* Udom will succeed Akpabio - Pastor Uwanta
The International President of Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA), Pastor Andrew Uwanta was at his best recently when he spoke with JOSEPH OKON of THE INK NEWSPAPER on topical issues about Akwa Ibom state from its creation to this present time, leadership in the state both past and present, industrialization drive, ACA, the 2015 Governorship election, Sir Emem Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel. Excerpts.
Tell us in a nutshell who Andrew Uwanta is I’m Pastor Andrew Unwanta, I come from Nkana in Etinan Local Government Area. I was born and brought up there. I attended St Mary’s Primary School Nkana, and later proceeded to finish at Ife, in Mkpat Enin Local government. I attended secondary school at Secondary Technical College, Ikot Akata. I started in 1972 and finished in 1976. I later went to work at Calabar in a Consulting firm called ACRES consulting services.
I was employed there as a structural graft man trainee. I was there and took entrance examination and got admitted into the Polytechnic of Calabar to study Civil Engineering, when I graduated I went back to work in the same Company. In 1997, I developed interest in politics, though at the polytechnic, I participated in a lot of student’s politics, I was not in the leadership but I was a kingmaker.
I never contested for any position. I started active politics in 1997 as a Youth Activist. I was the President of AkwaIbom State Youth Association which metamorphosed into Youth Council of Nigeria today. I was the Leader in my Ward, and I later moved and contest Chapter position even when Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom were in Etinan at that time, I won as the Chapter President of Akwa Ibom State Youth Association. As if that was not enough, I decided to proceed to the State level and contested the position of (PRO) which I won as the State PRO of the organization. That time was a military era; they were putting structures on ground to transit to Civilian rule. That was when we had MAMSA which supervised all the elections, and made sure that all the viable youths were put in groups to be able to take over from the previous Elders which some of them were band from participating in politics.
That is where I had all the orientations for political leadership. From then on, I developed active interest in politics, and I have been a former Chapter Chairman of many defunct political groups. I have been a Vice Chairman of Etinan Local government Council during the NRC days; I served from 1991 to 1993. I have also been the pioneer state Officer of PDP when it came to AkwaIbom, I have been the state Chairman of Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists, and now I’m the president to Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists NASSI. I’m also serving in the Law Reform Commission as a Commissioner presently; I have been a founding member and International Coordinator of ImanIbom Support for Good Governance. Presently, I’m the International President of AkwaIbom Consolidation Alliance, ACA in AkwaIbom State. I cannot mention all the positions of responsibilities people have entrusted in my care, but I have made a sketch of it. At a very tender age, I was compelled to be the Chairman of my Village Council which I served for 3 years. That was when we had relative peace in the entire area because I was able to run the affairs of the entire community by making sure there was adequate security.
As a Pastor, how do you combinewith politics?
Well, being a pastor does not disturb anybody from participating in any other activity. I was ordained as a Pastor in the year 2000, and it never disturbed me from my active politics, but all I know is because of my background, I take politics as something you must do to be able to serve your people, your community, and the state. If somebody lied when politicking, I don’t take that to be politics, it is against the wish of God.You don’t need to lie, you have to say the truth, when something is white you say it is white. I have also been taking part in my church activities as much as possible, rendering my service in the church. Besides, when you are in a venture that can also help you live well, equally you can contribute meaningfully in the Church, and assist other church members. So there is no crime in one venturing into politics. A lot of men of God are actively involved in politics; every human is a political animal, if you don’t ask people to vote for others, you should be able to vote yourself because it is your civic responsibility to be able to elect a credible person that has the fear of God.
How will you assess Akwa Ibom State in terms of Development and leadership spanning from when it was created to this present time?
I was at Calabar in 1987 when AkwaIbom State was created. I saw the extent of jubilation that the mainland people where doing, and they came back to their dear State and started working very hard to make sure it meets-up with other states in the Federation. In terms of infrastructural development, Governor Nkanga tried hard to bring in the state Secretariat and few other infrastructures. During the creation of the state, I could remember what brought me to AkwaIbom; my consulting firm I worked with was the Engineering Consultant for Uyo Local Government Secretariat Project which was later taken over by the state government since they did not have enough accommodation.That brought me to Uyo the same year the state was created, about November, and the secretariat building which was on going was then taken over and completed, that is the governor’s office Annex today.
I can say that period witnessed the dualization of Oron Road; I also saw some pipe laying’s for pipe-borne water, and a few offices were renovated for use but not much could happen that time until Governor Nkanga came in. He did so well for the state as at that time, and ObongAttah came in and tried his best through his consultancy before he became the governor. The state was planned; maybe the implementation was needed in order for it to come-up. I will not forget Isemin who came with the concept of making sure that water is available in every rural community. AKRUWATSIN was created, a lot of water equipments were brought in which some of them remained there and rotted because Isemin was no more in Office, he was sacked by the army. When it came to the days of Governor Akpabio, we have seen a very wonderful work. I believe is God that is doing but using Akpabio to do what he is doing. The transformation we see in Akwa Ibom is very uncommon.
