Nigeria needs bi-partisan approach to develop

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

A member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, Mr Onofiok Luke, said that for the country to develop and make progress issues of national interest require bipartisan approach.

Luke said this while speaking with newsmen in Uyo on critics, who believe that he should oppose issues brought to the House by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

According to him, as politician with integrity, he remains a loyal member of the PDP, but when it comes to national issues, he must acknowledge issues seeking national attention, irrespective of his political affiliation.

“I am a man who stands by what he believes. I believe I have demonstrated discipline in my political sojourn and will not compromise it now when I am getting towards the curve of my political journey.

“What my critics don’t understand is that at the national level, bipartisan approach to governance is essential if not pivotal.

“Your ability to coalesce the various stakeholders regardless of party affiliations to drive home the interest of your Federal Constituency is a necessary survival instinct.

“You cannot be defining PDP/APC when there are pressing topical national issues seeking attention and legislations. Acknowledging this shouldn’t suddenly make you disloyal to your party.

“Today, with this bipartisan approach to politics, I have advocated the granting of license for the operation of Ibom Deep Seaport, reviving of Aluminium Smelter Company in Ikot Abasi, creation of a division of the Court of Appeal in Uyo,” Luke said.

Luke, a former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly and member representing Etinan, Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ubium in the house of representative said he would remain the voice of the people.

He disclosed that within his short period of stay in the National Assembly, he has sponsored 14 Bills and four motions that would be beneficial to the people.

The lawmaker said that he has advocated for several issues that would advance Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a nation.

“When we began our campaign for the House of Representatives, we drove with the mantra; “A voice to speak and a heart to give back.” Seventeen months on this project, I’ll leave you with the privilege of evaluating me, If I have truly lived to the principles of my campaign poetry.

“On the floor of the House, I have advocated several issues that will advance Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria. I have been a voice for improving the judicial system in the country.

“Worried by the slow pace of justice dispensation, I have championed the course of speedy dispensation of justice in Nigeria. In a manner of a motion, I called for more Justices to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Today, more Justices have been appointed to the Supreme Court.

“I have spoken for the welfare of judicial officers and increased security around judges in the country. My believe is that, if these judges feel insecured or suffer kidnap like it was in the case of Justice Dogo, it will hamper justice delivery. These judges may be afraid to dispense justice,” he said.

Luke said that from 2019 that he was elected into the house of representative to date, he has attracted 10 projects to his federal constituency.

According to him, out of which six have been executed and the others will be executed within the time frame given.