Obong Ndaeyo Nyaudo Inuaeyen
As one of the community conscious citizens, it behooves me and other critical Stakeholders to openly bare our minds on the fundamental subject, whether Political or otherwise as concerned the peaceful co-existence of the entity called Ikono/Ini, over the Federal House Member Come 2023
Suffice it to state that, from available correct records, it’s apparent the slot for our representation in the National Assembly from the 4th republic in 1999 to 2003 started with a representative from Ikono LGA with Hon Ikwo Nyong Inyang in the party platform of Peoples Democratic Party.
In the 5th Republic, 2003 – 2007 , Hon. Ikwo Nyong Inyang was peacefully given another opportunity again to represent Ikono/Ini in the Federal House of Representatives for a second term in office. Thus, a member from Ikono axis represented us in the National Assembly for two successive terms from May 1999 – to May 2007, without any rancor, interference, or interruption.
This process was in a way upheld as a political precedence/ standard by the Political Stakeholders of the two sister local government areas.
In the 6th & 7th Republic, that is, from 2007-to 2015, the mantle of representation in the National Assembly shifted peacefully to INI LGA. Hon. Prof. Ini Akpan Udoka won the election and, thus, represented Ikono/ Ini in the National Assembly successfully for 1st & 2nd terms in office without incursion; thus, he successfully served the turn of Ini Local Government Area to the end.
In the 8th Parliament,2015-2019, the slot for representation in the National Assembly returned peacefully to IKONO LGA block, and Hon. Engr. Iboro Asuquo Ekanem contested for, and won the election, still relying on the political platform as was provided by the PDP then.
Wherefore, going by the existing zoning structure that allows for the rotational slot of representation between these two LGAs (IKONO and INI), making the Federal constituency, Ikono LGA was supposed to repeat the representation in 2019.
So, to make allowance for peace, justice, equity, and fairness, in the 9th Republic (2019-2023), IKONO LGA repeated the representation but in another person of Hon Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo (a.k.a Macaire).
THE 2019 GENTLEMAN AGREEMENT. It must be placed on relevant records that in 2019, the political stakeholders of IKONO/INI Federal constituency came together in the spirit of equity, justice, and fairness; and struck an agreement pact, in regards to representation in the National Assembly. The terms of the said agreement were summarized in this wise:
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- That a member of the House of Representatives should be elected from IKONO LGA to complete the botched second term of Hon. Engr. Iboro Asuquo Ekanem – an Ikono person who failed to clinch the party ticket for a second term.
- And that whosoever so elected to represent IKONO/INI in the National Assembly shall serve for only one term, thus completing the turn of Ikono in 2023.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE GENTLEMAN AGREEMENT. In the light of the provisions of the above agreement, it inevitably implies that:
- Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo (Macaire)’s representation came as a completion agenda for Ikono turn.
- In view of the subsisting tenets of the above agreement, which he (Macaire) was privy to, and also pledged to uphold; his tenure was to end in 2023.
- And going by the terms of that agreement, the turn of representation in the National Assembly in 2023 is the exclusive right of INI LGA, and that status quo should be accorded due respect by all the political gladiators.
Conclusion Obviously, from the 4th republic till date, the slot of representation in the National Assembly for the IKONO/INI Federal constituency has shuttled peacefully in a back-and-forth circle between these two sisters LGAs.
And this common political understanding has strongly promoted and enhanced the concept of peaceful co-existence between the IKONO/INI people, and NOTHING MUST BE DONE to truncate this understanding irrespective of interest, sentiments, bias, and affiliations. It is always said that “What is good for the goose is good for the gander”.
So, in accordance with the agreed zoning pact, and for the sake of equity, justice, fairness, and peaceful co-existence, let the 2019 gentleman agreement, as well as the age-long Political understanding, remained.
In as much as Ikono/Ini people appreciate the live-touching representation of the current Federal House Member, the apothegm ‘ One good turn deserves another is absolutely inapplicable, And let the ongoing agitations and campaigns in some quarters for a second term ambition of the current Ikono/Ini House member be jettisoned forthwith – principally to allow for a peaceful transition of the mantle and mandate of legislative representation in the National Assembly to an INI person in 2023.
I stand for equity, justice, fairness, and peaceful co-existence.
