Member representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Bassey Akiba, has debunked rumours making the rounds in social media that he had concluded plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akiba was reportedly seen always hobnobbing with APC members in the state.
The lawmaker made the declaration while answering questions from LEADERSHIP in Calabar on Wednesday, insisting that he is still a bonafide member of the Labour Party despite his closeness with members of APC in his constituency.
“There is bound to be rumour in any political environment. For me I am still a bonafide member of Labour Party.
“I have no intention to defect from Labour Party. I am a representative of the people of my constituency,
“I relate with all categories of people in my constituency because I was elected by all calibre of individuals to represent all the parties.
“As far as my constituency is concerned, I am working with everybody irrespective of party affiliation.
“Irrespective of the fact that Labour Party is the party that brought me into office, I am working with both the APC, PDP, Labour Party, and non-party people residing in the constituency which I represents.
“I have no intention to defect to any other party. I remain a bonafide member of Labour Party. I enjoy working with labour Party,” the parliamentarian stated.
On the issue of local government autonomy, the lawmaker said, “It is absurd for anyone to say that local government elections should not have autonomy.
“I strongly advocates for speedy conduct of local government elections to usher in council chairmen.
“I was a beneficiary of local government system. I was a local government council chairman for Odukpani local government area.
“I know how important it is for local government council executive to take full charge of local government administration.
“It will be ridiculous for anyone not to support conduct of local government elections, just because he or she wants his cronies to remain in control of local government funds,” he said.
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