Umana faults PDP’s decision on zoning

Mr. Umana Okon Umana standing besides Atuekong Don Etiebet when the permanent member of PDP BOT was addressing the crowd that came to welcome him at the Akwa Ibom International Airport yesterday, Thursday, 30 Oct., 2014. (PHOTO: Think Akwa Ibom!)

By Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

One of the leading governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Umana Umana, has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) National Working Committee’s (NWC’s) decision to zone the governorship ticket to Eket Senatorial District.

Speaking on phone yesterday with our reporter, Umana said the NWC’s decision was inconsistent with President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that there would be no room in the party for the imposition of unpopular candidates.

He expressed worry that the NWC singled out Akwa Ibom State of all the states affected by the contentious zoning of the governorship seat.

According to him, his organisation, Ibom Development Network (IDN), would ensure that the PDP does the needful.

Umana recalled that in the history of the state, governorship elections had always been open to all aspirants.

The politician said if the decision of the PDP were allowed to stand, it would mar the chances of the party in the 2015  election.

He warned the PDP against targeted zoning, adding that even with the decision of the PDP NWC, the chances of other aspirants from Eket Senatorial District might be foreclosed.

Umana said: “Majority of the members of Akwa Ibom PDP were surprised at the decision of the PDP NWC. They wondered why Akwa Ibom State should be singled out since it is not the only state where there are divisions on zoning. The debate on zoning is not only affecting Akwa Ibom State; it is affecting many other states.

“The decision of the PDP NWC is not consistent with what happened in Ekiti State, where the party opened its door to the aspirants. This resulted in the fielding of its popular candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. That decision led to a successful outcome of the election for the PDP. So, why is Akwa Ibom case different?

“As loyal members of the party, we will follow due process and make sure the party does the right thing by allowing the people to choose who they want as governor.”

Culled from The Nation newspaper