REAFFIRMATION OF NEW ZONING ARRANGEMENT IN UDUNG UKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA: DISPELLING CIRCULATED MISCHIEF

 REAFFIRMATION OF NEW ZONING ARRANGEMENT IN UDUNG UKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA: DISPELLING CIRCULATED MISCHIEF

INTRODUCTION:

Udung Uko Local Government Area is one of the local government areas that make up Akwa Ibom State. It is made up of 23 gezzated villages bounded by Mbo and Oron LGAs. Formerly, it was one of the political blocks in Oron Local Government Area before it gained its current status in November 1996 through the efforts of His Royal Majesty, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet (Eti Oyo Okpo II, Uboho 1 of Udung Uko LGA), Chief O. E. Effiong aka Kampala (Ikpoto Oro) who was the principal financier, Chief K. B. E. Abia (Akpaha Oro), Dr (Engr) Ambassador Etim Udo Uyeh (Akpaha Oro), Late Barrister O. D. Okon, Elder Engr A. E. Idung, Late Chief Bassey Onyile, Arch Rex Ubokulo, Surveyor Okon E. Owoefiak and others.

In the year 2006, there was a gentlemanly agreement on zoning in the LGA, where it was divided into two zones namely Zone A (Udung Uko proper which Comprises of 18 gazetted villages) and Zone B (comprising of 5 gezetted villages). For emphasis, the move was instituted by Udung Uko stakeholders led by Udung Uko Union and not any party or a single individual. The essence of the zoning was as the case has always been for proper sharing of key polical offices in the LGA. 

In addition to the foregoing, it is however, pertinent to note the following:

1. That the essence of the zoning was for fair and proper sharing principle in Udung Uko LGA. For example: It was written clearly that in a situation where chairmanship goes to one zone, the other zone automatically takes the state House of assembly slot, and vice versa.

2. The former zoning agreement was designed to be reviewed in a span of 10 years. That implies that such review was already long overdue.

The essence of this clarification is to quell the widespread falsehood by mischief makers and those who are only after their stomach, who are bent on ignition of rancour in the polity of Udung for their selfish aggrandizement.

THE NEW ZONING ARRANGEMENT:

Owing to the fact that the former zoning arrangement was naturally terminated by time and provision of available document, a committee was set up by the same Udung Uko Union for its review. On September 24, 2021, a meeting was held to that effect. It is worthy of note that the meeting was well attended by the who is who of Udung Uko, including the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), leaders of other Political parties, as well as Udung Uko Traditional Rulers.

The following were resolutions taken at the said meeting:

1. It was agreed that the the former zoning arrangement was long outdated hence, a need for a new and all encompassing one.

2. A new zoning system presented thus: Zone A, B, and C as against the former, being A&B was adopted.

3. Zone A Comprises of Wards 1, 2, and 3 (with 14 villages and 21 voting units ); Zone B Comprises of Wards 4, 5, and 6 (with 5 villages and 20 voting units); while Zone C Comprises of Wards 7, 8, 9, and 10 (with 4 villages and 20 voting units).

SHARING FORMULA:

It was agreed, for the purpose of 2023 elections that The State House of Assembly goes to Zone A, The Chairmanship goes to zone B with particular reference to Uboro Isong Inyang Ward 6 who have never had the opportunity of occupying the Chairmanship position, while the House of Representatives is thrown open to all sons and daughters of Udung Uko.

A valid motion of adoption on the new zoning system/sharing formula was moved by Mr Kingsley Ekpangedoho of Ward 6 and duly seconded by Captain Effiong Eyoh (Rtd) of Ward 3 which led to the formal pronouncement of the new zoning system that had been in operation since September 2021.

Let us note with care that copies of the document duly endorsed by stakeholders of Udung Uko LGA, concerning the new zoning formula were produced and duly circulated to relevant authorities and key stakeholders of Udung Uko Local Government Area and Akwa Ibom State. 

PUBLIC NOTICE

Recently, some erroneous publications flooded the internet space where claims were made by some rancour thirsty individuals that Udung Uko is still operating on the old and outdated zoning system. The sad thing is that their desperation went as far as pushing them to forge signatures of good sons and daughters of Udung Uko LGA so as to cause undue rancour and restiveness on an issue that was long taken care of. 

It is however surprising that the information above has been credited to the Chairman of Udung Uko LGA, Hon Atanang Osung, and the Vice Chairman of PDP, Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Comrade Godwin Okponung who quite frankly were not just active members of the zoning committee, but also products of zoning. Let it also be known that Hon Atanang Osung and Comrade Godwin Okponung do not have any legal and moral rights to speak or take decision for Udung Uko as they cannot give what they do not have. Zoning as we all know is solely the decision of the stakeholders and not the local government council and party where the duo hold sway, knowing that there are other Political parties in Udung Uko LGA.

The public is hereby advised to discountenance such publication as it is the handiwork of mischief makers, and enemies of peace/harmony currently enjoyed in Udung Uko LGA.

REAFFIRMATION:

On Saturday, February 19, 2022, elders, youths and political class from 18 out of the 23 villages making the majority population of Udung Uko LGA gathered at Udung Adatang Town Hall to reaffirm the adoption of the new zoning formula in the Local Government Area. The meeting was well attended by creme de la creme of Udung Uko including: Chief Mrs Kenim Onofiok (Political leader of Udung Uko LGA), Chief K. B. Abia (Akpaha Oro), Elder Francis Eyikang, Rt Hon Okon Edet Iyohokwa (Immediate past vice chairman of Udung Uko LGA),  Chief Ita Effiong, Elder Surv. Okon Edet Owoefiak (Chieftain), Hon Chief Dr Mrs Mercy Ita Effiong, Mr Christopher Esin aka Mr Xto, Elder Ben Esifa, Hon Etete Etim Effiong (Councilor representing ward 4), Hon Nyong Osung Okon (councilor representing ward 3), Comrade Iniobong Edmond, Ulap Ernest Iyanam, Elder Efiong Edunoh aka Nimosa, Teacher Emmmauel Eyikang, Engr Koko Bassey, Comrade John Esio, Comrade Paul Isangedighi, Hon Hilkia Nseabasi, Dr Godwin Essang, Barr. Godwin Umiom Etta, Dr Okon Okon Effiong aka Indigo, Dr. Effiong Okon Effiong aka Sanction, Captain Effiong Eyoh Rtd, Chief Ita Esifa (dean of Village heads, Udung Uko LGA) Engr Kininyi Edubio, Dr Bassey Ntekim, Prince Ita Owokere, Comrade Victor Mkpofor, Noble Joshua Osung etc. Please refer to the list attached for other attendees.

The Traditional class in the 18 villages of Udung Uko also used the opportunity to send series of stern warnings to any Udung Uko son or daughter who attempts to foil the current three zones system, pronouncing point blank that they risk full traditional sanction if they continue in their unprogressive activities.

CONCLUSION:

Aside political positions such as chairmanship and state House of assembly, the new zoning system seeks to distribute key offices around all blocks of the LGA for all round inclusion. This is in direct contrast to what is obtained presently, where the vice chairman, Council secretary, Leader of the Legislative council, and chapter chairman of the ruling party is occupied by a single block. It will allow for fairness, justice, and equity which in all sincerity is the true tenet of democracy.

God bless Udung Uko!

Hon Chief Dr Mrs Mercy Ita Effiong,

President General, Udung Uko Union

For stakeholders of Udung Uko LGA