Udo Udoma: Why Buhari picked former Senator as Minister

BY KENNETH JUDE

The nomination of a renowned son of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and ex Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma for a ministerial position has continued to receive rave reviews across the state. His nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment is seen by political pundits as a step in the right direction with stakeholders holding that his choice is apt considering the calibre of persons the President has vowed to work with, in the new dispensation. 

Senator Udoma, who served as the Special Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources between 1993 and 1994 is reckoned as a thoroughbred professional whose political career is untainted hence the little surprise that has greeted his nomination by Mr. President. Despite recent media reports to the effect that his nomination has unsettled Umana Umana’s camp with news having it that the former Secretary to the State Government is at war with Buhari over the choice of Senator Udo Udoma, it appears the report is in sharp contrast with the feeling in the camp of the APC. 

The reports which went virile on the internet and some news portals was immediately debunked by UOU who dissociated himself from the reports that he was not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari for choosing Udoma ahead of his supposed choice, Mr. Amadu Attai. He rather expressed satisfaction over the nomination and praised President Buhari for exhibiting painstaking diligence in nominating Senator Udoma Udo Udoma for ministerial appointment.

Apart from Obong Umana Okon Umana who has publicly declared support for the choice of Senator Udoma, top politicians in the state have also expressed delight over Udo Udoma’s nomination with Senators and House of Rep members elected on the platform of the PDP okaying the nomination of the former Board Chairman of UACN PLC. A highly placed source told THE INK that PDP Senators have backed Senator Udoma’s nomination who they believe, is a core PDP man having been a Senator on the platform of the party for eight years. A source who pleaded not to be named, explained that the mood within the rank and file of the PDP in the state is that of jollity owing to what he described as the nomination of their party man by Buhari.

While mixed reactions have continued to trail Udo Udoma’s nomination for ministerial slot for Akwa Ibom State, not a few people believe that his choice has reunited the two leading parties in the state. Political analysts aver that Udo Udoma’s nomination is in order and will bring about the much needed tolerance and stability in the state since he has been out of active politics for quite some time. What many believe is that since Udoma has maintained a reasonable distance from the murky waters of politics, his choice by the president must have come as a result of this and other factors including his integrity and work ethic.

 A political commentator who spoke with our reporter said that Udo Udoma has met the criteria of President Buhari which, amongst others was that one must not be too attached to any political party or found to be ‘unclean’ political-wise. “Udo Udoma’s nomination is good and timely because, considering the condensed political nature of the state with PDP and APC at each other’s throat, we needed someone that is a bit neutral in the system and Udoma surely fits the bill as he has remained apolitical overtime and has kept himself away from active politics.’’ 

Investigations by THE INK reveal that wide commendations has trailed the nomination of Udo Udoma especially considering how politically charged the state is with the case between Umana Okon Umana of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) still dividing opinions in the political terrain of the state. Those who interacted with our reporter observed that it is in the interest of both camps that a person in the calibre of Udoma is made a minister as according to them, it would have been counter-productive to have nominated anybody who is active politically with interest in one party or the other for ministerial appointment.  

“For me, Udo Udoma’s nomination is the best in the prevailing circumstance because if it was given to someone that is active in either APC or PDP, it would have led to more disaffection in the state. So, I support President Buhari in this regard.’’