New SSG in secret moves over 2015

Three weeks old secretary to state government Udom Gabriel Emmanuel Emmanuel is silently consulting relevant stakeholders and institutions over his decision to run the 2015 governorship elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. THE INK can report.

Although the secretary to state government is yet to take himself to relevant institutions and bodies to inform them of his interests, his aides and those close to him have begun consultations on his behalf and Udom Emmanuel is fully aware even as he has given his backing. A well placed personality in the office of the SSG informed one of our reporters that the new SSG is billed to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio and in view of this, the Onna born banker cum administrator has approved the ongoing consultations on his behalf by his very core loyalists.

It could be recalled that a state based newspaper has earlier reported that the state Governor Godswill Akpabio had introduced his new SSG to the i-11 group and is said to have directed the i-11 group to ensure that they carry the new SSG along in their activities. One of our reporters gathered that sooner or later, the new SSG will play guest to the traditional institution. An impeccable source said the imminent meeting with the traditional rulers will be interpreted on the surface as a courtesy visit but that beyond that is the political colouration that will be plotted to propel Udom Emmanuel as the next governor of the state.

Less than two weeks after the new SSG was sworn into office by governor Akpabio, a meeting was held at Ukana Ikot Ntuen at the instance of Governor Akpabio’s brother Sir Emem Akpabio. A competent source who attended the meeting told the newspaper that the aim of the meeting was to plot ways on how the Akpabio family could retain the political leadership of the state. And to see this comes to pass, Udom Emmanuel who is yet to find his political foot on ground is said to have been considered. The belief here is that this way if the plot sails through, Udom Emmanuel will be seen as an Ibibio from Eket Senatorial District and will always rely on the Akpabios for direction in terms of decision making and governance of the state. Although a section of the Akpabios like the secretary of the party Ibanga Akpabio, the governor’s wife Unoma and a few others are said to have been uncomfortable with the Udom Emmanuel governorship candidacy, events of the past weeks have indicated that the state governor is making frantic efforts to assuage the aggrieved Akpabios with an assurance that the new SSG if eventually takes over will not betray them.

Before last week, the Governor Godswill AKpabio is said to have informed some reliable allies in his administration that the lobby for Udom Emmanuel to succeed him should be handled at the lowest possible ebb to avoid an overheating the polity and some avoidable distractions in the state exco. But upon the return of some top government functionaries from the United States were the state went to on a visit to Akwa Ibomites in the diasporas,  the tempo of consultations on behalf of Udom Emmanuel had increased fuelling the belief that the new SSG is a the new bride of Akwa Ibom politics. To make his path smooth, the new SSG is said to be relating very well with members of staff in his office and is for now having more than a cordial relationship with the first lady Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio who is said to be welding so much influence on the spouse the state governor on who should succeed Akpabio.

Meanwhile, impeccable sources have informed to THE INK that Governor Akpabio must have informed some stakeholders of Akwa Ibom State in the Diaspora that his new SSG is billed to succeed him. Our source who spoke to THE INK in Uyo Airport declined more comments and quipped keep your ears to the ground, you will hear or haven’t you  observed that the man (referring to Udom Emmanuel) have stepped up his consultations?

Meanwhile, the newspaper gathered that the permutations in the AKpabio cycle is that when Udom Emmanuel emerges, two serving commissioners, one from Ikot Ekpene and another from Uyo Senatorial District will emerge as Deputy Governor and Secretary to the state Government respectively. The source maintained that the Oro nation will be made to serve in the capacity of the finance commissioner and the ministry of special duties. But a political source from Nsit Ibom in a chat with our newsdesk hinted that it is rather too early for the new SSG to begin consultations in his 2015 bid. He said, there is nothing wrong in Udom Emmanuel’s ambition but that it appears too early as the new SSG is yet to be old enough in office. He however warned that the new SSG should concentrate on his duty and avoid for now acts that are capable of derailing his service to Akwa Ibom people.