When the agitation for the principle of political equity to be adhered in Akwa Ibom State gained momentum sometime last year, the word “Zoning” became a controversial vocabulary, with proponents and opponents heating up the polity as if Armageddon was at hand.
Democracy, being a designed module of governance for the people, by the people and the people could not allow any contrary view or concept come to play in the then raging debate of zoning in the state. The wishes of the people for equity had its way, and the gubernatorial slot for the 2015 governorship race was zoned to Eket Senatorial District.
It is very important to put the record straight that it was not Governor Godswill Akpabio that singularly zoned the position to Eket Senatorial District as erroneously inferred in some quarters but credit must go to him for keying into the popular demand of the people and for being resolute in his admission that equity must prevail through zoning.
His Excellency, the Governor has demonstrated that he is a democrat of modern mien whose vision and mission gives plurality to the true meaning of democracy. Governor Akpabio’s purported manipulation of democratic tenets by way of attempted imposition of a personal candidate on the people as Governor of the State come 2015 is to me a hearsay. He has the right to vote for a person of his choice in any given election. He can also lobby people to vote for his preferred choice but not imposition. The Governor cannot impose any person on the people of Akwa Ibom State as his successor because he was not imposed on the people.
Whatever goes on in the rumour mill for now is part of things that puts colour and beauty to democracy but the fact remains that equity has come to play and stay in the body polity of Akwa Ibom State. Eket Senatorial District will produce the next Governor of the State but the mantle will fall on Eket Local Government Area. Eket Local Government Area is by providence the mother of the Senatorial District. Whatever is given to the district must start from Eket, because it is the third leg of the now abused political tripod of the state. The Area is noted, right from the days of Brigadier General U. J. Esune, for service delivery. It has enough qualified manpower and competent administrators to run the affairs of the State to the admiration of the entire world.
Without prejudice, it will suffice to point out that since the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987, Eket is the only area that has been shortchanged in the sharing formula of the hilltop mansion even as Deputy Governor.
So, come soon, the people of Eket Senatorial District should give Eket Local Government Area the needed cooperation to produce Governor Akpabio’s successor. It is the just thing to do without any colouration of ethnicity and acrimony. Let us unite for the interest of the State. The mantle of leadership is ordained by God and He has destined Eket as a mother of twelve children to lead the entire State into a destination of abundance through industrialization, massive employment, unity, food security and peace come 2015.
Governor Godswill Akpabio has done the State proud through infrastructural development but we are yet to get to our destination as a people.
We long to see an Akwa Ibom State that will become a toast of other states in Nigeria, a State where its people will once again speak with one voice as in the days of Ibibio State Union, a State where peace will eternally reign in the heart of our people irrespective of tribe and tongue because of contentment, a State where its resourceful and brilliant youths will no longer settle for menial jobs in other climes because back at home there are job opportunities.
Eket is known for quality service and excellence, a Governor from Eket will not depart from the path of excellence via the instrumentalities of governance.
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