Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante has been characterised as the answer to the many years prayers of the constituents of the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro federal constituency as he was described as humble, honest, respectful to elders and not one who would abscond at the National Assembly.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. Dagogo Belgam who gave the revelation told newsmen in Port Harcourt last Thursday when numerous supporters accompanied Awaji-Inombek Abiante to purchase his nomination and expression of interest forms for the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal House of Representatives Constituency seat.
Belgam, while fielding questions from journalists at the PDP secretariat, Aba Road noted that he could verge for Abiante having known him for over 30 years, describing him as not a man who would get to National Assembly and disappeared. “I have known Abiante for over thirty years, he is very humble, respectful to elders and he is not the type that would go there and disappeared, I can verge for him. We are going to vote for him, we are praying to God to give us somebody who would lead us in this our constituency, a humble person that would respect elders”, Belgam said.
Earlier, the aspirant Mr. Abiante has said now is the time for the constituents to send in her first eleven politicians to represent them, recalled how Nigeria depends on the marine economy, and has taken so much from the people, positing that now is the time to ask from Nigeria, tell Nigeria who the people are and what they want, saying that it is what the people could not do by sending second or third eleven but first eleven.
On how he intends achieving that lofty assignment, while fielding questions from journalists immediately after the purchase of the House of Representatives forms, Abiante, noted that legislative business was not a one man affair but a very serious one that requires building of bridges and consensus among diverse culture, ethnic divides, religion and interest groups assuring that he would not fail to achieve that purpose in the National Assembly if elected.
The vibrant and adjudged humble youngman seeking to be elected into the Federal House of Representatives, also disclosed that having feedbacks from the constituents is one of the areas he must synergized, describing the constituents as intellectually endowed that he could not do without.
“The business of legislative is not one man affair, but a very serious one, and it requires that one build bridges, consensus amongst divers culture, religion, interest, ethnic divides and that we would do and synergize. And also I must continue to get feedbacks from us; I use the word us because I am also part of the constituency, and my constituents are intellectually endowed.”
Responding further on what distinguishes him from other politicians who say much without implementation, Abiante, said “my life has been a life of service, I have acquired numerous experiences that made me eminently qualified and distinguishes me out from those you called politicians,” explaining that the message of his aspiration was load and clear judging from the caliber of men who found him worthy to represent them.
Other eminent citizens of the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro federal constituency noted that Abiante’s candidacy for the Federal House of Representatives is a choice in the right direction describing him as the only popular candidate.
Meanwhile, feelers reaching The Newswriter political desk had it that two other aspirants, one Pastor Emilia Gilbert Nte and a former commissioner with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC), Sir. Bartimeaus Ebirien-Agana have also indicated interests and have obtained nomination forms making three (3) aspirants for the federal House in that constituency.
It was gathered that prior to the purchase of forms there was what was described as “shadow” election at the premises of a prominent PDP member and commissioner representing Rivers State on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Chief Dr. Ephraim Etete-Owoh which placed Sir. Bartimaeus with 21 votes over a former House of Assembly member, Gogo Offiaja with 12 votes given the former Commissioner a consensus ride in the supposed group.
But what beats the people’s imagination was the emergence of Pastor Emilia Gilbert who was reportedly absent from that meeting as an aspirant.
This publication further learnt that there was also a contest on that same premises on who flies the party’s flag for the House of Assemly seat. And, it was learnt, was between one Ugwen Ogbologugo who later threw in the towel for one Mr. Johnson Fayeofori, an alleged candidate of the state deputy chairman of PDP.
However, while 3 aspirants jostle for the Federal House of Representatives, it was reported that 2 are going to slug it out for the House of Assembly.
The Newswriter political desk gathered that the trio of Hon. Gogo Offiaja, Sir Bartimeaus and Emilia Gilbert were all in the camp allegedly sponsored by the Rivers State representatives on the board of the NDDC, against the adjudged popular and most acceptable aspirant by the elders of the party, Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante.
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, Sir Bartimeaus Ebirien-Agana has in a chat with The Newswriter via telephone debunk claims of any shadow election at the premises of Chief (Dr.) Ephraim Etete-Owoh. He also denied purchasing the interest/nomination forms for the Federal House of Representatives as posited by detractors.
The former RSIEC Commissioner further debunk allegations of the emergence of new Wards executives in the Andoni Chapter of the PDP as reported by some tabloids.###