Let’s face facts; he has done so well in terms of changing the face of AkwaIbom. And developments are dotted everywhere on the face of AkwaIbom. We commend him, we thank him, we ask God to continue to keep him for us.So far he had and is still having good mind on how AkwaIbom should develop, and how AkwaIbom should be industrialized and reached the height that no other state could reach.
We are very happy thathe is using our resources very wisely, and what he uses it for is physically seen by every eye. He has changed our school systems, infrastructures were completely dilapidated, our children were suffering in leaking classrooms and some collapsed ones. He has done so much by declaring a free and compulsory education for our children up to secondary level. He has tried so much to make sure that medical treatments for our children and elderly are free; he has done the urbanization in the state. There is no way a visitor will come into AkwaIbom state without being confused with development, even the people from rural area when they come to the city they will be confused with development. I think he has done the best. Are you going to mention the International Airport, the Tropicana, the Five-Star, and all other projects like the brand new Governor’s office and Deputy Governor’s office? He has done a lot of infrastructural development not only in Uyo but across the entire state. IkotEkpene has been changed to a modern city; a Four-star Hotel is going on at IkotEkpene which we believe will soon be commission. We have seen so much and we thank God for keeping us alive to witness all these things, AkwaIbom State is a place where other states are coming to look at for development, study it and see the possibility of duplicating it in their states which is not easy for them to do such duplication because it is entirely done by somebody that is being send by God to be able to achieve that level of development. We thank God for him.
As the President of National Association of Small Scale Industrialists NASSI, what is your Association doing to key into the industrialization Vision of the present Administration?
NASSI has been in constant touch with the ministry of commerce and industry, and AKIICOP that is in charge of industrialization. We have received a lot of trainings from AKIICOP; today a NASSI man is able to come up with a bankable business plan that can help him or her attract funds from any financial institution. I think those are the basic things that an industrialist should really know; not hiring somebody to put things on paper which you do not even understand exactly how it is being done. The first or second question that is thrown by a financial institution to you, you fail because what you have on papers was not your idea. The basic things have been done; infrastructure is one of the basic things needed for industrialization to take place. Akpabio could not have done further than creating those basic things. The Federal Government is also working to make sure that power stabilises because any production using generator is not profitable because of the cost effect. We also look at the situation that it was not possible for an industrialist to access money at the interest rate they will be able to use and then pay back. All loans stayed at a double digit interest rate, but I believe with the state of economy today, government is trying to make funds at single digit interest for industrialization, and the Federal Government is also doing the same thing. Government has no business in investing directly on industrialization in terms of building industries, any industry built by government cannot be sustainable, people will manage it as a no man business and the entire thing will collapse. But if it is the effort of an individual to put it up, it will be properly managed, and we advised government not to go into direct industrialization but rather to create the enabling environment for the industrialization to thrive. I think it has started, and is still working on it.
No one government can do everything. You will touch this area and another one may not be possible for you to tidy up. Whoever will succeed Governor Akpabio will still push on with the industrialization. That is why we said somebody that has the capacity to attract funds at single digit interest that can attract investors so that we can have good partners on industrialization should succeed him. Because the base has been prepared for industrialization, we now need somebody that will come and implement it. Of course you can see that some of the industries are emerging, they are not built by government, and they are built by investors. The state has been so prepared that it attracts any investor to come in. Recently, Mr President was in this state to perform the ground breaking for the construction of a petrochemical industry at Ibeno, the gas plant at EsitEket was also commissioned the same day. And I can tell you that in less than no time, ground breaking will be done again for fertilizer plant and others. It is not government that is going to build, but government have created the enabling environment to attract major investors that would come in and invest in industrialization. Recently too, a lot of funds have been allocated to AkwaIbom for Medium and Small Scale Businesses from the Federal Government, I think AkwaIbom had the second highest after Delta. If those funds are channelled through appropriate organized sectors like NASSI, NASME, and NASIMA, the people are there with their different business plans. And even when this fund comes, it should not be disburse by government or government agency. This has to go to a financial institution that will be able to handle these issues, and keep to the rule of lending and recovery at any point in time.
The next governor will consider this aspect since we are already on ground with our business plans. I think government should go that way. I want to strongly advise that government should do something about establishing industrial parks. Government should acquire lands and set aside as an industrial area by building warehouses, and open roads there. They should also make sure that power is central, be it generated or from the national grid, and rent them to small and medium scale industrialists. That can also serve as collateral for an industrialist to be able to access funds anywhere, be it from bank of industry or whatever. But an industrialist should be patient to get funds from the real source that will not be a cut throat matter which will not attract more than a single digit interest, and will have a period of moratorium for industries to be put on ground before you start production, and then payment. Moratorium period should not be less than one year or more, and the payment should be spread such that an industrialist will be able to pay back. It should be a very long term loan, commercial banks are giving short term lending, and that will not help industrialization in anyway. Am not an economist, but I have been in the system helping pilot the affairs of small and medium scale industrialists.
