2015 Senate race: Akpabio in bad shape

* Inibehe Okorie joins race
* Gets Abak 5, Ikono/Ini backing

If Governor Godswill Akpabio thinks he can usurp the zoning politics in his senatorial district to have an easy ride to the senate come 2015, he better wakes up as such according to some political stakeholders is a tall dream. Stakeholders of the area especially those of Abak 5 lineage and Ikono/Ini federal constituency have stepped up their game in a bid to ensuring that they grab the PDP ticket for their preferred choice aspirant.

As late as 10:15pm on Tuesday 30th September, the Elders council of Etim Ekpo was meeting at Iwukem in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area during the official consultation of them by the former gubernatorial aspirant of the PDP, Mr. Inibehe Okori. Okori is said to have informed his Elders that he was interested in the senate race because he has in him a burden to ensure that he rescues the people from bad and ineffective leadership at the highest level of the National Assembly.

A source who attended the late night meeting informed our reporter that okori while informing them on his aspiration said he was not new in political circles as he has gathered enough experience that he will need in winning the elections. He is said to have maintained that he is coming to consult them officially before he embarks on a wide spread consultation to other stakeholders of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district. Okori is said to have informed that it is not going to do the people of Abak 5 any advantage to mortgage their rights for the Governor Godswill Akpabio in the name of compensation of any kind. He appealed to Etim Ekpo Elders council to please see him as a project that is coming to better their lots and restore to them the years the canker worm had eaten.

The chairman of the Elders council is said to have appreciated Okori for the confidence he exudes to vie for the office. He assured him of the readiness of the Elders to back his aspiration to ensure that he surmounts all kinds of opposition. Others who spoke described Okori as a lion hearted and true son of the area. They assured him of massive support all the way.

High points of the evet was the royal blessings that were poured on him by Etim Ekpo Elders council who posit that they will convince others of Annang tribe and their Ikono/Ini brothers to support Okori’s senate ambition.

The entrance of Okori into the senate race has seriously pushed Akpabio aback as the state Governor despite not being favoured by the zoning arrangement in the area had before now had no credible opponent. Pundits see Okori who is coming in with so much connection from the villa Nigeria’s seat of power as a credible opponent who will defeat Governor Akpabio. It is believed in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District that Okori is ready to match Akpabio money for money, connection for connection to halt the Governor’s unenviable quest to the red chambers of the National Assembly in Abuja.

Wth this development it is sure as some stakeholders will put it that Akpabio is in bad shape as he is for now in a company of so many credible opposition from his intention to pick a successor and to go to the senate. Matters are made worse especially as Senator Aloysious Etok had opined sometime ago that he will contest the senate seat with Godswill Akpabio if Abak 5 fails to field a candidate. Etok had argued that in the event he sees a credible material from Abak 5 coming to challenge for the senate position, he will be left with no option than to shut down his ambition and support the Abak 5 person. This position by the senator had threw into the system the speculations that indeed Okori has and will receive the blessings of Etok and other sons and daughters of Ikono/Ini federal constituency.

Those close to Inibehe Okori hinted that Okori before he decides to embark on this consultation had gotten the backing of top echelon of the PDP in Abuja as well as the presidency, coupled with the facts that zoning favours Okori, it is the belief of the people that Governor Akpabio will not have an easy battle with Okori as the people of Abak 5 are already enjoying the ambition of Okori whom they see as a man that has all it takes to rescue them from the shame of the allegations that they have nobody to challenge Governor Akpabio for the senate position of Ikot Ekpene senatorial District. But however some of the stakeholders of Ikot Ekpene federal constituency are pessimistic about the intention of Okori. 

Some argue that Aniekan Etiebet had earlier sold a dummy to them that he was interested in the senate race only for him to bow to Akpabio’s roar by denying his interest when it mattered must. A PDP chapter chairman from Abak 5 informed our reporter that it is the belief of the people that Inibehe Okori will not disappoint them by running into hiding when the time comes. But a close ally to Okori dispelled the fears arguing that Inibehe Okori will not disappoint the people. 

Our source maintained that Okori will defeat Akpabio and proceed to the Senate come 2015. This is just the beginning, the war may have signaled the beginning of a tense and fierce political battle in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.