Political history across nations of the world, developed or developing, has shown and proven beyond debates, that for any nation or state to thrive in unity and peace and enjoy some level of sustainable development, the citizens in the country must be given the privilege to participate in the decision making process of the governing system. This is even more so where such a people claim to practice democracy.
This fundamental tenet of democracy has informed Nigeria and States in the country adopting zoning to promote the inclusiveness of both the major and minor ethnic groups in the society, to technically checkmate the tyranny of number which, if allowed, can make minced meat of democracy in the negative.
Interestingly, Akwa Ibom State has benefitted from this unifying principle since its creation in 1987 till today, as things stand presently.
For instance, since 1999, the watershed year of unmitigated democracy, stakeholders have always made sure that critical positions across the tripod that defines Akwa Ibom’s anthropology are deliberately rotated amongst the three ( Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket) senatorial districts in the State. This has worked well so far.
Related: Guber 2023: Settling the Zoning Question
It is on record that, Obong Victor Attah, from Uyo Senatorial District governed as a governor from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007.
After his political tenure, the Governorship seat was appropriately zoned to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, ushering in Chief Godswill Akpabio as Governor from May 29, 2007 to May 29, 2015.
At present, Eket Senatorial District where the incumbent Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel hails from was given the opportunity to benefit from this laudable political arrangement often touted as unwritten code. Like Attah and Akpabio, Gov Emmanuel is also taking eight years, which runs till 2023.
From the reflection above, it is imperative to note that the political shifting policy which is synonymous to zoning has created a mutual understanding among the various stakeholders and political gladiators in the State.
The political arrangement has been so generously endorsed by all that matter that even tribal groups eagerly waiting for their slots, never saw it as arm-twisting when it was never their turn. They wait patiently for the tilting of the scale to be in their favour in order to also keep the golden key to the Hilltop Mansion. This prized slice of our political commonwealth is usually regarded as the lion’s share in all that is to be given on calculus.
The zoning feature has also created a peaceful political environment and arrangements through which Akwa Ibom indigenes feel recognized, accommodated and has also given them sense of belonging.
Related: Akwa Ibom Governorship 2023: Itu/ Ibiono Ibom Have A Good Case
However, the power shifting may not be a silver bullet or permanent remedy to the multifarious challenges facing the state or the nation, but the policy can be considered as the first step towards ensuring that the right atmosphere is set in motion towards distributing power and promoting national unity in the land.
Introspectively, in the next two years, the 2023 gubernatorial baton will be left hanging in the air for a grab and, according to the play cards of zoning, it is apparent that it has been zoned to Itu/Ibono Ibom in Uyo Senatorial District.
But will their dream come true? Will the principle of zoning in the state be miscalculated in 2021 against the 2023 governorship elections? Or will the Itu/Ibiono people be allowed to have a fair trial in the upcoming gubernatorial election in the state?
Reviewing these questions, it is pertinent to have a clear picture of the past power shifting in Uyo Senatorial district. The district actually covers nine (9) local government areas which consist of Ibiono Ibom, Itu, Uyo, Uruan, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Etinan and Nsit Ubium.
The nine Local government areas also called Akwa Ibom North-East actually embody the three Federal Constituencies namely: Uyo/ Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan; Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium and Itu / Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
It is on record that the two federal Constituencies (Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan and Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium) had produced two democratic governors in the state in the persons of Obong (Arc.) Victor Attah and Late Obong Akpan Isemin. Also, the pioneer military governor of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Idongesit O. Nkanga (of blessed memory) hailed from Nsit Ibom in Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency.
According to the existing political arrangement, it is therefore the turn of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Constituency to grease the governorship seat in 2023 having been the only constituency in the district without a governorship seal.
Conscientious stakeholders maintain that, by the principle of rotation and zoning, this is the moment that is not negotiable for Itu/Ibiono, and must not be struggled with by other senatorial districts.
The above notion marks one of thousand reasons the people of Itu- Ibiono Constituency deserve to clamour for the power stool to stay within the Constituency, having contributed immensely for other constituencies to have a feel of victory in most gubernatorial elections in the state through these historical political arrangements.
Besides, to allow the governorship slot to be zoned to Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency would end the recurrent complaints of marginalisation and underdevelopment in the axis.
Perhaps, if the zoning does not occur, the indigenes will feel relegated and this can truncate the unity blocks the diverse ethnic groups in the state have built. It might also sprout up so much hatred and bitterness across the Ibibios in the state.
So for this menace to be avoided in our dear state, the 2023 gubernatorial election must be shifted to Itu/Ibiono Ibom so that the peaceful political bloc can be maintained.
For a fact, this constituency remains one of the most neglected in terms of infrastructure and related development indices of governance, compared to other senatorial/federal constituencies that have produced governors.
Of course, Itu/Ibiono is also seen as the food basket of the state, but has no roads to take the produce to the markets. Above all, it has in surplus all classes of human resources to handle any leadership position.
Categorically, Itu/Ibiono people have developed and demonstrated capacity and unmistaken readiness to occupy the Hilltop Mansion come 2023. Denying them this long-awaited opportunity, would be tantamount to broad daylight robbery.
Amidst the permutations and gerrymandering, Governor Udom Emmanuel who is not pretending about his desire and determination to produce a successor of his volition and choice should not forget the past or sacrifice justice on the altar of personal convenience.
The governor should be mindful that he does not, by words and action, become the irony of the Peace Mass Movement that he has midwifed to prosecute his 2023 intentions.
How Governor Emmanuel wants history and Akwa Ibom people to remember him on this matter is left for him and time.
