By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The immediate past Cross River State Commissioner for Industry, Peter Egba Akam, on Thursday in Calabar,the state capital, promised to make his telephone lines accessible to his constituents if given the privilege to serve the people of Obubra/Etung federal constituency at the National Assembly.
The aspirant made the promise when he, accompanied by his teeming supporters, stormed the All Progressives Congress, APC, secretariat at Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, to intimate the leadership of the party his intention to contest for the House of Representatives’ seat.
Also accompanied by several academic dons from the constituency, Egba expressed his readiness to drive a prosperous agenda for the people of Obubra/Etung federal constituency if given the privilege to occupy the seat.
He said, “Let me use this privilege to thank my boss and the leader of our great party, the only digital governor, for the opportunity he gave some of us to serve our dear state.
“Of course, it has been a worthwhile experience serving under his purview. Today, I am standing tall because he offered me the opportunity.”
Lamenting the absence of quality representation in the federal constituency,the aspirant called for all hands to be on deck, speak in one voice, and ensure that only individuals with capacity and character worthy of emulation are sent to represent them during the contest.
In his eulogy to the former senator who represented Cross River Central senatorial district, Senator John Owan-Enoh, who he said perfomed tremendously when he represented the people of Obubra/Etung federal constituency as lawmaker for 12 years, Egba said of the gubernatorial candidate, “For 12 years up to 2015, our constituency had a lawmaker who represented us wonderfully well, as if he was a governor of the state.
“This is because his representation cut across all the state. As a lawmaker, he offered employment and empowerment opportunities across the state.
“I have come here today to say that I want to step into those shoes that he left behind and to drive the prosperity agenda for our people.
“I understand that the basic duties of a lawmaker is lawmaking, which is representation and oversight function and I possess the social capital to meet other challenges incidental to my office.”
The former Commissioner for Industry in Cross River State assured his people of possessing the capacity to offer them quality representation at the National Assembly, vowing not to betray whatever confidence reposed in him.
He added, “I have therefore come to say, please give me that opportunity to drive the prosperity agenda for my people and this party.
“Let me reiterate that it is not my duty to judge the performance of the current occupant, but I will leave that to the court of public opinion to judge.
In his welcome remarks, the Cross River State APC state chairman, Alphonsus Ogar, described Egba as a man who had in the past displayed capacity and commitment to the affairs of the APC in the state, stressing that the aspirant attributes were made known to him during the period they both worked together.
The APC state party chairman said, “I am happy to receive you here today. Our path crossed in 2015 and we became brothers, friends, allies and today, you are running for an election. So, I understand you have so much confidence because your friend is the state Chairman and you have placed your fate in the hands of your friend.
“I am confronted with a situation where I have to go against my principle, but because you are close to me and possess the capacity from Ababene, Ofodua, Ofat down to Etung, I will do what you want and that is politics.”
