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The race to all political offices is around the corner. The opinion of the people is divided into two unequal parts where majority wants zoning of political offices to rotate among the different political bloc while the other few insist on a free for all contest. Though the constitution allows a free for all contest, but for brotherliness, love and peace offices are shared into different camps.
Just like power rotates along the three senatorial districts at the state level, Uyo senatorial district also has its own unique way of sharing the senatorial set among the three federal constituencies of Etinan, Uyo and Itu/Ibiono.
Since 1999 upon the return of democracy, Uyo federal constituency took the first shot with Senator John James Akpanudoedehe who spent just one tenure and vacated the seat for Senator Effiong Bob in 2003 who by sheer luck won a second term ticket. In 2011, the elders decided that while other local governments wait for their turn, Ibiono under Itu federal constituency should produce the next senator a decision that gave otuekong Ita Enang had the opportunity to serve in the red chambers.
Ita Enang emerge the choice not because he was the most qualified but because in 1992, Itu state constituency represented the district in the senate with Senator Anietie Okon seating on that seat for Uyo Senatorial district. Today those same leaders of thought have agreed that Uruan State constituency under Uyo federal constituency should produce the next senator. Ibesikpo Asutan is another local government that is yet to produce a senator but because they once had an elected governor Uruan won the day. This explains why we have more aspirants from Uruan local government eying the seat with few from Ibesikpo Asutan.
It is only sad that those who championed the rotation of the seat especially in the build-up of the 2019 general elections are the very set of people who are willing to vacate the seat for the realization of the writing on the wall. Uyo Senatorial District with nine local government areas should allow the seat to go round so that others that are still queuing can also seat there. Truth be told, if one man or one local government should go more than one term when will Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Ibesikpo or Itu have a shot? Supporting Uruan now means the others will soon have an opportunity. This is in line with our party’s belief in fairness, justice and equity.
Now that Uyo Senatorial District are on the same page with our party as far as sharing rotating the senate seat, let us search inwardly and go for a grassroot democrat who has the people’s interest at heart. Whoever goes to the senate for us in 2023 should be accessible and ready to take the problem of his people as his personal problem and look for ways to either solve it or cushion its negative effect. Being accessible implies that apart from presenting our common problem he should also come home to brief us on actions so far taken since our problem was presented on the floor of the senate. We need somebody who will come home with a good account of his representation and not one of those who will only vibrate on national issues while the people at home continue to suffer deprivation.
After the awesome representation of Chief Nyong Essien from Uruan in the 1930s, Uruan have not had opportunity to represent Uyo people in the red chambers. Chief Nyong Essien's results of effective representation could be linked to creation of our dear state, Akwa Ibom. Just as we yearn for dividends of democracy and stomach Infrastructure. I am of the opinion that all should rise up in support of Uruan Local Government to produce another Nyong Essien.
This will give Uruan people a feeling, that they haven’t been sidelined by the PDP and the Government.
By a Concerned Uruan Citizen.