I have attended series of workshops and seminars, and much other training, so I understand the entire process. That is why people like us do not rush to get funds for industry; we are trying on our own as much as possible to come up with the raw materials first in form of agriculture.
What happened to the money set aside by government for industrialization?
Money could be set aside for industrialization but the grounds are not ready, it cannot be release. You don’t release money for industrialization into the system without grounds being ready to ensure that the impact is felt, and the right people do access it. If you release the money into the system and people get it and divert it maybe for trading, is not helping the economy. When you are talking of industrialization, it will help the state so much to reduce unemployment to the barest minimum or even eliminate it completely because people will be employed. If you establish one viable industry today, it will take at least twenty to thirty people, another one will do the same just like that till all the people are employed. Government cannot employ people, it is through industrialization that people are employed, and all manners of people do have what to do, call it skill labour or anything. Any type of job is available there for people to work. So our young men and women will not be jobless anymore on the street, and when they are engaged, their orientation, behaviour and everything will change.
As the International President of Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA), what informed the formation of the group?
The formation of ACA came up as a result of loyalty, those that are very loyal to our uncommon transformer Governor put their heads together and decided to float a support group, a family that will be able to stand with our Governor to the last day in office. And also help him come up with a successor that is credible enough to continue with the uncommon transformation, and also consolidate on what he has already done on the ground. This successor must not only be credible but acceptable to the generality of Akwa Ibom people. You know it is not an easy task, that was how the group came up and worked on the ground for a very long time to be able to search and come up with a very credible and acceptable individual who when he formally came into the state; people doubted that he has not been working closely with the state for some times but they never knew he has been doing quite a lot to assist a lot of people as far as Akwa Ibom is concerned. That was the sole aim of the group which is just to support the Governor, and also help him come up with a successor. And the successor we have found, he is on course, and ACA is driving the consultation of that particular successor. When you hear Udom is right, when you hear Udom is the best, is all about that successor. Also help the Governor to make sure that power rotates for purposes of equity, justice and fair play.
Uyo Senatorial District has kept the governorship for two times, since the state creation, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District is now enjoying the governorship, and Eket Senatorial District since the state creation have not even tasted. So we believe the 2015 governorship should move to Eket Senatorial District, hence our slogan. When we say ACA…., it is replied consolidation, ACA….., it is replied continuity, ACA……, it is replied let God’s will be done again and again, and again. And we will ask, ACA ukeoooo, the masses will say ACA Eket, we say amasim Eketeh? The people will say Udom is the best because we have found the best for Akwa Ibom, the one that is coming to industrialize the state, the one that has the pedigree and the capacity that is internationally connected. The one that knows the right button to press and the right number to call for investors to move into Akwa Ibom. The one that knows the right button to press for finances to come into Akwa Ibom for industrialization at single of no interest rate at all. That is the type of person we need, with the type of connection, and we believe when implemented, it will be the best for Akwa Ibom.
Now that Akpabio’s in-law, Mike Sebastine has indicated interest to contest the 2015 governorship; what is the position of ACA on this matter bearing in mind the family relationship he has with the Governor and Sir Emem Akpabio?
I don’t know how people understand matters, we are all political animals. Am not bound to think the same way you think or believe in what you believe in. Sir Emem Akpabio being an in-law to Mike Sebastine does not change the political thinking of Emem Akpabio. And Mike Sebastine also being an in-law to Emem Akpabio has the right to think politically the way he likes. If Mike is interested in governorship he has the right to contest which the constitution allows that. He has the right which nobody can stop him, but that does not affect Emem or change his political thinking.
Sir Emem Akpabio is the BoT chairman of ACA, and he is solidly behind ACA and Udom Emmanuel and the succession plan of our dear Governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio CON. I do not see how that should border anybody, ACA remains the way it is, very intact. Any day that Mike declares publicly, go and watch how many known ACA members or ACA faces that you will see there. Mike has gone out, he is on his own. Maybe according to his believe that he equally is qualified to be the governor of Akwa Ibom state, and there is nothing wrong with that. He has the right to think that way.
Since the inception of ACA, Mike has never been active as far as am concern. So his exit does not affect ACA in anyway, and I know he is not going out with even one soul apart from himself.
The exit of Mike Sebastine from ACA you are talking about, how did it happen?
Up till the time of this interview, I have not received resignation letter from Mike Sebastine. We have the constitution of ACA which made it clear that if you absent yourself for sometimes in meetings, you will be replaced, and the replacement has been done. Rt, Hon. Victor Antai is now the new deputy International President of ACA based on the constitution of ACA since he has absented himself for sometimes, and we noticed he was no more attending meetings. There is no vacuum in ACA, that place had to be filled up which was done. So I have not received his resignation letter, have not heard from him, and I cannot speak for him. We did what the constitution of ACA says that if you absent yourself in meetings consecutively for three times, you stand to lose your position and that is what we implemented. You know there must not be any compromise in any serious organization; you have to follow the rules and keep to the tenets of the organization.
