Nyok|29 October 2018
The Honourable Member representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South(ABC) Federal Constituency at the floor of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Apostle Essien Ekpenyong Ayi has denied ever promising to hand over to rival politician Hon Saviour Nyong NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
He expressed this disposition over the weekend when he granted bloggers and journalists under the aegis of Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Cross River State Chapter an audience at his residence in Calabar.
Ayi who doubles as the Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta with oversight powers on Amnesty and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs queried that if Nyong contested against him during the 2015 PDP primary and lost, how could he have promised handing over to him in view of 2019? He argued that if Nyong had then withdrawn from the contest in an understanding of supporting him, that would have been appreciated.
His words, 'I'm one person that when I say something I stand by it, I don't dance… There's no time I promised Saviour Nyong that I will hand over to him. If you were there in the 2015 primary at Cultural Center, you will know that Saviour was one of the people who contested against me and lost in that primary. So, if I had promised him that I will hand over to him, why did he come and challenge me in the contest? If he had withdrawn and say OK I have withdrawn for you with the understanding that when you are through, I will take over, that way…
'But, ask him, did he withdraw for me? Ask him, did he not contest against me at Cultural Center? How many votes did he get? I have a video clip —he made so much noise then, caused so much trouble, at the end… I never had any agreement like that with him, I never.'
Issues-based campaign
Ayi who will be inaugurating his Central Campaign Committee, Monday, admitted that a lot of constituents and individuals who query about his official activities and achievements as a lawmaker honestly barely know of his works at the National Assembly. Accordingly, he said that the build up to the 2019 general elections in respect of campaigns will be issues based. He further noted that while this is the first time the PDP will be campaigning as an opposition political party, observed that the style of campaigns will have to change to reflect that reality.
According to him, 'A lot of people have not been able to know what I have been able to do in the National Assembly for the number of years I have been there. A few times I find people asking what he done, what motions has he moved, how many bills has he sponsored, I find out that most of them are not aware, I keep telling them to log in to the website of the National Assembly because every member's contribution, bills and motions are there: but, I found out that most of them (the staff of the National Assembly responsible for that) are not literate to that extent.
'Our campaigning activities will be based on issues. This is the first time we are campaigning as an opposition: before we used to campaign as a ruling party, campaigning as an opposition means that the system, the style must have to change. We must adopt strategies that are typical of an opposition.
'We have to campaign and show people that we deserve to be elected. You see, before 2015, a bag of rice was N7, 000, today it's N20, 000. Petrol was how much? We cannot continue to suffer like that, there is so much hardship, we need a change, the people who wanted change are the people who need be changed.
Atiku & PDP's chances in 2019
Ayi disclosed to bloggers and journalists there present that the chances of the PDP winning the presidential election next year was bright. He pegged it on the choice of presidential candidate of the PDP whom he described as having all it takes to be president. He said that, 'the chance of the PDP is very bright: for one, our choice of a presidential candidate is solid, Atiku Abubakar has all it takes to be a president.
'Has been a former Vice President for 8 years, he has been a very successful business man, a multi billionaire, I believe who would not come to say I want to recoup the expenses I spent, who would not come to put his eyes on the wealth of the country because already he's seen money, a man well vest in economic management, and he has very quick exposure even with the international community; so, we see him, as somebody who would alleviate our suffering; we have seen the hard times, they deceived Nigerians, they said when they come one Dollar will be one Naira, today it's N350 plus, they said pump price will be N45, now, it's N145 from N87, I used to buy 500 bags of rice for my wards and constituents at the end of the year, today, I can't.'
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is the Blogger-in-Chief, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NEGROIDHAVEN
