Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Unity Forum
Zoning of Senate Seat: Why nobody can stand truth on its head
We have read with amusement, the tale by moonlight from the pseudo groups that go by the name Annang Liberation Movement (ALM) and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Integrity Alliance (ISDIA), over the decision to micro-zone the Ikot Ekpene District Senate seat to Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
While it is understandable that these paid artists are poor students of history, it is pertinent to educate them that the governorship seat has always been zoned on the basis of senatorial district, while the senate seat is considered on the basis of federal constituency.
For emphasis, we restate the following:
- The decision to zone the Senate seat to federal constituencies in the senatorial district started in 1999, long before their principal joined politics in 2002. So, he cannot jettison it to enable him live in the Senate.
- When Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien finished in 2003, he voluntarily withdrew from the race to enable the position to rotate to Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency where Senator Itak Bob Ekarika was elected.
- Akpabio used it in 2007 when he invited the stakeholders in the senatorial district to a meeting at Ikot Ekpene Council Hall to prevail on Barr Saviour Udo from Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, to step down for Senator Aloysius Etok of Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency to enlist their support to enable him protect his governorship ticket.
- As Senator Etok was about completing his first term, Akpabio invited Barr Emmanuel Enoidem in 2010 to run for the Senate in the presence of witnesses – Barr Ibanga Akpabio, Rt. Hon. Nse Ntuen, Sir Emem Akpabio, Bishop Samuel Akpan, Prince Ukpong Akpabio and Hon. Emmanuel Akpan – according to him, it was the turn of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
5.The author of the piece, in acting out of ignorance did not only compare zoning for the senatorial seat with the governorship, but also failed in his selective amnesia to acknowledge his principal as a very ‘dangerous politician’ who can compromise anything of value to enable him have his way, regardless of what consequences lie ahead.
- We, therefore, stand with the decision of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Stakeholders earlier taken that come 2023, the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District seat must go to Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
- Available historical statistics are clear and unambiguous that Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency is the only constituency yet to produce a Senator as past Senators from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District are;
•Senator Raymond Umoh: 1963-1969
Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency
•Senator Donald Etiebet: 1979-1982
Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency
•Senator Nsima Akpabio: 1983-1984
Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency
•Senator Akaninyene Ukpanah:1992-1993 Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency
•Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien: 1999-2003 Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency
•Senator Itak Bob Ekarika: 2023-2027
Ukanafun/ Oruk Anam Federal Constituency
•Senator Aloysius Etok: 2007-2011
Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency
•Senator Aloysius Etok: 2011-2015
Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency
•Senator Godswill Akpabio: 2015-2019
Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency
•Senator Christopher Ekpenyong: 2019-2023 Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency
Therefore, in the interest of peace, unity and togetherness of the senatorial district, we will not allow any man, no matter how important he thinks he is to divide the Annang nation and the senatorial district for personal and selfish gain.
Signed:
Hon Christopher Edemekong: IKOT EKPENE/ESSIEN UDIM/OBOT AKARA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
Amadie Akpabio:UKANAFUN/ORUK ANAM FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
Unwana Ibokette: ABAK/ETIM EKPO/IKA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
Nkeneke Efo: IKONO/INI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
IBOM VOICE MEDIA 