The issue of zoning of the governorship position in the state reverberated on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the NUJ press center when a group, Akwa Ibom Democratic Project, lend its weight to the debate on zoning, insisting that going by history, there was no zoning for the governorship position. The group led by Etubom Aloysius Edet, said that his group was compelled by the ongoing maneuverings by aspirants, supporters and the insinuations making the rounds that the state governor had anointed some persons as possible successor to come out and make their position clear on a number of issues, especially as they concern zoning in the 2015 governorship race.
Relying on historical antecedents, the leader of AKDP, said zoning has never been recognized as an issue in the governorship election and selection process as there had never been any time that any zone had had a clear and unchallenged ascent to the governorship of Akwa Ibom state. Going memory lane, the AKDP leader traced the governorship race from the time of Obong Akpan Isemin down to the present occupant of the position, to show that in all the eras, all the three senatorial zones competed for the position, both at the party primary level and at the proper election, through opposing candidates from other parties.
“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 politician 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 districts of the State and actually 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, ANPP’s, 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.
“Available date shows that about 52 people from all the senatorial district in the State indicated interest and went ahead to obtain the party nomination even though some of them were screened out on account of faulty documentation. 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. Nsima Ekere from Eket senatorial district, contested the party primaries very strongly. At this point, rotation or zoning died on arrival in governorship elections in 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 to contest the election but Governor Akpabio won.
“For the 2015 election, no section or group of people should pontificate unreasonably, 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 we support this position strongly, because the political evolution of Akwa Ibom State as stated above has been our tradition.
“Therefore, it will be politically and historically incorrect to suggest that other senatorial districts should not present a candidate for the 2015 governorship elections”, the group argued.
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