By the Guide Newspaper
A renowned socio-political group in Akwa Ibom State, Ibibio Vanguard has written an open letter to Senator Godswill Akpabio warning that if the long-established zoning arrangement in Akwa Ibom State is disrupted in 2027, the Ibibio will also end zoning in 2031.
The Ibibio Vanguard made their position known in an open letter written to senate president last Monday 23rd March and made available to the Guide Newspaper.
Part of the letter read: “The Ibibio Vanguard watches with sadness as we witness recent political developments in Akwa Ibom State. It is concerning that there appears to be an agreement involving senators, members of the State House of Assembly, and members of the House of Representatives, for all to return to office for second, third, fourth terms, and beyond.
As it stands, the governor has automatically destroyed the very ladder that brought him into power. He has dismantled the mechanisms that made his emergence as the governor of Akwa Ibom State possible, and one of the greatest of such mechanisms is the long-established zoning arrangement in the state. Equally worthy of note is that this same zoning principle played a crucial role in the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio as governor of Akwa Ibom State against all odds. Therefore, if Governor Umo Eno wants to destroy what the people believe will give another opportunity for an Annang man to become governor in 2031, then Senator Akpabio must not be part of such an arrangement.”Ibibio Vanguard further warned in their letter that: “If Senator Godswill Akpabio allows himself to be used at this moment against the very people he will need tomorrow, then he should understand clearly that the people may fail him. We want to remind Senator Godswill Akpabio that people stood by him even when Umo Eno was campaigning against him. People defended him with everything they had even when Umo Eno was working against him. Therefore, whatever political agreement exists, Senator Godswill Akpabio must not allow himself to be seen as an enemy of those who stood by him over the years, or as an enemy of the Ibibio people –the largest ethnic group in the state.”
The group noted that Chief Godswill Akpabio is a friend of the Ibibio people and a supporter of zoning and urged him in their letter to resist the trap that Governor Umo Eno is setting against him and his people.
“We acknowledge that Chief Godswill Akpabio has always been a friend to the Ibibio people and a supporter of zoning. He must therefore resist this trap that Umo Eno is setting against him and his people, because this will not bring unity to the state and will extend beyond 2027. If it is said today that there is no zoning in the state, then the people will not want to hear anything about zoning for governorship in 2031.
If the Senate President cannot bring something tangible to the state, even when the Governor has aligned with the center, or attract a national project that will bring the President to commission it as a federal government project, then he should not destroy the very system the people will depend on tomorrow.
He must not allow the future of the Annang people to be destroyed. He must also exonerate himself, because what is happening now gives the impression that there is an agreement between him and the Governor. If indeed there is an understanding to dismantle zoning across local governments, federal constituencies, and senatorial districts, then it must be clearly addressed, because such actions will ensure that zoning does not stand in 2031.”
Ibibio Vanguard in their letter urged the senate president to come out openly and exonerate himself from the ongoing campaign to destroy the zoning arrangement in the state.
“The Senate President must come out clearly to tell the people of Akwa Ibom State that he has no involvement in destroying zoning in the local governments. Let it be made clear that if zoning is being dismantled, it is solely the doing of the Governor. If the Senate President fails to clarify his position, it will simply mean that he is an accomplice in this development against his people.
The Senate President must understand that he is not the first prominent son of Annang land, and by God’s grace, he will not be the last. He must act quickly to ensure that he does not close the door against other Annang sons and daughters who may rise to positions of authority in the future.
He must resist any attempt by any person or group to use his name to destroy zoning in the state, which remains the very tool his people are relying on to produce a Governor in 2031. However, if it is truly the position of the Annang people that zoning should no longer exist, then as the most senior political office holder from the area, he may proceed. But if he knows that zoning will still be needed in the near future to achieve their goals, then he and his people must respect zoning in 2027, because whatever position is taken now will certainly continue into 2031.”
Read Full Letter Below 👇
OPEN LETTER TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
2027 ELECTION: If Senator Godswill Akpabio Ends Zoning in 2027, the Ibibio people will also End Zoning in 2031
The Ibibio Vanguard watches with sadness as we witness recent political developments in Akwa Ibom State. It is concerning that there appears to be an agreement involving senators, members of the State House of Assembly, and members of the House of Representatives, for all to return to office for second, third, fourth terms, and beyond.
As it stands, the governor has automatically destroyed the very ladder that brought him into power. He has dismantled the mechanisms that made his emergence as the governor of Akwa Ibom State possible, and one of the greatest of such mechanisms is the long-established zoning arrangement in the state. Equally worthy of note is that this same zoning principle played a crucial role in the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio as governor of Akwa Ibom State against all odds. Therefore, if Governor Umo Eno wants to destroy what the people believe will give another opportunity for an Annang man to become governor in 2031, then Senator Akpabio must not be part of such an arrangement.
If Senator Godswill Akpabio allows himself to be used at this moment against the very people he will need tomorrow, then he should understand clearly that the people may fail him. We want to remind Senator Godswill Akpabio that people stood by him even when Umo Eno was campaigning against him. People defended him with everything they had even when Umo Eno was working against him. Therefore, whatever political agreement exists, Senator Godswill Akpabio must not allow himself to be seen as an enemy of those who stood by him over the years, or as an enemy of the Ibibio people –the largest ethnic group in the state.
We acknowledge that Chief Godswill Akpabio has always been a friend to the Ibibio people and a supporter of zoning. He must therefore resist this trap that Umo Eno is setting against him and his people, because this will not bring unity to the state and will extend beyond 2027. If it is said today that there is no zoning in the state, then the people will not want to hear anything about zoning for governorship in 2031.
If the Senate President cannot bring something tangible to the state, even when the Governor has aligned with the center, or attract a national project that will bring the President to commission it as a federal government project, then he should not destroy the very system the people will depend on tomorrow.
He must not allow the future of the Annang people to be destroyed. He must also exonerate himself, because what is happening now gives the impression that there is an agreement between him and the Governor. If indeed there is an understanding to dismantle zoning across local governments, federal constituencies, and senatorial districts, then it must be clearly addressed, because such actions will ensure that zoning does not stand in 2031.
The Senate President must come out clearly to tell the people of Akwa Ibom State that he has no involvement in destroying zoning in the local governments. Let it be made clear that if zoning is being dismantled, it is solely the doing of the Governor. If the Senate President fails to clarify his position, it will simply mean that he is an accomplice in this development against his people.
The Senate President must understand that he is not the first prominent son of Annang land, and by God’s grace, he will not be the last. He must act quickly to ensure that he does not close the door against other Annang sons and daughters who may rise to positions of authority in the future.
He must resist any attempt by any person or group to use his name to destroy zoning in the state, which remains the very tool his people are relying on to produce a Governor in 2031. However, if it is truly the position of the Annang people that zoning should no longer exist, then as the most senior political office holder from the area, he may proceed. But if he knows that zoning will still be needed in the near future to achieve their goals, then he and his people must respect zoning in 2027, because whatever position is taken now will certainly continue into 2031.
Since he cannot attract any major federal project to the state as Senate President for the benefit of all, and there is little to show in terms of federal presence, it is troubling that while efforts are being made to empower and position the Annang people, the Governor appears to be playing politics with the Ibibio people.
He must not allow himself to be drawn into such politics or be seen as part of a system that is destroying unity through the dismantling of zoning in Ibibio land. If this continues, the Ibibio people may respond in 2031, and even the Governor may support such a position.
This is a defining moment. The decisions taken now will have lasting consequences.
God bless you.
Signed:
Ibibio Vanguard
