THE unending controversies generated over the issue of zoning of the governorship seat in Akwa Ibom State in 2015 to any particular senatorial district in the state by various groups within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are making various analysts of the unfolding event in the state to hold on to the view that the party must open its political space for any interested aspirant in 2015 governorship race, irrespective of the district he or she comes from, in order to retain its hold on the state beyond 2015.Undoubtedly, the emergence of the incumbent governor of the state on the political scene in the state, particularly since he won his second term on May 29, 2011, have increased the clamour and agitation among politicians in the state over which of the three senatorial districts in the state should take over in 2015. This became more so in view of the argument in some quarters that Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, represented by Akpabio, is out of the contest, after serving out its eight-year tenure by then.It was in view of the above argument that some politicians from Eket Senatorial District have claimed that it is their turn to produce the governor after Akpabio. Those holding this view, hinge their positions on the spirit of equity, fairness and sense of belonging. They further argued that since former Governor Victor Bassey Attah who hails from Uyo Senatorial District governed the state from 1999 to 2007 and handed over to Akpabio, politicians of Uyo extraction should steer clear of the race in 2015.However, several other political pundits have argued that though the argument in favour of Uyo Senatorial District seems plausible, it is defective on the basis of history and the Nigerian Constitution. To those who believe in this school of thought, the zoning arrangement of any political office would eventually end up breeding mediocre. It was also argued that zoning of offices could only be an issue after the post of a president or governor must have been decided at the election.Some people, including the national president of the Ibom Covenant Initiative (ICI), Wilson Effiong, vowed to resist any attempt by the PDP leadership in Akwa Ibom State to zone the governoership slot to Eket Senatorial District. They argued that the position of Eket Senatorial District has been very pronounced in history as being the area that produced the first two governors in the old Cross River State namely, the late Brigadier U J Esuene and the late Dr Clement Isong.Several other observers are also of the views that in the history of the state, all its governorship primaries across all parties are always contested by all senatorial districts. For example in 1999, Attah contested against people like Benjamin Okoko, Moses Essien, Dr Ime Okopido, Dr David Ekanem and Dr Ekeng Anamndu, among others. Also in 2003, Attah was challenged by Okoko, Dr Samuel Udonsak and Dr Ime Umana, who almost floored Attah at the Supreme Court. The renewed cry for zoning becomes more questionable in view of the fact that in 2015, Dr Samuel Udonsak, Okoko, Essien, Dr Mfon Amama, Larry Esin, Nsima Ekere (the sitting deputy governor) and Obong Okon Inwang (all from Eket Senatorial District) were among the 57 aspirants from all the three senatorial districts in the state that contested the governorship ticket with Akpabio in 2007, thus rubbishing the claim that it was zoned to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.Again, Akpabio battled with Mr James Iniama, an Ibibio man from Uyo Senatorial District, who was the candidate of the then Action Congress (AC) in the election proper. In 2011, Frank Okon, Larry Esin, Imo Udo, Senator John Udoedeghe, Idongesit Umoh and David Ekanem among others either contested the party primaries on the platform of the PDP or the main elections under other political parties against Akpabio, a PDP man.As things stand now, some politicians from Eket have pitched their tents with Umana Okon Umana, the current Secretary to the State Government, from Uyo who has been indicating that he is keen at contesting the election. He was quoted to have stated in a recent interview that it was still too early to start campaigning for 2015 since he was still having his job in government. While Umana with his philanthropic gesture and amiable personality is a candidate to beat in any electoral contest and should be supported, there are subtle moves within the power house to scuttle his ambition. Akpabio's headache lies in the fact that his deputy, Ekere, who contested the ticket with him in 2007, was said to be still interested in the office. While the deputy governor may not be a push-over, having learnt the ropes of governance under his boss, he may find his match in Umana, a man who possesses the intimidating credentials and requisite experience needed to win any election.While it is not yet clear that Akpabio's successor may emerge through the disputed zoning system, with the contenders strategising and re-strategising to outsmart each other to achieve their ambitions, the state may witness a rehash of 2007 when 57 persons contested the primaries that produced Akpabio as the PDP candidate.'Etuk, a public analyst, writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
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