AKPABIO, UMANA UMANA IN COLD WAR

Events of the past few weeks have revealed that the once beautiful relationship that has existed between the State Governor, Godswill Akpabio and his Secretary to State Government, Obong Umana Umana appears to be beginning to come to an end.

 

This is not unconnected to the 2015 gubernatorial interest of Obong Umana Umana.  THE INK was informed by a close aide to the state Chief Executive over a month ago that Governor Akpabio is said to have told Obong Umana Umana that he is “sick and tired of this nonsense” apparently referring to the antics of his SSG on his 2015 guber interest.

Akpabio is said to be angry with his SSG because the Nsit ubium born ex-commissioner is alleged to have refused to take his advice of playing cool as the 2015 guber polls hot up.

 

One of the sins of Umana reported to Akpabio a source said is that the SSG have been linked to acts of disloyalty. And that the Governor had become quite apprehensive of the allegations.

 

THE INK was informed that another factor that led to the anger of Akpabio with Umana Umana is the reluctance that was employed by the SSG on his consideration of the NDDC job which Obong Umana Umana is almost losing. 

 

A source told THE INK that during an Economic Summit hosted by Akwa Ibomites in London and Ireland, Umana Umana had wanted to travel back to the country with the Governor but that Akpabio rebuked him from flying with him.  An action that is said to have infuriated the Secretary to State Government who had doubled up efforts to ensure that he gets his victory. 

 

THE INK was informed by a source in Umana’s camp that the SSG is bent on contesting the governorship election of 2015 and that nothing and not even the Governor can stop Umana.

 

Meanwhile, impeccable sources have informed THE INK following the alleged frosty relationship that has crept up between Akpabio and his SSG, the later is considering a resignation especially as it is obvious that Akpabio must have finally succumbed to the pressure that Umana Umana should not succeed him.

 

THE INK learnt that the SSG is equally angry with the Governor because he feels the Governor plotted his near embarrassing situation in the NDDC only to set him up for a humiliation in the State Exco.  It appears the stage is set for war between Akpabio and his ‘main’ man.

 

Efforts to speak with Mr. Iboro Otongaran of Bestman media team who is Obong Umana’s spokesman failed to yield results as Mr. Otongaran did not pick his calls and a text message to his phone on whether Obong Umana was going to resign was not responded to as at press time.