From Isaac Job, Uyo
Ibibio majority tribe under the aegis of Ibibio National Union in Akwa Ibom state have rejected previous zoning arrangements anchored on a tripod of Ibibio, Annang and Oro tribes for political offices ahead of 2027 general elections in state .
They also dismissed chances of Oro ethnic group of occupying the office of governor both in 2027 and beyond .
In a statement signed by the president of the union Engr Emmanuel Akpan and made available to Journalists in Uyo, the union declared that Ibibio people would no longer support zoning for the office of governor of the state among other ethnic groups in the state
The statement reads in parts : “Ibibio people would no longer support the Zoning of the office of the Governor among ethnic groups within the state
” Ibibio National Union which represents the interest of the majority Ibibio ethnic groups also dismissed the nation that Akwa Ibom stands on a tripod of three ethnic groups; Ibibio, Annang and Oro”
Akpan insisted that the Ibibio represent interest of the majority in the state and dismissed the notion that Akwa Ibom stands on a tripod of three ethnic groups ; Ibibio, Annang and Oro.
” The concept of Tripod connotes equality in all material particular, that a pot stands on three legs shows balance
” It means each leg is as important as the other, equal in length, breadth, width, density and mass…we have heard this fallacy for decades that the ethnic tripod of Akwa Ibom State is made up of Ibibio, Annang and Oro
” We kept silent and accommodated it for peace and political convenience but this is fallacious’
Akpan said instead of the fallacy of the tripod , the Ibibio would rely on the 3 senatorial districts in the state for any future political permutation
“The truth is that Akwa Ibom State, like every other state in Nigeria stands on a scientific tripod of three senatorial districts – North East (Uyo ), North West (Ikot Ekpene ) and South East ( Eket )”
The ethnic union submitted that in any composition of multi – ethnic nationalities to form a state or nation state, some groups would always remain a minority’
The Union maintained that Ibibio ethnic group occupy 100 per cent of Uyo Senatorial District, 80 per cent of Eket Senatorial District and 20% of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and queried the presence of other ethnic groups in the state political equation
“Where are the other groups in the equation ? Other ethnic groups are not in large numbers to make any significant difference in the political equation of the State”
They particularly warned Oro ethnic group to respect themselves , swallow their pride and seek accomodations in any Ibibio dominated politica space if they want to be relevant and produce a governor in the years ahead.
” Other ethnic groups in the state like Oro should face the reality and respect themselves, swallow their pride, seek accommodation in an Ibibio dominated political space if they want to produce a Governor in the State
“Let it be emphasised that no Oro person can become Governor of Akwa Ibom State without the say so of the Ibibios – the majority and largest ethnic group in the State” .
(The Sun)