The build-up has been nothing short of intriguing. Kick-off is in sight. Interests and counter interests are wafting with heightened tempo. Truth be told, ‘Akwa Ibom State 2023 Governorship’ is now on the front burner, and is not dissipating anytime soon.
Aspirants are popping up across the state. They have come with truckloads of ideas and visions, and are claiming to have what it takes to lead Akwa Ibom State to the proverbial Utopia. The plurality of interests makes the race even more interesting.
In spite of the plurality of interests and other tinges, the singular theme which has seemingly earned consensus endorsement is zoning. It is generally reasoned that the current governorship zoning arrangement be maintained. Worthy of mention is the realization that the current zoning agreement somewhat transcends political divides.
On zoning, plurality of interests pops up again. Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, whose son, the incumbent governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, will quit office in May, 2023, has some aspirants indicating interests. Aspirants have also emerged from Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District, whose son, Chief Godswill Akpabio, held sway for two terms spanning from 2007 to 2015.
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But the popular school of thought is that it is Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District’s turn to produce a Governor to succeed Mr Udom Emmanuel. The agitation has earned widespread support in the polity. The advocacy is said to be hinged on the need for equity and fairness. Since the zoning arrangement was established, it is widely expected that its principle be respected ahead of what would be the 24th anniversary of the current democratic experiment in the state in 2023.
The currently practiced gubernatorial zoning formula, where power rotates within the three senatorial districts of the state, has been in vogue since 1999. Obong Victor Attah from Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District governed from 1999 to 2007; Chief Godswill Akpabio took the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District governorship slot from 2007 to 2015.
The incumbent Governor Udom Emmanuel, who hails from Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, will down tools in 2023 after he must have served for a-two-term of eight years, like his successors.
As it returns to Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District in 2023, which kick-started it in 1999, most aspirants and their supporters from the district as well as pundits are angling for internal democracy in the zone.
Interestingly, the call for internal democracy in the zone has deepened the narrative. Apart from the fear of imposing a candidate, there are calls that micro-zoning be entrenched in the zone.
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In the favoured Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District are Uyo Federal Constituency, Etinan Federal Constituency and Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
The internal clamour of the Itu/Ibiono Ibom bloc is that they be allowed by their Uyo Federal Constituency and Etinan Federal Constituency neighbours to produce a Governor in 2023. Their point is that Uyo Federal Constituency had Obong Victor Attah from 1999 to 2007 while Etinan Federal Constituency had the first Civilian Governor of the state, Obong Akpan Isemin, of blessed memory, who governed between January 1992 and November 1993 during the Third Civilian Republic.
Etinan Federal Constituency also produced the late Retired Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga as the first indigenous military governor of Akwa Ibom State. His tenure spanned from September 1990 to January 1992. Within the Senatorial District, it is therefore only Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency that has not had a bite of the cherry since the created of Akwa Ibom State in 1987.
A valid case has therefore been made by the Itu- Ibiono Ibom bloc. The idea has garnered support from within and without. One of the promoters of the agitation is the Eastern Ibibio People’s Association (EIPA), a group of like-minds from Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Ini and Ikono Local Government Areas. Led by Barr. Eteyen Archibong, the forum insists that the next governor must emerge from Itu/ Ibiono Ibom axis for better cohesion of the state and equitable distribution of development.
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The group also insists that an Itu/ Ibiono Ibom governorship slot would end the marginalisation and underdevelopment of the Eastern Ibibio axis, unite the Ibibios and strengthen democracy across the state.
The group has been mobilizing support for the agitation via grassroots sensitization as well as consultative visits to stakeholders, organizations, political office holders, the traditional institution and other relevant authorities. They have been quite unequivocal in their demand. The forum is just one in a long list of forums pushing the advocacy.
Going by the zoning antecedents, Itu/ Ibiono Ibom surely have a good case.
