Guber 2023: Group faults proposed Itu/Ibiono Ibom Stakeholders Meeting, rejects micro-zoning of Governorship seat
… Tasks royal fathers on non-partisanship
Akwa Ibom Unity Front, a socio-cultural organisation in Akwa Ibom State has faulted the planned Itu/Ibiono Ibom Stakeholders meeting slated for Friday 4th February 2023 at the instance of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom LGA, His Royal Majesty Edidem Dr. Edet Akpan Inyang and other traditional Rulers to agitate for the micro-zoning of Akwa Ibom Governorhip seat to Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
This is contained in a release jointly signed by the Chairman, Dr Nsikak Ukpong and Secretary, Mr Bassey Ekpo on Thursday, 3rd February 2022 and made available to morenews.ng.
The group urged the royal fathers to operate within the ambits of the mandate and shun partisan politics so as not to incite hatred and heat up the polity.
The release reads in full:
An Open Letter to the Paramount Rulers of Ibiono Ibom LGA, HRM, Okuku Dr. Ime Udousoro Inyang and the Paramount Ruler of Itu LGA, HRM Edidem Dr. Edet Akpan Inyang
Your Royal Majesties,
It has come to our notice that you have summoned a meeting of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Stakeholders to be held on Friday, February 4, 2022, at the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom LGA by 2 PM. The meeting according to what we gathered is to incite your subjects to revolt against the adoption of any Governorship aspirants other than those from the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
While it is within your prerogative to hold meetings with your subjects to rub minds on sociocultural issues as it affects your domain; it is pertinent to note that venturing into the issue of who should be the PDP Governorship candidate and insisting that the candidate MUST come from your Federal Constituency, is beyond the purview of your mandate, as you are not at liberty to get involved in partisan politics to such extent as a traditional ruler.
Perhaps, if Your Royal Majesties are familiar with the history of Governorship elections in Akwa Ibom State, you would realize that from 1999 till date, election to the office of Governor has ALWAYS been rotated/zoned based on Senatorial Districts, and NOT based on Federal Constituency.
This was the case in 1999 when the position was zoned to Uyo Senatorial District which saw the emergence of Obong Victor Attah from 1999-2007; Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District which saw the emergence of Chief Godswill Akpabio from 2007-2015; and now Eket Senatorial District with His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on the saddle from 2015 to end on May 29, 2023.
It is crucial to point out that at no time in the history of our State has the Governorship seat been ever zoned based on Federal Constituency. Moreso, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, reserves the exclusive right to abide by its zoning principles which have been her trademark since 1999 by rotating the Governorship seat among the three (3) Senatorial Districts.
Therefore, as far as the 2023 Governorship election is concerned, it has been unanimously zoned to Uyo Senatorial District as the statutory norm of the PDP and any credible Akwa Ibom son or daughter from all the Nine (9) Local Government Areas of Uyo Senatorial District namely: Uyo, Ibesikpo, Nsit Atai, Uruan, Ibiono Ibom, Itu, Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium are eligible to contest for the office of Governor, taking into consideration that the 2023 Governorship election is not and can never be the sole right of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency as it is being advocated by Your Royal Majesties.
Attempting to stampede the PDP to micro-zone the Governorship seat, again, to Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency after it has been zoned to Uyo Senatorial District is to shut out and disenfranchise other aspirants from other local government areas within Uyo Senatorial District, which have never been the culture or tradition of the PDP in the state.
The PDP will always provide a level playing field for all aspirants – this the party has done and you must also note that the Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel reserves the right to adopt, endorse and support WHOSOEVER he so desires and believes will continue to sustain his legacies as a worthy successor for the overall good of the State.
We, therefore, urge you to desist from any act capable of derailing the prevailing peace, unity, and development of Akwa Ibom State and to use your revered offices to do that which unites, rather than divide us as a people and to exercise great caution with the meeting if convened in the interest of peace, stabilize and progress.
Signed:
Dr Nsikak Ukpong: National Chairman
Mr Bassey Ekpo: National Secretary
