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Tag: Umana

  • APC member Nyauko disowns advertorial against Umana

    A MEMBER of Akwa Ibom State All Progressives Congress (APC), Sylvanus Nyauko, has denied being a member of the Forum of Founding Elders of APC and signatory to an advertorial titled: “Umana Okon Umana’s desperation against Senator John James Akpanudoedehe will fail” published in The Nation of Monday.

    Nyauko, an engineer, in a statement yesterday, said: “My attention has been drawn to an advertorial in The Nation Newspaper of Monday, June 1, 2015 at pages 32 and 33 published by a faceless and unknown group reporting to operate by the name Forum of Founding Elders of APC – Akwa Ibom State and captioned Umana Okon Umana’s desperation against Senator John James Akpanudoedehe will fail, in which they sought to discredit and drag the good name and hard earned reputation of His Excellency, Obong Umana Okon Umana (governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State) in the mud.

    “In the said advertorial, the miscreants maliciously and falsely listed my name as member of the said forum and signatory to the advertorial.

    “I wish to categorically bring to the attention of His Excellency, Obong Umana Okon Umana, the All Progressives Congress, The Nation Newspaper and the public in general that I am not and had never been a member of the said faceless group, as such to my knowledge does not exist and I could therefore not have agreed or collaborated with them or any other person to publish the said advertorial. None of the purported signatories to the publication appended their signatures for purpose of identification and/or authentication. I hereby condemn in very strong terms such acts of cowardice and grand standing.

    “A look at the advertorial shows that my name and phone number was written as one of the signatories without my signature to authenticate same, as is normally done in advertorials of such nature.

    “It is clear, therefore, that this is the work of my enemies, enemies of our great party, detractors and fifth columnists, who are bent on blackmail and whose intent is to destroy my good name, hard earned reputation and also discredit my unalloyed loyalty to the party and His Excellency, Obong Umana Okon Umana.

    “It is unfortunate and regrettable that a supposedly reputable tabloid like The Nation should stoop so low to publish such a damaging advertorial without insisting on obtaining signatures of the purported signatories for the purpose of verification and without carrying out any form of verification at all.

    “I, therefore, call on all my supporters, party members and the public at large to discountenance the outright lies and fabrications contained in the advertorial and continue to give their total support to Obong Umana and the All Progressives Congress.”

  • 29 APC chairmen reaffirm support for Umana

    29 APC chairmen reaffirm support for Umana

    Chairmen of 29 chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have reaffirmed their support for the party’s governorship candidate, Obong Umana Okon Umana.

    This was contained in a communique issued yesterday in Uyo, the state capital, by the party’s chairmen after a meeting under the auspices of the Forum of Local Government (Chapter) Party Chairmen of APC.

    They denied a report that they had shifted support to the Labour Party (LP).

    The chairmen described the publication, which was aired by Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) radio as the handiwork of political jobbers claiming to represent the APC Chapter Chairmen Forum but were deceiving the public.

    They said the authors of the publication, Amah Joseph and Monday Jackson Akpan, were neither party members nor local government party chairmen, having been expelled for “anti—party activities”.

    The communique said: “We reiterate our support and loyalty to APC and Obong Umana Okon Umana and stand fully, confident in our success at the tribunal.”

    The APC chairmen rejected the outcome of the April 11, 2015 governorship elections in the state.

    They expressed support for the party at the national and state levels, adding that the elections be cancelled.

    The chapter chairmen said they were not unaware of the destructive tendencies and intrigues by Governor Godswill Akpabio to sabotage the chances of APC and its candidate, Umana, at the tribunal.

    They noted that this was “to parade miscreants as local government party chairmen in the state and stage-manage a defection soap opera on AKBC in support of Udom Emmanuel (the PDP candidate)”.

    The APC chairmen also dissociated themselves from a media briefing where congratulatory messages were sent to Udom Emmanuel as governor-elect.

    They insisted that the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state were neither free nor fair, adding that those who addressed the briefing were neither members nor chapter chairmen of APC in the state.

    The communiqué added: “They were impostors and hirelings of the PDP. Authentic chapter chairmen of the APC are those who signed the communiqués dated April 19, 2015.”

    The party chairmen said it was shameful that those who claimed to have won elections were burdened by the crisis of legitimacy to the extent of going round to hire dishonourable men to congratulate them.

    “Induced congratulatory messages and procured show of support will not be part of admissible evidence for defence at the tribunal,” the chairmen said.

    They urged Emmanuel to prepare to defend his purported victory at the tribunal, adding that Akpabio should stop wasting the state’s scarce resources  on frivolous congratulatory messages.

  • We’re ready to challenge Akwa Ibom polls, says Umana

    We’re ready to challenge Akwa Ibom polls, says Umana

    Akwa Ibom State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr. Umana Umana yesterday said the party had engaged a formidable legal team to challenge the outcome of the governorship election.

