Tag: Akwa-Ibom 2015

It was a hectic journey last weekend to Ekeya Community in Akwa Ibom State, where I was invited by an organisation named the Advocacy for Equity and Justice (AEJ). AEJ is presently visiting some Niger Delta communities to assess the extent to which they have been touched by the dividends of democracy. The tour took us to several communities in Eket Senatorial Zone. Communities visited include: Amamo village, Obifit, Uba and Eyo Efai.

Haven heard so much about the ongoing zoning issue in Akwa-Ibom, I decided that my three-day stay in Eket should include a fact finding mission. I interacted not only with stakeholders, but also with the ordinary people on the streets. From very reliable sources, I was able to garner a deeper understanding of the political arrangement in the State and why there is widespread sympathy for the people of Eket Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor of the state.

The politics of Akwa Ibom State revolves round the four ethnic nationalities of Ibibio, Annang, Oro / Obolo and Ekid. The four nationalities are delineated into Uyo senatorial zone, Ikot / Ikpene senatorial zone and Eket senatorial zone. The Ibibios, who form the largest ethnic group lay upland mainly in Uyo and parts of Ikot / Ikpene senatorial zones while Annang, Oro / Obolo and Ekid ethnic nationalities spread across Ikot / Ikpene and Eket senatorial zones.

So far, a total of 10 Governors have governed the state since old Cross River State. Out of this number, Ibibio has produced six Governors, viz: Chief Dr. Clement Isong, Navy Capt. Edet Archibong, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, Obong Akpan Isemin, Navy Capt. Sam Ewang and Obong Victor Attah. The Annangs, second largest ethnic group has produced three Governors. They are Senator Donald Etiebet, Navy Capt. Anthony Udofia and the incumbent Governor, Barr. Godswill Akpabio. The Ekid ethnic group has produced just a Governor in the person of Brigadier General U. J Usuene.  Whereas, Oro / Obolo, the third largest ethnic group has not produced a Governor.

According to some political elders of the district, since the creation of Akwa Ibom State in September 1987, of the six Governors that have governed the state, four of them are of Ibibio extraction in Uyo Senatorial Zone, while the other two Governors: Annang from Ikot / Ikpene Senatorial Zone, leaving Eket and the Oro extraction as the only senatorial zone and ethnic group that has not produced Governor in the state.

From the foregoing, the Ibibios and the Annangs have jointly governed the state since its creation. Put otherwise, Ibibio with 14 local governments has produced six Governors, Annang with eight Local governments has produced three Governors, Ekid with two local governments has produced one Governor but Oro / Obolo with seven local governments has not produced a Governor. Thus, providing a justification for the agitation that power should shift to Eket zone and Oro in particular since nobody from the ethnic group has emerged Governor.

Dr. Francise Iseghe, a political leader in the zone, in a chat with The Nation alleged that, “In spite of the obvious disproportion and asymmetry in the distribution of power in the state, a group of self-styled PDP Elders are championing a campaign to undermine the zoning arrangement in the state, with a view of returning power to Uyo Senatorial Zone that has over-enjoyed the Governorship seat of the state.

The anti-zoning PDP Elders are not resting on their oars to wrestle power. Recently, in a sponsored newspaper advertorial; they accused Governor Godswill Akpabio of trying to impose his lackey from Eket zone as Governor in 2015. Governor Akpabio, was said to be favourably disposed to a just aspiration and clamour for power shift to Eket zone. In terms of population, the Ibibios are more. Thus, they tend to take advantage of its population to rout the other zones.

But, the Oro people are anchoring their aspiration on the principle of equity justice and fairness. They are urging their Ibibio and Annang brothers to give them a chance and sense of belonging by allowing them to produce the Governor come 2015 in line with the zoning policy that was adopted in 1999 and 2006. “The anti-zoning group is working hard to upset zoning but in pursuing its agenda; it has not given thought to the need to have an integrated state or even the feeling of the people of Eket zone,” he said.

In his own submission, Chief Emmanuel Arawore, National President Advocacy for Equity and Justice, said there is need to allow Eket zone to produce the next Governor given the history of its support of the other zones both to occupy and in running the state.

