Itu/Ibiono: Personal opinion cannot bind entire Ibiono Ibom

Itu/Ibiono: Personal opinion cannot bind entire Ibiono Ibom- Ime Okon

The Deputy House Leader in the Sixth Assembly, Barr. Ime Okon recently reminds PDP stakeholders in Ibiono Ibom LGA that democracy functions on majority fomular, hence, personal opinion cannot speak the majority view of the people as it concerns Ibiono Ibom interest.

The Lawmaker made the clarification while he met with PDP Chapter and Ward officers in Ibiono Ibom recently.

According to him, “Now let me go to the thorny issue. Whether Ibiono Ibom seeks House of Reps seat or not, no single individual or group of individuals can purport to make any statement to bind Ibiono Ibom.

“Let us remember that democracy functions on the basis of majority. So you have the right to have a different view from others but that can not speak the minds of the entire people or the majority. Like someone recently said that he can not support any aspirant from Ibiono Ibom for House of Representative. That is personal to him as everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.

“ Some other person might have a different view from that which at the end of the day we look at what the majority say. You can not impose your personal opinion on entire Ibiono Ibom people.

“Let us sit as a people and forget about sentiment to check if Ibiono Ibom does not deserve Itu/Ibiono seat in the House of Representative next turn.

“When the time is ripe, we will let you know why we think it is Ibiono Ibom time to run for the House of Representative,” Hon. Okon said.

The two term member in the State Legislature further explained that when time is ripe he will make a formal declaration of his intension to run for Itu/Ibiono seat in the House of Representative come 2019.

On claims and rumour that Ibiono Ibom is not interested about the seat in the green chamber, the House Member said that warranted him to inform the PDP family and elders in Ibiono Ibom that he will follow due process of consultation at the appropriate time.

“Like I said I did not call Ibiono Ibom or the Party to say I am declaring for any position. But because there are side talks and rumour that because I seek a third term in the State Assembly that is why I am doing what I am doing; while some say that I do not have money hence I will not go anywhere prompts me to say that at the appropriate time I will tell you that I am running for the House of Representative. Please tell whoever wants to hear that I am running. I rightly sang that power belongs to God,” Barr. Ime Okon said.

He noted that his aspiration is secondary to the aspiration of the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel to go back to the Government House for a second term in 2019. Hon. Ime Okon urged the entire Ibiono Ibom people to give their support to the governor for his second term bid. He also said his aspiration will not stop him from supporting any other Ibiono Ibom son who seeks other political office.

“I want to make it clear that my aspiration is secondary to the aspiration of our dear Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel who is going for a second term. I want the party and all of us in Ibiono Ibom to support the Governor to go back to Government House in 2019.

“ I also want to state that any other Ibiono Ibom son has the right to aspire to any other position. Many people are experts in creating artificial crisis and dispute but it is time we do not cow to any intimidation but seek and embrace the truth,” the Deputy House Leader expressed.

 …as stakeholders back Lawmaker

The Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in Ibiono Ibom LGA have debunked claims by some persons that Ibiono Ibom is not interested to run for Itu/Ibiono seat in the House of Representative; they say the speculation is false as Ibiono Ibom is ready to run for the lower chamber in the National Assembly come 2019.

This was the position of PDP stakeholders in Ibiono Ibom  during a new year get-together party organised by the Deputy House Leader of the Sixth Assembly and Member representing the area in the State Assembly, Hon. Ime Bassey Okon, recently.

While speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr. Iniobong Essien thanked the Lawmaker for organising the event and hope for more as he and other sons of the area take turns.

He said he will give support to any Ibiono Ibom son and daughter who will aspire to any political position so far as zoning favours such.

The PDP State Publicity Secretary, Barr. Ini Ememobong, acknowledged the dexterity of Barr. Okon in legislative business. He scored him excellent for the effective representation he has given to Ibiono Ibom in the State Assembly.

He cleared the air by informing the crowd that the allegation by some persons consulting the Governor should be discarded as the Governor, Deac. Udom Emmanuel has  publicly said that no one has consulted him for any political position for now.

The Publicity Secretary stressed that the Peoples Democratic Party in the State will be particular about zoning. He advised anyone seeking political office to be sure zoning favours him/her before proceeding on consultation.

“As a party, we can not be speaking from both sides of our mouth. The Governor as the leader of the Party in the State has insisted that zoning must be upheld for every political office. So, before you take anyone’s drink, find out if zoning has favoured him/her,” Barr. Ememobong said.

He advocated for peaceful politics in the area without rancour as power belongs to God and whom He chooses will emerge at every position to lead the people.

Also speaking, Chief Israel Utit who spoke for Ibiono Ibom Eastern Zone noted how Ibiono Ibom kicked against the third term of Barr. Ita Enang in House of Rep and supported Itu to take their rightful turn. He noted that it is time for Itu people to support Ibiono Ibom to take her rightful turn as time has kicked against further aberration from any sector.

Obong Utit noted that what should be given to Ibiono should be done so without sacrificing it on any alter of sentiment.

The Executive Chairman of the area, Hon. Ekomabasi Akpan appreciated the gesture of the Member and rated him distinctive in his actions. He however said that persons will be selected by God himself to hold any political position in Ibiono taking example from his case. He added that no amount of intimidation can cow a man with God’s mantle for service to Ibiono Ibom people.

The Chapter Chairman of PDP in Ibiono Ibom LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Akpan expressed gratitude to the member representing the area for organising the outing. He advised everyone aspiring for any position in 2019 to do so without rancour as Ibiono Ibom is a peace loving area and everyone must appreciate so.

Speaking on behalf of the women, Dr. Mrs. Emeh Nde associated with the member for the prominence he has accorded the women of the Ibiono Ibom. She said that the women are in full support of his political ambition as they urged him to aspire higher.

Responding, the House Member, Barr. Ime Okon said that he has been noted for not being confrontational and seeking peace every time “but that should not be taken to the alter of sacrificing the entire Ibiono Ibom interest.” He said it is time for truth to be told.

“I am not of the opinion where you can not have access to the party or persons who have the mandate of the people only to come with coins during elections to buy people’s conscience. I will continue to assist the Party and anyone whom I have the capacity to assist,” Ime Okon said.

He added that he will consult the Party properly as the tradition is when the time is ripe about his intention to aspire higher as it is fool-hardy for some persons to say that Ibiono Ibom has no interest in Itu/Ibiono Federal Seat.

Present on the Occasion were; the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr. Iniobong Essien; PDP State Publicity Secretary, Barr. Ini Ememobong; SA to Gov. on Trade Matters; Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael; Executive Chairman of Ibiono Ibom LGA; Rt. Hon. Ekomabasi Akpan; Leader Legislative Council, Hon. Enobong Ekong; PDP Chapter Chairman of Ibiono Ibom, Hon. Emmanuel Akpan; Former Assemblyman, Hon. Idorenyin Umoh; Hon. Ntienyong Inyangmme,  Obong Israel Utit; Hon. Eyo Utit and other political stakeholders in Ibiono Ibom and Itu LGAs too numerous to mention.