2023 Governorship: Eastern Ibibio consults Oron Union
…Promises Deputy Gov’ship slot for Oro Nation
Ahead of the 2023 general elections in Akwa Ibom State, the Eastern Ibibio bloc comprising of Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Ikono and Ini Local Government Areas have insisted that they be given the chance to produce a governor, for the sake of equity.
Speaking over the weekend at the Oron Development Union Hall in Oron LGA during a consultative visit to the sociocultural group, Oron Union, the people under the aegis of Eastern Ibibio People’s Association (EIPA) said marginalization has been the lot of the four Local Government Areas of Eastern Ibibio.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Obong Barr. Eteyen Archibong said the purpose of the visit was to formally present their plight as well as forge a progressive and strong partnership with Oro Nation, which he said is equally suffering from marginalization.
Obong Archibong said one of the ways to address the marginalization problem of his area is to allow them produce a governor in 2023.
“Governorship returns to Uyo Senatorial District in 2023. In our Senatorial District, Etinan Federal Constituency, with 3 LGAs, produced Obong Akpan Isemin as Governor,
Uyo Federal Constituency with 4 LGAs produced a Governor in the person of Obong Victor Attah, but Eastern Ibibio which has Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency has never ever produced a governor. We are lagging behind politically and developmentally.
“We are saying that for the sake of equity and peace, governorship should not go elsewhere in the Senatorial District apart from Itu/ Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency,” he stated.
He acknowledged that the Oro ethnic bloc as a critical potential partner in actualization the Eastern Ibibio gubernatorial dream: “Oro Nation and Eastern Ibibio share same plight, which is marginalization. We have to come together at this point to chart a course for the future.”
Obong Archibong revealed that the 2023 Deputy Governorship slot is reserved for Oro Nation by Eastern Ibibio.
Aldo speaking, another stakeholder of the forum, Obong Daniel Udo (North-South)
noted that Eastern Ibibio has eminently qualified persons to emerge as Akwa Ibom Governor in 2023.
He reiterated that the clamour for a governor from the area was borne out of a genuine need to address the issue of injustice and imbalance of political power.
Obong Udo reassured Oro Nation of a Deputy Governorship slot in 2023, adding that if the Eastern Ibibio 2023 Governorship project comes to fruition, his people would support an Oro person to emerge as Governor in due course.
On her part, another member of the delegation, a former member of the House of Representatives, Barr. Christine Akpan, described the partnership as a sign of liberation, and suggested that the project be allowed to come to fruition for the sake of maintaining peaceful coexistence in the state.
Responding, President General of Oro Union, Bishop Etim Ante, said “as a messenger, my duty is to deliver this message to Oro people.”
He equally decried the marginalization of Oro Nation, and likened the Eastern Ibibio case to that of someone who has legs but has no shoes to wear. “In the case of Oro, the thinking is that we have been crippled, but we are resolved to wear that shoes,” Ante noted.
He assured that “Oro people will always partner with those who love them”, and recalled that Oro people always assume key positions when a Governor emerges from Uyo Senatorial District: “We cannot ignore the fact that when Obong Akpan Isemin was Governor, an Oro man was Deputy Governor. When Obong Victor Attah was Governor, Oro people were Speaker and State Chairman of the ruling party, respectively.”
Bishop Ante while noting that governance is a collective task, called on all political blocs in the state to function as partners in progress and not give room for rancour and strife ahead of 2023.
Former Chairman, Itu Local Government Council, Obong Nsima Edet, in his vote of thanks, commended Oro Union for granting a listening ear to the Eastern Ibibio delegation, and expressed optimism that the visit would yield great dividends.
The Eastern Ibibio delegation comprised of all executive members. Members of Oron Union also graced the epochal event.