    Umana spoke during a meeting attended by leaders, elders, members and stakeholders of the party in Uyo, the state capital.

    He said: “We will ask for the purported election to be upturned and a proper one conducted for  indeed there was no election on April 11 in Akwa Ibom State.”

    Umana noted that the lawyers, led by a renowned Lagos-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria with deep experience in pre- and post-election dispute resolution, were hired by the national headquarters of the party as a sign of unflinching support in the fight to reclaim the people’s stolen mandate.

    Umana said the State House of Assembly election would also be challenged.

    Also speaking at the meeting, the State Party Chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai, noted that the APC had collated an avalanche of evidence to prove clearly that there was indeed no governorship election in the state.

    The chairman said that the PDP was busy looking for disgruntled APC members, especially chapter chairmen that were previously disciplined, to get them to sign a congratulatory message to Udom Emmanuel.

    His words: “If there were a proper election, the PDP wouldn’t be scouting around for signatures of people to congratulate them. We will surely reclaim our stolen mandate in the next few months.”

     At the end of the meeting, party members were assured that a new election would be held under a new and better political environment with zero tolerance for impunity, intimidation, violence, politically motivated killings and misuse of the security forces.

     The DG of the campaign, Mr. Sunny Udom, thanked party members and supporters for their overwhelming turnout to vote, and urged them to prepare for another election soon.

  • ‘Why we support Umana’

    The Akwa Ibom Change Ambassadors (ACA) has said it supports the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Umana Okon Umana, because of the change he promises..

    It urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to work towards eliminating violence in the elections.

    After a meeting to finalise its door-to-door campaign scheduled to start March 17, the group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Ofon Udoh, said Umana remains the best candidate.

    “We see the APC as a greater platform and Umana as an experienced, dedicated and committed change advocate. Endorsing him does not stop at just saying we endorse him; he does not believe in this kind of endorsement. We will go for a door-to-door campaign to get people’s endorsement.

    “We have done opinion sampling on street corners, churches, villages, motor parks, markets and offices and we are happy to inform you that the people will welcome us because they want change.’’

    “With Umana, we will have an Akwa Ibom of equal opportunity for every son and daughter, no matter where he or she comes from, or what tongue he or she speaks. With Umana, there will be social justice where every woman and man living in Akwa Ibom is involved in its governance. With Umana, we will have the true government of the people, by the people and for the people,” the group said

  • Oron man will succeed me, says Umana

    The broom revolution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) swept across Oron in Akwa Ibom State yesterday when governorship candidate, Umana Okon Umana, and his running mate, Ben Ukpong, visited the area.

    Ukpong is from Urueoffong Oruko Local Government Area. Urueoffong Oruko is one of the five councils that make up Oro Nation. Others are Mbo, Okobo, Oron, Udung Uko local government area.

    During the rally, all the major streets were filled with APC supporters and party members, who waved brooms – the symbol of the party – excitingly, chanting “change”.

    Umana, speaking before thousands of party faithful at the Oron Stadium, pledged to work for the emergence of a governor from Oro nation after him.

    The APC governorship candidate explained that it would be just, right and equitable for the third largest ethnic group in the state to produce his successor.

    Umana’s announcement was received with a thunderous applause from the sea of people in the expansive sport arena.

    His words:  “In my administration, we will bring all stakeholders to the table in other to ensure that peace, understanding, and harmony reign in power shifting as I vow to hand over power to Oro nation after my tenure.”

    While thanking the people for embracing APC, Umana told the gathering that the time had come to end injustice, marginalisation, recklessness and Impunity in Akwa Ibom State.

    He said: “You have sent a very strong message to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that is why with your full support and that of Akwa Ibom State, I will bring the desired change you require because you have been cheated for the Past 16years by the PDP-led administration.”

    Umana also pledged to develop Oro nation into a modern coastal city with thriving marine and recreational businesses.

    He told the crowd that bursary for students in higher institutions would be increased from 5,000 to 50, 000 and money would also be given to support those with entrepreneurial skills to boost job creation.

    A member representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Robinson Uwak, thanked his people for coming out en-masse to receive their governorship candidate.

    Uwak said it was time for the people of Oron to stand up in one accord and support Umana by sweeping out PDP.

    Uwak, who is also the APC candidate for Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, urged all to stand firm with APC during the governorship, national assemblies and house of assemblies elections.

    An indigene, Larry Esin thanked the people for receiving their visitor well and stressed that Oron would play interest and not party.

    His words: “Oro Nation will play interest not party, because Umana has the interest of Oron in mind. He has indeed done well to recognise Oron.”

  • Tambuwal, Ambode, Yari, Umana get APC’s tickets

    Tambuwal, Ambode, Yari, Umana get APC’s tickets

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates  emerged yesterday, across the country, signalling the final countdown to February’s general election.