Many people belief that Victor Antai is still loyal to Umana Okon Umana being one of the core loyalists to the former SSG while in office, what is your take on that?
Who among others that are even working today or nursing governorship ambition would say they never supported the former Secretary to Government at a point in time? Some of them are even floating other groups campaigning for governorship, but Victor Antai has not done that. If at a point in time he supported former Secretary to Government, and at a point things changes, he decides to give loyalty to who he believes in, I think he has a stronger loyalty and commitment to Godswill Akpabio. And he decided to go the direction that Godswill Akpabio wants. As at that time nobody knew direction, everybody just supported anybody that he or she wants to support, but when our leader came up with a succession plan well charted, everybody that is loyal to him had to fall into that succession plan. Those that are not loyal to him do not want to fall into it even if most of them still have their strength from this particular government. It is normal that things like that must happen, Victor Antai is a man of his word, he is a man with integrity who cannot move from pillar to post. His loyalty is for Godswill Akpabio which he is firmed on that, let nobody say anything to tarnish the image of another person.
Before now, many people especially those in government believed that the governor was supporting his former SSG for 2015 governorship, maybe that was why they all went the same direction. What will happen if the governor changes his mind against Udom for another aspirant?
I have never heard from the governor that he was supporting his former SSG, Umana Okon Umana. It was insinuations, people only tried to read the governor’s body language which they did wrongly. My Governor doesn’t change his mind anyhow, he is always firm, when he says one it is one, he is a promise keeper anytime any day, he does not change his mind. This time I am telling you that he has presented his successor to us, and now we are supporting his own successor, but before, he never did that. People were exaggerating, thinking they could read the body language of the Governor, but unfortunately they were not able to read, and if they did, they did it wrongly. Ofcourse the Governor never presented that person people thought to us.
What is your relationship with Sir Emem Akpabio?
Biologically, I have no relationship with Emem Akpabio. Politically, I like his person; I like his style of politics. He is firm, very pragmatic and hardworking go-getter which I also fall into that category. I love him in that area. Since I have found my match, I definitely believe together we can succeed. We are to join force and pursue the goal, and we are getting it.
We have witnessed so many socio political groups during election time like this but today they are no more, what will happen to ACA after 2015 election?
It all depends on leadership and what the group is all about. I have been an International Coordinator of Iman Ibom Support for Good Governance, am still holding that position, and that group is still alive. Come to Etinan any day anytime, if it is not Iman Ibom Support for Good Governance, you can never be delivered politically. We are very firm on ground. Then other groups, I don’t know, it depends on leadership. If the leader can pilot the group very well and forget about selfish interest, the group will survive. It is just normal in any large group that whenever the leader nurses any political ambition, thinking of contesting one thing or another, certainly there will be division. Maybe that was not the sole purpose of having established the group, people that may not believe in such ambition will disassociate themselves from the group. So what keep groups together is just for that group to exist as a family irrespective if it has turn to a mass movement, and people sit down to discuss matters even having people with ambitions in the group, is sorted out amicably without offending others. With such arrangement, it is very easy for such a group to survive for a very long time. I have been an Apostle of group politics over the years, I played it with late Obong Isemin, we had our group, and we were winning everything at that time, I was playing a key role in the group. I played it with late Obong Etukudo Ekpro, we had our group, and we were winning everything by the time I was there. We never allow ambitions to kill the group, even when Ekpro was nursing ambition, and it came to a point that a consensus be reach in Akwa Ibom when Obong Attah was allow to go for governorship, heaven did not fall. Ekpro’s group still there intact, ambition did not kill it until Ekpro died, and we all scattered looking for how to start a new group. That was how I went and started Iman Ibom Support for Good Governance, and others went and started their own. I can assure you that a group can only be sustainable depending on the leadership, sincerity, honesty, and transparency, those are the things that make a group sustainable.
What measures have you put in place to ensure that ACA survives beyond 2015?
But we are going to install the next government in 2015; do you think after installing the government we are going to fade away and give way for anybody to come and advise the Governor wrongly? That will not happen. ACA is a political family which will always remain. A political family is a political family, unless you put up an ad-hoc group, and then is dissolved after the purpose. ACA is not an ad-hoc group, it is a political family that has turned into mass movement because many people embraced it and like the ideals, philosophies of ACA. And I can assure anybody, ACA is one of the sustainable groups as far as we are concern.
Can anybody within the ACA family aspire for 2015 governorship in Akwa Ibom?
ACA has her aims and objectives. We have just one person for governorship that one is made known to every member. If you want to contest as a member of ACA you will leave the group, and be on your own to contest. We are pursuing one goal, and there is no divided interest in ACA. That one person is Udom.
