The choice of Akpabio’s ‘Anointed Successor’ dazzles Uyo Elders

Exclusive reports reaching our newsroom has confirmed that Governor Godswill Akpabio may have shown a direction on who he is likely to handover to in 2015.

After an exclusive meeting over the weekend at Government House, Uyo, sources said it was all shock for bewildered Uyo Senatorial District Elders, after a meeting with the Governor. It was also confirmed that a similar meeting took place with elders from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District under the aegis of Afe Annang to fashion out a new direction come 2015.

 The Governor is reported to have told the Uyo elders, notable among them were former Women Affairs Minister, Obong Rita Akpan, Dr Maurice Ebong and Chief Sunny Jackson Udo, the reason behind the sudden exit of their son, former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, from his cabinet. He said the action was in tandem with the current wave of zoning for which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) upholds and this informed his declaration of not having any anointed candidate except from Eket Senatorial District, where the current SSG, Mr. Emmanuel Udom, is from.

Chief Akpabio explained that he had nothing against the former Chief Scribe of the State, whom he described as a brother and friend, committed to the service of the state, he urged the elders to reason with him base on pressures and sentiments from various quarters, capable of threatening the unity of Akwa Ibom.

Most of the Elders were said to have supported the aspiration of Obong Umana Umana which they declared publicly to have endorsed him for the Hilltop Mansion.

However, it is not known if the elders are ready to play the script of Governor Akpabio in 2015.

According to our sources, Chief Akpabio was said to have held a meeting with his top aides, popularly called “The I-11,” a pressure group of major youth leaders who promoted his candidacy prior to 2007. In the meeting attended by more than 19 persons, our source confirmed that the Governor also repeated his intention to support a candidate from Eket Senatorial District.

Speculations have it that Mr. Udom Emmanuel, maybe the favoured successor. He urged the group to lend their support to the new SSG by involving him in socio-political and other social functions like burial, naming ceremonies, child dedication, weddings and birthday celebrations.

This, our source said, could be the reason for the heavy traffic to the new SSG’s office.

Reports, however, indicate that the choice of Mr. Emmanuel may not be the last option for the Governor, who will, first of all, test his popularity for the position.

Should Mr. Emmanuel’s popularity doesn’t carry the day; sources said the Governor may go for an Oro candidate. Names mentioned as plan B included Mr. Okon Iyanam and Mr. Okon Amasi, both professionals who had worked as directors in Globacom and Societe General Bank respectively.

A group, Movement for Equity and Justice, said the Governor’s plans does not take the people into consideration and may fall flat in politics. An executive member of the group, who refused to be named, said the Governor cannot give Akwa Ibom to Lagosians who do not understand the state and whose friends, family and colleagues are not remotely connected to the state. “Street intelligence is better than professional intelligence in dealing with the masses and performing to the benefit of all of us. The Governor should keep his dream to himself till 2015. It will not work”, he concluded.