A cross section of PDP stakeholders in ward nine, presenting the consensus candidate adopted by the party to HRM, Edidem Sylvanus Okon, Paramount Ruler of Uyo.
By our contributor – Uyo
Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in ward nine, (formerly ward seven) Uyo local government area have zoned the ward councillorship to Ibiaku Offot.
The stakeholders reached the consensus at an enlarged meeting on Wednesday 5th August 2020, held at the Ward Center, St. John Primary School, Eniong, ahead of the October local government election in Akwa Ibom state.
Consequently upon the consensus, the party stakeholders have endorsed and adopted Otuekong Sunday Jimmy for the ward councillorship and have presented same to the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, HRM Edidem Sylvanus Okon, who is a member of the ward for his blessings.
READ : Traditional ruler, pastor of winners’ chapel among 31 suspects paraded by police in Owerri
The decision of the party stakeholders in the ward which contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting has received the full blessing of the Paramount Ruler as well as majority of members of the party in the ward.
The royal father has applauded the unity and brotherly understanding shown by elders and stakeholders in reaching such a consensus and urged everyone in the ward to queue behind the one selected by stakeholders for the sake of peaceful and rancour free election.
SEE FULL COMMUNIQUE issued at the meeting below:
In view of the announcement of time table for 2020 Local Government Election by Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, AKISIEC, stakeholders of Peoples Democratic party, PDP in Uyo Ward 7, met at the Ward Center, Eniong Offot on Monday August 5, 2020 to deliberate on modalities for the election of a councillor to represent the Ward in Uyo Local Government Legislative Council and resolved as follows:
1) That every stakeholder is bound by the time honoured zoning arrangement existing among the 11 villages in the Ward namely Ewet, Eniong, Anua, Ekpri Nsukara, Ikot Ekidio, Ikot Anyang, Ikot Antuen, Ibiaku Offot, Use Offot, Use Attai and Ekamba Nsukara, which has existed since the return of democracy in 1999 and has help these villages to coexist in peace with another, grow in unity, brotherliness and eschew political rancour. This zoning must stand.
Advertisement.
2) That in line with the admonition of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, that all existing zoning arrangements should be respected. Accordingly, the existing zoning arrangement where the 11 villages were divided into three (3) political zones namely Zones A, B and C remains valid. With this laudable arrangement, the councillorship seat rotated to all political zones in the Ward and returned to Zone A, which is currently occupied by Hon. Nathaniel Udoh, the Leader of Uyo Legislative Council.
3) That during the recently concluded PDP Ward Congress, it was agreed that for the 2020 Local Government election the councillorship slot should go to a village in Zone B that has never produced a councillor before.
READ ALSO : Prince Archibong lauds Gov Emmanuel, PDP for electing party youth leader from Obot Akara
4) That following the already established zoning template stakeholders have unanimously agreed on a consensus that within Zone B since Akamba Nsukara has produced the Ward Chairman and Ward Woman Leader. Also, Use Offot produced Hon. Joseph Asuquo Edem as councillor just as Nsukara Offot produced Hon. Edet Bassey Asuquo as councillor. Therefore, it will be fair and just to give the councillorship slot to Ibiaku Offot village which has never held any elective position before.
RELATED STORY : APC rejects ‘impromptu creation’ of 39 wards in Akwa Ibom ahead of LG poll
5) That stakeholders considered the loyalty, dedication and contributions of one Elder Sunday Jimmy to the electoral successes of PDP in Ibiaku Offot village since 1999 till date. Elder Jimmy and his family have remained steadfast to the party and have earned the respect of everyone in the Ward. However, since he is advanced in age, it was unanimously agreed that his son, Otuekong Sunday Jimmy, an equally dedicated and loyal PDP faithful in the village, contest in his place. The choice of Otuekong Jimmy to replace his father has been endorsed by all the major PDP stakeholders in ward 7, now Ward 9 across all Zones and Villages.
6) That Uyo Ward 7 PDP, now Ward 9 stakeholders have taken pains to deliberate and negotiate on the councillorship seat before reaching this all binding consensus to sustain peace, harmony and enhance unity in the Ward. Therefore this consensus should be respected by all within Ward 7 PDP, now Ward 9 as well as by chieftains and stakeholders in the entire Uyo Chapter of PDP.
7) That Ward 7 PDP, now Ward 9, stakeholders continue to pledge their loyalty and support to the leader of our great party, His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, for his inspiring leadership and pray for God’s protection and guidance on him as he continues to steer the ship of Statehood to a safe destination.
 Uyo local government area have zoned ward councillorship to Ibiaku Offot.){kind=link}