“Politicians of Oro extraction, ranging from late Chief Senator Lawrence Etim, Senator Victor Akpan, to Chief Edet Asuquo Anwana has not used privilege to suppress. Instead, they voted personal monies and devoted effort to ensure stability at all times. Personalities like Comrade Okon Osung, Dr. Edunam and Chief Terry Ekpo were part of the strong support base that brought Obong Victor Attah to power in 1999.

Even the PDP primary deadlock between Godswill Akpabio and Dr. Udoma Ekarika in 2006, which resolved in favour of Akpabio was not without the support of the people of the zone. Arch. Otu Ita-Toyo, then state Chairman of the party played key role. Isn’t they say, that one good turn deserves another? If politicians from Eket zone supported others to become Governor, is it too much asking other zones to support them to be Governor?” he asked.  T

Speaking further, Chief Arawore said, “If for equity and fairness, the zoning policy was adopted, then it is incongruous to muzzle a zone that has roundly supported others. If equity is the essence of zoning; it is not proper to deny that zone that generates over 90% in revenue to the state Government. Eket senatorial zone is described as the goose that lay the golden eggs. Revenue accruing to the state from oil and used to finance development in other zones they say is derived from Eket zone and majorly Oro local governments. Thus, it is my view that the clamour to return power to Uyo senatorial zone could not be justified by fundamentals other than the tyranny of a majority. It is a clamour built on desperation.”

However, the agitation of Eket zone viz-a-viz the Oro people is not just about zoning but much more about good neighbourliness and fairness to one another. The need to haul development to the zone seems to be a more cogent justification for its 2015 aspiration. As indicated, Eket is the highest oil producing cluster in the state and yet does not enjoy adequate infrastructural deployment despite its exposure to environmental degradation and oil exploration related hazards.

It was said that successive administrations in the state have not done enough to stabilize the environment. A Governor of Oro origin, who knows where the shoe pinches they believe will certainly do more to tackle the problem of adverse effect of oil exploration and underdevelopment in the area. This can be achieved without compromising all necessary developmental needs of the other zones.

Chief Omoh Edem, a community leader in the area said the state has respected the party’s zoning arrangement in the last two dispensations. He noted that in a meeting of party stakeholders, paramount rulers and opinion leaders, convened by Governor Attah at the Ibom Hall, party leaders confirmed it that it was the turn of Ikot / Ikpene senatorial zone to produce Governor in 2007 and with emphasis on Annang and thereafter, Eket zone with emphasis on Oro.

“Governor Attah allayed the fears of minority on the party’s commitment to zoning when he declared categorically at the Ikot /Ikpene Council Hall on Thursday April 13, 2006 during the swearing-in of chapter and ward Chairmen that, “Ikot / Ikpene senatorial District will produce the next Governor and after that Eket senatorial District will take its turn. I stand here to tell you that I will support you to get what you want. After giving such assurances that bother on personal integrity and equity to all, will it be proper to renege on zoning after Ikot / Ikpene has had its turn?

If zoning was upheld as a fundamental policy to guarantee equity, justice and a sense of belonging, it cannot now become a bad policy. Thus, the current opposition to zoning by beneficiaries of it cannot be allowed to stand. Zoning cannot be bad because it is not in the favour of a clique. The propaganda that the people of Oro did not support the election of Godswill Akpabio and that they do not have the financial muscle to contest and win the Governorship election is laughable, ridiculous and portrays the desperation of a few. It suffices to say that Oro’s true wealth is not in the vanity of naira and kobo but in its quality of heart to serve all fairly”.

In a move that clearly reveals the sympathy currently being enjoyed by Eket zone, the State Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obong Paul Ekpo vehemently warned against any smear campaign against the party zoning policy. He confirmed party’s commitment to zoning and equity.

“A few dissenting voices should not distract us. We must uphold the principles of justice, fairness and equity that are enshrined in our party constitution”. There is need for committed to this position. By all indication, zoning appears the strongest re-assurance for equity and justice in a state hosting different ethnic nationality.