Who is Udom?
Udom is somebody we have found which is the best for Akwa Ibom state. He is the man that will lead us to the next stage of development come 2015. People should find out who Udom is. You can be seeing billboards that reads, Udom Correct, Udom is Right. Anybody who does not know who Udom is should investigate from there, when we get into full blast campaign, I will unveil who Udom is. When I say Udom is the best, know that he is the best, go to Etinan and ask, I don’t go into something that is not good. If I say I don’t need you, I don’t need you. And if I don’t know you very well that you can perform, I can never give you my support. I was the Director General of Sam Ikon’s campaign for second term that makes him become the speaker of AkwaIbom state House of Assembly today. I told him, keep your lifestyle, you may be the speaker from the beginning to the end, and nobody will impeach you. And I think he has gone beyond the stage of being impeached. I can assure you that anybody I support, I must study very well and see that he has a good life, he can relate well with people, and he will do the right thing at the right time. I’m citing that as an example, if I was not convinced about Udom I won’t have been a part of it all, not to talk of steering the ship.
ACA is piloting the consultation, they will pilot the campaign, I know him as a man of integrity who has all it takes including the exposure, credentials, and connections both nationally and internationally.
What are the political chances of Udom emerging the next governor of Akwa Ibom?
We have consulted widely, and the acceptability is there. This is not about big men; it’s about pedigree and capacity. There is one Camry they called big for nothing, I’m not saying anybody is big for nothing, but am tell you that is not about big men which may be big for nothing. We are talking about pedigree, integrity, capacity, ability to handle leadership, which is my area of assessment. And not the size or how wealthy one maybe, not also how many years one may be in politics. Those ones we don’t take into consideration. Akpabio that has come to perform, how many years did he stay in politics before he contested and won as a governor?
What is the strength of ACA in the PDP?
Many of us are members of the PDP, there could be others who are not members of PDP but are ready to support. That is why we have over 450 groups affiliating with ACA.
What happened to the money set aside by government for industrialization?
Money could be set aside for industrialization but the grounds are not ready, it cannot be release. You don’t release money for industrialization into the system without grounds being ready to ensure that the impact is felt, and the right people do access it. If you release the money into the system and people get it and divert it maybe for trading, is not helping the economy. When you are talking of industrialization, it will help the state so much to reduce unemployment to the barest minimum or even eliminate it completely because people will be employed. If you establish one viable industry today, it will take at least twenty to thirty people, another one will do the same just like that till all the people are employed. Government cannot employ people, it is through industrialization that people are employed, and all manners of people do have what to do, call it skill labour or anything. Any type of job is available there for people to work. So our young men and women will not be jobless anymore on the street, and when they are engaged, their orientation, behaviour and everything will change.
As the International President of Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA), what informed the formation of the group?
The formation of ACA came up as a result of loyalty, those that are very loyal to our uncommon transformer Governor put their heads together and decided to float a support group, a family that will be able to stand with our Governor to the last day in office. And also help him come up with a successor that is credible enough to continue with the uncommon transformation, and also consolidate on what he has already done on the ground. This successor must not only be credible but acceptable to the generality of Akwa Ibom people. You know it is not an easy task, that was how the group came up and worked on the ground for a very long time to be able to search and come up with a very credible and acceptable individual who when he formally came into the state; people doubted that he has not been working closely with the state for some times but they never knew he has been doing quite a lot to assist a lot of people as far as Akwa Ibom is concerned. That was the sole aim of the group which is just to support the Governor, and also help him come up with a successor. And the successor we have found, he is on course, and ACA is driving the consultation of that particular successor. When you hear Udom is right, when you hear Udom is the best, is all about that successor. Also help the Governor to make sure that power rotates for purposes of equity, justice and fair play.
Uyo Senatorial District has kept the governorship for two times, since the state creation, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District is now enjoying the governorship, and Eket Senatorial District since the state creation have not even tasted. So we believe the 2015 governorship should move to Eket Senatorial District, hence our slogan. When we say ACA…., it is replied consolidation, ACA….., it is replied continuity, ACA……, it is replied let God’s will be done again and again, and again. And we will ask, ACA ukeoooo, the masses will say ACA Eket, we say amasim Eketeh? The people will say Udom is the best because we have found the best for Akwa Ibom, the one that is coming to industrialize the state, the one that has the pedigree and the capacity that is internationally connected. The one that knows the right button to press and the right number to call for investors to move into Akwa Ibom. The one that knows the right button to press for finances to come into Akwa Ibom for industrialization at single of no interest rate at all. That is the type of person we need, with the type of connection, and we believe when implemented, it will be the best for Akwa Ibom.
Now that Akpabio’s in-law, Mike Sebastine has indicated interest to contest the 2015 governorship; what is the position of ACA on this matter bearing in mind the family relationship he has with the Governor and Sir Emem Akpabio?
