Fifteen aspirants are eyeing the governorship of Akwa Ibom State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Correspondent KAZEEM IBRAHYM examines the issues that will shape the contest.
The stage is set for an epic battle. Following the release of the timetable for 2015 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the politics of succession assumed a new dimension in Akwa Ibom State, governorship aspirants have been declaring their interests. Many stakeholders have also urged Governor Godswill Akpabio to make public his succession plan.
Many issues will shape the contest next year. At a ceremony in Awa, a rustic Ibibio town, two weeks ago, the governor revisited the debate on zoning. He said that in 2015, power should shift to the Eket Senatorial District. Akpabio explained that the zone had been left in the cold for almost 16 years.
The governor’s support for zoning has been received with mixed feelings. Some politicians have described it as an attempt to edge out of the race, other aspirants without justification. But, others have hailed the governor, describing him as an apostle of justice and fairplay. Two prominent PDP chieftains from Eket District eyeing the seat are former Secretary to Government Umanana Umana and his successor, Udom Emmanuel.
But, the people of Oron, who are spread across five local government areas in Eket District, are disturbed by the governor’s body language. They have argued that, since the state was created, based on the agreement among the Ibibio, Annang and Oron, zoning should reflect the ethnic composition, instead of the senatorial zones created out of political expediency.
The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Victor Iyanam, an Oron man, is a champion of “zoning by ethnic bloc.” He said that Oron has been marginalised in the the state. “Oron people are charting their own destiny. If you cannot zone the governorship to Oron, we are better off in an open contest so that we can go and vote for who we like. Instead of deceiving us and making us to accept senatorial zoning and, at the end of the day, we lose out from that contest and have nothing for the next 24 years. It is better for Oro people to embrace an open contest and vote for who they like,” he said.
Many Oron leaders share this sentiment. But, other leaders of Eket District are erecting brick walls on their way. For instance, the former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, disputed the Oron leaders’ claims. He said the “tripod story” had been debunked at the national level.
“At the national level, we used to have tripod of Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. The same people agitating for tripod in Akwa Ibom State used the same tactics to snatch the presidency to the Southsouth, leading to the emergence of an Ijaw man as the president. So, zoning cannot be based on the ethnic bloc,” he added.
Akpabio has also come under attack for alleged imposition of an aspirant, Udom Emmanuel, on the party. Emmanuel, a banker, succeeded Umana as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) last year.
At a rally in Uyo, the state capital, Senator Effiong Bob, spoke against plans by the governor to anoint an aspirant. Bob, who had represented Uyo District in the Senate, advised the people to be vigilant. He said that imposition of an aspirant is anti-democratic.
“We want everybody to come out for the overall interest of this state and the country. Anybody that wants to contest can contest. My general advice to the people of the state is that they should be vigilant. They should also be conscious about their rights. Their right to vote and be voted for. Also, the people must be able to shine their eyes to know what is good for them.
“I am not going to suggest anybody for anybody. I believe that we are wise enough to choose an inclusive person that will lead the state and lead the people of the state, not an individual that will come and lead individuals,” he said.
The former deputy governor, Chris Ekpenyong, was in the same frame of mind. He urged the people to shun fear and resist imposition.
“To the Akwa Ibom people, it is time for you to start coming out. Nobody can impose any candidate on the people. I have seen poverty and I have seen riches. There is nothing anybody can give to me, ” he said.
Third Republic Senator Etang Umoyo, who represented Eket District, also spoke at the rally. He described Akwa Ibom people as a republican people, saying they cannot be cowed.
“When it is important, we will talk. We will not accept any form of imposition. We are republican people. We have never been cowed by anybody. There is no political barrier we cannot break,” he stressed.
It is a crowded race. Apart from Umana and Emmanuel, other aspirants include Prof. Richard King, Nsima Ekere; Michael Onofiok, Ambassador Assam Assam (SAN), Ekpenyong Nkekim, Patrick Ekpotu, Bishop Sam Akpan, Effiong Abia, and Senator Helen Esuene.
King
Prof. King is a member of the Presidential Monitoring Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He is a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan. Thier relationship started 30 years ago. He is seen by many as someone who can consolidate on the achievements of Akpabio, based on his vast experience.
King, an Eket man, is favoured by the zoning arrangement being canvassed by the governor. The don, who holds traditional titles of Okuku of Idua Clan, Eket and Obong Ikkike of Uyo, is not relenting in his efforts to get the ticket. He has begun consultations with traditional rulers and others that matters on his plan to succeed the governor. Recently, he has opened his campaign office in Uyo. His structure, the Divine Mandate Organisation, is also waxing stronger.
King is building a formidable political structure that would make him coast to victory in the election, if he gets the PDP ticket. The feeling is that the President will also support his bid for power in the oil-rich state.
But the question is: Will the don get the governor’s support? King is perceived as a dark horse in the race.
Emmanuel
Emmanuel is a banker-turned politician. He was not in contention, until he became the SSG. Until his appointment, he was the Executive Director of the Zenith Bank. It is believed that the governor has made up his mind to anoint him as the candidate. Emmanuel is favoured by the zoning arrangement. He is hails from Onna, the heart of Ibibioland.
As a dependable ally of the governor, the SSG now has adverssaries. He is perceived as an outsider waiting to wear the crown without much political labour. The political foes of the governor are ganging up against him.
Recently, he organized a thanksgiving service in his Awa-Iman hometown. To observers, the ceremony marked the first phase of the succession endorsement. Many gig wigs witnessed the event. Akpabio, his commissioners and special advisers and federal and state legislators were guests. For Emmanuel, the thanksgiving ceremony marked the beginning of a turbulent journey to the State House. Will he get the support of the political class while riding on Akpabio’s back to the throne? Time will tell.
