Youths demand zoning of A’Ibom South Senatorial seat to Ikot Abasi

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

Youth leaders in the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District have demanded that the senatorial seat be zoned to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency for fairness, justice, and equity.

The youth leaders made their position known in a communique read by the youth leader, Mr Theodore’s William, after their meeting in Eket, on Wednesday.

According to William, although zoning arrangement is not codified in any law in existence in the state, he added that the sacred convention has saved the senatorial district from political tension.

He stated that the new political dispensation demands Ikot Abasi to go for senate, stressing that all the three federal constituencies have taken their turns of eight years respectively.

“Historically, on the political arena, the Senate seat in this district has long taken a scared zoning pattern.

“The Senate seat had adopted a natural zoning pattern within these three federal constituencies.

“In 1979, Sen. Victor Akan of blessed memories represented the now Oron Federal Constituency at the Senate during the botched 3rd Republic.

“In 1992, Sen. Etang Edet Umoyo, now late represented Eket Senatorial District on the term of Eket Federal Constituency even though the Third Republic was short-lived.

“At the birth of the fourth republic, the elders and leaders of Eket Senatorial District were committed and saw the need to sustain and promote the zoning pattern in the senatorial district.

“To that end, the slot for the Senate seat was zoned to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency which prior to this time, had not had a shot and this led to the emergence of Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma.

“With the commencement of the new chapter of zoning, the lot falls on the turn of Ikot Abasi federal constituency to started the second round,” William said.

He said as youth leaders and custodians of the conscience, safety, advancement, and prosperity of the senatorial district, they will not sit down, fold arms and watch people throw the area into calamity.

He added that the youth leaders in Akwa Ibom South senatorial district would not recognize any aspirant outside Ikot Abasi federal constituency.

He said that the essence of zoning was to reduce the complaints of marginalisation by different ethnic groups.