Contrary to speculations that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership would pick one of the commissioners to deputize the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in the 2015 general elections, , the party decided to settle for a former commissioner in the State, who is currently a federal commissioner on the board of National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Moses Ekpo.
Sources said the speculations were fueled by the fact that the State leader of the party, Governor Godswill Akpabio had tinkered with nominating one of his loyalists like Mr. Aniekan Umanah, or Mr. Enobong Uwah or Tony Akan.
A source said what changed the political calculus was the withdrawal from the State assembly race at the eleventh hour by Hon. Aniekan S. Akpan, member representing Ukanafun State Constituency who vied for a second term.
Governor Akpabio is said to have penciled down the level – headed lawmaker for the State Assembly speakership but his withdrawal changed the equation. From the recent development, sources said, the speakership would go to Uyo senatorial district in the next dispensation.
Competent sources said that it was only the State PDP chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo that was privy to the nomination of Mr. Moses Ekpo as running mate to Udom when the documentation was done.
A PDP chieftain who spoke with THE INK said the choice of Mr. Ekpo is informed by one: he is from Abak 5 political flank which Akpabio wants to pacify, just as he wants to checkmate possible, senatorial aspiration in the nearest future; two the former commissioner for information is elderly, not ambitious and has robust experience in governance; three, he would exploit his reservoir of experience to offer avuncular and official counsel, if not grooming to Mr. Udom, who many believe is a political neophyte; four, Udom is expected to have a hitch – free ride as a recklessly ambitious deputy might constitute a cog in the wheel of his administration.
What you should know about Mr. Moses Ekpo
· He is an American trained journalist
· A thorough-bred administrator with robust experience in media and governance.
· One time editor of the Cross River State owned Nigerian Chronicle.
· The last commissioner for information in the erstwhile Cross River State.
· The Pioneer Commissioner for information in the Akwa Ibom State.
· Director General, Nigeria copyright council
· Former member, Akwa Ibom State University governing board.
· Presently, federal commissioner National Population Commissioner, among others
· A recipient of National honour, Member Federal Republic (MFR)
No comments:
Post a Comment