Rt. Hon. Ime Okon never said Sen. Akpabio has no right to nominate AKHA Speaker–Anny MICHAELS

Anny Michaels is a prominent broadcaster. Remember him on some radio series on Atlantic 104.5 FM. He is a very sound Journalist and one of the media aides of Rt. Hon. Ime Okon, member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. In this interview with newsmen, he speaks on a range of issues and clears the air on some misconceptions arising from his principal’s media chat recently. Excerpts!

You have been into broadcasting for a while, how has it been?
Well, it is what I love to do, talking to millions of people at a time. It calls for deep knowledge of different issues since you meet and interview people of different backgrounds or endeavours. It’s been fun all the while but sometimes I get embarrassed by the attention one gets when people get to know, “Oh! This is Anny I listen to on radio and all that.” I can tell you, I love the experience.

From a distance, I notice your depth on issues, quite analytical and incisive especially when you write, tell me about that side of you?

It’s good to know that one is actually making impact in some sense. I take my time to write, look at the issues involved very objectively so that the reader is impressed that you have done justice to the subject. Being an everyday experience one gets better as you approach issues differently but then objectivity is paramount. I appreciate your kind words and it is encouraging.

As someone who has been very involved in managing the public image of Rt. Hon. Ime Okon, what has the experience been like?
It’s been good. I want to reassure you that the personality we are talking about here is an excellent one. A lawyer of high standing, a titled Chief, a community leader, one that is passionate about taking his people out of the woods, very development driven, a compassionate leader and a model to up and coming politicians. He is quite humane. He is a good mixer and team player. A man whose humble disposition despite his social standing is a case study to learn from. Of course, you know he is in for the second time to represent the good people of Ibiono Ibom at the State House of Assembly and recently gave a shot by way of indicating interest at becoming the Speaker. It’s easier managing the public image of an achiever and one with his kind of disposition, so it’s been wonderful. Don’t forget at a time he was the transition chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government, and an advocate at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as well as principal partner, LEX Associates at a time. The list goes on and on. He is a man anyone will want to identify with. 

Recently, like you mentioned, he aspired to be the Speaker but couldn’t get it, what happened?
Politics played out. His colleagues settled for Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko and that was it. It’s no longer news. Like my principal, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon said recently during a media parley, the important thing is that they want the house to be stable, a house that will serve the people. He is satisfied with the outcome as to who emerged speaker at the end of the day.

Community Pulse Newspaper recently quoted him as saying that Sen. Akpabio has no right to nominate anybody for leadership position, how true is that?
What happened was that the newspaper quoted him out of context. During the media interaction, when asked whether former Governor Akpabio pushed for his emergence? He said the former Governor may as an individual have his preference that is not to say he is the one nominating. His words: “Is the former Governor a member of the House of Assembly? It is a member of the House of Assembly who nominates. The former governor is now a senator. Even the Governor does not also have the right to nominate anybody for the job of the speaker, he may have his preference as a person but he cannot come in there and nominate anybody” You know, sometimes our colleagues can twist this things to achieve what they want to achieve for whatever reason but it’s wrong. He holds the former governor and incumbent Governor in high esteem and will continue to do so, given his disposition to respecting leadership at whatever level.

You think he is ready to work with the new leadership of the House?
Why not? He will. He said so recently in that media chat that he has pledged to cue behind the speaker of the 6th Assembly with a view to ensuring that he successfully completes his four years tenure in office and urged other ranking members to follow suit.

Rt. Hon. Ime Okon is one of the legislators who achieved so much with regard to constituency projects and other empowerment effort in the fifth assembly. Are we expecting more in this second legislative journey?
He is a pragmatic leader and legislator. He is out for service to his people and the state at large that has informed his enormous impact so far in a lot of areas for the good of his people. He has promised to continually cater for and empower his constituents through award of scholarships, training of artisans, sustain the Annual Quiz Competition as well as draw the state government attention to dilapidated structures at Government Technical College, Ikot Ada Idem, uncompleted second phase of Use Ikot Amama road and the poor access road to the palace of the paramount ruler of the constituency among others. He will continue like he has always done to perform his legislatives, oversight and other lawmaking functions very well for the good of the state.

I must thank you for your time to grant this interview
Many thanks my brother. Anytime.