2015: for Akwa Ibom, keeping it in the family

If Emmanuel Udom succeeds Governor Akpabio it would be the second instance that such a dynasty would occur in the South-south of Nigeria, namely when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan succeeded his cousin, former Governor James Ibori in Delta State. Mr Godswill Akpabio was the same person, in the heat of the primaries that produced Akpabio as […]

If Emmanuel Udom succeeds Governor Akpabio it would be the second instance that such a dynasty would occur in the South-south of Nigeria, namely when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan succeeded his cousin, former Governor James Ibori in Delta State. Mr Godswill Akpabio was the same person, in the heat of the primaries that produced Akpabio as PDP’s flag bearer for the governorship election in 2007, who accused then Governor Victor Attah, his mentor and benefactor, of scheming to install Attah’s son-in-law, Dr Bob Ekarika, as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. In the words of Godswill Akpabio, ‘that would amount to creating a dynasty in Akwa Ibom State’.
By imposing Udom on the party and on the state, Akpabio is promoting the very ‘sin’ that he roundly accused his predecessor of in 2007, and is trying to achieve this forcefully through a gubernatorial primary that was everything but democratic. Akpabio’s attitude can best be described as “pot calling kettle black”.  After forcing the former SSG, Umana Okon Umana, to resign, Akpabio invited and appointed Udom in his place. I recall that former Governor Victor Attah, in 2002, appointed Godswill Akpabio Commissioner of the Ministry of Petroleum. Few months later, when the PDP asked Attah to replace his deputy, Chris Ekpenyong, Akpabio having come from the same senatorial district as Ekpenyong, was handy, but for the refusal of the elders of Akwa Ibom PDP.
Attah then moved Akpabio to a grassroots ministry – the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs–with the intension of grooming him to succeed him. But Attah shifted his support the last minute after discerning some of Akpabio’s shortcomings. Akpabio may be feeling that he has succeeded in making his maternal cousin the PDP’s flag bearer, while former SSG, Umana Okon Umana, is the APC’s flag bearer for the 2015 governorship elections. Worthy of note is that Akpabio ignored all other aspirants, including some that have been with the PDP since 1998 and preferred his maternal cousin. All other aspirants are shouting foul. The people of Akwa Ibom state have vowed not to allow the impunity to stand. They are now rooting for the APC governorship candidate, unless Udom’s nomination is upturned and the right thing done.

Obong Akpan Koko, Olusegun Obasanjo Road, Uyo <[email protected]>;