…writes Akwa Ibom Gov, Umo Eno
Some concerned members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area had, last weekend, risen to counter what they called “the purported zoning in the area.” The group had sent a a letter to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, in a bid to counter an earlier publication on zoning put up by a group led by the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Nsikan Linus Nkan.
According to them, “Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area has two (2) Clans namely: Ibesikpo and Asutan. Ibesikpo Clan is divided into Northern and Southern Ibesikpo. Northern Ibesikpo has two (2) wards, while Southern Ibesikpo has four (4) wards, wards 3, 4, 5, and 6. Long before now, Chairmanship of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area was zoned to Ibesikpo Ward 4. Ibesikpo Ward 4 has four (4) villages namely; Ikot Akpa Etuk (ward centre), Ikot Essien, Ikot Ide Akpakpan, and Ikot Ide Etukudo.”
The group which is made up of aspiring councilors states in their letter that on the 29th day of June, 2024, major stakeholders in Ibesikpo Asutan met and deliberated on the zoning of Chairmanship and Councillorship positions of our great party in the forthcoming Local Government elections. In that resolution, the Executive Chairmanship position in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area is zoned to Ibesikpo South precisely Ward 5 and not Ward 4 as initially zoned. Ward 5 comprises the following villages; Ikot Obio Offong, Ikot Obio Odongo, Ikot Ekwere, Edem Ibiok, Oku Ikot Edaha, Ediam, Oku Ibesikpo, and Mbikpong Atai.
“It is pertinent to state for emphasis that the Chairmanship position in the forthcoming Local Government election was zoned to Ibesikpo South precisely Ward 4 and not Ward 5 as earlier stated. Ibesikpo South Ward 4 comprises the following villages; Ikot Akpa Etuk (Ward centre), Ikot Essien, Ikot Ide Akpakpan, and Ikot Ide Etukudo.
“We wish to state that Ibesikpo Ward 4 has never produce a Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area or any person to occupy any political office in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. Ibesikpo Wards 1, 2 and 3 had previously produced chairmen of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. It will be very unjust and unfair for the Chairmanship position in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area which was long zoned to Ibesikpo Ward 4 to be zoned now to Ibesikpo Ward 5. Please note that Ward 5 had produced a Vice Chairman for Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area in the person of Hon. Mbosowo Ekpenyong.”
The group, however, wants the governor to direct that the chairmanship position in the forthcoming local government election in the local government area be allowed to remain in Ibesikpo Ward 4 as was zoned, in the interest of peace, justice, fairness and equity.