Senatorial aspirant says Udom’s preferred candidate is politically insensitive; snaps “Where was he in 2014, 19”

The immediate past Chief of Staff to Akwa Ibom state governor and Commissioner for Works Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen, has maintained the preference of Pastor Umo Eno by Governor Udom Emmanuel and some stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 Governorship in Akwa Ibom State is politically insensitive and incorrect.

Inyang-eyen, reasoned that choosing Umo Eno clearly offends the 2014 political accord that was factored for the stepping down of Senator Bassey Akpan for Udom Emmanuel to successfully emerge in 2015.

The frontline Senatorial aspirant for Eket Senatorial District in 2023, was speaking to some newsmen at the weekend in Uyo.

He revealed that he was among those that persuaded OBA in a meeting that lasted for hours to step down for the incumbent governor.

“I was at the meeting where Bassey Albert was asked to be patient that when the governorship position rotates back to Uyo Senatorial District, he would be given the first right of refusal.”

He recounted how Senator Bassey Albert stood solidly against all odds, by Governor Udom Emmanuel and the PDP during the political implosion of 2019 where two senators and other stakeholders defected from PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“In 2019, what endeared Bassey Albert to my heart was that our two other senators left and Bassey was given mouthwatering offers to join suit but he refused and defended the PDP mandate in Akwa Ibom.

“What else do you want me to say than that a man who had that integrity – the sincerity of purpose, the honesty to stand with his home in the face of danger is not a man who should be sacrificed.

He warned that the succession agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel – led administration has thrown up does not meet up with the expected reward system.

“Why is it in our system to reward those who don’t work and those who work are not rewarded? The present succession agenda has come, why is there no reward system?

“The man who is today being branded as the candidate; where was he? Where was his contribution to the party? Why is there no reward system? Where was he in 2014? Where was he in 2019?

Reiterating his stance for justice, fairness, and equity, Inyang-eyen said he is not aware of “the norms and intricacies of how this system runs.”

“For me, I stand by the truth and stand by justice. It may not look good to people but what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. We shouldn’t ask for justice when we don’t practice one.

“I stand with Bassey Albert in the physical realm for a payback time for him in this season and most importantly God has told me in my open vision and through other men of God I pray with that Bassey Albert is the anointed and my job is to obey God,” he added.