As the build up to the 2019 general election gathers momentum, a former two-term House of Representative member, Dr. Esio Oquong Udoh, and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim, have declared interest for the Eket Senatorial District seat currently occupied by Senator Bob Effiong.

Dr. Udoh, who represented Oron Federal Constituency in the National Assembly between 1999-2007), and Barr Ntekim a former governorship aspirant in the 2015 elections, made their intentions known while consulting the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum in Eket, the district’s capital.

At a meeting presided by Chief Nduese Essien, a former Minister of the Federal Republic and leader of the district, Dr. Esio Udoh, a medical doctor cum politician said he has penchant for public service and wants to serve his people to deliver dividends to them.

He stated that since the man with the Eket senatorial district mandate in the National Assembly has gone AWOL, leaving the place vacant, he finds himself so credible with the requisite representation knowledge needed to give the district effective representation in the Red chambers.

“If you want someone to hit the ground running, I am the one you need. I know where to knock the doors and things will start happening,” Dr. Esio said.

He recounted his public attributes while in the House of Representatives to be those of patriotism, humanitarianism and service delivery, maintaining that he was never found wanting while rendering services for the people.

“As a house of representative member, I awarded scholarships to the students, built market for villages to thrive their sales, repaired classroom blocks for students and pupils, also gave 23 villages light. I want to replicate what I have done for my people at home in the senatorial capacity,” he stated.

He urged the elders not to take his experiences for granted as it will be required while discharging his services to the senatorial district.

Speaking on behalf of the three Federal Constituencies that constitute the senatorial district, Prof. Peter Esu, who spoke on behalf of Oron Federal Constituency, said the Oro people are not known for sponsoring bad products.

Esu said that Dr. Esio, who doubles as his political leader, is trusted and won’t be found wanting if given opportunity to represent the senatorial district.

Dr. Udonsak, one of the G22 members who spoke as stakeholder from Eket Federal Constituency said he knows Dr. Esio Oquong to be a compendium of Eket Senatorial district who knows the way round the national assembly.

Udonsak said he trust his judgment that Dr. Esio will perform well if given a chance.

Rt. Hon. Francis Uduyok, member representing Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency while speaking on behalf of his people said, the consultation is just the first point of call, and he believes that at the appropriate time, the elders will gather to make decisions.

Similarly, the former Commissioner for Justice who presented himself before the elders forum, said he has practiced law in both private and public sector and has enough experience in politics to serve the district.

Reacting on the visitation, Chief Nduese Essien applauded the two aspirants for the interest in serving the district.

The forum agreed that the current representation in the senate was the worst ever from the district and assured that the best candidate would be encouraged to replace the current senator who has since ‘disappeared’ in Abuja.

Chief Essien said their messages have been heard and at the appropriate time, decisions will be made.

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