Districts of the State for the office of the Governor.
According to the communique, they took cognizance of the fact that under the policy of rotation: Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District, through His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, governed the State for two terms of eight (8) years (1999-2003) and (2003-2007). Akwa Ibom North-West(Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District, through His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, governed the State for two terms of eight (8) years (2007-2011) and (2011-2015) respectively. Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District continued in that order in 2015 through His Excellency, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. In line with the principles of justice, equity and fairness and in tandem with the already set precedents, it is imperative that the cycle and principle of rotation be sustained.
The Stakeholders re-affirmed their earlier endorsement of Governor Udom Emmanuel as variously expressed by other Senatorial Districts, particularly by Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District at different fora, and specifically on 20th December, 2016; 9th June, 2017; and 20th April, 2018.
Accordingly, the Stakeholders urged all sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District, to continue to mobilize support for Governor Udom Emmanuel’s re-election in 2019 and resist schemes of mischief makers, as this is the surest way to guarantee continued peace, development and progress in Akwa Ibom State.
The meeting resolved that power must return to Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District in 2023.
The Stakeholders also reassessed the programmes and policies of the Udom Gabriel Emmanuel-led Administration in Akwa Ibom and commended his vision and drive in the actualization of his Five Point Agenda and for creating an enabling environment for peace, unity, investment and development to thrive in the State.
The Stakeholders also reviewed the state of the Nation, with regards to the recent developments within the polity, and condemned in strong terms the excesses of the APC-led Federal Government, in using some Government agencies as tools to intimidate political opponents. These are also seen in recent blockade of the National Assembly; undue interference in the operation of other arms of Government by the Executive Arm of Government, without recourse to the principles of separation of power and the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and, freezing of some State Government accounts.
The Stakeholders commended Distinguished Senator Obong Bassey Albert Akpan for his outstanding loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party and being focused in delivering on his mandate, despite protracted battles in the courts, which culminated in his recent victory at the Supreme Court on 6th of July, 2018.
The Stakeholders, in particular, commended the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Luke, for sustaining a cordial working relationship with the Executive Arm of the Government for continued development of the State.
The meeting extolled all Chairmen of Local Government Councils, Councilors and all Chieftains of the Party for their continued dedication and commitment to the cause of the PDP and the overall progress of Akwa Ibom State.
The Stakeholders called on INEC and security agencies to ensure free and fair elections in 2019, also urged all eligible voters in the Senatorial District, who are yet to register or collect their permanent voters’ cards to take advantage of the window and do so before the close of the exercise on August 17, 2018.
Speaking at the event, Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) assured the people of the Senatorial District that he will not disappoint them in the National Assembly and called for greater support for Gov Udom Emmanuel ahead of 2019. The people were in high spirit celebrating their Senator.