To that extent, the leadership of the party should commit themselves to the zoning agreement in the state which was that power should rotate among the major ethnic nationalities of Ibibio, Annang and Oro / Obolo. The party will miss its objectives of equity, justice and fairness when a zoning arrangement to Eket is manipulated in favour of the Ibibio minority in the zone giving that Ibibio and Annang have had their turn. The party must guide against this ugly scenario from playing itself out,” the Chairman said.

Apart from just agitating for the plum position, the people of Oro maintained that Oro has sellable people with experience and proven track records that the party can select from to build on the pioneering effort of Governor Victor Attah and widely applauded achievements of Governor Godswill Akpabio by fast-tracking existing development and breaking new grounds in the state.

“Uyo and Ikot / Ikpene zones need to support Eket zone to have it this time. The need for national and state leadership of the PDP to prevail on the anti-zoning group to respect party policy on zoning cannot be overstressed. As it is, Governor Akpabio has a duty both of defending the constitutions and of ensuring a peaceful Akwa Ibom state after his exit as Governor.

Like his predecessor, Governor Attah did, Akpabio has to be explicit and unequivocal in his support for zoning to Eket and Oro in particular come 2015. Gratuitously, Uyo senatorial zone has not produced a Deputy Governor; it should produce one in 2015 while Eket senatorial zone that has not produced a Governor should produce one in 2015,” another chieftain of the ruling party said.

As fresh crises appears to be tearing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State apart following mounting opposition to an alleged plot by Governor Godswill Akpabio to foist the current  Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, on the party as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 general elections, observers of the politics of the state are of the opinion that the governor may be in for the political battle of his life.

Amidst growing disquiet within the party over the alleged gubernatorial ambition of the SSG, opposition parties in the state, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) are closing ranks ahead of the 2015 general elections. Sources within the parties claim several meetings have been held under the auspices of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) to discuss how to dislodge the PDP from the government house in 2015.

And if the crisis within his party and the growing strength of the opposition is not enough problem, the festering face-off between the governor and the immediate past SSG, Umana Okon Umana, who was allegedly removed from office on the excuse that he caused distraction in governance by working towards his 2015 governorship aspiration, is another clog in the wheel of the ruling party.

Party sources said the leadership of the party is worried by the feud between the two erstwhile political allies as it is perceived as a dangerous development capable of adversely affecting the party at the next general elections. Several efforts to address the issue have proved abortive.

Another issue that is threatening the victory of Akpabio and his party in 2015 is the agitation for and against zoning. While the governor has openly expressed his preference for zoning, notable leaders of the party in the state are up in arms against the policy.

To underscore the seriousness of the threat posed by this agitations, a group of notable party chieftains led by Chief Don Etiebet, recently told the national leadership of the party that the ruling party may lose Akwa Ibom State in the 2015 general elections if the ongoing governorship zoning crisis is not quickly nipped.

The leaders said majority of the people of the state are kicking against the zoning arrangement favoured by the state leadership of the party. They also accused the party leadership in the state of implementing the script written by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Operating under the aegis of the PDP stakeholders/elders, the aggrieved chieftains said they will not accept the zoning arrangement as proposed. A member of the PDP stakeholders in the state who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said the decision on zoning was unpopular in Akwa Ibom much as it was undemocratic.

According to them, the state governor did not carry members of the PDP along on the issue of zoning of the governorship slot in the state to Eket senatorial district. The allegations against Akpabio are contained in a petition filed by  about 60 elders of the party before the national secretariat of the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP Board of Trustees, saying the zoning should be stopped.

The stakeholders told the PDP national officials that the party runs the risk of experiencing a disastrous outing during the 2015 general elections if they fail to resolve the problem of factionalisation caused by the state governor in the party.

They alleged also that the state governor had been showing desperation to keep a stranglehold on PDP in the state, adding that Akpabio and his henchmen unilaterally relocated the PDP state secretariat to the private residence of one of his brothers, Barr Ibanga Akpabio from its original location at 149, Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo.

The Nation learnt that moves by the opposition to unite and wrestle power from PDP started after Governor Rotimi Amaechi successfully reconciled Senator John Udoedehe and Group Captain Sam Ewang (rtd), the two arrowheads of opposition politics in the state.

