Etekamba Umoren will serve for six months—Govt House

BY KENNETH JUDE

Following the controversy that has trailed the recent appointment of Elder Etekamba Umoren as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) by Deacon Udom Emmanuel, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, word emanating from Government House sources indicate that the idea of retaining the former Chief of Staff to the outgoing governor is borne out of a grand scheme to allow him hold forte for only six months after which he will leave the stage for someone from Oro to assume the position. Our source further revealed that the rationale behind the appointment of Elder Etekamba is premised on the need to have him bring his wealth of experience to bear in the new government after which he will abdicate the position as agreed. 

We further gathered that the decision of appointing Etekamba as SSG was reached at a round table where Governor Udom Emmanuel, immediate past governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Larry Esin who, sources say was originally pencilled down for the position were in attendance. While the appointment of Etekamba Umoren has raised dust in political circles, with analysts saying that it is a wrong step for Udom Emmauel since the man in question is from Essien Udim, the same Local Government Area as the out gone governor moreso, as he is from the same senatorial district from which the deputy governor hails from, those in the know of goings-on in government quarters posit that the appointment is not a plot to advance Akpabio’s course as alleged by a section of the state but one that is in good faith designed to steady the ship of state. 

Those who are seemingly not at ease with the appointment are of the view that the position should have gone to Oro since the governor is from Eket while his Deputy hails from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district. They expressed disappointment over the appointment noting that Udom is exhibiting signs of operating under the shadows of his predecessor. They maintained that no excuse is tenable enough for the appointment. A source reasoned that the move is not in order as it further proves the widely held belief that Oro is not well represented in the political equation of the state. He urged Udom Emmanuel not to allow other influences to dictate those he appoints henceforth in his cabinet, adding that such moves can only make or mar his administration. Impeccable sources informed THE INK that barring any last minute change in plans and scheming, Mr Larry Esin will be drafted in as SSG soon after Elder Etekamba Umoren must have stepped down.

It could be recalled that Engr. Larry Esin contested the primary election won by Udom Emmanuel last year and was a member of the famous G22.