I don’t know how people understand matters, we are all political animals. Am not bound to think the same way you think or believe in what you believe in. Sir Emem Akpabio being an in-law to Mike Sebastine does not change the political thinking of Emem Akpabio. And Mike Sebastine also being an in-law to Emem Akpabio has the right to think politically the way he likes. If Mike is interested in governorship he has the right to contest which the constitution allows that. He has the right which nobody can stop him, but that does not affect Emem or change his political thinking.
Sir Emem Akpabio is the BoT chairman of ACA, and he is solidly behind ACA and Udom Emmanuel and the succession plan of our dear Governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio CON. I do not see how that should border anybody, ACA remains the way it is, very intact. Any day that Mike declares publicly, go and watch how many known ACA members or ACA faces that you will see there. Mike has gone out, he is on his own. Maybe according to his believe that he equally is qualified to be the governor of Akwa Ibom state, and there is nothing wrong with that. He has the right to think that way.
Since the inception of ACA, Mike has never been active as far as am concern. So his exit does not affect ACA in anyway, and I know he is not going out with even one soul apart from himself.
The exit of Mike Sebastine from ACA you are talking about, how did it happen?
Up till the time of this interview, I have not received resignation letter from Mike Sebastine. We have the constitution of ACA which made it clear that if you absent yourself for sometimes in meetings, you will be replaced, and the replacement has been done. Rt, Hon. Victor Antai is now the new deputy International President of ACA based on the constitution of ACA since he has absented himself for sometimes, and we noticed he was no more attending meetings. There is no vacuum in ACA, that place had to be filled up which was done. So I have not received his resignation letter, have not heard from him, and I cannot speak for him. We did what the constitution of ACA says that if you absent yourself in meetings consecutively for three times, you stand to lose your position and that is what we implemented. You know there must not be any compromise in any serious organization; you have to follow the rules and keep to the tenets of the organization.
Many people belief that Victor Antai is still loyal to Umana Okon Umana being one of the core loyalists to the former SSG while in office, what is your take on that?
Who among others that are even working today or nursing governorship ambition would say they never supported the former Secretary to Government at a point in time? Some of them are even floating other groups campaigning for governorship, but Victor Antai has not done that. If at a point in time he supported former Secretary to Government, and at a point things changes, he decides to give loyalty to who he believes in, I think he has a stronger loyalty and commitment to Godswill Akpabio. And he decided to go the direction that Godswill Akpabio wants. As at that time nobody knew direction, everybody just supported anybody that he or she wants to support, but when our leader came up with a succession plan well charted, everybody that is loyal to him had to fall into that succession plan. Those that are not loyal to him do not want to fall into it even if most of them still have their strength from this particular government. It is normal that things like that must happen, Victor Antai is a man of his word, he is a man with integrity who cannot move from pillar to post. His loyalty is for Godswill Akpabio which he is firmed on that, let nobody say anything to tarnish the image of another person.
Before now, many people especially those in government believed that the governor was supporting his former SSG for 2015 governorship, maybe that was why they all went the same direction. What will happen if the governor changes his mind against Udom for another aspirant?
I have never heard from the governor that he was supporting his former SSG, Umana Okon Umana. It was insinuations, people only tried to read the governor’s body language which they did wrongly. My Governor doesn’t change his mind anyhow, he is always firm, when he says one it is one, he is a promise keeper anytime any day, he does not change his mind. This time I am telling you that he has presented his successor to us, and now we are supporting his own successor, but before, he never did that. People were exaggerating, thinking they could read the body language of the Governor, but unfortunately they were not able to read, and if they did, they did it wrongly. Ofcourse the Governor never presented that person people thought to us.
What is your relationship with Sir Emem Akpabio?
Biologically, I have no relationship with Emem Akpabio. Politically, I like his person; I like his style of politics. He is firm, very pragmatic and hardworking go-getter which I also fall into that category. I love him in that area. Since I have found my match, I definitely believe together we can succeed. We are to join force and pursue the goal, and we are getting it.
We have witnessed so many socio political groups during election time like this but today they are no more, what will happen to ACA after 2015 election?