And to send signals to the PDP that it would not be business as usual in 2015, a number of aspirants are being touted as possible APC candidates in the election. Aside Udoedehe and Ewang, there is Samuel Udonsek, a medical doctor based in Port Harcourt, River State. He is from Eket Local Government Area in Eket Senatorial District. He contested the governorship in 2003 and 2007 and lost. Again, he has declared his intention to contest the governorship in 2015.

Although he returned to the PDP recently, party sources are saying Udonsek, who had always been in the opposition party in previous elections, my soon find his way back to the APC where he may emerge as the candidate.

Another potential opposition candidate is Micheal Okpo Onofiok, a businessman from the Oron axis of the state. His aspiration may have arisen from the sentiment in some quarters that it is the turn of the Oron nation to produce the next governor of the state. The Oron nation is the third largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom state and her people believe that it is the third leg of the tripod in the state. They believe that power sharing should be on that basis and not on senatorial districts.

Although it has been widely rumored before now that the governor may have brought Udom into his cabinet to prepare him as a successor, trouble started when some chieftains of the party accused the SSG of campaigning to be elected as governor while still in office.

The chieftains alleged that the governor is working clandestinely with the leadership of the party in the state on a plot to endorse the candidature of the SSG as the PDP governorship flag bearer in the 2015 general election which they described as against internal democracy.

It was also alleged that while the governor orchestrated the ouster of the immediate past SSG, Umana Okon Umana, from office on the excuse that he caused distraction in governance by working towards his 2015 governorship aspiration, he is looking the other way now as his new SSG’s governorship campaign efforts grows bigger and bolder by the day.

Speaking on the crisis threatening to tear the state chapter of the PDP apart, a chieftain of the party, Edward Ekah, who is also the leader of the Coalition for Good Governance (CCG), said by his actions, the state governor has shown that he is not to be trusted to allow for a level playing in the political battle to choose who flies the party’s banner in 2015.

“The current issue which some of you have chosen to call a fresh crisis has to do with the glaring political activities of the current SSG while still in office. These are obvious campaign activities showcasing his interest in the 2015 governorship race. One would expect that he would have been cautioned by the Governor or removed.

We are saying this not because we think it is wrong for him to play politics while in office but because we believe there is a precedence. You will recall that up till this moment, the only excuse given for the sudden sack of Umana Umana from office to pave way for the emergence of Udom as SSG was that he distracted governance with his political activities.

The same government that said that is not only condoning same activities by the new SSG but in fact, promoting them. To us, this is double standard and undemocratic. If Umana cannot stay in office as SSG and aspire to be governor, we think Udom shouldn’t do the same. With this singular act, Governor Akpabio has shown that he will not allow for a free and fair contest for the party’s gubernatorial ticket in 2015.

This is why we are calling on party elders to speak out against this undemocratic norm before it is too late to tame these people,” Ekah said.

It would be recalled that on July 31st, 2013, Akpabio, administered oath of office on Udom as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), to replace Umana, who was said to have officially resigned a day earlier, in order to pursue his 2015 governorship ambition in the state. Udom, until the appointment was Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc.

Before his announced voluntary resignation from office, Umana and the Governor had being at loggerhead over what sources claim was the former’s gubernatorial ambition. It was claimed that the Governor, who before then had been in support of Umana’s ambition to succeed him had developed cold feet about the project following his resolve to back someone from Eket for the job.

The development created bad blood between the two erstwhile friends and political allies of many years. Soon, the bad blood grew into rivalry that soon gave birth to altercations. In no time, pressure was allegedly mounted on the former SSG to quit the administration or risk being thrown out. His governorship ambition was described as a distraction for the administration.

After weeks of holding out and vowing not to abandon his governorship ambition, even after the Governor reportedly nominated him as the Managing Director of the NDDC, Umana’s resignation was announced by the government and Udom, who hails from Eket district of the state, was appointed to replace him.

Administering the oath of office to the new SSG at the state banquet hall, Uyo, Akpabio noted that both Emmanuel and Umana posed intimidating credentials needed to run the state. He said the changes were in response of meeting the demands and challenges of the uncommon transformation of the state.

