LGA ELECTION 2023: Etim Ekpo Youths Raise Alarm Over Perceived Insurrection

…Call On Pastor Umo Eno, LGA Elders, Ors For Timely, Prompt Action To Forestall Mayhem

…We have been on this zoning arrangement since 1999, anything else…

By Our Correspondent

As the tenure of the current democratically elected Chairmen of local government areas in Akwa Ibom State comes to an end in a few months, youths, men, women and other critical stakeholders in of Etim Ekpo local government area are calling on the Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno as well as elders of the local government area to wade into the perceived and brewing insurrection that is likely to swallow the people of the area.

In two separate protest letters christened, “What Is Good For The Goose Is Also Good For The Gander As Other Clans Can’t-Wait And Watch One Clan (Uruk) Enjoys All Political Positions For Years: A Passionate Appeal To Etim Ekpo Elders Forum To Respect And Maintain Zoning For The Sake Of Peace, Fairness And Equity” and Zoning: Let Utu Clan Take A Turn For Sustainable Peace In Etim Ekpo LGA”, whose positions contained and signed by Godwin Etuk Ogbonna and Edidiong Moses as well as Idorenyin Amos and Riches James, made available to Century Newsfront read thus, “The entire youths of Etim Ekpo under the aegis of UTU FOR NEXT extend their appreciation to our Government (AKS) elders over their numerous contributions towards the progress of Etim Ekpo LGA and the renovation of our general hospital. We pray God to keep you all in good health, to continue your good works for the advancement and prosperity of our dear land.

We wish to draw the attention of our elders to a very critical issue of zoning that, if not treated properly can truncate the prevailing peace and tranquility in the area, we noticed it was fully taken care of by our elders in 2017 where it was moved to Obong Clan due to the political position held by an Uttu Annang son, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekon.

Our dear elders, there is every need for the age-long zoning arrangement of the chairmanship position to be respected and maintained, for the sake of peace, fairness and equity. Although zoning is not a constitutional provision, it has been a conventional practice and principle initiated by our founding fathers which has been in place from time immemorial, especially for elective political offices.

So far, This arrangement has made the people of ETIM EKPO live in peace and harmony. And any attempt by any self-seeking individual to thwart this arrangement will lead to total unrest. Whereby a particular clan holds political positions, it simply means the position of a local government chairman will be moved to the next clan until the position of such clan will Elapse before the seat of LGA chairman will be moved back.

For the purpose of emphasis and reference, we find it pertinent to put down the analysis of the chairmanship zoning order since the inception of democracy in 1999.

The zoning order is as follows:

1. Barr. Chris Okorie – Obong Clan, 1999-2002
2. Hon. Mfon Idung – Uruk Clan, 2004-2007
3. Barr. Ikpe Udoaka – Utu Clan, 2008-2011

4.Hon. Uduot Jack  – Ikono Clan, 2012-2015

5.Hon. Udeme Eduo  – Obong Clan, 2016 – 2019

6. Ime Paul Afia – Utut Annang Clan, 2020-date. Next Utu clan….because to whom much is given, much is also expected.

Following the analysis above, the Chairmanship position by inference should naturally move to the Utu clan. And it is only Uruk clan that has clinched our political office for years now.

Our elders, this appeal becomes necessary following our findings that some persons who have been lobbied by the Uruk people were making a case against the principle of zoning in favor of the ill-conceived Clan in the forthcoming Local Government Council Election. This is not only uncalled for but an act of betrayal, insubordination and a call for war. And we the youths will resist it by all means.

We believe that our elders will not close their eyes and fold their hands and allow anyone with a selfish interest to destroy what they have suffered to build and to take us back again to insurgency after we have worked tirelessly to bring peace to the land, Uruk clan can’t occupy all political positions in Etim Ekpo LGA.

It is on this note, that we the law-abiding youths of Etim Ekpo humbly appeal to the elders to see to it that, the zoning arrangement is respected and upheld by every means and ensure that the chairmanship position moves to Utu  Clan in the forthcoming Local Government Election to prevent turning the entire area into the state of anarchy which will not augur well with Etim Ekpo Local Government Area and Akwa Ibom State at large. “A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE.”

We strongly believe that our passionate and timely appeal will receive your kind and Swift consideration for the best interest of Etim Ekpo. Accept, the assurances of our esteemed regards”.

“Zoning as a Panacea for peace Justice and Equity has come to stay in the body of politics in Nigeria (Etim Ekpo) as it entrenches equity and fairness in addition to minority inclusiveness in the scheme of political office sharing which hitherto would have been a mirage to them, in midst of the overwhelming majority.

The PDP in its wisdom in 1999 introduced the zoning system in order to give a sense of belonging to the three senatorial districts to produce a sitting governor, a system that has come to stay even as other political parties have followed suit. The system of zoning has trickled down to other political offices, local government down to the ward levels for the sake of peace and inclusiveness.

The state governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno as a beneficiary of the zoning system has often emphasized zoning for the sake of Justice and fairness as injustice broods bitterness and violence during elections.

In Etim Ekpo LGA, the zoning system has been in existence since the inception of democracy in 1999. The zoning system which is intended to cure injustice and fairness, so as to continue to engender peace, is mendable to variation in other to achieve the set goals for which it was intended, consequently where a clan in the case of Etim Ekpo is already a beneficiary of a zonal political Elected office, the zoning will be Amended, for the next beneficiary on the line to benefit, while the clan whose right it was to benefit would wait till that elected office ends its tenure before taken their chairmanship turn.

Etim Ekpo LGA is blessed with 5 clans, namely, Obong clan, Uruk clan, Utu clan, Ikono clan and Utut Annang clan who have all held the Executive Chairmanship position from 1999 to date. The breakdown of the past occupants are,

Barr. Chris Okorie (1999-2002) Obong clan

Hon. Mfon Idung (2004-2007) Uruk clan

Barr. Ikpe Udoka (2008-2011)Utu clan

Hon.Uduot Jack (2012-2015) Ikono clan

Hon.Udeme Eduo (2016-2019 ) Obong clan

Hon. Ime Afia (2020 till date) Utut Annang clan

A Case in point is that the Utut Annang clan was supposed to take the 2017 chairmanship slot but because Utut Annang’s son, Hon.Emmanuel Ekon was a sitting National Assembly member then, therefore it was necessary to give Obong clan the Chairmanship position (Hon.Udeme Eduo). Interestingly, what happened in 2017 is replaying itself now, as the Uruk Clan is holding lots of political places presently, namely:

1. State House 1^st & 2^nd term
2. Commissioner four years and may likely return
3. 1st & 2nd term Vice Chairman
4. Board member (Technical school board)
5. Paramount Ruler etc.

Therefore if council chairmanship is also zoned to Uruk clan, others will be left as spectators. Consequently, it’s morally right, fair and makes for justice and Equity for Utu clan to take the next chairmanship slot, after which it will be reverted to Uruk clan as there is a precedent.”