17/06/2026
2027: UYO WILL STAND BY OFFOT UKWA TO MAINTAIN THE ZONING SYSTEM IN UYO STATE CONSTITUENCY
Being a text of press conference by Uyo Liberation Movement (ULM) on Tuesday 16 June, 2026
Gentlemen of the Press,
We are delighted to have you all here today, and sincerely appreciate you for honouring our invitation. We are here as a demonstration of our commitment and dedication to justice and fairness particularly as it concerns Uyo State Constituency. Because of its revered status and pivotal position in the state, Uyo cannot fail to lead by example in her politics. It is against this background that we are convening this world press conference to address certain vital issues relating to the Uyo State Constituency election in 2027. The issues are;
1. Zoning and Historical Facts: Uyo is made up of four Clans; Oku, Etoi, Ikono, Offot Ukwa. Since the return of the current democratic dispensation in 1999 till now, the State House of Assembly seat has rotated among these four clans in Uyo thus; Oku Clan – twice; Etoi Clan – twice; Ikono Clan – twice, and Offot Ukwa Clan – once. A detailed breakdown is as follows;
i. 1999 – 2003 – Hon. Bar. Aniedi Ndem (Oku Clan)
ii. 2003 – 2007 – Hon. Elder Archibong Inyang (Etoi Clan)
iii. 2007 – 2011 – Hon. Ekere Affia (Ikono Clan)
iv. 2011 – 2025 – Hon. Edwin Joseph (Offot Ukwa Clan)
v. 2015 – 2019 – Hon. Monday Eyo (Oku Clan)
vi. 2019 – 2023 – Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka (Etoi Clan)
vii. 2023 – 2027 – Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo (Ikono Clan)
The above breakdown clearly points to three things; first, that Uyo has maintained a single term arrangement for 28 years. Secondly, that the rotation of the State House of Assembly seat among the four clans has a clear pattern i.e. Oku Clan -> Etoi Clan -> Ikono Clan -> Offot Ukwa Clan. Thirdly, that Offot Ukwa Clan is yet to occupy the seat for a second time like other clans.
2. Failed Representation: There is no debating the fact that in the entire history representation in the State House of Assembly, the current lawmaker has given Uyo State Constituency the worst representation in terms of lawmaking and even empowerment. As a people, we have seen lawmakers who previously served Uyo even with far less resources put up better performances and leaving the office with lasting legacies. It is not in our nature to reenforce failure so it will not become part of our identity. Therefore, we wish to categorically reecho our determination to strongly kicks against the plan to short-change Uyo by rewarding a non-performing representative with a second-term thereby dragging the local government backward as well as disrupting the political arrangement that has unified the people for so many years.
The impact of this failed representation will even be worse should it be allowed for another four years. This is because apart from Uyo potentially staying for another four years without any tangible evidence of the representation, the State Constituency will also risk not being able to produce a principal officer because we are reliable informed that the powers that be do not consider our representative qualified to occupy a key principal office in the State Assembly. This is why Uyo must not only resist every attempt to return the current House Member but must ensure that he is replaced with a competent representative.
3. Justice, Fairness, and Unity Over Greed: We are aware of the fact that the plan is not only to distort the zoning arrangement of the House of Assembly seat, but also that of the Chairmanship seat because of greed and selfish interests. We wish to bring to the awareness of the good and peace-loving people of Uyo that their supposed leader is plotting to distort the zoning of the House of Assembly seat so he can have a basis to also distort the zoning of the Chairmanship seat next year where he is planning to impose his sibling on Uyo people. Therefore, the current struggle is not about the interest of Offot Ukwa Clan, but the interest, peace and unity of the entire Uyo. He is rejecting the House of Assembly zoned to his own ward, Offot Ward 6, in an attempt to claim the chairmanship seat that rightfully belongs to Offot Ward 7 for his personal interest. The people of Uyo must stand together now to protect equity, peace, and unity across our clans and wards.
It is very unfortunate to note that people who strong advocates of the zoning system in Uyo in the past but happen to find themselves in privileged positions of power, are now attempting to disrupt that same system recklessly to serve their personal interest. We are conscious of the grave danger that the current attempt to disrupt the existing zoning arrangements in Uyo will pose to the Local Government in future elections, and it is our firm belief that these impending political misfortunes can only be averted by ensuring that justice and fairness triumph over greed and selfishness today.
4. United Opposition: With the apparent decision by the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go against the wish of the people by insisting on disrupting zoning in Uyo, it is obvious that a united opposition is inevitable in order to rescue Uyo from the despotic grip of ruling party. Consequently, Uyo Liberation Movement has been interfacing with all the opposition political parties, critical stakeholders, and groups in an effort to galvanise the needed support to build a strong opposition that will be capable of defeating the ruling party in 2027. It is important to remind the government and the ruling party that Uyo people are not new to opposition politics and will make that bold statement at the polls in 2027 the same way they spoke in 2011.
Signed:
Elder Prince Emmanuel Sam
Secetary General ULM
For and on behalf of Uyo Liberation Movement
