by By Elijah Ugani
The member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku federal constituency, Hon Chief Peter Akpanke has reiterated his commitment to offer effective representation to his constituents whose mandate he holds.
Akpanke made the disclosure during a thanksgiving mass held in his honor on August 27th 2023 in home town, St Peter’s Catholic Church, Keting, Obanliku Local Government Area.
The lawmaker noted that it was only very necessary to return to God in thanksgiving having used his constituents to raise and defended his course during the last general elections.
In his words “I don’t know, belong or worship anything other than God. I say this in the alter of God. My party conducted primaries thrice and I won. Our first primaries was marred by violence where a police officer lost his life. We were subjected to thorough security checks at the entrance, but when one of the aspirants came in, violence erupted, one of the supporters of that my opponent, removed a gun and pointed at one of my supporters, how the bullets went the direction of the corps, remained a mystery. We were detained and statements obtained. The truth is in the public.
“I was singled out by the government of Sen Ben Ayade. I was charged to court on a matter that confessional statements were obtained from a suspect that was never linked to me. The court struck out the matter for lack of merit. Trump up charges were brought against and I was declared wanted, and I never campaigned because I ran away. They sent thugs to attack my house, my state party Chairman was not spared, my elder brother’s house was vandalized. Most of my supporters were also attacked. In all of these, God found me worthy to represent my people and sent his Angels to the hearts of my constituents. I only sneaked in to vote the eve of the election. When results were turning in, every polling unit, De Rock. That is why I am here to say thank you God for all he has done for me.
“One of the major things I promised to do is to ensure that the ministry of works compel the contractors that handled the Ikom – Obudu highway to return to site. The road is impassable.
Former Gov Ben Ayade’s company, Leophina construction company was handling the project, we will stop at nothing to ensure that the road is done and I know that I have your mandate to demand that this road be done.
“I want to assure you that I will deliver my campaign promises. Infact I have started already. I drilled a borehole at the Obudu main market, given five persons jobs at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and two persons at the Federal College of Education, Obudu. I will give our youth jobs. Please wherever you see that they are giving jobs, go and apply, if they ask you who is your sponsor, tell that Hon Peter Akpanke is your sponsor.
“I have no place in my heart to harbor grudges against anybody. All those that chastised me, I have forgiven them and I have also prayed that God should forgive them. Whether you supported me or not, elections are over, we will work together to better our federal constituency”.
Hon Akpanke noted that his pet project, The Akpanke Foundation built the St Peter’s Catholic Church, Keting in his community and he had promised God that if he wins election, he was going to build more Churches. He used the opportunity to announce that he will complete the Church in the parish centre.
Speaking further, Akpanke noted that his business for now is how to serve his people and not second term. “I hear people talk about second term. At the moment, I have a covenant with my constituents to deliver the dividends of democracy to them and I will do it to the best of my ability. When that time comes, if God and my people find me worthy to continue the representation, good, if they don’t, I will leave honorably”.
On his part, the Chief celebrant of the mass, the most Rev Donatus Edet Akpan, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, urged Hon Peter Akpanke and other representatives at various level to deploy and use the aggression that made the Senate President, Sen Akpabio, to develop Akwa Ibom state when he was governor, to bring development to our dear country Nigeria.
Bishop Akpan charged Hon Peter Akpanke to always remember his people and God since he has declared that his source of strength comes from God.
Prominent dignitaries at the was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbass, Hon Mark Obeta, Hon Chijoke Okereke, Hon peter Anekwe, Hon Godwin Offiono and other members. The state party Chairman, Mr Vena Ikem Esq, led his party, the PDP to the event. The immediate past House of Representatives member for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku, Hon Legor Idagbo was represented, Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, AIG Susan Hasfall, Chapter Chairmen and members of the All Progressive Congress APC, Chapter Chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party PDP and supporters as well as friends and well wishers of Hon Peter Akpanke.
Highlights of the thanksgiving was the fundraising for the completion of the parish centre and group photographs.
