Udom Emmanuel should run for governorship - APN

Mr. Marcus MacDonnald                                 Hon. Aniebiet Odung

As the political tempo in the state gets to a point of decision and Politicians are beginning to tie the lace of their shoes, a group of professionals and politicians, the Akwa Ibom Patriotic Network, APN has risen to contribute its voice to the succession battle that has engulfed the state for sometimes now. The group in an exclusive interview last weekend spoke on the strides of the state Governor Godswill Akpabio, their determination to ensure that their voice is heard as the succession move deepens. Akwa Ibom Patriotic Network (APN) stressed that they are supporting and urging the secretary to state Government Udom Emmanuel to run for Governorship of the state come 2015 because, “Continuity” is the hallmark of this Democratic Power Transition Support Initiative. And that it is their believe that such pantheon of great achievement of this administration that has driven us as a people to an enviable position in the community of states demand encouragement to enable the Governor Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio (CON) achieve more and in continuity transit to a capable hand in the person of Udom Emmanuel come 2015. The International President of the body, Mr. Marcus MacDonnald and the BOT Secretary, Hon. Aniebiet Odung spoke to THE INK in Uyo

What is Akwa Ibom Patriotic Network all about?
We are a fore-most Pan-Akwa Ibom State Socio Political Organization founded on the order of the Holy Spirit made up of group leaders whose activities in the past years aided the emergence of the most democratically elected leaders in their respective constituencies.

What gave birth to APN?
“Democratic Power Transition Support Initiative”, (DPTSI) having witnessed the giant strides emanating from  across the board infrastructural revolution christened “uncommon transformation” and how it affect our collective patrimony; having again reasoned that this is only made possible when governance is branded with credible leadership, we decided to form ourselves into Akwa Ibom Patriotic Network to propagate good governance, equitable representation for sustainable development through continuous, patriotic and progressive leadership innovation.

Continuity which is the hallmark of this Democratic Power Transition Support Initiative. What this entails  that the percolate of these uncommon transformation programs needs continuity. It is also our believe that such pantheon of great achievements of this administration that has driven us as a people to an enviable position in the comity of states demand encouragement to enable the Governor Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio (CON) achieve more and in continuity transit to a capable hand in 2015.

Who is Akpabio in the Eyes of APN?
To APN, Chief Godswill Akpabio (CON) is a man of vision and this vision coalesce with our party’s (PDP) mandate. He is a man with strong compassion for service delivery. The achievements of his administration have not only made the State more significant but have etched her on the sands of time.
Development studies globally suggest that all societal dialectics and growth advanced in stages under an articulated laid down procedures. His government has created enablers such as the infrastructures we enjoy today to drive the advancement of our state’s economy.

Apart from the qualitative free and compulsory education and other services made possible by his led administration, APN appreciates the injection of Ibaka integrated deep sea-port (with shipyard and offshore oil terminal) as the hallmark of his administration, considering its attendance symbolism as the most strategic port within the gulf of Guinea commanding the eastern maritime gateway. With the federal government completing the design, approval of license, and construction of water breakers at the high sea. The 14,000 hectares of land industrial city with deep sea-port, an ammonia plant, fabrication yards, a refinery and associated components have already attracted the scramble of investors from Europe, America and even the Asian tigers.

The emergence of this sea port, dockyard, enormous naval, petroleum and maritime support services must in the other hand commiserate with the bilateral security pact between Nigeria and the United States which is intended to strengthen the Energy/Security Initiative to protect the United States oil and gas interest in the region.

The multiplier effect of all these are mind blowing and will at the long run change the status of Akwa Ibom State into a tourist and industrial destination offering unrevealing wealth of scenic landscape. Considering all these achievements of the Governor for Akwa Ibom people and his ingénues contrivance that are edge cutting, APN considers Akpabio as the father of New Akwa Ibom State. For instance, when His Excellency, Chief Dr Godswill Akpabio integrated the likes of Obong Unwana Hon. Emmanuel Ukoette, Hon. Onofiok Luke and others, critics were against the Governor for bringing such young men into the mainstream of Akwa Ibom politics. But the volume of their political contributions both in human and infrastructural development are edge cutting and as such there is greater demand for the integration of more youths into Akwa Ibom State body polity.

