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A’IBOM ELECTIONS: ROYAL FATHERS WARN AGAINST VIOLENCE

… Insist On Eight Years For Udom Emmanuel

By Otobong NSEKPONG

Traditional Rulers in Akwa Ibom state have unanimously condemned violence in the electoral process as the governorship and state houses of Assembly elections hold Saturday March 9th,2019.

Arising from an enlarged meeting held at Ibom Hall in Uyo, the royal fathers recalled the role played by traditional rulers in the creation of Akwa Ibom state in 1987 warning that, they cannot sit back and watch politicians set the state ablaze for their individual ambition.

The meeting presided over by the paramount ruler of Ikot Abasi HRM Edidem Udo Joe Ntuk Obom Xll who stood in for the chairman, state council of chiefs emphasized that justice and fairness remains cardinal ingredients for unity and development to prevail and as such politics or personal ambition should not be taken to the extreme or allowed to distort the well-established unity accord in Akwa Ibom State.

The royal fathers who expressed displeasure over the conduct of some politicians in the state noted that since 1999, it has been eight years of two terms for one person and condemned attempt to shift the goal post in the middle of the game.

“The conclave affirmed total support for Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel the current Governor to serve for two terms of eight (8) years and after which political power will shift to Akwa Ibom North East senatorial district in 2023 in line with the unity accord in Akwa Ibom State.

“We urge the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure free, fair, credible, transparent and acceptable elections. It also advised the Police, Army and other security agencies to ensure impartiality in their security support and coverage of the elections”
Goodwill messages came from traditional rulers from Annang land delivered by Okuku (Dr.) Pius Effiong Esideh 111 (JP) Itai Afe Annang. Okuku Esideh said there must be justice for peace to reign maintaining that, some paramount rulers of Ibibio land led the campaign for an Annang governor in 2007.

“That was the agreement that brought peace, we stand by that agreement and we are saying that it should be eight years for Eket senatorial district”
From Atha Oro HRM Owong (Hon) Edet Okon Isemin came message that traditional rulers from Oro nation does not need violence in Akwa Ibom state. “Since 2015, there is no political violence, kidnapping and assasination and we will stand by that. As we have done it since 1999, it is eight years for one person. All our votes for eight years” as delivered by the paramount ruler of Udung Uko, Edidem Bassey Etim Edet

The meeting was attended by paramount rulers from the 31 local government areas including clan heads, village heads and family heads including the Oku Ibom Ibibio His Eminence, Nteyin Solomon Daniel Etuk.

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