Obong Attah hits Umana Umana

* Says, I can’t support your governorship ambition because you are a betrayer

Former Secretary to state  Government, Obong UmanaUmana’s ambition to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio appears to be suffering a terrible blow following the red card that is given to him by the immediate past Governor of the state, Arch (Obong) Victor Attah.

After many efforts by Umana to meet with Obong Attah had failed flat, the ex-Governor who is generally referred to as the warrior of resource control and the father of Modern Akwa Ibom was said to have been prevailed upon by one of his close man, Maj. (Gen) Edet Akpan, Rtd, to grant audience to UmanaUmana and at least listen to what he has to say.

Obong Attah is said to have however reluctantly agreed to see the Nsit Ubium born technocrat who once served his administration as the Finance Commissioner. When Umana met with Attah during the festive season, THE INK gathered that Umana had pleaded with Attah for forgiveness of all his wrongs. A source close to the former Governor told our reporter that Umana had while discussing with Obong Attah, shifted the blames to Akpabio on the reason he was treated as a nobody in his administration and had promised that as soon as he takes over power, he will do the needful. Mr. Umana is said to have also hinted that he will ensure that the Ibibios are given their pride of place in the state where they are the majority and had pleaded for forgiveness from Obong Attah while pledging to turn a new leaf.

In his response Obong Attah is said to have disappointed Umana as he is said to have told UmanaUmana point blank that he will not support his 2015 ambition to the Hiltop mansion. Attah, one of his close aides informed our reporter, had made it known to Umana that Umana is a betrayer who cannot gain his support for whatever reasons. The former Governor is however said to have told the ex SSG that he has forgiven him since he has come to plead for forgiveness but that as far as 2015 governorship election is concerned, he will not support him and he should not expect his support.

Obong Attah is said to have reasoned that apart from the fact that zoning does not favour the aspirant, Umana while he served with Akpabio failed to do the biddings of Akwa Ibom People but rather went on a rampage against them. Obong Attah is said to have expressed sadness over the action of Umana which he described as ungodly. Umana, the former Governor said betrayed him in 2007 and ever since then had not shown any sign of remorse only for him to begin to look for him simply because of his ambition to become the next Governor. The newspaper gathered that the meeting between Umana and Attah lasted well but ended in total deadlock especially when the former Governor took time to explain to Umana that he was a total disappointment to the people of the state while he served as the state SSG. Mr. Umana, a source in Obong Attah’s camp said had failed woefully to convince the EduekEkpe of Ibesikpo that he has repented wholeheartedly. Our source who expressed disappointment with the way Umana presented his case said, he had expected the ex SSG to table the matter just as it were to the former Governor instead of beating about the bush and pointing accusing fingers at Godswill Akpabio or whoever. Our source said, “my brother the journalist, nkekerekeUmanaabi tang akpanikoinno Obong Attah, he was busy trying to exonerate himself from the embarrassment they caused that man, he was busy pointing blames at his master, Godswill. Infact, I can tell you, Obong Attah was very disappointed with his excuse. But be that as it may, Ete (apparently referring to Obong Attah) has told him very clearly and in strict terms that he will not support him (Umana)”.

Speaking further, our source maintained that Obong Attah, a Knight of the Catholic Church will not go back on his words. He further advised UmanaUmana to dump his governorship ambition as Obong Attah who is known for his candid position on certain things can never throw his support behind a man who once betrayed him after he had made him a Finance Commissioner.

Meanwhile, UmanaUmana is said to have bowed out of the meeting with Obong Attah in a sober and sad manner. It was however not clear whether the ex SSG with the red card punch from Obong Attah and the exit of BamangarTukur as the National Chairman of the PDP will still throw his hat into the 2015 political ring to vie for the governorship position of Akwa Ibom State.