2023: Ikot Ekpene youths sue for peace, root for Obot Akara for Federal Constituency seat
As the 2023 elections process gather momentum, Ikot Ekpene youths under the auspices of Ikot Ekpene Restoration Alliance has sued for peace and orderliness among yooths of the area as they go about their political activities.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the group’s strategic meeting held on Wednesday, 16th February 2023 at Ikot Ekpene Council Hall and made available to morenews.ng
The youths declared that anybody is free to support any aspirant of their choice and also urged them to do so peacefully and by respect the rights of others to express their opinion and also support anyone they chose to.
The youths commended Governor Udom Emmanuel’s industrialization drive industrialisation, politics of inclusion and strategic infrastructural development across the State and restated their support for his completion agenda while wishing the Governor “a safe landing as his administration gradually winds down.”
The youths resolved to pursue peace by eschewing all forms of clannish, divisive and violent tendencies that may threaten the peaceful coexistence of the people of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
“We advice the youths of Ikot Ekpene to desist from being used as agents of destruction by desperate politicians as we enter the election season. Ikot Ekpene has embraced decency and civility hence it is expected that every youth shall go about their support for aspirants of their choice without causing mayhem or creating unnecessary tension in the area,” the Communiqué stressed.
While calling on politicians and those aspiring for various offices in the next general elections to conduct themselves well and go about their campaigns with decorum and decency in line with the democratic tenets, they youths warned that they shall not condone “assembling and arming of thugs, promoting politics of bad blood and advancing causes that will not engender peace and harmony in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.”
“That we have carefully and painstakingly assessed the political history of our Federal Constituency, especially with regards to zoning and sharing of offices and have seen the need for power shift to Obot Akara Local Government Area.
“To make it clearer, we have put down the following as a guide:
Abom Tony Esu – Obot Akara (1999-2003),
Late Barr Nsini Umossoh/Hon. Suyiekere Inokon – Essien Udim (2003-2007),
Hon Patty Etete – Ikot Ekpene (2007-2011),
Hon Saviour Udoh – Obot Akara (2011-2015),
Rt Hon Emmanuel Akpan – Essien Udim (2015 – 2019),
Rt Hon Nsikak Ekong – Ikot Ekpene (2019 – 2023).
“From the above, we have seen how power has rotated from one Local Government Area to another in a seamless fashion. And so in order to sustain this culture and also promote the politics of fairness, equity and inclusion, the two Local Government Areas of Essien Udim and Ikot Ekpene should rally support for Obot Akara by ensuring that the next Federal House Member comes from the area,” they youths explained.
They youths advised political actors in the area to allow Obot Akara LGA to produce the next representative at the Federal House of Assembly representing Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency in 2023 for justice, equity and Fairplay among the different people in the zone.
“We root for the Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency seat to rotate to Ikot Ekpene local government having remained in Obot Akara for 8 years (2015-2023).
“We therefore appeal to the people and stakeholders of Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim Local Government Areas to join hands with Obot Akara in their quest to produce the next House of Representatives Member. Toing this path will further strengthen the peaceful co-existence of the three Local Government Areas.
“While calling on the people of Obot Akara to remain law-abiding and be vigilant as the 2023 general elections gather momentum, we appeal to the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure that Obot Akara which has always given its undiluted support to the party is not shortchanged or denied its well deserved turn,” the Communiqué reads.