“Today as you witness the change in the office of the SSG of Akwa Ibom State, you must remember that change is part of life and to sustain the momentum of what we are doing,” he admonished. The governor praised the immediate past SSG for his meritorious service to the state, saying: “Mr Umana Okon Umana, goes down in history as the longest SSG in the state.”

“Umana, to me is a brother and not just a friend. He has displayed exceptional competence in the discharge of his official duties and contributed significantly right from the former regime of Obong Victor Attah to the present administration now name as a state of uncommon transformation.”

Noting the credentials of the new SSG, the governor said he would bring very strong skills in the discharge of his duties. He also charged the new SSG to avoid any form of distraction while still serving the people of the state in his current position.

But some party sources said hardly had Udom settled down in his new position before posters and flyers announcing his governorship ambition flooded the state. “Campaign offices and vehicles with heralding his ambition are also all  over the state as we speak,” Ekah added.

Also, the governor has been accused of being personally involved in the ongoing struggle to ensure the emergence of Udom as the next governor of the oil-rich state in the 2015 .

According to a Edidiong Akpan, a chieftain of the party,  “I heard that the Governor recently said he will spare no cash in ensuring that Udom becomes the governor in 2015. I was told the governor made the declaration at the inauguration of a 31-member steering committee which he set up to coordinate the campaign of Udom Emmanuel across the state.

“By the inauguration of the Campaign Steering Committee, which membership is drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state, the governor as far as I am concerned, is telling us where his interest lies ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.

“Information reaching us indicates that governor Akpabio is bent on making Udom Emmanuel, who has been his long-time business partner, and whom he recently appointed as the Secretary to the AkwaIbom State Government (SSG), the governor of the state in 2015.

“However, I can tell you that the governor’s decisions have not gone down well with most of our leaders in the PDP. And I know that most other political stakeholders in the state are ready to confront the undemocratic plot with stiff rejection. This is why you can see that the governor is having a running battle with interested parties who feel that such an imposition may not augur well for the growth of the party in the state.

Recently, we formed a coalition in our resolve to resist the attempt of the governor to foist his stooge on the people. This is the reason for the current tension within the party. If Ukpabio could sack Umana for having govrnorship ambition, we think he should not be supporting Udom to promote his own ambition with tax payers’ money,” Akpan said.

As political leaders in Akwa Ibom State plot their graph for 2015 governorship election, Dare Odufowokan reports that the once-united political families in the state are set for epic battles

Indications of how the successor of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State will be chosen in 2015 are already emerging. Going by the signs that have so far manifested, there are fears that the contest for the Government House will be both stiff and intriguing.

While old political rivals like the governor and his predecessor, Obong Victor Attah, are expected to renew their rivalry within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stiff challenges are also expected from the ranks of other political parties within the state, especially the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Of all the camps interested in the coveted position, the impending tussle between Governor Akpabio and his age-long ally and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Obong Ufot Ekaette, is currently the most discussed within and outside the state.

As far back as 2007, Ekaette has been an avowed supporter of Akpabio, especially in his many political battles with former Governor Attah’s political family in the state.

During the struggle for the state’s PDP gubernatorial ticket in 2007, the former SGF, who had earlier supported the candidacy of ex-deputy governor Nsima Ekere, joined forces with Akpabio to thwart all efforts by Attah’s camp to stop the emergence of Akpabio as governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Sources said it was in appreciation of this support that Akpabio nominated Ekere as his running mate after he emerged as the party’s candidate. But in a move aimed at accommodating Attah’s group on the ticket, the party prevailed on Ekere to step down for Attah’s candidate, Ekpo Otu.

The alliance between the two erstwhile political allies continued till 2011 when the governor retired Otu and replaced him with Ekere. Ekaette, it would be recalled, had ensured the Presidency’s support for Akpabio during the controversial PDP primaries in the state.

But today, as the state look forward to another gubernatorial contest in 2015, the once jolly alliance between the Ekaette and Akpabio is now strained and the two are most likely to be caught on opposing sides of the guber contest divide with both sides struggling to enthrone the candidate of their choice as the next governor of the state.

