By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
About 36 hours to the inauguration of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly, the lawmaker-elect representing Ikom II state constituency, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has promised to make sure that laws that would better the lots of under-priviled people residing in the state irrespective of their ethnic affiliation, would be promulgated, under his watch as the next Speaker of the House.
Ayambem made the remarks while responding to question from our correspondent in a telephone interview on Saturday in Calabar, stressing that he has the full capacity to lead the 10th Assembly if given the privilege.
The lawmaker stated that he is fully prepared in the task ahead, assuring the people that he will initiate socio-economic policies for good governance, expand stakeholder engagements to make life meaningful to residents of the state.
He said, “It’s my turn. It’s the turn of Ikom people. We have allowed the seat of House of Representatives to our brothers and sister from Boki axis. It’s natural that the position of the Speaker should naturally come to Ikom people who I represent.
“My people are solidly behind me. Bebe received several messages by the people who I represent to go on with my ambition.
“As it stands now, unless my people asked me to step down, that is when I would step down, of course. On the contrary, I have received series of telephone calls from my constituency urging me not to chicken out. I have no power of my own to chicken out, because the people have given me their mandate which I dare not toy with.”
Ayambem, a second timer, has been jostling to lock horns with another contender, who is also a top notch and third timer in the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bissong, urged his supporters not to listen to claims made by certain persons that the Speakership position had been zoned by the party to Boki.
He added, “Boki brothers are people known for equity and fairness and would not prefer the speakership position to go to Boki, even when the House of Representatives position was given to Boki.’
Ayambem, who like his contender Hon. Bissong, who is also a staunch member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, averred that as far as the Speakership contest is concerned, he is most competent and qualified among all contestants jostling for the position, adding that with him on the seat, there is a lot of value addition to governance.
Ayambem said, “My ambition is for the economic wellbeing of the state. I am for value addition to governance. I’m not just going there to satisfy my personal aggrandizement or grab things for my self, but to come up with laws that would be for the good of the state.
“I have a lot to offer to the state that I wouldn’t want to say on the pages of newspapers. I see myself with so much capacity to pilot the affairs of the House to enviable pedestal if given the rare privilege. I have capacity to stabilize and unify all members irrespective of differences in party ideology, ethno-political difference.
“I am the best for that job.”
