A’Ibom: Graveyard Peace In Ukanafun Over Assembly Seat
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A graveyard peace now pervades Ukanafun, Akwa Ibom State, where the leaders and stakeholders are making frantic efforts to douse tension and resolve issues around a second term mandate for the state house of assembly seat.
The incumbent, Dr Charity Ido and an aide of the governor, Emem Udom have been fighting over the seat. While Ido believes it was her right to return to the Assembly for a second term, Udom believes the turn of Ukanafun bloc had expired and it was only proper for her to give way, in line with an age-long zoning arrangement between Ukanafun and Afaha blocs.
Last week, major stakeholders from Ukanafun Local Government met and resolved that Ido could not go for a second term. It was learnt that more than 95 per cent of those who attended the meeting actually spoke in favour of the sustenance of the zoning policy.
But Ido is still fighting on and it is not clear how it will end. Her position is that it was necessary to do away with the zoning policy so that Ukanafun could begin to have ranking members of the house of assembly.
Amended Electoral Act: When Will Amaechi, Akpabio, Umo Eno, Other Appointees Resign?
The stakeholders, in a communiqué they signed and released on Monday, said:
“The meeting held at the instance of and presided over by the political leader Ukanafun Local Government Area Rt.Hon (Obong)Eno S. Akpan, who gave a welcome remark appreciating the unity and cordial relationship among the political class in Ukanafun LGA ; appreciating the peace that has prevailed in the Area over years the previous unrest thanking His Excellency, the executive governor for sustaining peace, thanking God for keeping all the stake holders and others alive and making us to be responsible citizens of Ukanafun LGA, participating effectively in the political developmental affairs of the LGA the State particularly the unfolding political dispensation which is the reason for the gathering urged the stakeholders to continue to live together and to maintain the prevailing peace in the Area and beyond.
At the end of the meeting and after an exhaustive discussion on some the topical, critical and burning issues on the affairs of the state, Ukanafun/OrukAnam Federal Constituency and the Ukanafun State Constituency, the following resolutions were taken:
“That we commend the pace-setting role of His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in the administration of the State for the past six and a half years.
Amended Electoral Act: When Will Amaechi, Akpabio, Umo Eno, Other Appointees Resign?
“That Ukanafun appreciates and remains eternally grateful to His Excellency for the peace we have enjoyed in the local government area for the past three years.
“That we support totally, the peace maintenance move enunciated by His Excellency and the Completion Agenda.
“That we commend His Excellency for the developmental strides, achievements and successes recorded thus far, particularly the provisions of infrastructural amenities, the Ibom Air, the 21 -Storey Intelligence Building, the various industries established in the State, the progress towards the commencement of work on the Ibom Deep sea port, actions taken to ensure resumption of work and completion of the Ukanafun General Hospital, the security apparatus put in place for the peace and security in the state among other achievements.
“That we commend His Excellency for the choice of a successor, with a promise to identify with, embrace and support the completion Agenda of His Excellency.
“That we specially appreciate His Excellency for retaining the position of the state Chairman of the PDP in Ukanafun LGA and the choice of Rt.Hon. Elder Aniekan Simon Akpan as the State Chairman of the party and thank His Excellency for finding many sons and daughters of Ukanafun LGA worthy to occupy and serve in sensitive positions in the state, while we request for more of such appointments.
“That we commend the State Chairman of PDP, Rt. Hon. Elder Aniekan Simon Akpan for the excellent leadership and maturity demonstrated thus far in the running of the party, making the party the choice of almost all political aspirants in the state which has attracted the return of many that left the party for one reason or the other.
“That we pass a resounding Vote of Absolute Confidence on His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Executive Governor of the State and his administration.
“That we commend the member representing Ukanafun/OrukAnam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Unyime Idem, the member representing Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr. Charity Ido and the Executive Chairman, Ukanafun Local Government Council, Hon. Pastor Godwin Inyieng, for their good, effective and outstanding representations and performances thus far and urging them to do more.
“That for fairness, equity, good conscience, peace and co-existence; and considering the effective, creditable and surpassing performance of Rep. Unyime Idem in the Green Chambers, coupled with the fact that the immediate past member that represented Ukanafun/OrukAnam Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, served an unbroken two (2) terms of Eight (8) years; that the current member who has demonstrated excellence in his representation be and is hereby adopted to serve an unbroken two terms of Eight (8) years in the House of Representatives and therefore be returned for a Second Term for 2023 — 2027
“That the Ukanafun Stakeholders commend and appreciate the Anam Stakeholders for their understanding and co-operation in this regard.
“That for fairness, equity, good conscience, peace and mutual co-existence; and coupled with the fact that the immediate past member that represented Ukanafun State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly served interrupted Single Term of Four (4) years; that over theyears this seat rotates on a Single Term basis between Ukanafun and Afaha political blocs, and in view of the prevailing fragile political atmosphere and environment in the Area, the Ukanafun State House of Assembly seat is accordingly zoned to the Afaha political bloc.
Amended Electoral Act: When Will Amaechi, Akpabio, Umo Eno, Other Appointees Resign?
“That anybody or person(s) found challenging and/or violating or aiding and abetting the violation of this Resolution shall be sanctioned by the Stakeholders.
Those who endorsed the communiqué include Obong Eno S. Akpan, Political Leader, Ukanafun LGA, Pastor] Godwin Inyieng, Chairman, Ukanafun LGA, Elder Godwin Ekpe, Jp, Chapter chairman, PDP, Ukanafun LGA, Chief Senas Ukpanah, Former minister of the FRN, Rt.Hon. (Obong) Saturday Akpan, Commissioner 1.LGSC.
Others who also signed were Barr. Samuel Udoko, former Chairman, Ukanafun LGA, Dcns. (Mrs.) Iniobong Okongnko, former Board member, AKS, Engr. Ekpenyong Udo Ekpenyong, Coordinator, MPM, Ukanafun chapter, Hon. (Mrs.) Inemesit Caleb, Vice Chairman, Ukanafun LGA, Bishop Moswil Umoh, Rep of CAN, Ukanafun chapter, Elder Imoh Emeh, Int’l President Emeritus, Ati Annang, Hon. Otobong Akpan, former member, AKHA.
The rest are Nseobong Umanah, former Chairman, Ukanafun LGA, Dcn. Ndiana-Abasi Udom, SSA/Coordinator Department of Multilateral and Donor Agency, Hon. Elder Nsikanabasi Umoekpo, SA to the Governor, AKS, Hon. Isaac Ukutt, Board member, AKS, Hon. Umakiso Victor Umoh, former Vice Chairman, Ukanafun LGA, Mr Census Ekpu, former Commissioner, AKS, Hon.Uduak Essien, former Chairman, Ukanafun LGA, Mrs. Ofonime Ikoh, Women Leader, PDP, Ukanafun chapter, Abasiyanga-owo Obot, leader, Ukanafun Legislature, Hon.Sunday Demas, House Leader, Ukanafun Legislature, Etini Akpaneyen, Youth Representative.
