By Giwa SHILE
The Edemaya Community in Akwa Ibom, under the aegis of Edemaya Progressive Association, has decried the marginalisation of the community since the inception of democracy in 1999.
The community voiced out their complaint in a resolution signed by the President of the Association, Mr Kufre Akpan and Secretary, Mr Ubong Micah, and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday.
The community expressed their displeasure over the continuous denial of the area the opportunity to produce a member to represent the constituency in the state House of Assembly.
“That the continuous denial of Edemaya Clan an opportunity and clear choice of running for elective office(s) within the matrix of Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency since the creation of Akwa Ibom State, should no longer be condoned.
“That political parties, in their electoral interest, should exclusively consider, but not deny Edemaya Clan and her people the chance and choice of producing the next House of Assembly member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo state constituency in the general elections in 2019.
“A candid appraisal of the representational statistic provided a clear discernment of a case of political injustice and insensitivity viewed and denied the rights of other federating clans to share the political entitlements of democracy,” the statement said.
According the statement, the community supports zoning arrangement to ensure equity, justice and fairness to all concerned in the political arrangement of Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo state constituency.
The statement added that Edemaya clan was blessed with individuals with credible and great potential to occupy any elective position in the state.
“The Edemaya Clan is broadly blessed with credible individuals possessing remarkable capacity, appropriate potentials and the required brilliance capable of executing the demands of any elective office across the state.”
The statement said any political party that denied Edemaya clan the opportunity of producing the next House of Assembly candidate to represent the state constituency in the 2019 election would do so at the risk of losing the clan’s electoral support in coming elections.
