By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, more pressures have continued to mount on Governor Udom Emmanuel to rescind decision on his preferred successor in office
The latest, is the coalition of youth groups under the aegis of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency Youth Leaders Forum who cautioned Governor Emmanuel against breaching the existing zoning arrangement in Uyo Senatorial District in respect of the governorship position of the state next year.
They have also expressed dissapointment over the Governor’s act of using the state fund in canvassing support for his preffered aspirant to succeed him as the next governor of the state.
Governor Emmanuel had on 30th of January this year presented his preferred aspirant, who is the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Mr Umo Eno to some stakeholders including the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Government House, Uyo.
Umo Eno who is believed to be the first Cousin to Governor Emmanuel, is from Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency of Uyo Senatorial District of the State. An area the Youth groups said had earlier produced the governor, in person of Obong Akpan Isemin.
Chairman of the Youth Forum, Mr Bassey Etim Bassey told a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday that it would amount to a clear injustice to the Federal Constituency if someone from another Constituency of the Senatorial District is allowed to succeed him.
“The Governor of Akwa Ibom State should not breach the accord that had existed, in micro zoning the governorship position to Etinan federal constituency being part of the old Uyo in the then Uyo Conference District that already had one of their sons in person of Obong Akpan Isemin occupy the office. This would be a clear injustice to Itu/Ibion Ibom federal constituency.
“He should be democratic in his approach towards supporting his preferred candidate by separating and distinguishing his official position from his personal and private capacity in influencing and or imposing a person or aspirant on the state.
“To this extent, we pray that His Excellency refrain from using state resources for a person’s ambition as against the corporate and cooperate interest of the state.
Etim called on the state chairman of the PDP, Mr Aniekan Akpan to maintain a high level of neutrality in the forth-coming primaries, and act as a father to all aspirants while calling on the Governor to allow the electorate in the state to choose who becomes their next governor.
“This would be in sync with the governor’s principle as he particular expressed in 2019 general elections that “no single person can choose who to lead the state and who not to lead.”He said.
He stated that those challenging micro zoning in the Senatorial District are motivated by greed with insatiable appetite for power aimed at sowing a seed of discord and enmity in the peaceful state of Akwa Ibom.
“Therefore, as the governorship position returns to Uyo Senatorial District, the natural question begging for an answer is, having had the two other federal constituencies (Etinan and Uyo) within the senatorial district take their bite, in which federal constituency should the governorship position be domiciled?
“Without more and devoid of any iota of struggle in giving an answer to the question, the answer lies in and tilts to Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency. With profound respect, even the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel knows this as a fact and an answer to this question.
“So, why this vigorous attempt at denying the federal constituency the right of opportunity? Why the betrayal by even the very ones who expectedly should be the custodian and protectors of a hallowed and sacred agreement?
“Micro zoning, macro zoning or zoning of any guise and nature is to allow for a sense of inclusiveness, ‘belonginess’, and by extension sustenance of peace. The current Governor, like other governors, is a product of zoning. “Is he a product of micro zoning”?, you may ask. Yes he is, simple.
“So to this end, we appeal to the consciences of the leaders and stakeholders of the state, and particularly, the governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to allow opportunity for Itu/Ibiono/Ibom federal constituency to produce the next governor of the state come 2023” He maintained.