It all depends on leadership and what the group is all about. I have been an International Coordinator of Iman Ibom Support for Good Governance, am still holding that position, and that group is still alive. Come to Etinan any day anytime, if it is not Iman Ibom Support for Good Governance, you can never be delivered politically. We are very firm on ground. Then other groups, I don’t know, it depends on leadership. If the leader can pilot the group very well and forget about selfish interest, the group will survive. It is just normal in any large group that whenever the leader nurses any political ambition, thinking of contesting one thing or another, certainly there will be division. Maybe that was not the sole purpose of having established the group, people that may not believe in such ambition will disassociate themselves from the group. So what keep groups together is just for that group to exist as a family irrespective if it has turn to a mass movement, and people sit down to discuss matters even having people with ambitions in the group, is sorted out amicably without offending others. With such arrangement, it is very easy for such a group to survive for a very long time. I have been an Apostle of group politics over the years, I played it with late Obong Isemin, we had our group, and we were winning everything at that time, I was playing a key role in the group. I played it with late Obong Etukudo Ekpro, we had our group, and we were winning everything by the time I was there. We never allow ambitions to kill the group, even when Ekpro was nursing ambition, and it came to a point that a consensus be reach in Akwa Ibom when Obong Attah was allow to go for governorship, heaven did not fall. Ekpro’s group still there intact, ambition did not kill it until Ekpro died, and we all scattered looking for how to start a new group. That was how I went and started Iman Ibom Support for Good Governance, and others went and started their own. I can assure you that a group can only be sustainable depending on the leadership, sincerity, honesty, and transparency, those are the things that make a group sustainable.
What measures have you put in place to ensure that ACA survives beyond 2015?
But we are going to install the next government in 2015; do you think after installing the government we are going to fade away and give way for anybody to come and advise the Governor wrongly? That will not happen. ACA is a political family which will always remain. A political family is a political family, unless you put up an ad-hoc group, and then is dissolved after the purpose. ACA is not an ad-hoc group, it is a political family that has turned into mass movement because many people embraced it and like the ideals, philosophies of ACA. And I can assure anybody, ACA is one of the sustainable groups as far as we are concern.
Can anybody within the ACA family aspire for 2015 governorship in Akwa Ibom?
ACA has her aims and objectives. We have just one person for governorship that one is made known to every member. If you want to contest as a member of ACA you will leave the group, and be on your own to contest. We are pursuing one goal, and there is no divided interest in ACA. That one person is Udom.
Who is Udom?
Udom is somebody we have found which is the best for Akwa Ibom state. He is the man that will lead us to the next stage of development come 2015. People should find out who Udom is. You can be seeing billboards that reads, Udom Correct, Udom is Right. Anybody who does not know who Udom is should investigate from there, when we get into full blast campaign, I will unveil who Udom is. When I say Udom is the best, know that he is the best, go to Etinan and ask, I don’t go into something that is not good. If I say I don’t need you, I don’t need you. And if I don’t know you very well that you can perform, I can never give you my support. I was the Director General of Sam Ikon’s campaign for second term that makes him become the speaker of AkwaIbom state House of Assembly today. I told him, keep your lifestyle, you may be the speaker from the beginning to the end, and nobody will impeach you. And I think he has gone beyond the stage of being impeached. I can assure you that anybody I support, I must study very well and see that he has a good life, he can relate well with people, and he will do the right thing at the right time. I’m citing that as an example, if I was not convinced about Udom I won’t have been a part of it all, not to talk of steering the ship.
ACA is piloting the consultation, they will pilot the campaign, I know him as a man of integrity who has all it takes including the exposure, credentials, and connections both nationally and internationally.
What are the political chances of Udom emerging the next governor of Akwa Ibom?
We have consulted widely, and the acceptability is there. This is not about big men; it’s about pedigree and capacity. There is one Camry they called big for nothing, I’m not saying anybody is big for nothing, but am tell you that is not about big men which may be big for nothing. We are talking about pedigree, integrity, capacity, ability to handle leadership, which is my area of assessment. And not the size or how wealthy one maybe, not also how many years one may be in politics. Those ones we don’t take into consideration. Akpabio that has come to perform, how many years did he stay in politics before he contested and won as a governor?
What is the strength of ACA in the PDP?
Many of us are members of the PDP, there could be others who are not members of PDP but are ready to support. That is why we have over 450 groups affiliating with ACA.
It contains all manners of people, people who may not even be registered PDP members or caring PDP cards. We are preparing for general election in addition to nomination. ACA is solidly founded in all the wards in Akwa Ibom state, by the time we go for primary contest, we are very sure and confident that we are going to win massively. We are going to win massively and convincingly even at the delegate election because we are firm on ground. Any ACA person that will stand election as delegate will win.
How will you assess the performance of the governor in the last 7 years of his administration?
I can score him 90 percent he has taken Akwa Ibom to a level that nobody can bring us down again nationally. In the comity of states we stand tall, where ever Akwa Ibom name is mentioned is respected. The next person that is coming is good enough to have the kind relation nationally like our Governor is having. I can assure you that Akpabio has been the best for Akwa Ibom now. He has done so well in terms of transforming Akwa Ibom and linking Akwa Ibom to national politics, he has garner respect nationally and internationally to Akwa Ibomites.
What are the areas you will want the next administration to concentrate on?
