Nsima Ekere, Udoedehe battle for control of APC in A’Ibom State

Nsima Ekere, Udoedehe battle for control of APC in A’Ibom State

BY KENNETH JUDE

 

As the 2019 general elections draw    near, there is a battle of wits and supremacy between the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obong Nsima Ekere and John James Udoedehe.

Both men, THE INK gathered, are battling for the soul of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State. The duo, it was learnt, are doing all within their power to ensure that one of them controls the party structure in the state ahead of next year’s polls.

While peace have seemingly returned to the party following their peaceful congresses held recently where all the political heavyweights of the party collapsed their factions and interests for the overall interest of the APC in the state, it is believed that both men who are angling for the party’s gubernatorial ticket are bent on taking control of the party structure in order to make their path to clinching the ticket smooth.

Nsima Ekere, a former deputy governor is expected to contest the party’s governorship primary as he seeks to do battle with Governor Udom Emmanuel in next year’s polls. But he faces a stiff opposition from John Udoedehe who enjoys a cult-like followership among key party members in the state. Udoedehe, a former federal minister is believed to be the “king” of opposition in the state having been a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that later fused into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Udoedehe has already declared his intention to contest the 2019 governorship election.

Obong Nsima Ekere was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party until he defected to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2015 general elections having fallen out with his then boss, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

As the clock ticks to the party’s governorship primaries, the two gladiators have swung into action, exploring their network of connections both within and outside the state to gather the necessary support needed to sail through at the primary election and call the shots in the party.

For Nsima Ekere, his long term friendship with former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi has reawakened in the light of his ambition to claim the soul of APC in Akwa Ibom State. Amaechi, who is the current Minister of Transportation has always backed Nsima Ekere and it is believed that the man who mobilized massive support that led to the election of President Muhammadu Buhari  has once again thrown his weight behind the governorship aspiration of his friend, Obong Nsima Ekere.

Amaechi who is believed to be a major force in the APC is expected to use his wide connections and political sagacity to smoothen the path for Nsima Ekere to take charge of APC in the state as he seeks to dethrone Governor Emmanuel and PDP from power come 2019.

But it looks like both men are in for a long, bloody battle as John Udoedehe has secured the backing of Lagos State ex-governor and National Leader of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu, who is seen as a master strategist and kingmaker has reportedly elected to back Udoedehe as the latter seeks to get grips of the ruling party in the state. John James Akpan Udoedehe, a serial governorship contestant, is banking on the political weight of the Jagaban of Borgu to trump Nsima Ekere in the battle for who controls the APC architecture in the state.

On the home front, Nsima Ekere is riding on the support of former Petroleum Minister and APC chieftain, Atuekong Don Etiebet, Sunny Ibanga, Dr. Chris Ekong, Barr. Chris Essien and Chief Windy Isong. The NDDC boss is looking to use the experience of Don Etiebet and Sunny Ibanga to good effect as he slugs it out with Udoedehe. Windy Isong, Chris Ekong and Chris Essien are equally expected to pull resources and men to garner support for Nsima Ekere.

But an epic battle is certainly on the horizon due to the calibre of personalities backing both men. For example, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang is believed to be backing Udoedehe. Ita Enang, who is seen as a major voice in the APC owing to his current position, is expected to pull all the stops to ensure that his man, Udoedehe takes control of the party in the state.

Others supporting Udoedehe are, Anny Asikpo, Udoma Ekarika, Victor Okon, Pius Wilson and Barr. Francis Effanga.

As political activities rev into life in the coming months, political watchers and commentators alike are keeping tabs on the goings-on in the All Progressives Congress in the state especially as Nsima Ekere and John James Udoedehe engage each other in a battle of supremacy for who controls the party apparatus in Akwa Ibom State.