AKWA IBOM STATE - Not Yet Uhuru!

Common knowledge presents that Akwa Ibom State, an oil-rich state in the South-Southern part of Nigeria can pass for a one party state. The state is made up of predominantly members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) except for one seeming strong voice from the All Progressive Congress (APC).

 Till date, the PDP remains the ruling party but it also constitutes the power bloc where the gladiators are locked in perhaps the fiercest contest for the governorship battle for the party’s ticket in relation to other states where the PDP holds way.   

  It is observed that within the Akw ibom chapter of the party, there is stiff opposition against what they consider the favouritism being displayed by the authorities over the choice of candidate for next February’s election. It is on record that more than 40 chieftains of the party had indicated interest in taking over from incumbent Governor Godswill Akpabio.

 However, a total of 19 of them purchased the gubernatorial nomination form as at the closing date for the sale of the form.

The list comprises: Bishop Samel Akpan, a former state deputy chairman of the PDP from Onah, Eket Senatorial District, Mr Udom Emmanuel, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG)-Onah, Eket, Senator Helen Esuene, Eket, Professor Richard King, Eket, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ambassador Asam Asam, Eket, former Ambassador to Russia, James Adiakpan, Eket, an entrepreneur, and Samuel Udonsak, also from Eket Senatorial District.

Others are Ekpenyong Ntekim, the immediate past Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state from Okobo still in Eket district, Asuquo Asuquo Okpo, Mbo Local Government Area in Eket district, Barrister Effiong Abia-Mbo, former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and Effiong Usin from Mbo, a petrochemical engineer with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Patrick Ekpo Otu, former deputy to Governor Godswill Akpabio from Ikot-Abasi Local Government Area within Eket district, Mr Mike Sebastian-Ikot-Abasi in Eket district, Mr Okpolump Ette, Leader, Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly and also from Ibeno in Eket district; Nsima Ekere also a former deputy to Governor Akpabio from Ikot-Abasi in Eket district and of course, Dr Benjamin Okokoh from Ikot-Abasi, the man who is believed to have conceded and handed over his political structures to Obong Victor Attah in 1999 to enable Uyo district have the first shot at the government house.

The other entrants are Obong Umana Okon Umana, former SSG from Nsit Ubiom in Uyo district; Ekanem Ekanem from Uruan Local Government Area and Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, former Commissioner for Finance.

Nigerian Tribune checks revealed that; apart from Basseey Akpan, might have finally succumbed to pressure by his former boss; Governor Akpabio and party elders to submerge his governorship interest for the senatorial seat currently occupied by Senator Ita Enang. But others have reportedly remained steadfast in their ambition.

Against the resolution by the National Working Committee of the PDP which zoned the seat to Eket district of the state, the former SSG, Mr Umana Okon Umana who hails from Uyo district, had challenged the resolution in the court of law and was however ruled in his favour.

Another serious contender is the immediate pass Attorney General and commissioner for Justice in the state; Ekpenyong Ntekim, who hails from Oron Federal Constituency in Eket district. He was adopted by the Oro nation as their sole aspirant for the position, which they claim is their right as far as 2015 is concerned.

Our reporter gathered that the learned gentleman was advised in a closed door meeting with party chieftains, to succeed Senator Helen Esuene and possibly pick the governorship ticket in 2019. But, he reportedly rejected the offer; referring the leaders to his primary constituent which he claimed wanted him in the position in 2015.

The source claimed that the former Attorney General refusal to succumb to persistent entreaty to abandon his ambition for a senatorial offer, formed the sole agenda of the meeting. Mr. Ntekim is said to have severally requested the authorities to rather talk to and convince the Oron people because “governorship is communal while Senate is personal.”

The governor according to the source had convened the stakeholders meeting as fallout of Mr Ntekim’s position and to convince the Oron people to persuade him to accept a Senate offer now and succeed Mr Udom after four years. The authorities, to convince the Oron people on their sincerity, is said to have said that Udom will sign a memorandum of understanding to hand over to Oron after four years. The MOU would be counter-signed by PDP, national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and other higher authorities. The MOU is promised to also contain other juicy offers to Oron, including ministerial appointment.

At the meeting of a select Committee set up by the Oron people to review the stakeholders meeting on November 4, it was unanimously resolved that the Oron people are interested in an eight year governorship, subject to good performance and re-election of the incumbent governor of Oro origin as the last two administrations; or a first right to a four-year term; or nothing, in which case the governor should take all available positions in Oron, including the Councillorship.

Meanwhile, there were reports of the restive Oron youths who went round homes of identified stakeholders who attended the stakeholders meeting in Oron, Uyo and Calabar, to warn them of attempts to allegedly betray the Oron 2015 governorship project.

In the Oron traditional rulers had also invoked traditional injunction on any son or daughter of Oron who works against the Oro 2015 project. From all indications, however, Oro nation lacks number; their population cannot be compared to that of Eket Federal Constituency, let alone the Ibibio and Anang nations. From the camp of the opposition; what can best be described as the big masquerade is out again; Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, the only man who stood firm against the emergence of the incumbent as a second term governor in 2011.

Udoedehe, a grassroot man, who for whatever reason has won the hearts of youths in the state especially those from Uyo Federal Constituency. Coming on the platform of APC, the hitherto leader of ACN in the state, had purchased and submitted his gubernatorial nomination form. During his declaration, the he expressed optimism that he would win in 2015. Meanwhile the chances are that more aspirants, especially from the PDP will succumb to pressure as the governor is still holding talks with them. - Tribune reportage.

*DRAMA!!!