Rerun Poll victory: Nsikak Ekong Salutes Buhari, Says He’s A Democrat

By Kenneth Jude

The member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara/Essien Udim Federal Constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, has thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping to his word of not interfering in any election in Nigeria.

The lawmaker said by allowing for a free and fair election, the President, he said, has proved that he is indeed a democrat.

“I equally wish to thank the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, for keeping to his avowed commitment of not influencing or interfering in any election. We experienced this full-scale during Saturday’s court ordered rerun election. I thank you our dear President for proving that you are indeed a democrat.”

Ekong, a former two-term member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, said only God, the support from his party and constituents propelled him to victory at the court ordered rerun poll held on Saturday.

The House of Reps member who stated this in a press release on Sunday personally signed by him, also thanked his constituents for their support and assured them of better days ahead.

He also had kind words for the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, his men and other security agencies for being neutral during the elections, adding that their presence further engendered a violence-free exercise. “Let me also thank the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Imohimi Edgal and his men, including various other security agencies for their neutrality during the rerun election. Your presence further engendered a violence-free process and gave the people and the voters the confidence to go out and exercise their franchise,” he said.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, for their unbiased handling of the process.

Rt. Hon. Ekong, who until the nullification of his election, was a member of Committee on Appropriation and Finance in the Green Chamber, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for providing the much needed leadership that has kept the PDP strong, even as he hailed the state party Chairman, Paul Ekpo and members of the party for trusting in his ability.

“Let me hasten to thank His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, the leader of our party in the state for showing great leadership, the Peoples Democratic Party in the state led by Obong Paul Ekpo for all the support and confidence reposed in me. The support of the party to this victory has certainly not gone unnoticed,” he said.

While thanking his constituents for standing by him at all times, he particularly thanked the people of Essien Udim for braving the odds and turning out massively to vote for him. He commended them for taking a stand for what is right and just.

He assured his constituents of more robust representation, stating that their welfare will be his utmost priority. “For reaffirming the mandate you freely gave me on February 23 last year, I want to reassure you of my unalloyed commitment to your welfare,” the law maker assured.

The lawmaker noted that the road to effective representation had been cleared hence the people can look forward to a better future. “All the obstacles and barriers that halted our march to a new constituency where everybody matters regardless of social standing have been removed hence paving the way for me to give you that effective representation you’ve always yearned for.”

He assured them that they’ll have no cause to regret the decision they have taken to trust him with their votes, adding that by the grace of God, “I’ll repay the massive faith you have shown in me by doing my own part of ensuring that members of this constituency enjoy to the fullest the decision they have taken,” he stated.