-A COMMUNIQUE ON ZONING OF IKONO/INI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE SEAT IN 2019

*-IKONO SOUTH ELDERS UNANIMOUSLY SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE*

*-HON. VICTOR UDOFIA DISQUALIFIED BY HISTORICAL FACTS/ ZONING ARRANGEMENT*

It was an unprecedented meeting of the entire Elders in the 4 wards (ward 5, 6, 7 and 8) making up the Ikono South Zone today the 3rd Day of February 2018 at the Civic Centre Ukpom,  Ikono L.G.A.

Notable dignitaries in attendance were: *Hon Iboro Ekanem*(ward 5)-The sitting House of Representative Member, *Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo*(ward 8) -The Regional Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Manager of INTELS (West Africa) Limited, *Barrister Ekemini Uba*(ward6)-Former Transition Chairman, *Hon. Asuquo Nana udo*(ward7)-Former Transition Chairman, *Obongawan Lovina Umoeffah*(ward8)-Former Transition Chairman/Board Member, STSB and  *Hon Kelly Okon*(ward8)-Former Transition Chairman. In attendance were a total of 46 Elders in the Ikono South Zone.

Prominently discussed, noted and highlighted at the meeting was the monumental efficiency with which the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Deacon udom Gabriel Emmanuel has managed the state finances and his usage of same to extensively develop Akwa Ibom State even in this period of recession.

Also discussed and applauded was the peace and enabling environment which His Excellency has created for the continuous growth of business and economy in the state.

The historical facts concerning the zoning of the position of The House of Representative was also discussed.  According to the historical facts, in 1999, the Ikono people zoned the Federal House of Representative to *Ediene Itak zone* with *Rt. Hon. Iquo* Inyang representing and she held the office for two (2) straight terms of eight (8) years (1999-2007). Thereafter, it rotated to Ini Local Government where *Prof. Ini Udoaka* held the office for two (2) straight terms of eight (8) years (2007-2015). It had rotated back to Ikono in 2015 and it was zoned to *Ikono South Zone* and by the zoning arrangement Ikono South zone will hold it for 2 terms of eight (8) years (2015-2023). After that it will revert to Ini Local Government Area for eight (8) years and back to Ikono which will be automatically zoned to *Ikono Middle* for eight (8) years. This automatically takes contestants from other zones out of this particular race like *Rt. Hon. Victor Udofia*(ward3-Ikono middle)-The 2terms (8years) sitting House of Assembly member.

According to the elders, the zoning formula has created a peaceful coexistence not only in Ikono but between Ikono and Ini Local Government Areas, and by extension Akwa Ibom State.

In the light of the above, the Elders resolved the following:

1.       That they shall continue to pledge their unalloyed support and loyalty to His Excellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and the People’s Democratic party(PDP)

2.       That they unanimously support his Excellency’s 2nd term bid as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2019.

3.      That the equally support the 2nd term aspiration of the Senate Minority Leader, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio as Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in 2019.

4.      That the House of Representative slot is currently zoned to Ikono South Zone for two (2) terms and it should be so maintained in Ikono South Zone.

5.      That the zoning structure in Ikono is sacrosanct as it fosters peace, unity and togetherness as well as founded on the eternal principles of equity, fairness and good conscience.

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