Akwa Ibom Democratic Project Advertorial on Zoning

THE TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE AKWA IBOM DEMOCRATIC PROJECT (AKDP) THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER, 2011 AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTRE, UYO. AKWA IBOM STATE

PROTOCOL 
Gentlemen of the Press
INTRODUCTION 
The State Executive Council of Akwa Ibom Democratic Project met on the 12th of December, 2011 at the Secretariat f AKDP, No. 243 Oron Road, Uyo to review, among other things; the political trend and mix for the 2015 Governorship Race in Akwa Ibom State; the extent of preparation by groups, individuals, political parties for the 2015 Governorship Race in Akwa Ibom State; AKDP intervention scheme to contend and accommodate interest of numerous aspirations across the state; how to handle the on-going speculations that Governor Godswill Akpabio has anointed some persons as successors; reaching out to groups, individuals, organizations, etc. for AKDP interest in Akwa Ibom State Governorship Drive.
It is my privilege to address you today over is issues stated above as they are very dear to our organization-Akwaa Ibom Democratic Project (AKDP), the contending groups for 2015 Governorship race and indeed the good people of Akwa Ibm State. But to keep track with AKDP political schedule, I share with you AKDP’s position on governorship zoning with the Theme
“PROPONENTS OF ZONING IN 2015 AND THE BURDEN OF HISTORY”
In keeping with the recent development in Akwa Ibom State, it is important for us, as concerned stakeholders in the future of the state to issues the following statement of truth.
Every individual knows his history and should stand for the truth and point to the correct political history of events of the past, especially, in this regard, THE SELECTION OF GOVERNORS in Akwa Ibom State. Yes, we cannot claim ignorance of the participation of all areas in party primaries since the advent of the present democratic dispensation. Even from the first democratic experiment of 1991 after the creation of Akwa Ibom State, no section had been barred from contesting for the governorship of this State, as we shall see presently. Consequently, we appeal to our Royal fathers, political Elders, Youths, women, distinguished senators, Honourables and Quasi politicians to please stop inciting one group against the other, stop creating tension in the land and stop over heating the polity.
In 1991, there were two political parties, NRC and SDP. In NRC the late Obong Akpan Isemi from Uyo senatorial district contested the party primaries with Sir S.U. Akpan, a politican from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district and Dr. Mfon Amana from Eket senatorial district: Obog Akpan Isemin won. In SDP, Arc Ekong Etuk contested the party primaries with other sons of Akwa Ibom State from other senatorial district, it was okay. Though the democratic process was truncated by military intervention, the veil on politicking was again lifted in 1998.
In 1998, many political parties were registered to contest the 1999 general elections, among which was PDP. In the governorship election primaries of the PDp back then, many people declared their interest from all the senatorial district of the State and autually contested the primaries. From Uyo senatorial district was Obong Victor Attah, late EtukUdo Ekpro and Dr. Ekeng Anamdu; Ikot Ekpene senatorial district had Dr. Ime Okopido, Dr. David Ekanem and from Eket senatorial district was Mr. Benjamin Okoko. Again it was okay.
In 2003, Obong Attah, as a sitting governor, wanted a second term as guaranteed by the constitution of the federal republic; no automatic ticket was given to him. He still had to face serious opposition within the PDP from Eket senatorial district. Obong Attah was made to contest the party primaries with Dr. Samuel Udonsak, Engr. Etim Okpoyo and Mr. Benjamin Okoko, all of Eket senatorial district. From the opposition party, ANPPs, Dr. Ime Umana from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district contested the general election with Obong Attah. Still it was okay.
In 2007, the PDP primaries saw an array of Akwa Ibom sons and daughters filing out and putting themselves forward to be chosen to fly the party flag.
Availbale date shows that about 52 people from all the senatorial district in the State indicated interest and went ahead to obtain the party nomination eventhough some of them were screened out on account of faulty documenation. But suffice it to note here that, this was in spite of Obong Attah’s genuine desire to see to the end of the unnecessary struggle, by insisting that Ikot Ekpene senatorial district should take the turn. This wise decision was unacceptable to our brothers from Eket senatorial district. In that election, Mr. Larry Esin and the incumbent deputy governor, Mr. Nisma Ekere from Eket senatorial district, contested the party primaries very strongly. At this point, rotation or zoning died on arrival in governorship electionin Akwa Ibom State. But he Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio from Ikot Ekpene district won because of his grassroots appeal.
In 2011, the event of the 2003 nomination repeated itself. An incumbent was contesting for re-election as of right, but true to the tradition of throwing the PDP nomination process open, many people joined the fray and they were cleared tocontest the election but Governor Akpabio won.
For the 2015 election, no section or group of people should pontificate unreasonabley, because there is an established tradition of election contest in Akwa Ibom State. If we, as a people, could not defer to a sitting governor the right to contest the election without a challenge, then it is extremely inappropriate for any group to arrogate the right to probate and reprobate. Like the Elders of Uyo senatorial district rightly pointed out, there is no zoning of governorship position in Akwa Ibom State, and wesupport this position strongly, because the poltical evolution of Akwa Ibom State as stated above has been our traditio.
Therefore, it will be politically and historically incorrect to suggest that other senatorial districts should not present a candidate for the 2015 governorship elections.
Akwa Ibom Democratci project (AKDP)
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