2023 Elections: Community in Eket Senatorial District pledge to vote capacity, competence over zoning

The people of Esit Eket in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District aka Eket Senatorial District have warned that any Senatorial aspirant coming for consultations, should not do so on the basis of zoning, but on the trajectory of capacity, competence, and effective representation.

The warning was disclosed when a Senatorial aspirant, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, consulted the Esit Eket Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party secretariat at Esit Eket, to intimate them of his ambition to represent Eket Senatorial District in the National Assembly in 2023.

According to the former commissioner for Works and the immediate past Chief of Staff to the governor, his ambition was driven by his desire to change the narrative of ineffective representation and the necessity to bring about change in the Senatorial District.

He stated that the experience gained from his exposure in the public and political arena has boosted his capacity, integrity, and competence to serve the Southern Senatorial District at the National Assembly and bring about the desired shift in paradigm to impact the development of the area.

He said, “I have come on my own resolve and personal conviction that it was time I stepped into the arena because God has blessed me with what it takes to take up the huge responsibility.

“Time has come when we must send our first eleven to the centre. I have therefore brought myself out by my volution and belief in my innate ability to deliver. Having considered everything including the history of representation in the Senatorial district, I hereby announced officially my ambition to run for the Senate seat come 2023. The Senate needs someone with a voice that will be respected by all”.

He said his decision is premised on the fact that all the three federal constituencies in the Senatorial District had deservedly taken their turns in the first round of rotation, with Ikot Abasi having taken the lead, arguing that, there was no binding law that it cannot begin elsewhere and still go round but based on capacity and competence of the aspirants to deliver quality service to the people.

The aspirant said that his consultation with the party structure in Esit Eket was in keeping with the tradition of solidarity and personal respect to the party.

In response, the Esit Eket Chapter Chairman of PDP, Hon. Eddy Etangkanga, welcome and commended Akparawa Inyangeyen for his ambition and patriotic desire to change the story of the Senatorial zone at the National Assembly, adding that only a candidate who has the capacity and competence will be able to make the difference.

The party chairman who is a former Majority Whip and Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Esit Eket local council added that the people of Esit Eket will place all aspirants on a scale before making decisions.

“However, as a party, we will be fair to all who come, by allowing a level playing ground for them to test their popularity and acceptability by the electorate. But what the people are asking for is effective representation”.

Others who spoke, emphasized on credibility and competence of candidates, saying that, they rued the second fiddle role many representatives from the Senatorial District have played, against their collective expectations on the ground of zoning.

Present at the event were members of the party chapter executive, including Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Ekaette Abia; Secretary, Akidmfin Umana; Youth Leader, Emem Peters; Women Leader, Obonganwan Godsown Udoitu; Assistant Publicity Secretary, Agnes Akwaowo, and others. Also present were ward chairmen and their vice, delegates, councilors and others.