A frontline political group in Akwa Ibom State, Uyo Liberation Movement (ULM), has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by officials of the Akwa Ibom State Government and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to foist their associates and impostors as candidates in opposition parties.
According to a press release by its Secretary-General, Prince Emmanuel Sam, the group alleged that the plot was part of the APC’s strategy to prevent genuine opposition in the 2027 Uyo State Constituency election, adding that the gimmick revealed the growing desperation within the APC camp.
“Rising from our last meeting, where it was categorically resolved that the existing zoning arrangement on the Uyo State Constituency seat must be strictly maintained ahead of the 2027 election, we wish to further emphasize that ULM is actively interfacing with all opposition political parties to ensure that only genuine aspirants from Offot Ukwa Clan are cleared to participate in their various primary elections.
“Ironically, those who are now working desperately to disrupt the zoning arrangement, which has been an instrument of unity in Uyo, were once strong advocates of the same arrangement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, between 1999 and 2027, the State House of Assembly seat has rotated among the four clans in Uyo as follows: Oku Clan – twice; Etoi Clan – twice; Ikono Clan – twice; and Offot Ukwa Clan – once. A detailed breakdown is as follows: 1999 – 2003 – Hon. Bar. Aniedi Ndem (Oku Clan); 2003 – 2007 – Hon. Elder Archibong Inyang (Etoi Clan); 2007 – 2011 – Hon. Ekere Affia (Ikono Clan); 2011 – 2015 – Hon. Edwin Joseph (Offot Ukwa Clan); 2015 – 2019 – Hon. Monday Eyo (Oku Clan); 2019 – 2023 – Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka (Etoi Clan); 2023 – 2027 – Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo (Ikono Clan).
“The above breakdown clearly points to three things: first, that Uyo has maintained a single-term arrangement for 28 years. Secondly, that the rotation of the State House of Assembly seat among the four clans has a clear pattern, i.e. Oku Clan → Etoi Clan → Ikono Clan → Offot Ukwa Clan. Thirdly, that Offot Ukwa Clan is yet to occupy the seat for a second time like the other clans.
“Therefore, the current attempt to disrupt this arrangement, which has fostered peace and unity in Uyo, must be strongly resisted by every well-meaning citizen of Uyo.
“By this statement, we are placing all opposition political parties on alert and urging them to stand firmly on the path of justice. Similarly, we commend the Labour Party National Screening Committee for governorship aspirants for disqualifying a certain Emmanuel Friday Ben, who is a known associate of an APC stakeholder in Akwa Ibom State.
“Taking into cognizance the irreparable damage that the APC-led government has caused opposition parties at the national level, we call on opposition parties in Akwa Ibom to take proactive steps towards ensuring that they do not suffer the same fate, in the interest of democracy,” the group noted.
