By Chioma Onuegbu

Uyo—FORMER Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, has said that the controversy over the emergence of a first-timer, Aniekan Uko, member representing Ibesikpo Asutan state constituency, as Speaker of the sixth Assembly was unnecessary.

Speaking with Vanguard on phone, Nkanga explained that there was nothing wrong with a first-timer emerging Speaker so long as the choice was determined by majority of the members of the House.

Nkanga, however, blamed the development on what he called the change syndrome in Akwa Ibom State, saying that it was time the electorate considered electing their representatives based on experience and competence instead of  always insisting on electing new hands.

He said: “I have nothing against a first-timer emerging as Speaker of the new Assembly because the leadership is determined by the members of the House. So there is no need for any controversy about it. That is unnecessary so long as he is the choice of the members.

“When we are talking about first-timers being in charge of the leadership of the House of Assembly, we should partly put it on the electorate. The blame goes back to the electorate because if we the electorate do not send back an old hand to the House, the House will not manufacture an old member that will qualify to be elected into the leadership.”