Why Senator Eteng Jonah Williams Deserves a Second Term: First-Term Senators Need Time to Deliver

When you have a toothache, you call a dentist. When your tap is leaking, you call a plumber. Why? Because you want someone with experience. Someone who has handled similar problems before and knows what to do

This used to be how we chose our political leaders too. Over the years, research and common sense have shown that politicians who have previously held office usually perform better than those who are completely new. This is even more important when it comes to the Senate, a place of serious national decisions, policies, and complex lawmaking.

Unfortunately, some people in Cross River Central, Yakurr to be precise are pushing to send new, inexperienced person to the Senate again. While this may sound exciting to some, it is not wise. Especially at a time when our democracy and political competition have become more advanced and demanding.

Let’s be clear, the Senate is not a training ground. It is a place where lawmakers debate national matters, amend laws, review policies, and fight for the interest of their people. This kind of work requires someone with knowledge, networks, maturity, and above all; legislative experience.

Even though the Senate allows new members, it values people who already understand how the system works. Things like:

 Committee hearings and leadership

Understanding of legislative procedures

Relationship-building with other lawmakers

Lobbying for federal projects and appointments

Strategic speaking and negotiation

Working with ministries and agencies.

All these take time to master. Most first-time senators spend the better part of their first four years just learning and trying to find their voice. By the time they get it, the term is over and if they are not re-elected, everything is wasted. That is why many of them are not remembered for any major achievement.

Let us look at our own Cross River history. Many senators who served only one term; especially those without prior legislative experience did not perform well. Not because they were not intelligent or willing, but because one term is not enough.

Some examples include:

Sen. Liyel Imoke (Central)

Sen. Matthew Mbu Jr. (Central)

Sen. Musa Adede (South)

Sen. Kanu Agabi SAN (Central)

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa (South)

Sen. Sandy Onor (Central)

Sen. Ben Ayade North

Late Sen. Paul Ukpo (North)

 Late Sen. Rose Oko (North)

These were all first-timers. They came in with big hopes but left without major impact. Again, not because they lacked ideas, but because they needed more time.

Now look at the few who succeeded as first-timers:

Sen. John Owan Enoh. He had served in the House of Reps for years before becoming senator.

Sen. Bassey Edet Otu. Also came from the House of Reps.

So what helped them? *Experience.* They were not new to lawmaking. They understood the terrain before entering the Senate.

Sen. Eteng Jonah Williams is not just any politician. He served as Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly. That gave him a good foundation in legislative work. But even with that, his first year in the Senate came with challenges, as it would for anyone.

Despite being a first-time senator, he has performed well. But now is the time for him to do more. Now that he understands the system fully, he can attract more federal projects, speak more boldly for us, and build stronger relationships to benefit Cross River Central.

Sending a new person now; especially someone who has never held political office, someone with no legislative background, is like pressing the restart button. We will lose everything Sen. Eteng Jonah has started. And worse, we will enter another learning phase again. Wasting four more years.

Let us not forget: The Nigerian Senate today is filled with former governors, former House of Reps members, experienced politicians_ who know their way around. If you send a complete newcomer into such a place, they will struggle. They will be too shy to speak, too unsure of the process, and too weak to attract anything.

This is not the time to experiment.

Even Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, who later became one of Nigeria’s most influential senators, had to return for a second and third term before he could really shine. Without that time, even he may have been forgotten.

Senators who have performed well across Nigeria all had the chance to return. Their second terms are usually better than their first. Experience matters.

Cross River Central is not an ordinary district. Our people are educated, exposed, and politically aware. We cannot afford to gamble with our future by sending someone with no record of public service, just because they are popular or have money.

It is not enough to be a businessman. It is not enough to have been a commissioner. None of those roles prepare you fully for the Senate. What we need is someone who has legislative background, who understands national politics, who is already in the game. And Sen. Eteng Jonah Williams fits that role perfectly.

Sen. Eteng Jonah Williams has started well. He has carried Cross River Central with dignity and responsibility. But there is more work to do. And only someone who already understands the system can do it better and faster.

Let us not make the mistake of replacing him now. Let us give him the support to go back and finish what he has started. We have tried experiments before it didn’t work. Now is the time for continuity, not confusion.

The Senate is not for beginners.

Cross River Central deserves better.

Let us choose progress.

Let us choose experience.

Let us return Sen. Eteng Jonah Williams for a second term.

  Klem Ikoi