February 07, (THEWILL) – Traditional Rulers in Itu Federal Constituency have debunked in strong terms speculations on social media space, that they planned a meeting to insight their subjects to revolt against the choice of Pastor Umo Eno as Governor Udom Emmanuel’s successor in 2023.
The Royal Fathers who rose from a crucial meeting of stakeholders of the two Local Government Areas: Itu and Ibiono Ibom, which makes up the Federal Constituency held at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Ime Udousoro Inyang in Ikot Udom, Ibiono Ibom LGA, said the meeting was to pacify the youths of the constituency, who had started protests against perceived Injustice from escalating.
Speaking at the event, the host, Edidem Inyang noted that traditional rulers are part of government whose part is to ensure peace and order in their respective domains and as such cannot fight or disobey Government orders.
“Our Federal Constituency has been marginalized over time, if you respect God, please listen to me. We had expected that the governoship position in 2023 will come to Itu or Ibiono Ibom. Since the recent pronouncement that did not favour us, my subjects, especially the youths protested to the palace and as traditional rulers, we are closed to Government so we pleaded that those protesting should be calm and we discovered they were peaceful and did not insult anybody.
“We decided to call for this crucial meeting, irrespective of party affiliation to reason together and come out with the best approach to tackle the situation at hand before it escalates.
“I am so disappointed that immediately the invitation for the meeting was made public, political jobers took to social media cast aspirations and understand the integrity of the Royal Fathers in Itu Federal Constituency, saying we planned to insight youths in the area against government.
“We are part of government and we cannot disobey the orders of government. I am pleading with you please; don’t consider the insul, keep calm. We called this meeting to put heads together and decide the best way forward.” The Royal father explained in venacular.
Collaborating, the Paramount Ruler of Itu Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Edet says the traditional rulers are saddled with the task to ensure that; every family, village, state and the country is in peace as such it was impossible for them to fold arms and watch things go wrong in the state and not call for peace.
Describing the rumor as an insult on their status and pleaded on behalf of the Federal constituency to be included in the scheme of things.
“Ours is a cry and not a fight. No one can fight the government with all their penaphenalia of office but we know very well that we will have what we want.” The royal father noted.
After a crucial deliberation on matters affecting the area, a communique issued by the stakeholders resolved that: the meeting, convened at the instance of the stakeholders of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, was to review recent political developments in the state.
The communique drafting committee which was chaired by Dr. Nsima Edet and had Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, Mr. Etorobong Inyang and Barr. Bassey Ekerete as members. affirmed that Akwa Ibom State was founded on six (6) divisions of Abak, Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Itu, Opobo (Ikot Abasi), and Uyo, and that on account of political expediency, two of the divisions were merged to form a Senatorial District, namely, Abak and Ikot Ekpene in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District; Eket and Opobo (Ikot Abasi) in Eket Senatorial District; and Uyo and Itu in Uyo Senatorial District;
The communique noted that Uyo Senatorial District has three Federal Constituencies of Etinan, Itu and Uyo, stating that Akwa Ibom state started the rotation principle of gubernatorial office in 1992, with Etinan Federal Constituency that produced candidates for the two political parties, the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“This arrangement produced His Excellency, Obong Akpan Isemin as the first civilian Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The rotation principle was sustained and in 1999, Obong Victor Attah of Uyo Federal Constituency in Uyo Senatorial District emerged as the governor of the state.
“With the position of governorship returning to Uyo Senatorial District in 2023, the stakeholders demand that all political parties in Akwa Ibom State should pick their candidates from Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, which has never tasted the position before.
“The people of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency have resolved to unite to sensitize the people of Akwa Ibom state on the need to uphold the principle of rotation in order to ensure equity, justice, and good conscience.” The six points communique maintained.
About the Author
