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From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The House of Representatives member, Hon Peter Akpanke, has stated that political aspirations must be citizens centered so as to impact meaningfully on the electorate.
Speaking during a special thanksgiving to mark his electoral victory held at St. John’s Catholic Church at the weekend in Obanliku, Cross River north senatorial district, Akpanke, Akpanke, representing Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency, said the people, not personal interest, must be the fulcrum for which politicians seek political offices.
The lawmaker, who is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on FCT Area Council and Ancillary Matters, said he sought for the position to improve the living standard his constituents and the state in general, adding that government must be seen to work for the benefit of the people whose mandate they enjoy.
Lashing out at past administration for the deplorable roads across his constituency, he said it’s very bad that our people are made to suffer from the people who they voted into office to represents their interest and to better their lives.
“You all can see the situation of our roads, especially that of Obanliku roads. It is as if we don’t even have a governor, especially the immediate past, who incidentally hails from this senatorial district.
“While I will continue to draw government attention to the needs of my people, I will however not relent in carrying out necessary action that will lead to the improvement in the livelihood of my people.
“It is in this regard that I appeal to political actors to always see and put forward, the interests of the generality of Nigerians, and jettison personal interest as reason for seeking political offices. We owe them a duty to provide good governance and not the other way round,” Akpanke further stated.
In his speech, Mr Venatius Ikem, state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), implored Akpanke to replicate his philanthropic gesture by working hard to see to the needs of his constituents.
While noting that the primary duty of a lawmaker is to see to the enthronement of laws that will impact positively on the lives of his constituents and by extension the country, he must also influence meaningful projects to his area.
“I have not doubt that you (Akpanke) will do all that is necessary to better the lives of the people of Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency,” Ikem said.
Those present the event include some members of the 10th National Assembly from the House of Representatives, some members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Labour Party Deputy Governorship Candidate from Enugu, AIG Suzan Horsefall, other party leaders from PDP, APC and Labour Party (LP) and traditional leaders.
