AHEAD of the 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, the people of Ikot Abasi federal
constituency, comprising Ikot Abasi, Eastern Obolo and Mkpat Enin, have resolved to ensure that Eket Senatorial District produces the next state governor.
Rising from a major stakeholders meeting last week, the stakeholders resolved to work hard with the other two federal constituencies of Eket and Oron to ensure that Governor Akpabio’s successor comes from the district in 2015.
An 8-point communiqué captured the wishes of political elites, women and youth leaders under the aegis of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency Forum, pointing out that the other two senatorial districts have taken turns of eight years to govern in the state under the current democratic dispensation. They made the case that it was only fair that the next governor of the state should come from Akwa Ibom South (Eket) senatorial district.
The forum was led by a former chairman of Ikot Abasi Obong Amaete Ntu. He described Eket Senatorial District as “the proverbial hen that lays the golden egg which provides the bulk of the economic mainstay of the State”.
Mr. Ntu also maintained that “it was therefore totally unacceptable that anyone should seek to deprive the senatorial district from the opportunity of being at the helm of the State and managing the state resources in the capacity of the State Governor in 2015”.
The Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency Forum called on all politically active citizens from the other two senatorial districts to resist any attempt to truncate the orderly completion of the zoning or rotation policy that has brought peace and stability to the state since the advent of democracy in 1999.
The communiqué also commended the state governor for his uncommon transformation program in the state, lauding the appointment of Lady Valerie Ebe, an indigene of the federal constituency, as the state deputy governor.
Others who signed the communiqué include former chairmen of local governments, former House of Assembly members and former commissioners, all from Ikot Abasi federal constituency, including Prince Enobong Ufot, Prince Udo Sam Umotan, Dr Gibson Okworo,Hon Ekong Mex Umo, Obong Uyio Udosen,Hon Loveday Ekoyork, Dr Ibanga Ekwere, Chief Douglass Ekperikpe, Dr Anietie Essien, Hon Matthias Idiong and Obanganwan Edith Ettete.