The endorsement of Hon. Eduo took place at the meeting of the forum presided over by the chairman of Etim Ekpo Elders Forum and political leader of the Local Government Area, Obong Archibong S. Akpan.
The forum noted that since 2003, a precedent had been set in Etim Ekpo local government area, where an appointed Transition Chairman, normally metamorphoses into an elected council chairman without rancour.
The forum reasoned that within the zoning principle, it is just and fair for Hon. Udeme Eduo, who hails from Ward 8 in Obong clan to complete his term as elected chairman to make room for the other wards yet to occupy the seat.
The meeting, which unanimously ratified the zoning of political offices in the local government area on rotational basis among the five clans of Utu, Obong, Uruk, Ikono and Utut Annang, noted that the zoning principle started as far back as 1991.
In a letter addressed to the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, entitled RE: AFFIRMATION OF ZONING ARRANGEMENT IN ETIM EKPO LGA BY THE PDP ELDERS FORUM, the body said that the chairmanship position in the forthcoming local government council election was zoned to Obong clan.
The forum pledged its total loyalty and support to the administration of Gov. Udom Emmanuel and urged him to give approval to the zoning arrangement for the sake of peace, equity and fairness in the local government area.
In a related development, the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has expressed his support for the zoning arrangement in elective offices as a means to achieve peace and harmony in the polity.
Speaking with Government House Correspondents recently in Uyo, Gov. Emmanuel, advised all aspirants not favoured by zoning in the forthcoming council elections to jettison their ambitions.
“No matter who you are, we must abide by the zoning principle and we want to go with the popular candidate that everybody will be satisfied with.
“It is not a PDP matter, as far as Akwa Ibom is concerned, we want peace and that’s all. You must not govern at all cost, you must not be a Local Government Chairman at all cost,” the governor advised.
The governor explained that the zoning principle goes beyond political party and should be embraced to allow for peace in all the local government areas in the state.
Reacting to the development, the Etim Ekpo Transition Chairman, Hon. Udeme Eduo, commended the PDP Elders Forum for adhering to the principle of zoning and displaying patriotism in decision making in the local government area.
Eduo expressed optimism that the decision of the forum would foster unity, peace and harmony in the local government area and also create room for meaningful development.
The chairman acknowledged the accolade given him by an elder statesman in the Local Government Area, Retd D.I.G Udom Ekpoudom as reported in some local tabloids but disagreed with the statement credited to the retired D.I.G that the security challenges in the council area were beyond his capability.
Eduo explained that some instances of lawlessness were spill over from neighbouring local government areas with security challenges, stressing that he was capable of handling the situation given his robust relationship with various groups in the area including the security agencies.
The chairman debunked news reports in the Vanguard and Punch Newspapers of August 21, 2017 alleging that the Etim Ekpo Local Government Chairman was not cooperating with the police in the fight against crimes and cultism.
He said that the allegation of nonchalance against him by one Supol Chris concerning security issues according to the two newspapers were false, unfounded and misleading and could only be dismissed as cheap blackmail by political enemies in view of the forthcoming Local Government Council elections.
Eduo narrated his efforts at stemming the tide of insecurity in the Local Government Area to include the inauguration of a Peace Committee for Obong Ntak village headed by Bishop (Prof.) Ahaziah Umanah.
He said that the Local Government Council authority under his leadership as Transition Chairman has taken seriously the welfare of all security personnel posted to the area with regard to their accommodation, supply of food and potable water as well as other logistics.
Eduo said that the entire Local Government Area was under routine surveillance by the security operatives and relative peace had been restored in villages that hitherto had skirmishes such as Ikpe Annang, Uruk Ata II, Otoro Obong, Nto Utang and other adjoining villages.
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