2015: Umana dumps Anietie Etuk

* Backs Andem Andem for Etinan House of Representatives’ seat
* Leo Ekpenyong to coordinate activities for Abuja based lawyer

A twist has been introduced into the political field of Obong Umana Okon Umana the former secretary to the State Government following the sudden interest shown for the Etinan House of Representatives seat by an Abuja based legal luminary Barr Andem Andem.

Andem who is currently in court with Frank Okon following debriefing by the former SA on technical matters to ex-Governor Attah is said to be enjoying the backing of Obong Umana Umana who had earlier thrown his weight of support behind Mr. AnietieEtuk, the former speaker of the House of Assembly who is presently representing the people of Nsit Ibom State Constituency at the 5th AKHA.

THE INK can authoritatively report that Andem who until recently was an antagonist of the Akpabio administration was encouraged to run for the Etinan Federal Constituency seat by the former SSG as a way of encouraging Andem to throw his weight of support behind the Nsit Ubium born politician whose eye on the Hiltop mansion is not a flux.

Umana Umana’s backing of Andem has seriously rattled AnietieEtuk’s camp who had hitherto believed that the former speaker stands a better chance especially as the Governor Godswill Akpabio is reportedly said to have told the speaker of the 5th Assembly Sam Ikon to dump his ambition for Anietie Etuk.
A source in Anietie Etuk’s camp informed our reporter that if Umana had asked Andem to run for the House of Representatives seat, then he should be ready to lose Anietie Etuk’s supporters who are with him.

Barr Andem Andem while speaking with our news desk in confirmation of whether he is interested in Obong Dan Akpan’s seat said, not only that he has his eyes on the National Assembly to represent Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency but that both his legs, hands and every part of his body are directed towards the green chambers of the National Assembly come 2015.
He said in a phone interaction with our reporter that Akwa Ibom State has been at a short supply of quality legislative representation at the National level and that he desires to get to the green chambers of the National Assembly to offer that quality representation. Noting also that Etinan is ntippeifiok and it has to start from there.

Andem Andem maintained that he seeks to represent Etinan Federal Constituency so as to give them firsthand-quality and effective representation at the National level. 

Checks by our political desk revealed that another Akwa Ibom radical lawyer Barr Leo Ekpenyong will be saddled with the responsibility of directing the campaigns of Barr. Andem Andem. Leo is an Etinan born legal luminary who was also debriefed by Frank Okon. But while Andem has decided to challenge Frank Okon, Ekpenyong citing professional and personal reasons says he won’t join the suit against Frank Okon.

Barr. Andem Andem  /    Leo Ekpenyong

Speaking to our reporter, Barr. Leo Ekpenyong said, he and other friends of Andem are ready to work hard to ensure that Andem gets to the National Assembly. On the zoning formulae in the federal constituency which appear not to favour Etinan Local Government Area, the Abuja based legal expert said, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area has produced Hon. Emah Bassey who served for two terms and as a result of that, Etinan Local Government Area has no business looking for the seat of Etinan Federal Constituency by 2015.

He dismissed the alleged ambition of Sam Ikon to get to the House of Representatives by saying “Da ndiongoke se Ikonayem–oo”. He reiterated his determination to work with every stakeholder of thefederal constituency and State to get victory for Andem whom he described as the bride of Etinan Federal Constituency. Leo Ekpenyong however appealed to Etinan Federal Constituency electorate to join the trend that is working for Andem Andem with a position that if Barr Andem gets the mantle, Etinan Federal Constituency will benefit immensely from his representation as according to him Andem is a trusted and worthy son of Etinan Federal Constituency.