Umana
He is a former ally of Akpabio. He was the SSG for six years, until he was booted out. He was a powerful and influential politician. But, there ends the story. Although he is not favoured by zoning, the Nsit Ubium-born politician is bent. He has supporters across the three districts.
His political platform is suspect. The reality has dawned on his supporters that the PDP may not field him. If he defects, many of them will not follow him to the new party.
Umana has built a formidable political structure across the three senatorial districts. He is wealthy. Many see him as a game changer, if there will be a free and fair primaries in the PDP. It is distressing to his associates that he was removed from office as the SSG. The sack jolted him out of the delusion that he was the closest ally of the governor.
Like a soldier on the battle field, Umana is still combative. He has experience. But, how he intends to get the ticket without the governor’s support is the major challenge.
Ekere
He is the former deputy governor. Ekere resigned his appointment in 2012 in a controversial manner to avoid being impeached by the House of Assembly. Although he claimed that he resigned on personal grounds, his resignation is still a subject of discussion .
Ekere has not deserted the political battle. He has a formidable structure. He emerged as the consensus candidate of the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency few weeks ago. Many have described the politician as a large-hearted and forgiving person. He is said to have reconciled with Akpabio, who applauded him for his forgiving nature.
Ekere’s public acceptance is not an issue, compared to other aspirants. There are speculations in some quarters that he may emerge as the governor’s second option, since the governor has narrowed down his choice to the Ibibio of Eket Senatorial District.
Onofiok
He is a chartered shipbroker from Oron. Although Onofiok is new in politics, he is favoured by zoning.
He is a new comer to the Akwa Ibom political scene. But, he has vowed not to chicken out of the race. Onofiok is one of those agitating for zoning, based on the Ibibio-Annang-Oron arrangement. He explained that that was the agreement evolved by the founding fathers of the state. He also said that zoing based on the senatorial district, was propounded by the governor.
The aspirants said that there are many benefits and opportunities in the maritime sector. He promised to explore them, if elected as the governor.
The question now is: will Akwa Ibom people support a person who pundits have described as a “novice” in politics? Will he get the governor’s support, since he is not from the Ibibio axis of the Eket District?
Assam
He is the Nigerian Ambassador to Russia. He has served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under Akpabio. He is a strong personality for the job and he has experience.
In terms of zoning, he is favoured. He is also one of those campaigning against imposition. He said the move will fail.
Assam may not have the governor’s support. Other stakeholders may not also support him because he has a strong personality.
Ntekim
Ntekim is the former Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) during the tenure of former Governor Victor Attah. He is now the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. He has served as the Commissioner for Transport. He is believed to be one of the political godsons of Atuekong Don Etiebet. The zoning arrangement favours Ntekim. He is from Oron. But, the fear in some quarters is that he may not be accepted by entire Akwa Ibom people.
Ekpotu
Ekpotu is a former deputy governor under Akpabio. During the turbulent 2006 PDP primaries, the party’s reconciliation committee headed by Chief Tony Anenih brokered peace among the warring politicians. The peace accord gave Attah the opportunity to nominate Akpabio’s deputy, when Attah’s bid to install his son-in-law and former Commissioner for Health, Bob Ekarika, failed. Attah nominated his Commissioner for Information, Ekpotu, as the running mate. Akpabio was not comfortable with the idea. According to analysts, Ekpotu’s emergence was to give the Ibibios, the largest ethnic group in the state, a place in Akpabio’s government. But, the governor later dropped Ekpotu to pave the way for Ekere, his preferred choice. original running mate.
To many people, Ekpotu is making a feeble atttempt. They alleged that he is trying to act a spoiler to Ekere’s governorship ambition because both of them are from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency. Already, Ekere has been adopted as the consensus candidate of the constituency.
Abia
He is an Oron man. He is the Commissioner for Rural Development. He has worked with Akpabio for 11 years. He was Secretary to the Council of Chiefs. He was also Secretary, Finance and General Purpose Committee (FGPC) and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. When he was at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, he built a solid political structure. The council chairmen were rooting for him. He is believed to be riding on Akpabio’s back Abia will compete with other strong aspirants from Eket.
Esuene
Senator Esuene is the only female aspirant. She was the wife of the former military governor of the old Cross River State, Chief Udokaha Esuene. She was appointed the Minister of State for Health in July 2005. She later became the Minister of Environment in January 2006. After a cabinet reshuffle in January 2007, Esuene was given an expanded portfolio as the Minister of Environment and Housing. She left office in May 2007. She was elected into the Senate from the Akwa Ibom South (Eket Senatorial District). Analysts are of the view that Senator Esuene stands a chance of becoming the next governor because she is close to the Presiency. But, many do not take her seriously because she is a woman.
Okpulupm Ette
Okpulupm Ette is a two-term member and Manjority Leader of the House of Assembly. Sources said that the Ibeno-born politician is a grassroots man That is perceived as an added advantage. He is favoured by zoning. But, he may not get the governor’s support.
Akpan
Akpan is an agitator for power shift to the Eket District. The politician fron Onnan is the International Coordinator of Akwa Ibom Peoples’ Forum (AKPF). His group worked for the victory of Akpabio in 2007. Akpan was became the Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs. Many council chairmen were loyal to him. Thus, he was popular at bthe grassroots. When he was dropped from the cabinet, he became the deputy chairman of the PDP. His senatorial ambition crumbled in 2011. He was asked to step down for Mrs. Esuene. Currently, he is the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Road Maintenance Agency. Unlike before, he has lost grip over the political structure in his Onna Local Government Area. He may be asked to step down for the SSG, who is from the same area.
