Etinan Federal Constituency 2019: Demand for Luke resonating loud & clear

The 2019 general election is about 13 months away but from a definite look of things, the people of Etinan Federal Constituency may have made up their minds already on who to represent them at the Green Chambers come next political dispensation, writes Editor, Udeme Inyang.

With three Local Government Areas making up this Federal Constituency, over the years, Etinan, Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom have been saddled with the task of producing a single representative per political dispensation to represent them.

Recently, as PDP faithfuls and supporters for the forthcoming Local Government elections stormed the three LGAs representing the Etinan Federal Constituency canvassing for votes, certain things were virtually clear to all who went round the communities.

For a reporter who independently toured the length and breadth of this constituency, tagging behind the campaigning PDP Team in a bid to gauge and get details about their preparedness for the December 2 Polls, seeing was believing, hence, this eye witness account.

While every index during the campaign tour pointed to a massive PDP dominance come December 2, 2017, it was not difficult to spot-out those who are politically in control of this territory or simply say, those who can without much ado, get an overwhelming support of their kinsmen if an opportunity beckons.

As the PDP train traversed Etinan, Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom to canvass for support, luring the masses with assurance and solidarity speeches, it was crystal clear that Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon Onofiok Luke was the man the crowd craved to hear from. The electrifying atmosphere anytime he was introduced or when he made his speeches was phenomenal.

For those who attended the rallies in these three LGAs, it was obvious that this 39 year old Lawyer has etched his name in gold in the politics of his Constituency and the State in general.

Though his deft political moves and his uncanny ability to contribute to how to resolve seemingly complex political issues in the state is common knowledge, his visionary leadership of the House of Assembly, sustaining the legacies that his predecessors started and even producing the will and ability to up the ante of speakership is well acknowledged.

To many in Etinan Federal Constituency who had the opportunity to interact with this writer during the campaign tour, Luke remains one of the foremost leaders of the Peoples’ Democratic Party whose outlook is highly respected.

As this writer inquisitively sought to know from his kinsmen why the obsession for Luke was that evident, many described the Speaker as the vintage grassroots man who enjoys a vast followership because of the strength of his character.

Luke, a Nsit Ubium indigene has extended his infectious influence throughout the entire Constituency so much that in neighboring Nsit ibom and Etinan, his support base is also very robust, steadily growing over the years.

To them, he is a man with a heart of gold and nerves of steel; both qualities and attributes that make him a man of the people. In the Federal Constituency, Luke is widely regarded as someone who has worked for and earned unprecedented quantum of loyalty from both his kinsmen and beneficiaries.

As one who enjoys hearty regards from his colleagues in the State Assembly for his intelligent, urbane, articulate, and elevated facilitation of discussions on the floor of the House, his kinsmen are proud that they have a key-man in the Akwa Ibom Project who has been a stabilizing factor in the Assembly through his cerebral approach to politics. His wisdom has helped the Assembly to navigate the many twists and turns.

By reason of his Cicero-like carriage, he is one of the few young politicians who have been admitted into the inner caucus of the PDP. His influence crosses ethnic, tribal, state and religious boundaries.

To the people of Etinan Federal Constituency, Luke’s stature and status which has grown into a colossal national appeal has not gone unnoticed. As the PDP Local Government Election Campaign Team was busy weaving its way round the Federal Constituency, this writer, with his ear to the ground, could decipher a firm agitation for Luke to make the leap to the House of Representatives.

Little wonder few weeks ago, in an obvious attempt to remind Luke of their desire to have him in the Green Chamber come 2019, about twenty support groups in Etinan Federal Constituency gathered at the Nsit Ubium Local Goverment Council Secretariat in solemn mood to seek the face of God ahead of the next elections.

At the Solemn Assembly, the groups committed the re-election bid of Governor Udom Emmanuel into God’s hands. They also apparently gave Luke something to think about when a prayer request seeking his safe passage to the House of Representatives featured prominently. This looked like a definite attempt to force his hand.

Mathematically, with reference to zoning, now clearly adopted by the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, the Etinan Federal Constituency seat seems destined to be occupied by someone from Nsit Ubium.

Records reveal that Rt. Hon. Ema Bassey from Nsit Ibom represented the Federal Constituency for eight years. Thereafter, Hon. Surv. Aniedi King from Etinan did four years while Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon is about completing four years, making it eight years for Etinan LGA.

Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan from Nsit Ubium had earlier done four years, leaving Nsit Ubium with the opportunity in 2019 to complete their own eight years, like others have done.

As the demand for Luke gets louder, and as we approach 2018 which is regarded as a massive pre-election year, the question on the lips of many is clear. How will Rt. Hon Onofiok Luke react to the huge demand of his people to make a leap to the Green Chambers in 2019 and offer them representation? Will he turn them down? Or will he accede? Only time will tell.