As the 2015 elections gets tough in Akwa Ibom State, our investigations,
however, have revealed five topmost aspirants, who are jostling for the
number one seat in the state.
Here they are:
1. Governor Godswill Akpabio:
The present Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, is seen as a top
contender to the governorship of the state in 2015. Political analysts
say he is neck deep in the race because of the schemes he is plotting to
produce a successor. At functions, in private, he has left no one in
doubt that he is very interested in producing his successor. This makes
analysts believe he is in the race, though by proxies. Some of the known
proxies associated to the Governor are the Secretary to the State
Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel, and the Attorney General and
Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim. Governor Akpabio is
known to be behind the formation and functioning of an Akwa Ibom
Consolidation Alliance (ACA) which is promoting Udom’s candidature. ACA
membership is said to be mandatory for all government functionaries.
Ntekim is said to be his plan b. reports say Akpabio had mobilized him
with money to start consolidation among his Oro people. Udom and
Ntekim’s strength seem to be their connection to akpabio. Their
weaknesses are same: lack of connection to the grassroots and fear among
politicians of a possible elitist government if they are voted in.
2. Obong Umana Okon Umana:
Erstwhile Secretary to the State Government has said he will not
withdraw from the race even though the zoning arrangement of the state
chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) does not favour him.
Touted as Governor Akpabio’s anointed before he was booted out in
controversial
circumstances, Umana’s associates tell anyone who cares to
hear that Umana was never interested in the governorship until he was
asked to contest by Akpabio. How, when and why Governor Akpabio changed
his mind about him still remains a mystery. Umana remains a strong
contender in the race with a large followership, especially among Ibibio
elders and non-office holding politicians. He is said to have a huge
financial war chest to counter whatever the governor will spend in his
quest to install a successor.
3. Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh:
The leader of the state house of assembly is one top contender whose
strength is being underrated by those who do not understand politics. A
quiet and humble strategist, Etteh has the backing of most of the
statutory delegates, especially party members. He is also very much at
home with youths in the state. Not known for fanfare, he is said to be
pursuing his ambition as someone seeking party nomination, not as one
who has the party ticket already. Many believe the Governor will not
have a problem backing his candidature if he wins his anointed since he
has been the Governor’s friend before he became Governor. Many believe
as a minority Ibeno man, he may not be able to carry the day in a state
where the three major tribes of Ibibio, Annang and Oron fight for
dominance. To this, his supporters say he is connected to all the
tribes. His mother is from Ikono (Ibibio), his grandmother from Uyo, his
wife from Etim Ekpo (Annang) and his Ibeno kinsmen have filial bond
with Oron through Mbang, its founder who was brother to Ukpabang (Oron’s
founder).
4. Obong Nsima Ekere:
Intelligent, cute and
calm, Ekere was Deputy Governor till he resigned in 2012. Many believe
Ekere was forced to resign because of his ambition to take over from
Governor Akpabio in 2015. A man with good political, business and social
contacts, Ekere was once touted as the Governor’s favourite before Udom
Emmanuel emerged. Highly connected, Ekere has traversed the state on
consultations. Many, however, believe several factors will work against
him. One of them is the fact that he is seen as proud and elitist.
5. Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA):
Youthful and intelligent, Bassey Albert Akpan was Commissioner for
finance before he was given the boot by Governor Akpabio sometimes this
year. Akpan has followership among youths and is making inroads into the
Ibibio elders’ enclave and other areas. He is seen as one of the people
with a huge financial war chest to unsettle the Governor in 2015 race.
His weakness remains the zoning arrangement of the party at the state
level, an arrangement he has kicked seriously against. His latest
endorsement by Senator Effiong Bob is seen as a plus.
Also in
the race are Senator Helen Esuene, Prof. Richard King, Engr. Benjamin
Okoko, Bishop Samuel Akpan, Mr. Robert Umoette, Mr. Asuquo Okpo, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, Chief
Jerome Isangedighi, Justice Nya Ebito, Engr. Michael Onofiok, Mr. Larry
Esin, Michael Sebastine, among others.
Follow us on Twitter @AkwaIbomOnline and on BBM 296D678C for instant updates
Source: Ibom Telegraph
No comments:
Post a Comment