* Say Ex Governor cannot breach zoning arrangement for selfish interest

A crisis of confidence has broken out between Senate minority leader Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio and political stakeholders cum gladiators from Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara federal constituency.

The senate minority leader has been accused of plotting to scatter and abuse the age long tradition of zoning in the federal constituency owing to what they (stakeholders including Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, Don Etim, Rt (Hon) Nsikak Ekong, Elijah Iyak, Chris Ekpenyong, Idongesit Ntekpere and others) understand as Sen. Akpabio’s subtle plans to impose Emmanuel Akpan on the people for a second term.

Some of the stakeholders who spoke to our reporter in Ikot Ekpene over the weekend described as insensitive and callous the perceived plot by Akpabio to return Emmanuel Akpan to the National Assembly against the wishes of the people.

THE INK understands that Ikot Ekpene federal constituency have since 1999 been practicing a term zoning system where candidates from the three Local Governments that make up the federal constituency go to the National Assembly for a term and not seek a second term whatsoever.

Stakeholders are not pleased that Senator Akpabio, the political leader of the federal constituency has perfected plans to foist the incumbent member Emmanuel Akpan who hails from Essien Udim LGA on them for a second term.

In separate interactions with our political desk, they have however promised to stop Emmanuel Akapn whom they described as not only being a poor representative but a man who in the first instance did not even deserve to have been a representative of an enlightened people like Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim, Obot Akara federal constituency.

An aide to Emmanuel Ibokessien told THE INK Portal that Senator Ibokessien has not found it funny ever since the rumour mills leaked information that Akpabio was planning to return Emmanuel Akpan for a second term.

Senator Ibok Essien is said to have described the rumour as nonsensical even as he is alleged to have added that Akpabio would betray himself if he continues selling Emman Akpan’s candidate in 2019 to Ikot Ekpene federal constituency.

The Senator who served from 1999 to 2003 at the red chambers of the National Assembly is said to have informed some political gladiators that any attempt by Akpabio to return Emmanuel Akpan will run contrary to led down rules of political engagements in the federal constituency.
Pastor Sunny Ibuot who is a frontline contender for the federal constituency seat come 2019 spoke through one of his aides who simply said “Editor, we are not happy that Ete(referring to Akpabio) will have the mind to contemplate returning Emmanuel Akpan to the National Assembly for a second term.

Well, if he does, it will not stop Sunny Ibuot from defeating them. The truth is that there is zoning in this our federal constituency and Godswill Akpabio’s pact with his brother Emman Akpan cannot erase it. Zoning has come to stay”.
Don Etim is said to have laughed it off when he learnt of Emmanuel Akpan’s second term bid. The Ex-commissioner is said to have told his political followers that it is all politics and that they should not be frightened.

The feelings of stakeholders from Obot Akara LGA were also sampled. The Paper learnt that it is the belief of stakeholders from Obot Akara Local Government Area that if Emmanuel Akpan is not stopped now, then the zoning and rotational political policy in the area would have been altered for the bad reasons.

Their position is that it will take Obot Akara more than twelve years beginning from 2019 to produce a National Lawmaker if Akpabio and Emmanuel Akpan have their ways.

DON ETIM, IBOKESSIEN, CHRIS EKPENYONG, MOVE AGAINST AKPABIO OVER 2019

This paper understands that the likes of Chris Ekpenyong, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, serving Commissioner Monday Uko, Assemblyman Idongesit Ntekpere and even SA to Governor on due process, Ufot Ebong have concluded plans to team up with their Ikot Ekpene colleagues to stop Akpabio from having his way in the Federal Constituency by 2019.

Former Deputy Governor, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong is understandably annoyed that Akpabio intends to shift the goal post in the middle of the game. THE INK Portal understands Chris Ekpenyong is of the opinion that zoning and rotation of representatives in the federal constituency predates Akpabio’s political voyage and therefore the Senate minority leader owes the federal constituency that political loyalty and not abuse.

Ekpenyong popularly known as Ukarakpa is believed to be plotting a political war against Akpabio should the former Governor makes real his plot of denying Ikot Ekpene LGA the chance of producing a representative in 2019.

READ MORE @ http://www.thekillerpunch.com/2017/11/15/don-etim-ibokessien-chris-ekpenyong-move-against-akpabio-over-2019/

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