While the former SGF is said to be pushing the ambition of Ekere, who recently resigned as Akpabio’s deputy, the Governor, according to sources within the administration, is rooting for the emergence of another candidate as his successor come 2015. With this scenario, the stage appears set for a political proxy war between the two erstwhile allies.

Observers of the state’s politics say flaks are already flying between the two camps with loyalists of Ekaette and Ekere feeling the most heat. The removal of Bishop Samuel Akpan from his position as the Deputy Chairman of the PDP in the state is seen by many as a fallout of the ongoing face-off.

Ekere’s sudden resignation from office few weeks back, according to analysts, is another major repercussion of the proxy contest.  There are even insinuations that Ekere was forced to resign as relationship between him and his boss had deteriorated irretrievably.

In fact, it was alleged that the state House of Assembly had perfected plans to commence impeachment proceedings against Ekere and his resignation was actually a deft move to save his political career and keep him in the 2015 governorship race.

The recent failed attempt by lawmakers in the state to remove the Speaker of the state Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon, is another outcome of the Ekaette-Akpabio disagreement. Ekere’s role in frustrating the alleged impeachment plot is believed to have fast-tracked his own removal.

And when Akpabio nominated Chief Assam Assam (SAN) for appointment as Nigeria’s ambassador to Russia, it was interpreted as yet another stroke aimed at the Ekaette camp. The Ambassador is a known political rival of the former deputy governor within the Eket senatorial district where they both hail from.

If indications emerging from his body language can be relied upon to make a judgement, Akpabio may actually be plotting the emergence of his Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umana O. Umana, who is from Uyo Senatorial zone, as his successor.

This move, many say, is contrary to the alleged zoning arrangement existing in the state. Therefore, some people have criticised a situation where Akpabio, himself a beneficiary of the zoning arrangement, will want to truncate the system in the race to the 2015 governorship election.

Pundits say the zoning arrangement, if adhered to, favours Ekere, because he is from Ikot Oboreyen in Edemaya clan of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state. Perhaps, this explains why so much effort was allegedly put into the plot to frustrate him out of office as deputy governor.

In the calculation of pro-zoning agitators, it is the turn of Eket Senatorial District to produce the governor of the state. According to them, since former Governor Obong Victor Attah emerged from Uyo Senatorial District and the incumbent governor, Akpabio, is from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Eket senatorial district should be favoured in 2015.

But stakeholders against the quest for a zoning arrangement would have none of the above argument. Citing examples of the 2003 and 2007 governorship elections, they posited that both Attah and Akpabio had to contest against aspirants from all the three senatorial areas.

“The argument for zoning is a very weak one. In 2003, aspirants emerged from Eket and Uyo to challenge Attah. And in 2007, Ikot-Ekpene and Eket aspirants challenged Akpabio. So, where is the zoning arrangement that will give the ticket straight to Eket this time around? Anybody from anywhere can contest for a winner to emerge. That is all we know,” a lawmaker in the state House of Assembly said.

In spite of Akpabio’s perceived support for his governorship dream, Umana may not likely have a smooth ride to clinch the party’s ticket in the 2015 contest. This is because aside himself and Ekere, several other aspirants have emerged in the race for who will become the PDP flagbearer.

Others who have been mentioned in the 2015 governorship race in the state are the immediate past senator that represented Uyo in the Senate, Effiong Bob, a one-time governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Larry Esin and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, Chief Assam (SAN).

Also in the race are Chairman of Local Government Commission and former State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Mr. Otu Ita Toyo, former Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Mr. Dan Abia, the current Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Albert Akpan and Anweidighe-Abasi Adiakpan, a new entrant into the politics of the state.

One other name on the list is that of a young legislator-Honourabel Onofiok Luke- representing Nsit Ubium Constituency. Luke, according to his supporters, is one lawmaker, who brought government closer to his people through effective representation and the attendant democratic dividends.

Other names that are being bandied include the current Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Effiong Abia and a former Senator who represented Eket Senatorial District between 1999-2003, Udoma Udo Udoma.