Elders and stakeholders in the 10 Federal Constituencies of Akwa Ibom will determine the next governor of the state, the incumbent, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has said.

He said that the elders and stakeholders are to hold a round-table discussion in the sharing of the various key political offices among the three Senatorial Districts in 2015 to ensure justice, harmony and equity among the people in the state.

Governor Akpabio dropped the hint on Monday at Etinan town hall during a town meeting and constituency briefing in Etinan Federal Constituency while responding to Senator Effiong Bob’s question on the actual political position zoned to Uyo Senatorial District in 2015 political dispensation given the fact that governorship position is zoned to Eket Senatorial District.

Akpabio said the sharing of the positions would be done at the end of the 10 Federal Constituencies tour, remarking: “Just as my administration has carried all the constituencies along, likewise all constituencies would be carried along by the next administration through the sharing of political positions at the state and national levels.

“There must be a buy-in time for the PDP governorship candidate to abide with the agreement reached by the stakeholders. I am from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and will be interested in the position zoned to us. By then, I won’t be governor again, but will represent them in another capacity.”

Continuing, Akpabio said: “Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituencies have tasted the governorship seat, it is only Eket Federal Constituency that is left to test that seat. So, after the consultation of the 10 Federal Constituencies in the state, the party would then decide on who occupies the governorship seat come 2015.

“Nobody can buy the governorship seat come 2015 elections, the 2015 elections would be an open contest where nobody shall be anointed and where nobody shall buy the governorship seat, for it is the choice of the people to choose their next governor.”

Akpabio called on politicians in the state to come out in en masse to contest the 2015 general elections, and enjoined in-coming political office holders not to site projects at places where the people don’t have access to due to their selfish interest but rather to emulate his administration by siting projects in every part of the state for the benefit of the people.

On the purpose of the town meeting in Etinan Federal Constituency, the governor remarked: “This meeting is to make sure that government touches all strata of the state. We are committed to the welfare of the people to discuss the needs and challenges of the constituencies, to continue the process in showing that our labours are not in vain and to make a decision on the way forward so that we don’t lose the future, sense of brotherhood, integrity, dignity of our people and the entire country but to ensure harmony and peace in the state.”

Akpabio thanked the constituency for supporting his administration since its inception, stressing that the democracy of the state commenced from the constituency with emergence of the first democratically elected Governor in the state, the late Obong Akpan Isemin, in which a one-minute silence was observed in his honour during the meeting.

The governor further showed his gratitude to the former military Governor of the state, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd.) for his support and contribution to the emergence of Akwa Ibom International Airport., stressing that people of Etinan Federal Constituency have made great contributions to the development of the state and urged them to continue in their team spirit.

Akpabio said the state would not have succeeded without the input of the constituency, observing that the constituency has produced people in key positions such as the state House of Assembly Speakers, Chief Judge, Commissioners, PDP Chairman, among others.

In addition, he outlined programs benefitted by the constituency to include 444 rural projects with 171 rural projects already commissioned, security villages, roads, free and compulsory education for children as well as free health-care service for children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Speaking further, the Governor announced that the Enen Nsit Road consisting of four bridges and 54 kilometres of road would soon be commissioned, contract for water project for communities in the constituency has been awarded, three communities to be connected to the national grid, the 100 years Etinan Institute, Etinan to be renovated and a fly-over to be constructed by Julius Berger Company at Ekom-Iman Junction.

Stakeholders who spoke at the event were the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon, Senator Ita Enang, Paramount Ruler of Etinan, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, among others. They thanked the governor for the development strides of the constituencies, and pledged their support to his administration, stressing that the constituency would stand by the decision of the party on the choice of the next candidate to occupy the governorship seat by 2015.

•Photo shows Governor Akpabio (right) with President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu at yesterday’s North-West PDP Grand Rally in Kaduna.

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