The Itu and Ibiono Ibom Youth Leaders Forum in Akwa Ibom has kicked against the imposition of an aspirant under any guise, declaring that this could bring about the end of Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Recall that Governor Udom Emmanuel had on Sunday, January 30, 2022, presented his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umoh Eno to PDP stakeholders in the state as his preferred successor.
The forum called on the Governor to be democratic in his approach towards supporting his preferred candidate by separating and distinguishing his official position from his personal and private capacity in influencing and or imposing a person or aspirant on the state.
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Addressing a press conference under the aegis of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Youth Leaders Forum in Uyo on Tuesday, Barr Bassey Bassey Etim urged the Governor to refrain from using state resources to advance the political interest of an individual.
According to the youths, it was the turn of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency to produce the next Governor for Akwa Ibom State.
”Gentlemen, in 1999 two prominent sons of Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency; Obong Nsima Umoh (Abai Ibiono) and Late Obong Ebong Okon (OFR) stepped out to contest the gubernatorial election, but through the understanding midwifed by Stakeholders like Senator Anietie Okon, Chief Itak Bob Ekarika, Chief Otu Robert Akpan, Senator Ibok Essien , Otuekong Don Etiebet and Late Senator Etang Umoeyo etc., engendered the emergence of Obong Victor Attah as a consensus candidate of the party, on that accord Itu/Ibiono federal constituency were shown reasons to wait for the next turn, which is now.
”In 2014, when one of our sons from the federal constituency, Obong Bassey Albert indicated interest for the position, stakeholders in the state, including, the then governor, His Excellency Obong Godswill Obot Akpabio, all impressed on the federal constituency to allow Eket senatorial district to take a shot. It was further agreed at the town hall meeting organized by the Party stakeholders at the Kennedy Ekong Hall, Itu Local Government Council, that when the governorship returns to Uyo senatorial district, that it shall be the turn of Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency in the spirit of justice, equity and fair play,’’ they recalled.
“Greatly dissatisfied by this undemocratic action which is a clear breach of obvious unwritten accord of relevant stakeholder as it were on the zoning of the governorship position in Uyo senatorial district. We the Youth Leaders of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency state as follows:
“That His Excellency the Governor of Akwa Ibom State should not breach the accord that had existed, in micro zoning the governorship position to Etinan federal constituency being part of the old Uyo in the then Uyo Conference District that already had one of their sons in person of Obong Akpan Isemin occupy the office. This would be a clear injustice to Itu/Ibion Ibom federal constituency
“That His Excellency is democratic in his approach towards supporting his preferred candidate by separating and distinguishing his official position from his personal and private capacity in influencing and or imposing a person or aspirant on the state. To this extent, we pray that His Excellency refrains from using state resources for a person as against the corporate interest of the state.
“That the state chairman of our dear party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party must maintain a high level of neutrality in the forthcoming primaries and should act and be seen and adjudged by his conducts as being fatherly to all shade of persons and aspirants devoid of biases of any kind.
“That the governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel should allow the people of the state – the men, the women, the youths and indeed generality of the qualified voting populace of Akwa Ibomites to choose who becomes their next governor. This would be in sync with the governor’s principle as he particular expressed in the 2019 general elections that “no single person can choose who to lead the state and who not to lead”.
“That the Governor can support whosoever he chooses but not to overtly or covertly coerce appointees or political office holders with threats of sanction or falling out of his favour for failing to support his preferred aspirant or candidates, and or expressing their supports for other aspirants. Otherwise, imposition of any guise will certainly bring the existence of our party in Akwa Ibom State to an end, while promoting other political parties.
“Finally, that in line with the Maintain Peace Mantra of this administration, we state that peace is predicated on the principle of justice, equity and good conscience. To this end, we appeal to the consciences of the leaders and stakeholders of the state, and particularly, the governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to allow the opportunity for Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency to produce the next governor of the state come 2023,” the youths stated.