Absolutely on industrialization, industrialization is what we need. I don’t want to hear Akwa Ibom being called a civil service state any more. This state should be heavily industrialized; it will help the economy of the state. The state will be independent without waiting for allocation from the Federal Government, at a time Lagos state did not receive allocation and they were never affected in any way because they survived on industries that are there on ground in the state. When industrialization takes place, unemployment will be a thing of the past, which is what an incoming government should do. And also continue to build human capacity, and empower the human beings. Agricultural sector should be developed because it is the source of raw materials for a lot of industries, maintain the infrastructures that are on ground, and do more to clean-up the state such that there will not be much difference between the rural and urban areas like what the present Governor is doing which is linking Uyo to other places. When those infrastructures are build-up, you may drive to Ibesikpo but you will not know you are out of the city. Every local government headquarters should be properly linked with the city like Ini/ Ikono, Obot Akara area which roads are very bad they should be opened-up. Industrialization should be faced very squarely, one thing people don’t know is that; you can’t use state allocations to build industries and do other things, like Udom is having the capacity to attract funds to Akwa Ibom through the international communities, he should do that while using the state funds from Federal Government allocation to continue the infrastructural development. When that is done, the state will be better than what we see now.
What is the position of ACA concerning the 2015 Presidential election?
ACA is working very hard at the Federal level. ACA in Akwa Ibom is TAN at the Federal level. The structure of ACA is also the structure of TAN; it is Jonathan this way, Udom this way to be delivered. It is the same structure for the two purposes, so ACA is working very hard under TAN to make sure Mr President is given a second term in office.
What measure has the PDP in Akwa Ibom put in place to ensure a credible party primaries coming up in the next few months?
PDP our dear party is a very credible party, the party is supreme, and we respect the leadership of the party. He has the capacity, the pedigree, and what it takes to conduct a credible election in Akwa Ibom internally to make sure the right person emerges the candidate of the party. There is no doubt about that. I’m happy the leadership of the PDP has been able to hold the party together, and we have not heard of any crisis in the party. The party is very intact, that means the party is ready to deliver with fairness, justice. And I know the person of the state chairman; he does his things very right, and believes in what is the best at all times. I believe there will be internal democracy at the primaries, and make sure it is properly conducted for the best to emerge, so I believe so much in the party.
Your last word for Akwa Ibom people.
We should continue to work hard to sustain democracy that we are enjoying today. Akwa Ibomites should always stand by the best that will continue to move Akwa Ibom forward. We should not go back to the wood, we should all come out and support the best who will help Akwa Ibom to grow better, and who will also help our teeming youths gain employment.
Absolutely on industrialization, industrialization is what we need. I don’t want to hear Akwa Ibom being called a civil service state any more. This state should be heavily industrialized; it will help the economy of the state. The state will be independent without waiting for allocation from the Federal Government, at a time Lagos state did not receive allocation and they were never affected in any way because they survived on industries that are there on ground in the state. When industrialization takes place, unemployment will be a thing of the past, which is what an incoming government should do. And also continue to build human capacity, and empower the human beings. Agricultural sector should be developed because it is the source of raw materials for a lot of industries, maintain the infrastructures that are on ground, and do more to clean-up the state such that there will not be much difference between the rural and urban areas like what the present Governor is doing which is linking Uyo to other places. When those infrastructures are build-up, you may drive to Ibesikpo but you will not know you are out of the city. Every local government headquarters should be properly linked with the city like Ini/ Ikono, Obot Akara area which roads are very bad they should be opened-up. Industrialization should be faced very squarely, one thing people don’t know is that; you can’t use state allocations to build industries and do other things, like Udom is having the capacity to attract funds to Akwa Ibom through the international communities, he should do that while using the state funds from Federal Government allocation to continue the infrastructural development. When that is done, the state will be better than what we see now.
What is the position of ACA concerning the 2015 Presidential election?
ACA is working very hard at the Federal level. ACA in Akwa Ibom is TAN at the Federal level. The structure of ACA is also the structure of TAN; it is Jonathan this way, Udom this way to be delivered. It is the same structure for the two purposes, so ACA is working very hard under TAN to make sure Mr President is given a second term in office.
What measure has the PDP in Akwa Ibom put in place to ensure a credible party primaries coming up in the next few months?
PDP our dear party is a very credible party, the party is supreme, and we respect the leadership of the party. He has the capacity, the pedigree, and what it takes to conduct a credible election in Akwa Ibom internally to make sure the right person emerges the candidate of the party. There is no doubt about that. I’m happy the leadership of the PDP has been able to hold the party together, and we have not heard of any crisis in the party. The party is very intact, that means the party is ready to deliver with fairness, justice. And I know the person of the state chairman; he does his things very right, and believes in what is the best at all times. I believe there will be internal democracy at the primaries, and make sure it is properly conducted for the best to emerge, so I believe so much in the party.
Your last word for Akwa Ibom people.
We should continue to work hard to sustain democracy that we are enjoying today. Akwa Ibomites should always stand by the best that will continue to move Akwa Ibom forward. We should not go back to the wood, we should all come out and support the best who will help Akwa Ibom to grow better, and who will also help our teeming youths gain employment.
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