“You can’t seek 3rd term while I’m alive” – Ekpo
Political tension is rising in Abak Local Government Area as the immediate past Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pa Moses Ekpo, has cautioned the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, to honour the zoning agreement he earlier signed.
Pa Ekpo gave the charge on Sunday, December 28, during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah. The meeting was attended by key political stakeholders from Abak.
Speaking firmly, the former Deputy Governor recalled that the Speaker signed a zoning pact in his office while seeking a second term in the State House of Assembly. He explained that the agreement clearly stated that upon the completion of the Speaker’s second term, the House of Assembly seat would be zoned to Midim Clan.
“Not while I am still alive will we allow the zoning pact you signed to be undermined. You signed to complete your second term and it was agreed that the next House of Assembly seat would be zoned to Midim Clan. Seeking a third term now goes against what you signed,” Ekpo declared.
Pa Ekpo further cautioned politicians against allowing personal ambition to create division, tension, or confusion within Abak. He emphasized that zoning arrangements were established to promote fairness, equity and peaceful coexistence among the various clans in the local government area.
He stressed that the purpose of zoning political offices is to ensure that no clan is cheated or marginalized, urging all stakeholders to honour agreements reached in good faith for the sake of unity and stability.
The stakeholders’ meeting provided a platform for frank discussions on the political future of Abak, with strong calls for respect for existing zoning agreements and the maintenance of peace as the political process unfolds.
