…pledges to set a new standard of representation
By Ekanem Iniko
UYO — A frontline candidate for the Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general elections, on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Ikakke Bassey has explained that it is a disservice to humanity to re-elect leaders who have failed to deliver on their mandate.
The development expert, who is vying to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives, stated this during a chat on Friday with newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
According to Ikakke, leadership positions are meant for service and those who have misused the opportunity should not be encouraged through re-election.
“Leadership positions are for service. Failures to deliver should not be encouraged through re-election. Those who have misused elective positions should be voted out to serve as warnings that the people are tired of excuses and misrepresentation,” he said.
Ikakke, who has been consulting widely across the four local government areas that make up the federal constituency, said he is going to the National Assembly to change the narrative of representation that has left the people disillusioned.
“I’m going to the national assembly to change the narrative, set a new standard of representation that would make my successors sit up and serve the people diligently,” he pledged.
He lamented that for years, the Uyo Federal Constituency, which is strategic as it hosts the state capital, has not felt the full impact of effective representation in terms of federal projects, youth empowerment, and legislative interventions that directly address the needs of the people.
The LP candidate said his aspiration is driven by a desire to restore confidence in representative democracy, ensure accountability, and bring dividends of democracy closer to the grassroots.
He explained that as a development expert, he understands the challenges facing the constituency, from unemployment among youths, poor infrastructure in rural communities, to lack of access to federal empowerment programmes, and has developed a blueprint to tackle them.
Ikakke said if elected, his representation would be anchored on transparency, accessibility, and people-centred legislation, with regular town hall meetings to get feedback from constituents and ensure that their voices are heard in the National Assembly.
He also promised to prioritize education, skills acquisition, small business support, and infrastructural lobbying, noting that Uyo Federal Constituency deserves a vibrant and vocal representative who will not be a bench warmer in Abuja.
The House of Representatives hopeful thanked his constituents for what he described as massive support and unprecedented show of solidarity since he declared his intention to contest.
“I want to thank my constituents for massive support and unprecedented show of solidarity. The reception has been overwhelming across Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai and Uruan. It shows that the people are yearning for genuine change,” he said.
He urged the people to remain steadfast, get their Permanent Voters Cards ready, and reject the politics of vote buying and sentiment, stressing that 2027 is an opportunity for the people of Uyo Federal Constituency to make a bold statement that they deserve better.
Ikakke added that the Labour Party remains the credible platform for Nigerians who desire purposeful leadership, and expressed confidence that the people will vote for competence and character over party labels in the coming elections.
He also announced that he would soon make public his manifesto which he stressed has been segmented into stages and phases with each phase tied to specified milestones of his entire tenure.
