As the October Local Government election in Akwa Ibom State nears, tension is rising in the Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area. The opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) has made a strategic move by zoning the chairmanship position to Ikot Ekpene Urban Clan. This decision was announced during a significant meeting held at Chief Sunny Ibanga’s residence in Utu Ikot Ekpenyong, attended by key party figures, including Chief Sunny Ibanga, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, Special Assistant to the Senate President on Protocol Kufre Okure, the Chapter Chairman, Ward Chairmen, and various chairmanship and councillorship aspirants. Councillorship aspirants also obtained their nomination forms at this meeting.
This strategic zoning has raised concerns within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is dealing with unresolved zoning disputes. The minority Amanyam people, with a voting strength of 29,000, are advocating for the chairmanship to be zoned in their favor, arguing that the Urban Clan held the last chairmanship. On the other hand, the Urban Clan, with a voting strength of 62,000, is pushing for inclusivity, pointing out that the Amanyam people already hold the House of Assembly seat and commissionership.
Political analysts are closely monitoring this development, viewing the APC’s decision as a potential game-changer. If the PDP does not resolve its internal zoning issues, the APC might capitalize on this situation by aligning with the majority Urban Clan, potentially securing a victory in the upcoming election.