“Politicians parading as governorship aspirants for 2015 who are advocating vigorously for zoning are self-seeking individuals with no known record of community service and positive political history and may eventually become a distraction and a nuisance for the (Eket) senatorial district if not checked immediately.” With those pungent words, the Eket Senatorial District Consultative Assembly, an influential political and economic advisory group in Akwa Ibom State last Friday delivered a devastating blow to the early agitation for the zoning of the governorship seat in the 2015 election.
“The position of the Eket Senatorial District Consultative Assembly on this matter is that let the political space in Akwa Ibom be thrown open for all, and let the best man win in 2015.”
The group’s position is contained in a statement signed by its national president, Samuel David, the secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Ating and the public relations officer, Hon. Ubong Brown.
Eket Senatorial District Consultative Assembly, established in April 2002, is an advisory body on sensitive state and national issues. The Assembly has members – elders, seasoned technocrats and youths – drawn from the 12 local government areas that cover the Eket Senatorial District
The group which says it is adding its ‘voice of reasoning’ to the controversy over which political zone in Akwa Ibom should produce the next governor of the state, wants politicians from Eket senatorial district “to flaunt their political history, record of achievements, and proven capacity to deliver good governance to the people instead of hiding under a canopy called zoning”.
“The people of Eket Senatorial District have the right, just like every other Akwa Ibom person, to contest for the governorship of Akwa Ibom State, but we call on everyone to be very watchful so that the Senatorial district won’t fall into the trap of sacrificing excellence because of zoning,” the group stated further in its statement which impact is likely to resonate across the state in the coming days.
“Let us pick up the touch of leadership as handed over to us by the likes of Late Brig-Gen. U.J. Esuene and Dr. Clement Nyong Isong by putting forward our best materials who can stand tall among other leaders in Akwa Ibom so that ultimately the best man may win.”