Daniel Effiong Asuquo

Daniel Effiong Asuquo (born June 4, 1962) is a Nigerian politician. He was a member representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Quotes Let me state here that I don’t accept belittlement in any form because in my political carrier, I have never been anointed. The process in PDP then was an open contest. So, as a southern person, I came out to contest for governorship because the South was a governor 16 years ago and I stand for equity and fairness. So being interested, I went round and consulted widely, telling them that this position is supposed to come down to the South after Governor Donald Duke in line with zonal principles enshrined in PDP. So, let me know whosoever that said he engaged me or offered me anything because governorship ticket is not offered to anybody on a platter of gold. I canvassed for it. Somehow, that kind of engagement happened two days to the primaries in one of the stakeholders’ houses. So, when people try to come out and say they offered me the Senate ticket seat, I rejected sounds very insulting to my personality after I have done PDP a favour several times. They were not doing me any favour. So, nobody offered anything and could not have offered me the Senate ticket because it was not in their pockets. Daniel interview response to what motivated him to defect to LP to realise his political ambition So, the people trusted me and when I contested in PDP, I was elected into the House of Representatives. As characteristic of my style of politics, I promised to be a loud voice for the people of Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency. I also said I would attract some projects to my people. As at today, I did that as a person representing them. I did not do it as a party. I have given over 170 employment opportunities cutting cross the Navy, the Army, Police, Prison, FIRS, power agencies, etc. in the 21 wards of Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency. I have also verifiable projects attracted by me including roads, markets, hospitals, schools, transformer and solar lights. I have also conducted three medical retreats for my people; attracted major water projects to many communities. So, I cannot take responsibility of PDP at any level because I delivered at my own level. Daniel interview response to the question 'why do you think your constituents should trust you with their mandate again?' We know that elections the world over are not cheap. Even in America, people contribute to candidates and you hear hundreds of millions realised from such donations. It is only in Nigeria that people expect that politicians must bring money to buy votes. So, we need to move away from that kind of mentality and that is why I support the policy of the CBN to change certain denominations and also go cashless; let us see where all these money bags would bring that money from to buy voters. LP Presidential candidate did not say he would not spend money on the logistics. No! We print posters, banners, hiring buses to go for campaigns and rallies. So, we are also contributing to the economy. What we are saying is that LP is against selling and buying of votes; against inducing voter because after that, they would not go back to the electorate till the next four years. That’s why we say “no shishsi! I, therefore, call on Cross Riverians not to bring themselves to that level where they can be bought over cheaply. Daniel interview response to the question 'Labour Party, especially the Presidential candidate, does not believe in lobbying the electorate and as a seasoned politician, do you share such view considering the nature of our modern day politicking?' I am not officially aware that there is any alliance between LP and any other party. But let me say that the 2023 election is not going to be based on political party issues. So, when we get there, we shall cross it. However, our governorship candidate, who doubles as the chairman of our party, LP, is from the South by virtue of the fact that he has lived in Calabar all his life, and by way of where he is going to vote, which is Calabar. On that note, he is from the South. If one of the governorship candidates says that his mother is from one of the local government area in the South and therefore, he is from the South; why should somebody now deny our governorship candidate the right to come from the South too? So, we are for back-to-South. Daniel interview response to the question 'There are rumours making the rounds that you have an alliance with some political party ahead of the election and that is why your party is preaching back to South even when your governorship candidate is from central senatorial district' It is not a setback in anyway. Litigations and complaints are part of the electoral processes. But let me say that those who are looking for victory through the court are on a wild goose chase because I would run the senatorial race to the end. Indeed, the All Progressives Congress senatorial candidate for the southern senatorial district had dragged me to court over allegations that the LP did not follow due process in conducting the senatorial primary. Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice A.R. Muhammed nullified the primaries conducted in Calabar by the Labour Party for the Cross River State Southern Senatorial District. The court disqualified me and ordered my immediate delisting as a candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission. However, let me also say that I scaled through all electoral processes to emerge and those who are fighting are just afraid of our going to the field. For us, in LP, we are ready and prepared ahead of 2023. I and the party Presidential candidate, Dr. Peter Obi, looked at the Federal High Court judgment and decided to appeal against it. So until Appeal Court decides otherwise, I am still the authentic candidate of LP. No amount of backyard politicking and shenanigans would deter us. Daniel interview response to the question 'Shortly after your defection, the APC took you to Court alleging that your emergence in LP did not follow due process and the federal High Court Calabar ruled against your candidacy. Is it not a setback for you and the party?' External links Category:Politicians from Nigeria Category:Living people Category:1962 births