You said every decision of the Governor is in the best interest of Akwa Ibom people and the growth of the State, would you say that the appointment of Udom Emmanuel as the SSG at this time in our political life is one of such wise decisions?

Decisions are cognitive product of indepth revelations which are of course substance of the force which influence man’s actions.

Therefore, every decision taken by a man led by God is a function of the Holy Spirit. So the decision of the Governor to bring in Udom Emmanuel at this time is a function of the Holy Spirit suggesting to us where we are now, the revelation is progressive and he needed a man that will be capable to key into the 21st century Akwa Ibom State demands.

We might not really understand, but we must emphasize that apart from being also in line with the routine reshuffling associated with most executive council; it is also the function of the Holy Spirit suggesting the time we are in our development drive and the quality of man power demanded.

It appears APN has an idea of who Udom Emmanuel is. Tell us about him and why you think he will function effectively

Mr. Udom Emmanuel who until his appointment as SSG, served as Executive Director of Zenith Bank can be considered as a highflying achievatron with intimidating credentials. His injection into the State’s Executive council have generated heated puzzle amongst the political class. Much of this conundrum anchored on his charisma and capacity. The political actors and their ultimate intentions are equally other generic ingredients of these debates.

However, for avoidance of doubt and not attempting to be boastful concerning his credentials which was unveiled to Akwa Ibom people during his swearing in ceremony. Udom Emmanuel is a professional, a colossus in the private (Banking) sector whose sterling professionalism have not only traverse the African financial environment but have equally peregrinated the global financial industries.

After a reverberated analysis of the person of Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, and his meritorious performances within this period as the SSG, we the APN family declare Udom Emmanuel wanted for the Governorship position come 2015 under the platform of PDP. And that we will also forward similar letter of cognitive content to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio (CON) to release Mr. Udom Emmanuel to contest the gubernatorial election come 2015 so that the vision for greater Akwa Ibom State should be sustained. 

A chartered accountant with a career in the financial service sector spanning over twenty three years. Executive Director on the Board of Zenith Bank Plc, who doubles as non-executive director, African Financial Corporation (AFC), Director Nigerian Inter Bank Settlement System (NIBBS), non-executive director Zenith, United Kingdom, Gambia, Serra Leone, Zenith Insurance, Pension and Custodian, Zenith Securities, Zenith Trustee and Zenith Registrar. He is also a licensed global financial expert with wide experience in various blue-chip organizations such as Price Water House and Diamond. A fellow of Chartered Institute of  Management, Chartered Institute of Taxation, as well as the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN). He is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, INSEAD France, London Business School, Columbia Business School and Wharton Business School of the United States of America.

He is married to Martha Udom Emmanuel and the union is blessed by God with four children at the ratio of two is to two. A spirit filled Christian who worships as an elder in Qua Iboe Church where he had single handedly built a cathedral at Surulere, Lagos. He hails from Awa Ndon in Onna Local Government Area and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

Responding to whether he will function effectively, we want to state here that there are men on earth whom failure are too scared to get near them and Udom Gabriel Emmanuel belong to this class of men. Again, a man driven by sclah private sector perspicacity will not only function effectively but will contribute immensely in our financial management, wealth creation and building of borders for the overall growth and sustenance of Akwa Ibom state economy.

As Ika son, how would you describe Chief Saviour Enyiekere’s administration?
Of course all who is conversant with the two crisis that affected Ika in particular and Akwa Ibom State as a people would understand what peace mean to Ika person today.

