The Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State has finally announced the zoning of the 2015 Governorship position in the State goes to Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District otherwise called Eket Senatorial District.
The Chairman of the party Obong Paul Ekpo announced this during the State Executive Committee meeting in Uyo.
The meeting was attended by the Executive Governor of the State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, the State Deputy Governor, National Assembly members of PDP extraction, the Deputy Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly, national assemblymen from the state led by Barr. Ita Enang, National officers of the party from the state and National Caucus Members from the State,.
Others at the meeting which is in progress, include B.O.T. member of the party from the state Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, zonal officers of the party, local government chapter chairmen of the party, chairmen and vice chairmen of the local government councils, and former members of the National Assembly who are currently PDP members; to the State Executive Committee .
Announcing the decision, Obong Ekpo said that the decision was in line with the constitution of the party, and will promote equity, justice, fair play, as well as give all sections of the state a sense of belonging.
Ekpo stated that, pursuant to Section 7 (3) of the Party Constitution 2012 (as amended) stipulating adherence to the “policy of the rotation and zoning of Party and public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness” the meeting zones the Governorship position to Eket Senatorial District.”
He said the decision was taken after a careful appraisal of the wishes of the people of the state during the just concluded town hall meetings and briefings by the State government, hence the need for the party to align with the people of the state.
He said that zoning will also be extended to other political positions except where a candidate performs creditably well and wins the overwhelming and unanimous endorsement of his people.
The decision according to the communique, “is without prejudice to the right of any other person from other Senatorial Districts to contest for the Governorship seat in 2015.”
The meeting unanimously passed a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan on his pivotal roles and the transformational agenda in Nigeria and urged him to contest the 2015 Presidential Election.
The Akwa Ibom PDP also passed a vote of confidence on Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio for the unprecedented way he has developed the State; as well as the Governor’s continuous support to Mr. President and the Party, both at the national and state levels, and urged him to accede to the request of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District to represent the zone, and indeed, the State in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2015.