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From Isaac Job, Uyo
A former Minister of Lands and Urban Renewal, Chief Nduese Essien, has reiterated the need for continuity, especially for members of the National Assembly who have performed well in the red chamber, saying such lawmakers should be given a second chance instead of newcomers.
Essien, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives (1999–2007), maintained that experience and ranking are necessary factors in the selection of a senator, given the enormous responsibilities at the National Assembly.
The former minister and Chairman of Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum made the remarks when Mkpat Enin Elders/Stakeholders Forum, which is canvassing for the re-election of Senator Ekong Sampson, paid him a courtesy visit at his residence.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, Chief Essien insisted that the upper legislative chamber is no longer a place for newcomers and homeboys.
He publicly endorsed Senator Ekong Sampson for a second term in the senate and described his achievements in the senate as very commendable, adding that the lawmaker has demonstrated effectiveness in the areas of legislation, oversight functions and constituency representation.
Essien advised the senatorial district to sustain effective representation at the National Assembly, noting that the area had benefited significantly from experienced and ranking lawmakers in the past.
“Senator Sampson has extensive experience in governance and legislative affairs; he served as Principal Legislative Aide to former Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Executive Chairman of a local government council, member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and later Commissioner in the state executive council.
“Such a broad spectrum of experience has equipped the senator with the administrative and legislative competence required to continue effective representation of the people at the National Assembly.”
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Drawing from his own experience in public office, he averred that many of his notable achievements were realised during his second term in office, underscoring the value of continuity in legislative representation.
“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has, in the past 27 years, evolved into a strong institution where ranking senators wield unimaginable influence on Senate decisions and the running of the country.
“It would be wrong for any constituency to send a freshman or a good boy from home to represent them in the Nigerian Senate.”
Essien lauded his constituents for their massive support for the incumbent senator and encouraged them to translate the support into votes during party primaries and general elections.
“The move you have also made today is very timely to scuttle any attempts to take our senatorial district back to the era of single-term representation in the Senate.
“The first two or three years in the legislature are always a learning process for the freshers who went to the National Assembly as political neophytes to learn the rudiments of the game. For us, there is no more room for learners in the National Assembly.”
“What we will do next is to call a meeting of the senatorial district elders and make that pronouncement for Ekong Sampson to be officially given a return ticket to the Senate.
“We shall also appeal to all political parties fielding candidates for the Senate in Eket Senatorial District to adopt Senator Ekong Sampson in the interest of the district.”
