Asutan Ekpe Shares Political Offices

The dust raised by the controversy of who gets what in Asutan Ekpe was finally cleared as the political leaders in Asutan Ekpe shares the political offices that may be accursed to them in 2011. The position of House of Assembly was zoned to lwawa, while all the delegates from Asutan Ekpe were admonished to cue behind Ndikpo in the forth coming House of Representatives' contest.
This decision was taken at the enlarged stakeholders and Elders meeting that was convened at the palace of the Political Leader of Asutan Ekpe; Obong Iberedem Ekpe on Monday 5th April 2010.
The meeting which had in attendance former Political Officer holders, former Elected Councilors, Former House of Assembly member from Asutan Ekpe, Youth Leaders, Women representative and Opinion Leaders was presided over by Obong Donatus Noah, the Political Leader of Asutan Ekpe.
The moderator, Hon. Jackson Uyoe, the scribe of Asutan Ekpe Unity forum, an umbrella organization of the opinion leaders in Astuan Ekpe and former councilor representing Asutan Ward 11 pointed out that it is high time Asutan Ekpe be allowed to settle their political difference without external influence. He noted that the present Chairman of the local government is Ndikpo man, and reiterated the support of the entire Asutan Ekpe to ensure that another Son of Asutan Ekpe from Ndikpo extraction reclaim his stolen mandate in the National Assembly and also re-contest for a second term. He maintained that for equity, fairplay and justice to prevail, the seat of State House should unanimously be conceded to somebody from lwawa axis so as to balance the power equation in Astuan Ekpe. Another prominent Son of Asutan Ekpe and member of the newly inaugurated Local Government committee Obong Etop James Usanga supported the idea, but he calls for caution in its execution.
After an exhaustive deliberation, it was unanimously resolved that the two position that will likely come to Asutan be shared between the two sub clans of lwawa and Ndikpo. Thus while Ndikpo man was billed to go to the National Assembly, An lwawa man was tipped for the position of State Assembly.
In his vote of thanks, the former House of Assembly member from Asutan Ekpe, Obong (Hon.) Eduok Eduok adviced that the decision of Asutan Ekpe, elders should be communicated to the Royal Fathers of Asutan Ekpe, the General Assembly of Asutan Ekpe people through an organized forum and the party hierarchy of PDP as a guiding principles on whatever position the party may decide to take on the matter. He noted that there has never been zoning of House of Assembly in Asutan Ekpe. He reminded those who are now agitating for zoning that when he stood for election in 2003, he was contesting against two strong contenders from Ndikpo extraction.
In his remark, shortly before he moved for adjournment of the meeting, the immediate past Vice Chairman of Transition committee, former Youth Counil Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan, former Deputy State Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Youth Council and an Opinion Leader from Ndikpo; comrade David Jackson opined that Zoning has always been a gentlemen's agreement and understanding. He posited that what has just taken place in the palace of the political leader is an acceptable zoning formula for the Asutan Ekpe people and Ibesikpo Asutan L.G.A at large and appeal to the State and Local Government Party leaders to abide by the decision of the Elders in Asutan Ekpe since zoning is an internal arrangement.
Earlier, the Hon. Councilor representing Asutan Ward III Hon Effort Noah had jettisoned the God fatherism and anointed candidate syndrome which seems to be the only impetus for imposing a default zoning formula on Asutan Ekpe. He compared what will happen in the Local Government to what happened when our Digital Governor. His Excellency Dr. Godwill's Akpabio defied all odds and made the bold and courageous step of contesting against the anointed candidate of the powers that be. He maintained that since power belongs to the people voted him into power against the tide of imposition. He thus appeals to the governor to always support and cause of the majority. Which in this case is the decision of the Political Leaders of Asutan Ekpe.
In his remark, He coordinator of Uyo Mkparawa Asutan and Chairman Asutan Ekpe Youth parliament Akparawa Daniel Thomas pointed out that it would be foolhardy for the Party to take such a crucial decision that affects the dignity and integrity of Asutan Ekpe as a people without first of all consulting with the Political Leaders of Asutan Ekpe. He pledge the loyalty and support of the entire youths of Asutan Ekpe to the decision that was reached at the Palace of the Political Leader of Asutan Ekpe.