2019: UNDERSTANDING THE POLITICS OF A'IBOM SOUTH SENATORIAL SEAT

A'lbom South aka Eket Senatorial District is by far the largest and most diverse in the state. With the major ethnic groups of Ibibio and Oro-Nation as well as the other three (3) linguistic groups (Eastern Obolo, Ibeno, and Eket/ Esit Eket), one will not be in error to conclude that the district is the most diverse culturally.

Economically, the area which boosts of the longest coastline in Nigeria prides as the most viable, productive and of course, the resource base of the state. Politically, it's divided into twelve (12) Local Governments Areas and made up of three (3) Federal Constituencies:

1. Oron, Udung-Uko, Urue Offong/Oruko, Okobo & Mbo Federal Constituency.

2. Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin & Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency.

3. Eket, ONNA, Esit Eket & Ibeno Federal Constituency.

And if history shall be fair to us, the return of democracy in 1999 had our very Distinguished Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and now a Minister of the Federal Republic holding forth for two (2) terms of eight (8) years (1999--2007). 

He was succeeded by Senators Eme Ufot Ekaette and Helen Esuene, both of whom hails from Eket Federal Constituency and were in the Senate for four (4) years each (2007--2011 & 2011--2015).

Drawing from the above, it's germane to state with certainty the fact that notwithstanding the political platform, that Oron Federal Constituency reserve the exclusive preserve to produce the next Senator for the period 2015--2019 & 2019--2023. And as expected, Dr. (Mrs.)
Akon Eyakenyi, is fully on ground to take over from Sen. Nelson Effiong, who shall be completing his Ist and only term by early 2019.

Therefore dear Ladies & Gentlemen of the Social Media Platform, save your breathe and understand at least for once the fact that Dr. Eyakenyi's Senatorial aspiration is inline with the existing zoning arrangement adopted by the people of the three (3) Federal Constituencies making up the Senatorial District. Hence, the insinuation in certain quarters that she's opposed to the Oro Governorship struggle remains nothing more than a cheap political blackmail concocted by paid and clueless political agents and spread by Beer Parlour attendants, Motor Cycle riders and a number of street urchins.

In conclusion, may I therefore state categorically the fact that His Excellency, Governor Udom's PDP Candidacy do not come in conflict with the Oro-Nation's quest for the A'Ibom Governorship. I say this consciously, with every sense of responsibility and fully mindful of the fact that there exist other political platforms to direct such struggle.

Up Akwa Ibom State
Up His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel (4+4=8), Up PDP.

Bassey-Babros Eduno
O803-869-3905
Writes from Udung-Uko LGA