It is pertinent to note that Godswill Akpabio came into power in 2007 and was believed to be the manifestation of God’s will. Since the then Governor Victor Attah had a candidate he wanted to succeed him, it is believed he did everything possible to secure the PDPs’ ticket for him, from the three aspirants who were vying for the party’s ticket in the primary election. These people were Hon. Bob Ekarika from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Attah’s son-in-law; Larry Esin from Eket Senatorial District and the present Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
Akpabio, though a part of Attah’s cabinet, was least expected by some to succeed Attah. Some even envisioned a more influential person as Attah’s successor should his in-law fail to scale-through. On that note, Akpabio won the election based on credibility. This is not to say he was most qualified for the Hilltop however, but the grace of God saw him through. This could be likened to the story of Esau and Jacob in the Bible, Esau was hated and Jacob was loved.
It is believed that Akpabio has done tremendously well in the development of the State. He has acted well by bringing Akwa Ibom State to limelight in Nigeria’s political terrain. The economic and social conditions of the State have been improved. In fact, he has brought a transformation into the State and made it a destination for everybody.
But there is an issue on ground which is of concern to every Akwa Ibomite, and this is the issue of his successor. Of course every Akwa Ibomite would want a person who will do more than what Akpabio has done in terms of providing good roads, creating employment opportunities and other things which will be of benefit to the entire Akwa Ibom populace.
However, the question is ‘who will actually succeed Gov. Akpabio?’. We have heard that Akpabio has over time, had several people he wanted as his successors although one cannot tell the basis for which he used in justifying them as his potential successors. He has again picked the SSG whom some consider to be a green horn in the political arena. This he is doing through his body language and some indirect statements like “Udom is right”, which some socio-political organization are now using as a slogan.
Many have wondered why Akpabio himself sent his former assumed successors packing when he initially showed unambiguous signs that they were the anointed ones. Was he veiled to have later discovered their incompetencies after being unveiled? Why does the Governor have so many candidates at heart? At first he had Umana Okon Umana as his political successor. And it is believed that his closeness with the former SSG, Umana began from his first term in office due to the immense support the latter gave him financially and otherwise during his political campaign. This relationship, some claimed was responsible for the choice of the ex-SSG as the successor come 2015. Infact, Akpabio had to step on people’s toes to enable him keep his promise to Umana Umana. Such was the former Deputy Governor, Obong Nsika Ekere. But it became ironical when he released his axe on Umana Umana whom he made see as his successor.
Asides Umama Umana, it is believed that the Governor also had a liking for Bassey Albert, former Commissioner for Finance; Effiong Abia, former Commissioner for Rural Development, (Barr) Ntekim and Bishop Samuel Akpan as regards the 2015 Governorship seat. His believe then was opposed to zoning as he was often expressing uninvolvement in the policy. He was fond of saying that anyone irrespective of a Senatorial District could succeed him. This was actually when he was in a political romance with the duo of Umana Umana and Bassey Albert. Now he has turned them down by relieving them from their duties.
That notwithstanding, Akpabio has picked Udom Emmanuel as his potential successor and is projecting Udom to the people of Akwa Ibom State as the most rightful candidate and this, can be regarded as the imposition of a candidate to the people (if he is not the people’s choice). This projection can be seen through his body language and some statement he makes. As earlier noted, when he was in consonance with Umana Umana, Bassey Albert and others, he was always of the stand that he is not a product of zoning but he has now changed his stand. He is now a product of zoning so that he can use this to exclude some people who may likely be a challenge to him in the course of ensuring that Udom succeeds. And in order to make 2015 gubernatorial race a sure deal for Udom, he is trying to make people believe that “Udom is right”.
As a political analyst, it could be inferred that what made Akpabio dump those he earlier adopted may also make him to say “Udom is wrong” before the PDP primary election. This is because Akpabio seems to be uncertain and unstable in the course of choosing who to succeed him.
As the matter of fact, I would rather advise Akwa Ibomites, especially those who have concluded already that ‘Udom is right’, to pause and observe the political trend well before they pitch their tent. They should also be wary of their choice candidates lest they get others confused as well. Afterall, the mouths who attested Umana to be Right also attested him to be wrong later. Who knows if Udom may tomorrow become wrong? To our dear Governor, I would rather say, he should not attempt to impose anybody on the people but rather allow them choose who they want as their next governor.
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