The Peoples Democratic Party has agreed on the zoning of the governorship slot to the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, a move they described as history display of respect for zoning arrangement.
The Publicity Secretary of the party in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Borono Bassey, the decision to continue with the zoning arrangement was reached after the sensitisation tour of 10 federal constituencies in the state.
According to him, the PDP’s stakeholders also zoned Akwa Ibom Senatorial seat to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency; Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District to Uyo Federal Constituency, and Akwa Ibom North West to Abak Federal Constituency.
“At the last meeting of the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Akwa Ibom State, held on Thursday, April 14, 2022, various issues emanating from the just concluded PDP Federal Constituency Tour were deliberated upon.
“The issues derived from the presentation of stakeholders and members of our party during the Sensitization Tour across the ten (10) Federal Constituencies revolved majorly around the topic of zoning, unity of the party, among other cogent issues,” he said.
He added that the state exco of the party, after a robust session of deliberations on the issues arrived at zoning various positions based on zones.
2023 governorship election
Exco noted with a deep sense of satisfaction and appreciation that in a historic display of respect for the extant arrangement on zoning and rotation for the office of governor, members of our party have acknowledged that it is the turn of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District to produce a governor.
The respect is aptly demonstrated by the decision of members of the party from the two other Senatorial Districts not to make any move in indicating their interest to aspire for the position of governor in the 2023 elections.
Exco commended stakeholders and members from Ikot Ekpene and Eket Senatorial Districts for the patriotic demonstration of respect for the existing rotational arrangement, stressing that it will further strengthen the party, and give a sense of inclusion to all districts and deepen the taproot of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.
2023 senatorial district elections
After a thorough process of distilling a consensus from the dominant positions canvassed by elders, stakeholders and members of the party during the Federal Constituency tour, Exco resolved that the senatorial seats for the three (3) Senatorial Districts in the state have been zoned as follows: Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District; has been zoned to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency; Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, has been zoned to Uyo Federal Constituency, while the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District has been zoned to Abak Federal Constituency.
Speaking on the party’s unity, Bassey noted that the State Executive Committee of the PDP encourages members to uphold the current tempo of unity prevailing in the party.
He said: “This, exco noted that will make for the ease in our party’s plan to replicate the story of electoral victories it is famed for in all category of elections since the return of democracy.
“In all, our party, the PDP is deeply grateful to our members and indeed Akwa Ibom people for the unending demonstration of faith, and unwavering support for our party.
“We reiterate our pledge to continue to serve as the platform for the emergence of credible leaders who will continue to lead us towards the actualization of our common goal of progress and development.”