The PDP Candidate for Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan comes across as an excellent fit to represent the people of Nsit Ibom State Constituency. He appears sound theoretically, as well as experienced in governance, and grassroot relationships.
This writer understands that he is a one time Supervisor at Nsit Ibom Local Goverment Council. And has variously occupied other positions, as well as Director of Protocol in Akwa Ibom State Youth Caucus. He is also a former Special Assistant (SA) on Project Monitoring to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
In the course of his political career, he has handled various ad-hoc assignments on behalf of the government of Akwa Ibom State. In this regard, he was Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Goverment Congress Committee, Chairman of Palliative Distribution Committee, as well as Chairman of Uyo Senatorial District Covid-19 Church Monitoring Committee, etc.
Currently, Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan is a two term Executive Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Goverment Council and the Candidate of PDP for Nsit Ibom State Constituency.
In his position as Executive Chairman, he has attracted development to the Local Goverment Area in the aspect of infrastructural development, empowerment, human resources development, and other forms of support to communities in Nsit Ibom.
For instance, his program on health care delivery support, grading of some Trunk C roads in the Local Goverment Area, his efforts on rehabilitation of the security village, etc, are some of the initiatives purposed at making Nsit Ibom an economically viable area.
Nsit Ibom Legislative Chamber is one of the best in Akwa Ibom State, courtesy of the renovation works, furnishing, and provision of facilities to drive smooth performance of Legislative Arm of Nsit Ibom Council by Rt.Hon Akpan.
Same applies to the Traditional Rulers Council Chamber, as well as staff offices within the Secretariat complex, where renovation and provision of furnitures have given better aesthetics to the environment. Even reactivation of electricity and water facility in the Council Secretariat are evidence of his thoughtfulness towards promoting conducive work environment.
Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan loves Sports. He understands the economic value of sports. This explains the reason he rehabilitated the Sports Complex and put it to immediate use. A football organisation is already patronising the arena.
Not to mention his numerous empowerment programmes, which are always based on his well researched needs assessments. Hence, the beneficiaries are always appreciative of his forms and timings of empowerment.
He has shown capacity so far. And now intends to take his wealth of knowledge, personality, and passionate drive to represent Nsit Ibom State Constituency at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
Prior to his candidature, he had formally penned his manifesto, with a promise to release his blueprints at the appropriate time, for implementation, should he win the Party Nomination and subsequent General Election to emerge House Member, representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency. That is focus. That is the kind of stuff Rt. Hon. Akpan is made.
Comparatively, it is rare in Akwa Ibom State, particularly, in Nsit Ibom, to have House Member coming in, with this kind of initial and documented preparation and focus. In most Constituencies, examples abound, where some House Members show up after swearing-in, to appear lost in Parliament, especially during plenary sittings.
Preparation is key to performance. Eric has shown Preparation. He is bound to perform excellently as a House Member. He is not claiming “my turn”, “zoning”, or “Ette’s favourite”. He has thrown his hat into the ring, showing Capacity to perform. Showing a “can do” spirit. Pointing at past performance. And assuring his constituents that he would bring abundant evidence of democracy to the Constituency.
He is further able to describe “the how”, the timing, the areas of focus, together with the anticipated benefits and economic reasons that form his deliverables; as these accounts for his choice of Legislative focus, as stated in his manifesto of REFORMATION.
This is the colour that a Legislative Position Aspirant should adorn. I pray that other candidates for the forth coming 2023 General Elections henceforth, should emulate and adopt this preparatory disposition in seeking to represent a people, at whatever level.
Citizens should appraise candidates based on these kind of criteria, not on mere zoning, and other sentiments of no value. Going forward, constituents should ask whoever aspires for elective position to state clearly his or her plans, with a simple question: “what are you going to do there?”
Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan has shown that he is seeking election to add value to the process, and God willing, he will be representing Nsit Ibom at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, for the benefits of his State Constituency and Akwa Ibom State at large. He is prepared and bound to win.
For example, his focus on Agriculture seeks to impact more on rural farmers; in recognition of their need to access mechanised farming, improve knowledge sharing, access crop improvement devices and chemicals, to increase productivity, enhance performance, and open doors to broadway of a higher supply chain network.
PDP’s Candidate, Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan is prepared. He fits. And comes across as the most suitable candidate for Nsit Ibom State Constituency. His manifesto indicates that he has a clear vision and mission of what he wants to achieve by seeking election to become a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
In this era of rising political consciousness by electorates, particularly, the desire to vote individuals and not political parties; It is important for those seeking elective positions to show capacity to perform, by convincing electorates through their curriculum vitae, verifiable experience, and manifesto, that they fit the role sought.
Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan of PDP has made the choice of whom to elect for the House of Assembly seat of Nsit Ibom State Constituency very easy for the electorates of Nsit Ibom. He has stood out to spell performance. He is suitable by all standards.
Can we say the same thing for other State Constituencies in Akwa Ibom State? How prepared are other candidates aspiring to be elected as House Member in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly?
If another candidate is found, notwithstanding the political party, this writer would definitely point touch light in the candidate’s direction. It is expected that the search would throw up suitability criteria that may help electorates make their choice at the Polls, in 2023 General Elections into the State Legislative Assembly.
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly seats are for the best candidates. Akwa Ibom deserves excellence in the Legislative Arm of government. Electorates should search and choose the best. Plenary sessions would be more interesting and beneficial to the people of Akwa Ibom State, when we elect the best candidates to occupy the Legislature.
Kudos to Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan for being found worthy and suitable to fly the PDP flag for Nsit Ibom State Constituency, and positioning himself to win. It is believed that Nsit Ibom electorates would go for the most suitable of the candidates at the 2023 AKHA Polls.