2027: Ibibio union rejects zoning of governorship position among ethnic groups

Ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election, the Ibibio National Union has announced that Ibibio indigenes will not support the zoning of the governorship position among ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom State. The union dismissed the idea that the state is a "tripod" of three ethnic groups – Ibibio, Annang, and Oro. Engr. Emmanuel Akpan, the union's national president, stated that Akwa Ibom State, like all other states in Nigeria, has three senatorial districts: North East (Uyo), North West (Ikot Ekpene), and South East (Eket).

He explained that the Ibibio ethnic group holds 100% of the Uyo district, 80% of the Eket district, and 20% of the Ikot Ekpene district. The union emphasized that other groups, like Oro, are not large enough to have a significant impact on the state's political landscape. Other Ibibio groups, such as Mboho Ikot Abasi, led by Mkpisong Chelly Okoko, also warned against using minority status to intimidate or blackmail the Ibibio majority.

The umbrella organization, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, stated that while the governorship position rotates based on senatorial districts, minorities in the districts should not expect it to be zoned to them. Obong Pius Okon, Ntisong IV, and Mkpisong Tony Okpon urged Oro people and other minorities to stop insulting and undermining the Ibibio people.