Etinan Federal Constituency 2019: The right thing is easy to do
By Ukpong Ukpong
As binding as the Magna Carter to the British is the principle of zoning in Etinan Federal Constituency. It is a tripartite political arrangement that from onset has made the process of electing representatives less cumbersome, uncontroversial and transparent. It remains the easy way to ensure equity, political inclusion, peace and harmony in the zone.
Some may suggest that zoning should give way to performance and popularity. This is true, our democracy will evolve to that point, but at this embryonic stage every section of the whole must taste power to assuage its ambition. Anyways, there are instances where constituents choose performance over zoning. In Etinan Federal Constituency, whether zoning, performance or popularity is the benchmark the pendulum has swung to a particular direction.
Out of the two politicians in the federal constituency that have so far been tipped for the Seat namely, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Akpan Luke, and his predecessor (the current occupier of Etinan Federal Constituency Seat), Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon, the principle of single term zoning favours the former.
It is as clear as the day is from the night that this is the turn of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area to produce the next Member of Parliament. Records show that at the return of democracy, Nsit Ibom LGA took two terms from 1999 to 2007 with Rt. Hon. Emma Bassey. Etinan LGA enjoyed two terms from 2007-2011 with Late Surv. Aniedi King and the present MP, Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon, who will end his term in 2019. Nsit Ubium has tasted the seat only once from 2011 to 2015 with Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan. Thus, the area should complete its turn come 2019.
From the above records, the right thing to do is to look to Nsit Ubium for the next Member Representing Etinan Federal Constituency. This talk of ranking office based on return to the national assembly has been thrown to the dustbin of our nation’s political history. It should not be made to haunt our thoughts. We have great men from this state like Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, who has attained high rank in the national assembly at first entrance primarily due to his performance, assertiveness and contribution to nation building.
More so, in the zone, a precedence has been clearly set. This makes things easier, for the party. Recall that in 2015, there was no resistance from Rt. Hon Sam Ikon’s predecessor, the then former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk, when Governor Godswill Akpabio asked him (Etuk) to set aside his aspiration in deference to the then sitting Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon. Not minding his status and the fact that he had concluded consultation and was gearing up for nomination, he collapsed his structure for Ikon and rallied around the party decision to deliver Sam Ikon. Today, what went round has come full cycle. It is now the turn of former Speaker Sam Ikon to dubale for the incumbent, a precedence he enjoyed few years ago. He benefitted from a similar preference, now it is time to do the honourable thing and pay back.
Even if performance is the paramount criterium for electing their federal representative, constituents in Etinan will queue behind Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke. The reason is simple, Onofiok’s legislative acumen is unparalleled. He towers over his contemporaries in the service. He has set an unbeaten record in constituency briefings and reporting progress. Most importantly, he connects with the people. Aside his legislative achievements, which are enviable, he has proven at many occasions that he is sensitive to the yearnings of constituents.
The most a constituent wishes for from his/her representative is an unhindered access. With Ono, the Office of Speakership has been demystified. He is at ease presiding over crucial House matters as well as helping out in the farm. Now, the people know that despite the high office, the Speaker is one with them. He can dance at child dedications and weddings. He can squeeze out time from his tight schedule to visit his constituent in the hospital, recuperating from a surgery he paid for. He can shed tears at funeral events and can stop his convoy to assist a young schoolgirl cross the road.
In like manner, he is subtle alignment with the people to deter passage of obnoxious laws stands him out as a trustworthy and people-oriented lawmaker. Although this stance often makes a few persons within the system view him as being ‘too independent’ minded, he bears the burden without regret. This same attribute however makes him a vital asset to the PDP both at the state and national level.
In as much as the PDP wants to retain power in the state, the party knows enough to adopt internal democracy in its nomination process and field only popular candidates for general elections. The right and easy thing to do is to allow the people of Etinan Federal Constituency elect whom they view as the best candidate for the job. The one favoured by zoning, known for tangible achievements and popular for selfless service. This type won’t get lost in Abuja or mistake legislative duties for leisure trips to Disneyland.
