The stakeholders of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency has called on all political parties in the state to zone the governorship position to the area for equity and fairness.
They have also resolved to unite to ensure that the dream of the area to produce a Governor since the creation of the state in 1987 is realised.
In a communique issued at the end of their meeting at the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, the stakeholders decried recent political events in the state which has threatened to deny the zone of their political privileges.
“The meeting, convened at the instance of the stakeholders of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom Ibom, was to review recent political developments in the state.
“The meeting affirmed that Akwa Ibom State was founded on six (6) divisions of Abak, Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Itu, Opobo (Ikot Abasi), and Uyo, and that on account of political expediency, two of the divisions were merged to form a Senatorial District, namely, Abak and Ikot Ekpene in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District; Eket and Opobo (Ikot Abasi) in Eket Senatorial District; and Uyo and Itu in Uyo Senatorial District.
“That Uyo Senatorial District has three Federal Constituencies of Etinan, Itu and Uyo.
“That Akwa Ibom State started the rotation principle of gubernatorial office in 1992, with Etinan Federal Constituency that produced candidates for the two political parties, the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“This arrangement produced His Excellency, Obong Akpan Isemin as the first civilian Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The rotation principle was sustained and in 1999, Obong Victor Attah of Uyo Federal Constituency in Uyo Senatorial District emerged as the Governor of the State.
“That with the position of Governorship returning to Uyo Senatorial District in 2023, the stakeholders demand that all political parties in Akwa Ibom State should pick their candidates from Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, which has never tasted the position before.” The communique read.
It said the people of the Federal Constituency would continue to sensitize the people of the state on the need to uphold the principle of rotation in order to ensure equity, justice, and good conscience.
Meanwhile a frontline PDP gubenatorial aspirant in the state and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Obong Bassey Albert has said that he was running on grounds of equity, justice and fairness, as it was the turn of Itu/ Ibiono Federal Constituency to produce the next governor.
Albert told PDP stakeholders in Ibiono Ibom Local Council at a town hall meeting weekend that he has an open mind towards all, including other aspirants in the race
On Governor Udom Emmanuel’s recent presentation of his preferred aspirant, Albert said the Governor’s action was the “opinion of man which can never stop the will and decision of God.”
He announced his continued love and respect for Governor Emmanuel, adding that he believed the governor loves him too but was just misled by some advisers.
