By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The campaign organisation of the PDP senatorial candidate for Eket Senatorial District in Akwa Ibom, Barr Ekong Sampson has expressed sadness over the recent comments credited to his YPP opponent Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen on zoning in the area.
In a statement endorsed by its head of Media and Publicity, Mr Essien Ndueso and made available to newsmen in Uyo yestetday, the organisation expressed suprise that Inyang-eyen, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Udom Emmanuel would subscribe to zoning being dead in the senatorial district because it was not used in the last presidential primaries of the PDP.
“What the YPP Senatorial candidate fails to understand is the fact that Akwa Ibom South (Eket)Senatorial District is bigger than a single individual and not even an arrogant or loquacious politician with zero regards to the elders and traditional institution in the district, can blackmail the entire district to dance to his dictate.
“The PDP national leadership left the race for the presidential ticket opened to all because of the peculiarities in the country and Atiku Abubakar emerged. The party zoned the governorship seat in Akwa Ibom to Uyo senatorial district, Pastor Umo Eno won.
“The party also zoned the Senatorial Seat for Eket to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and Barr Ekong Sampson won, what is so difficult to understand?
“While Akparawa Ephraim Inyang cannot deny that he was at the special meeting of stakeholders and leaders of the senatorial district earlier this year, where the unanimous decision zoning the senatorial seat for 2023 goes to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency was reached, he cannot also deny that his avid disposition to lawlessness and disregard to people’s sensitivity add another feather to his blossoming hat of arrogance.” It explained.
The statement maintained that after the decision on zoning was reached, every politician from other federal constituencies in the senatorial district, including the serving member of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Pat Ifon, opted to back out of the race.
It said that it would be the height of insecerity for someone defy the collective decisions of his people
while his unwarranted outburst against previous senators in the senatorial district left much to be desired.
“Nobody in his right frame of mind can challenge the noble efforts of former First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Helen Esuene and the incumbent Senator Akon Eyakenyi who have both performed so creditably well in human capacity development and social welfare schemes in the district.
“Eket Senatorial District has spoken clearly that it needs a highly cerebral and well lettered representative in the red chambers, Eket Senatorial District needs a representative with a calm disposition to speak for, and listen to the people of the district.
“Eket Senatorial District needs a man who has been found worthy in the legislature at both the grassroot and State level to connect the dots, and be the voice that would champion a cause that would be beneficial to the entire Eket Senatorial District and Akwa Ibom State as a whole.
“The people have spoken, and that decision stands. It is now the turn of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency to produce the next Senator for Eket Senatorial District, and that person is Rt. Hon. (Barr.)Ekong Sampson, who has served meritoriously, receiving a pat on the back in all his duty posts.” The statement concluded.