Ika LGA administration is led by a leader with precise understanding of grassroots leadership demands and administration. Apart from putting in place legacy of enduring public utilities, Ika have enjoyed and witnessed resolute peaceful and conducive political environment which is a pre-requisite ingredient and cursor for sustainable development.

With his peaceful disposition, he has been able to unite the people of Ika irrespective of their political and religious divides. He is a true replica of his father Chief Godswill Akpabio and have keyed into the governor’s succession plan. We therefore drum support for him to represent our constituency in the House of Assembly come 2015 because we are optimistic and assured of continuous effective grassroots leadership.

The contribution of the APN to the confab or do you even believe in the confab in the first instance?
The convocation of a national conference should be targeted to addressing the fundamental challenges militating against us as a nation since independence in 1960. 

The referendum emanating thereof can be built into the constitutional process or push to providing Nigerians with autochthonous constitution. And this will put an end to all grievances, suspicious, greed and accusations which have continuously disrupt the re-engineering of our body polity. 

In doing this, I think the presidential advisory committee on the national conference should be guided by the phrase found in our first national anthem composed by a British lady Lillian Jean Williams.
- Though tongues and tribes may differ in brotherhood we stand…
- To hand unto our children a banner without stain
- O God of creation help us a nation where no man is oppressed
This capture the dreams of our hero’s past which we must endeavour to withhold.

To achieve this, adequate Nigeria’s history and global antecedents is required.
The European history reveals that the buildings of most modern nations are usually dissolved into many pasts. For instance, the Great British can be divided into the English Scots, Nothumbian, Wessex, Cornish and Anglian native States.  

Today, British have evolved from a nation once conservative and restlessly unsatisfied native people through the Magn carta constitution to the article of the union of 1st January, 1801; which finally coalesce them into the United Kingdom with largely conventional (unwritten) constitution and federalism supported heavily by the west minister parliamentarianism melting all forms of multi-pluralism. France is another typology of a multi ethnic nation, but have equally evolved through the liberte fratenite and equalite, the Napoleonic tyranny to a constituent assembly which promulgated into a referendum and a people’s constitution in 1946. 

The 1946 constitution was therefore regarded as the watershed of France’s long treck towards a united democratic nation whose sovereignty lies in the hands of French nationals.

Critics have questioned the mention of Nigerian state that only emerge by 1914 Lord Luggard’s amalgamation. Others have also questioned the lack of any national consciousness among her multi ethnic and religious nationalities. Some see Nigeria as an artificial creation of the British colonialism with Lord Luggard and Goldie Vying for honour of being the real founders. 

The melting pot of all these plethora of perspectives suggest that the root to our national unity stretches back to several decades of cultural, economic and religious contacts amongst our many parts which can be broke into the Noks, Nupe, Yorubas, Tivs, Ibibios, Housa habel, Magaj, Berbers of Bornu, Bachamas, Birom, Angas, Kaje and the Ijaws. 

The view that Nigeria is a collection of independent native states by Sir Hugh Clifford, Nigeria’s, Governor General in 1920 during the Lagos-Nigeria council debate was reviewed during the 1958 Henry Willink commission of inquiry. I suggest the senate committee on national integration or related committee and the presidential advisory committee on national conference should carefully study the various oppositions of the diverse ethnic nationalities that the British agent collated in compiling that report. 

The end product of that ad-hoc constitutional conference was the 1960 independence constitution which was truncated by the 1966 military intervention. 

Ever since, several attempts have been made by subsequent leaders with diverse nomenclatures to convoke a national conference leading to the people’s constitution. Some have even suggested the convocation of a sovereign national conference with guidelines to follow suit. But to be sincere and patriotic, all were pregnant with selfish motives of the various leaders who initiated such conference, as such these conferences were regarded as  regimes specifics lacking the purity and unity needed for the convocation of a national dialogue with the re-engineering of our political socialization leading to an autochthonous constitution as it ultimate objectives.