As the political clock ticks to the February 25, 2023 National Assembly election, the people of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, have declared war against those they described as “cabals” whom they said are used to the tradition of sitting in their homes and offices to select who goes to the Senate, accusing them of being the primary reason for the history of poor representation the senatorial district has witnessed over the years.
The people openly made their stand known, yesterday, when candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the senatorial district, Mr. Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyen, led his ‘Redemption 2023’ team for campaigns in Eket, Esit Eket, and Ibeno local government areas.
Speaking on behalf of the people of wards 1-4 in Eket Central, chapter chairman of YPP, Mr. Gospel Edoho; federal constituency candidate, Joseph Mbong, and State constituency hopeful, Mr. Godfrey Moffat, said the people have resolved to make 2023 a turning point in the history of election in the senatorial district as they were prepared to ensuring that whoever is seeking to represent them has what it takes to do so.
Addressing party faithful and the crowd, the senatorial candidate, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen, decried the backwardness of Eket Senatorial District in the record of representation and without any functional federal presence, in spite of the area producing over 33 percent of the oil wealth of the country.
Inyangeyen said: “This may not have been the case if we had representatives whose voices mattered in the National Assembly and who can hold the bull by the horn by demanding that we be heard. This cheating and marginalization has to stop. I therefore stand here before you today to declare that if you send me with your votes to the senate in 2023, you’ll not regret. I have come on my own to seek your mandate”.
In Eket Urban, wards 2,3, and 4, those who spoke stated that the people had no option to Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen because of his personality, audacity, antecedents in service delivery, articulateness and kindheartedness, assuring him of their massive votes.
The speakers include chapter chair of YPP, Mr. Emmanuel Ekong; senatorial youths leader, Mr. Edon Edon; a political leader, Mr. Dan Etukakpan; and a Deputy Chairman of Redemption Campaign Council, Chief Jack Udota. Promising Inyangeyen of total support, they maintained that it was time people of the senatorial district rose up in unison and took their destiny in their hands in 2023 and vote for Ephraim Inyangeyen as their senator.
The excitement and tempo were the same in Ibeno where supporters had lined the streets brandishing the fresh leafs symbol of the YPP to welcome Inyangeyen and his team.
In his remarks, Ibeno chapter chairman of YPP, Sunday Boniface, assured Inyangeyen that, for the trust they had in his boldness and capacity, they will not divert a single for any other candidate than for him; Senator Bassey Albert Akpan as their in-coming governor, and other candidates of YPP across board. “Those hiding under a non-existent zoning as excuse are cowards and opportunists who have nothing to offer”, Mr. Boniface argued.
In Esit Eket where Inyangeyen and his team met with leaders and members of Wards 5-10, the chapter chairman of YPP, Mr. Samuel Etim; a political stalwart, Mr. Ayanga Ayanga, and State House of Assembly hopeful, Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh, said Inyangeyen was a candidate to beat and remains the best and most qualified candidate to bring fresh perspectives in the senatorial district. According to the speakers, “were simply wasting their time”.
Giving them his assurances in return, Inyangeyen who was with his wife, Mrs. Ime Inyangeyen, challenged other contestants to come forward and tell the people why they want to go to the Senate and what they have to offer, instead of merely going there to sleep or serve their self-interests, or disappear from the Red Chambers.
“For me, because I know the needs of Eket Senatorial Distract, what we’ve been through over the years, and what has to be done to change the ugly situation, I personally have chosen to go the senate because I strongly believe that I have the capacity, competence, voice and connection to make a difference. Hence my coming to seek your mandate”, he said.
Members of Inyangeyen’s campaign team also present include the Director-General and his deputy, Dr. Asukwo Anwana and Chief Jack Udota respectively; Secretary-General, Dr. Joshua Ndoho; principal political adviser, Elder Ufot Nkangude; and Comm. Richard Udoh (rtd.). Others were senatorial woman leader, Nancy Udoh; Eket federal constituency coordinator, Sammy Udoyo; Eket women leader, Lucy Akwa, etc.
