Elders of Ikono South, comprising of four Wards, have warned aspirants from other zones aspiring for the House of Representatives’ seat not to jeopardize the already established peace, unity and togetherness founded on the eternal principles of equity, fairness and good conscience by their selfish quest for power.
The elders, under the aegis of Ikono South Elders Forum, gave the warning on Saturday at the Civic Centre, Ukpom Ikono, through a communiqué issued shortly after deliberating and analyzing the current political landscape and activities in Akwa Ibom and Ikono Local Government Area in particular.
The communiqué signed by 47 elders says “We wish to bring to the notice of the public the zoning structure in Ikono/INI Federal Constituency in general and Ikono Local Government in particular as it relates to the House of Representatives. The Ikono/INI Federal Constituency has two sister Local Government Areas of Ikono and INI. It is very pertinent to note herein that Ikono has 11 (eleven) wards divided into three zones of Ikono Middle (Four Wards), Ikono South (Four Wards) and Ediene Itak (Three Wards).”
“Ikono Middle is currently holding the two straight terms of the State House of Assembly seat and the PDP Chapter Chairmanship seat. Ikono South is currently holding the House of Representatives’ seat. Ediene Itak is currently holding the Chairman of Ikono Council and the PDP State Legal Adviser. It is worth noting here that Ikono South Zone comprising of 4 Wards with the largest voting strength is very strategic for all election victories in Ikono Local Government Area,” the elders maintained.
“Further to the above, Ikono/INI Federal Constituency being made up of two sister Local Government Areas of Ikono and INI, had agreed prior to the 1999 General Elections to rotate the representation between the two, with Ikono (being the eldest) to go first. The Ikono people zoned it to Ediene Itak zone with Rt. Hon. Iquo Inyang representing and she held the office for two (2) straight terms of Eight (8) years (1999-2007). And thereafter, it rotated to INI Local government where Prof. Ini Udoaka held the office for two (2) straight terms of eight (8) years (2007-2015). It had rotated back to Ikono in 2015 and it was zoned to Ikono South Zone and by the zoning arrangement Ikono South Zone will hold it for 2 terms of Eight (8) years (2015-2023). After that it will revert to INI Local Government Area for Eight Years and back to Ikono which will be automatically zoned to Ikono Middle for Eight (8) years. This zoning formula has created peace and peaceful coexistence not only in Ikono but between Ikono and INI Local Government Areas, and by extension Akwa Ibom State,” they stressed.
The elders, who unanimously supported the second term bid of Governor Udom Emmanuel, further said they will continue to pledge their unalloyed support and loyalty to him and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
“We unanimously support Governor Udom Emmanuel’s second term bid as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2019. We equally support the second term aspiration of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as the Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in 2019.”
The elders also resolved “that the House of Representatives’ slot is currently zoned to Ikono South for two (2) terms and it should be so maintained in Ikono South. The zoning structure in Ikono is sacrosanct as it fosters peace, unity and togetherness.”
“We appeal to all aspirants from other Zones to please respect the wishes of entire Ikono and INI people, and bid their turn and time in the political clock of Ikono/INI Federal Constituency, while thanking all for their support and understanding,” the statement concluded.
Signatories to the communiqué from Ward-5 included the current House Representative member, Hon. Iboro Ekanem; Akaninyene Obot; Elder Matthew Akpan Umoh; David Akpan Ntuk; Samuel Sunday Udo; Barrister Nsima Akang; Itoro Lawrence; Obonganwan Iniobong Akpan; Daniel Akpan Udo; Ndifreke Ukpong; Anietie Okon Akpan, and Daniel Uboh.
Those of Ward-6 included David Okon Akpan; Udeme Umoeka; Kenny Inyang Eka; Col. Stanley Bassey; Barrister Ekemini Uba; Dr Peter Uyon; Barrister Stephen Okunyang; Anthony Akpan; Anwang-Abasi Udofia; Okon Dominic, and Isidore Uba.
Ward-7 had Engr. Samuel Ekpenyong; Asuquo Nana Udo; Apostle Joseph Ekong; Emmanuel Akpang; Effiong Udo Okoro; Margaret Ekanem; Elder Edet Akpan David; Godwin Enang; Akwaowo Inyang; Sunday Nana Ekanem; Victor Udofia, and Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo as signatories.
Those from Ward-8 were Obonganwan Lovina Umoeffah; otuekong Idotenyin Etokobong; Prince Inem Inyangette; Elder Joseph Okon; Luke Essiet; Kelly Okon; Sgt. Samuel Akpan (Rtd); Emem Nwup; Namso Ukpong Etok; Solomon Akpan Akpan, and Aniekan Asuquo Akpan.
