International Chairman of a socio-political organization, Supreme Council of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency Youths, Hon. Ini Ekanem, has appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel and members of his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to uphold the principle of zoning to the latter to avoid the scenario that took place in Ekiti State.
Speaking with journalists in Uyo on Tuesday, Hon Ekanem, who shared his thoughts on the contest for the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency seat, said “The case of Ekiti State is a litmus test for my great party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and I want to also use this opportunity to send a message to the working Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the one we will support in 2019, that we should wake up from our slumber and do what is needful at the right time, else we will face what Ekiti State has faced. The zoning system must be upheld in Ikot Federal Constituency. Do not forget, the area is also where we have the opposition Governorship aspirant, Obong Nsima Ekere. If we must get it right, there must be sanity in the PDP primary, zoning must be kept. I am saying this with all amount of seriousness as someone that has been around and played politics for the past 30 years, from the days of SDP, NRC till now. If PDP gives ticket to Eastern Obolo, they should be ready to face what Ekiti State faced. I want to believe this message will be sent across for the needful to be done.”
On the alleged issue of political maneuvering in the Federal Constituency, Hon. Ekanem said “That is not true. We have not any maneuvering in the body polity of our Federal Constituency. What we have has been media misrepresentation and misinterpretation in the minds of the electorates.”
“We believe in hierarchical disposition of issues and this has to do with respect for elders and established agreement. In December 2010, the entire elders of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency came up with a publication that there should be zoning. And permit me to quote what the incumbent member representing the Federal Constituency, Mr. Francis Charles, said: ‘I thank you all for what has just happened. It is going to be an issue of one-one water per term,’ meaning one local government area per term. That stance also made him to succeed the then incumbent, Dr Akpan Micah Umoh. So, we stand by what the elders said. And recently, precisely on the 15th of June, 2018, Ikot Abasi leaders of thoughts came out with a stand in support of Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term and also disregarded every ambition of those not favoured by the zoning arrangement. Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency seat has been zoned to Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. As a leading youth group, we stand by what the leaders of thoughts said and that is that Mkpat Enin should go for the National Assembly,” he explained.
The youth leader further urged youths of the Federal Constituency to shun greed, be steadfast and vote for their future by keeping to zoning.
“My message to the youths is that they should shun greed and that they should beware of emergency and sudden empowerment. They should be mindful not to sell their votes, which is their future. They should be steadfast, go all out and get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and ensure, on that day, that they vote for zoning and for Mkpat Enin,” he urged.
