As the 2015 elections get tough
in Akwa Ibom State, our investigations, however, have revealed five topmost
aspirants, who are jostling for the number one seat in the state. Here they
are:
Governor Godswill Akpabio
The present Governor, Chief
Godswill Akpabio, is seen as a top contender to the governorship of the state
in 2015. Political analysts say he is neck deep in the race because of the
schemes he is plotting to produce a successor. At functions, in private, he has
left no one in doubt that he is very interested in producing his successor.
This makes analysts believe he is in the race, though by proxies. Some of the known
proxies associated to the Governor are the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
Mr. Udom Emmanuel, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr.
Ekpenyong Ntekim. Governor Akpabio is known to be behind the formation and
functioning of an Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA) which is promoting Udom’s
candidature. ACA membership is said to be mandatory for all government
functionaries. Ntekim is said to be his plan b. reports say Akpabio had
mobilized him with money to start consolidation among his Oro people. Udom and
Ntekim’s strength seem to be their connection to akpabio. Their weaknesses are
same: lack of connection to the grassroots and fear among politicians of a
possible elitist government if they are voted in.
Obong Umana Okon Umana
Erstwhile Secretary to the State
Government has said he will not withdraw from the race even though the zoning arrangement
of the state chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) does not favour
him. Touted as Governor Akpabio’s anointed before he was booted out in
controversial circumstances, Umana’s associates tell anyone who cares to hear
that Umana was never interested in the governorship until he was asked to
contest by Akpabio. How, when and why Governor Akpabio changed his mind about
him still remains a mystery. Umana remains a strong contender in the race with
a large followership, especially among Ibibio elders and non-office holding
politicians. He is said to have a huge financial war chest to counter whatever the
governor will spend in his quest to install a successor.
Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh
The leader of the state house of
assembly is one top contender whose strength is being underrated by those who
do not understand politics. A quiet and humble strategist, Etteh has the
backing of most of the statutory delegates, especially party members. He is
also very much at home with youths in the state. Not known for fanfare, he is
said to be pursuing his ambition as someone seeking party nomination, not as
one who has the party ticket already. Many believe the Governor will not have a
problem backing his candidature if he wins his anointed since he has been the Governor’s
friend before he became Governor. Many believe as a minority Ibeno man, he may
not be able to carry the day in a state where the three major tribes of Ibibio,
Annang and Oron fight for dominance. To this, his supporters say he is
connected to all the tribes. His mother is from Ikono (Ibibio), his grandmother
from Uyo, his wife from Etim Ekpo (Annang) and his Ibeno kinsmen have filial
bond with Oron through Mbang, its founder who was brother to Ukpabang (Oron’s
founder).
Obong Nsima Ekere
Intelligent, cute and calm, Ekere
was Deputy Governor till he resigned in 2012. Many believe Ekere was forced to
resign because of his ambition to take over from Governor Akpabio in 2015. A
man with good political, business and social contacts, Ekere was once touted as
the Governor’s favourite before Udom Emmanuel emerged. Highly connected, Ekere
has traversed the state on consultations. Many, however, believe several
factors will work against him. One of them is the fact that he is seen as proud
and elitist.
Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA)
Youthful and intelligent, Bassey
Albert Akpan was Commissioner for finance before he was given the boot by
Governor Akpabio sometimes this year. Akpan has followership among youths and
is making inroads into the Ibibio elders’ enclave and other areas. He is seen
as one of the people with a huge financial war chest to unsettle the Governor
in 2015 race. His weakness remains the zoning arrangement of the party at the
state level, an arrangement he has kicked seriously against. His latest endorsement
by Senator Effiong Bob is seen as a plus.
Also in the race are Senator
Helen Esuene, Prof. Richard King, Engr. Benjamin Okoko, Mr. Robert Umoette, Mr.
Asuquo Okpo, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, Chief Jerome Isangedighi, Justice Nya Ebito,
Engr. Michael Onofiok, Mr. Larry Esin, Michael Sebastine, among others
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