I have not declared intention to contest Eket Federal Seat -Pat Ifon

I have not declared intention to contest Eket Federal Seat -Pat Ifon

The present secretary of Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), Hon Pat Ifon has debunked allegation in some local tabloids that he has declared intention to contest for the Eket Federal Constituency seat of the National Assembly.

Ifon, a former chairman of Onna local government Area, made this known to newsman in Eket on Wednesday, adding that though he is under immense pressure from stakeholders, youths and his followers to contest, he was yet to make a statement on the issue. 

“I have not declared to contest any elective position in the State despite pressure from major stakeholders, youths and my numerous supporters to do so” he said. 

The AKISIEC scribe said that he will need to first resign his appointment with the commission before making a decision to vie for any elective office in his constituency and that presently he was watching the political scenario. 

He however admitted that if the pressure continues, he will have no option but to consult with his employer and tender a resignation from AKISIEC to enable him respond to the wishes of his people. 

“But for now, I have not made any statement to that effect as reported in some local tabloids in the  State, such a report, to me, is a mischievous move to tarnish my image and strain my relationship with the State governor”, he said. 

The Onna born politician called on a cross section of the media, bent at tarnishing the image of the governor and other government functionaries to desist from such unethical practice, adding that declaration of intent can not be done in secret. 

“If I intend to declare for the Eket Federal constituency seat, I will follow due political process and it can not be done in secret, especially with the kind of pressure on me to do so”, the scribe said. 

He said further that, the allegation that he is a card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can not be authenticated by critics, though he has the constitutional right to belong to any political party in the country. 

It would be recalled that Honourable Pat Ifon contested the 2015 primary election into the House of Representative, Eket Federal Constituency before his present appointment as Secretary of AKISIEC.