Akpabio’s Journey To The Senate: Contending Issues

Despite his achievements, Governor Godswill Akpabio’s journey to the Senate in 2015 may likely not be smooth, with the people of Abak Federal Constituency scheming to stop him. Here is an analysis of some of the contending issues.

“Beyond 2015, I always imagine that with democracy prospering in Nigeria, I will see myself as a senator in 2015. I have actually been approached by my people and I have accepted their request that I should not just retire immediately. I had wanted to retire but they insisted that I should not retire. So, I will be contesting for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and God willing…”

Those were the words of Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio during his 50th birthday celebration last year when he granted interview to The Nation at the then newly- constructed Governor’s Office in Uyo,the Akwa Ibom State capital.

It is no more news that Akpabio commonly referred to as an “uncommon transformer” is hoping to move from the Government House to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly when he completes his tenure on May 29, 2015.

In the 10 local government areas that make up the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District), billboards of the governor are at every strategic location. They tell the people that Akpabio’s 2015 Senate ambition is already a done deal.

Stakeholders, political class and elders of the district, during their meeting at Ritman College, Ikot Ekpene, unanimously nominated him for the Senate at the end of his tenure. The elders note that their decision to send the governor to the Senate was a mark of appreciation for Akpabio’s performance.

They said: “That the Senatorial District unanimously agrees and hereby resolves to nominate and elect His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the end of his tenure as the Governor of Akwa Ibom state on May 29, 2015, as a mark of appreciation for his uncommon performance and transformation of the state.“Finally, the Senatorial District agrees and resolves to work with His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom people on the choice of his successor come 2015.”

Tell that to the marines seem to be the argument of those from Abak Federal Constituency (Abak Five), who are of the opinion that Akpabio’s Senate ambition would distort the zoning arrangement in the district.

For instance, Abak Three (A3) Renaissance Mandate, in a letter to the National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, said there was a laid-down rule on the rotation of the Senate seat in Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District).

The letter, which by the chairman of the group, Dr. E.J. Uko and Secretary, Dr. U.D. Umoh, said Akwa Ibom North West has been known for rotating the Senate seat between the two axis of Abak and Ikot Ekpene and among their components Federal Constituencies namely: Abak axis comprises – Abak and Ukanafun Federal constituencies.

Abak Federal Constituency is made up of three Local Government Areas of Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika while Ukanafun Federal Constituency comprises Ukanafun and Oruk Anam local government areas.

According to them, Ikot Ekpene axis is made up of two Federal Constituencies, namely: Ikot Ekpene and Ikono. Ikot Ekpene comprises of three local government areas of Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and Obot Akara. While Ikono Federal Constituency comprises of two local government areas of Ini and Ikono. Akpabio is from Essien Udim Local Government Area in Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency.

The group says Ukanafun Federal Constituency had produced senators thrice in Chief Donald Etiebet, between 1979-82; the late Chief Akaninyene Ukpana between 1992-93 and Chief Itak Bob Ekarika, between 2003-2007.

Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency produced three senators namely the late Chief Raymond Umoh, from1963-67; the late Chief Nsima Akpabi (1983-84) and Chief Emmanuel Ibokessien – 1999-2003.

In Ikono Federal Constituency, Senator Aloysius Etok is in the Senate. He has been there since 2007. According to them, the only Federal Constituency that is yet to produce a senator is Abak Federal Constituency.

While calling on the governor to respect zoning, the group says during the 2011election when the Senate seat should have come to Abak, it was jettisoned for the second term of Governor Godswill Akpabio in favour of Senator Aloysius Etok of the Ikono Federal Constituency, with the understanding that in 2015 Abak Federal Constituency would have it.

The group added that to the “insult of Abak people, Governor Akpabio has started vigorously to campaign for another robbery of Abak opportunity”.

Another group, Abak Five for Justice and Equity Foundation, notes that if Akpabio believes in zoning, how come he does not want to zone the senatorial seat to Abak Federal Constituency of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District?

In a document by the President of the group, Anietie Udokang and Secretary-General, Joseph Ekpo, the group said of all the Federal Constituencies in the state, Abak is the only one that has not produced a Senator since Nigeria’s Independence in 1960.

“Why can’t justice begin at home? The 2015 election should be an opportune moment for Abak Federal Constituency (popularly called Abak Five) to elect a senator. But, Akpabio would have none of it as he has already commenced an elaborate campaign to become a senator. In fact, he has already declared himself a senator as he recently told the Senate President in Uyo! This injustice and marginalisation against Abak Five also manifests in low level of projects allocated to the region and more evidently in political appointments,” the group said.

However, supporters of the governor are relying on the calculation of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District having three former divisions – Abak Division, Ikot Ekpene and Ikono Division.

According to the President of Akwa Ibom Democratic Movement (AIDM), Akparawa Bassey Ikpe, Abak Division had produced five senators. Ikot Ekpene Division had produced two. Ikono had produced one.

Ikpe notes that before Ikono Division produced the current senator (Dr. Aloysius Etok), Abak produced Senator Itak Bob Ekarika.

“So, naturally one would expect Ikot Ekpene Division to take its turn. Beyond this, stakeholders in the entire senatorial district had released a document endorsing Governor Akpabio for Senate in 2015 as a reward for the uncommon transformation he has brought to bear in the area in particular and the state in general.”

Only time will tell if this calculation by AIDM and other stakeholders in the state will coast Akpabio to victory. It is yet unseen if the forces against Akpabio will defeat a man with a strong political posture as member of the PDP Board of Trustees; member PDP National Caucus and pioneer chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum.