The Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Obong Chris Ekpenyong, and a journalist have clashed over adoption of Peoples Democratic Party Senatorial candidate for the district in the 2023 race.
The meeting of PDP stakeholders in the Senatorial District held at the Deputy Governor’s Lodge, Uyo allegedly ended in a fiasco over the purported endorsement of a consensus Senatorial candidate on Sunday.
In reaction, Ekpenyong in a press statement issued Monday, and tagged: NO ASPIRANT HAS BEEN ENDORSED OR ADOPTED FOR IKOT EKPENE SENATORIAL DISTRICT SEAT AHEAD OF 2023 GENERAL ELECTION kicked against what he called ”purported endorsement of Candidate for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Seat by Stakeholders of the District ahead of 2023 general elections circulated on the media space.’’
On the contrary, Alhaji Aminu Ebong, a journalist in a statement entitled: 2023: Re Endorsement/Adoption of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District Candidate and Counter Press Release by the incumbent Senator HE Senator Chris Ekpenyong opposed the stance of the Senator.
Ebong wrote ”My attention has been drawn to the recent press release issued by the incumbent Senator representing our Senatorial District, HE Senator Chris Ekpenyong, calling on the good people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to disregard any endorsement or adoption of any candidate by anybody or group, at any venue or point against 2023 Senatorial election, as he has not yet indicated his hesitation or interest to contest the 2023 Senatorial election.
”Ordinary, I would not have bothered to ask the following questions which I am going to ask in the cause of this submission, but I am surprised that an intelligent and experienced politician in the person of HE Dr Sen. Chris Ekpenyong could make such political mistake.’’
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According to him, ”My reason for making this statement is predicated on a very significant factor. Politically, it is not unconstitutional for anybody or group of persons to declare support, endorse or adopt any aspirant whom they trust can give effective representation in any office of choice, even before the final withdrawal of the incumbent.
”Where in the PDP or Nigerian Constitution is it stated that no one or group shall be authorised to expressly support, endorse or adopt a candidate of his or their choice towards any stipulated election until after the incumbent has finally declared his or her intentions?
”Where in the PDP or Nigerian Constitution is it stated that no one or group of persons shall be authorized to hold a meeting, endorse, adopt an aspirant of their choice at any venue other than the constituency or Senatorial office of the incumbent representative?
When did it constitute a lacuna for a sitting Deputy Governor to convene elders and stake holders meeting in his official residence?
Has Senator Ekpenyong forgotten that he used to detail me to invite PDP elders and stakeholders of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to important meetings in his official residence then as a deputy governor, and HE Obong Victor Attah did not stop him?’’ he probed.
The journalist recapped ”I was PA to HE Dr Chris Ekpenyong and I can testify that he was good at holding political meetings then, even to the admiration and surprise of his principal, who latter probably suspected that he might be toppled by then indefatigable Ukarakpa.’’
The Abak-born son remarked ”Some crucial questions that interrogate people’s minds are: How many times has Senator Chris Ekpenyong convened meetings of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District elders and stakeholders since he became a Senator?
How many times has he invited them for briefings? How many times has he invited youths and women of his Senatorial District for briefings? How has he touched people’s lives? What projects has he done as legacies?
”Methink, the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District needs a more vibrant, sensitive, accessible, proactive and trusted person in 2023.”
It is Crystal clear that the good people of the Senatorial District have found these glowing qualities in the person of the immediate past National Legal Adviser of the PDP, and National coordinator, Maintain Peace Movement MPM, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem.
”Furthermore, undoubtedly, it is the turn of Abak, Etim Ekpo Ika Federal constituency to produce a Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in 2023.
”Ukanafun/Oruk Anam produced Senator Donald Etiebet, Senator Akaninyene Ukpanah, and Senator Itak Bob Ekarika,
”Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara produced, Senator Nsima Akpabio, Sen. Emmanuel Ibokessien, Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Senator Dr. Chris Ekpenyong; Ini/Ikono Federal constituency produced Senator Aloysius Etok.
”The only Federal Constituency in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District that has never produced a Senator is Abak-Etim Ekpo-Ika, and the time is 2023,” Ebong stated.
Recall that Ekpenyong was quoted by the mass media last year of saying that even if Governor Udom Emmanuel presents a physically handicapped as his successor, he would support him.
Some political analysts hold opinion that Senator Ekpenyong may be clandestinely scheming for endorsement for another term at the PDP national level not at the state level knowing that he would not be able to grab it.