    The party’s presidential candidates will emerge next week in Lagos to climax the pre-general election activities.

    The party will pick its House of Representatives and Senate candidates this week.

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal picked the Sokoto State ticket. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode took a commanding lead in Lagos —as of 1.a.m. Mr. Umana Okon Umana won in Akwa Ibom, Olorogun O’tega Emehor is the Delta State candidate.

    In Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Belo is the standard bearer.

    Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa) and Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe) got the tickets to run for second term.

    Speaker Tambawal polled 3,466 votes to emerge tops, ahead of four other contenders.

    His opponents’ scores are as follows: Professor Lawal Bashir (0), Yusha’u Ahmed Kebbe(13), Senator Umaru Dahiru Tambawal(23) and Jibrin Bello Gada(0). The primary was held at the Gingiya Memorial Stadium. The delegates were drawn from the 23 local government areas and 244 wards.

    Total delegates accredited 3,569, total votes cast 3,513 and total valid votes 3,501.

    The chairman of the four-man Electoral Panel, Bolaji Khalil, said 10 votes were invalid.

    Tambuwal, who attributed his victory to Allah, praised Governor Aliyu Wamakko for his resilience in providing the right kind of leadership.

    “ I, therefore, wish to thank delegates and the good people of Sokoto State with the hope that you will extend your support to the party to ensure we form a responsive government that will transform the state,” he said.

    After a rowdy scene, a former secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Umana Okon Umana, was declared the winner at the Uyo Township Stadium.

    Umana, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last week, scored 2,444 of the 2,453 valid votes.

    His opponent, Senator James Akpanudoedehe, scored only six votes.

    The shadow poll kicked off in Lagos  around 1.30 pm, following the accreditation of about  6,000 delegates from the pre-existing 20 local governments.

    As from 9 am, the aspirants stormed the venue. They include the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Hon. Lanre Ope, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Olasupo Sashore (SAN), Senator Ganiyu Solomon and former Health Commissioner Wahab Tokunbo.

    Others are: Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Mr. Adekunle Disu, former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Mrs. Tobun Agbesanwa, the only woman in the race.

    At 1 pm, the gate of the venue was locked. Ambode entered the stadium,shortly before the closure of the gate. The chartered  accountant went around the high table to greet party leaders and co-aspirants. He cracked jokes with Senator Solomon before sitting next to the House of Representatives member, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    Voting started at 20.25 pm. Delegates from Epe Local Government Area were the first to cast  their votes, shortly after the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Pastor Peter Obadan, a former deputy governor of Edo State, highlighted the voting procedure.

    Obadan directed that delegates should put their badges on before voting. He also asked the local government chairmen to identify the delegates to prevent impostors from participating.

    Obadan assured aspirants and delegates of a fair exercise, saying that “counting will be done in the open and the result will be announced”.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola  was absent. However, his deputy Mrs. Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, Secretary to Government Dr. Oluranti Adebule and some commissioners witnessed the poll.

    Also there were former Deputy Governors Rafiu Jafojo, Femi Pedro, Abiodun Ogunleye and Sarah Sosan; Senators  Tony Adefuye, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Oluremi Tinubu and Gbenga Ashafa; House of Representatives members Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Lanre Odubote, Yakubu Balogun, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Deji Jakande, Adeola Olamilekan, Samuel Adejare and Akinderu  Fatai.

    Also present were Pa Abiodun Sunmola, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Chief Funso Ologunde, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Alhaji Seriki Akanni Bamu,  Comrade Joe Igbokwe, Abiodun Salam, Chief Raheem Daramola, Hon. Hakeem Oris, Abiodun Mafe, Chief Lanre Rasaq, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Olayinka Olagunsoye, Tunde Braimoh, Rotimi Agunsoye, Bayo Osinnowo, Hon. Segun Olulade, Bayo Ajisebutu, Chief Mutiu Are, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, Dele Alade, Tunde Oshinlalu, Foluso Jayeoluwa and Hon. Joko Pelumi.

  • Umana’s defection alters 2015 calculations in Akwa Ibom

    Umana’s defection alters 2015 calculations in Akwa Ibom

    Former Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government Umana Umana has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a ceremony in Uyo, the state capital, witnessed by APC leaders and a large crowd of supporters. Correspondent KAZEEM IBRAHYM writes on the implication if the defection for the ruling party and next general elections. 

    Brooms fill the air In Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State. The large crowd of supporters had a message for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): the party will not remain the same, following the defection of former Secretary to Government Umana Umana to the All Progressives Congress (APC). No fewer than 30,000 supporters across the three senatorial districts defected along with the politician.

    Many believed that the defection of Umana will define the political direction of the state, ahead of next year’s polls. The Asan Ibibio Ground, the venue of the cross-over rally, was filled to the brim. As early as 10am, party faithful had converged, singing and dancing.

    Big wigs who defected along with the former SSG include two former ministers, Dr. Ime Okopido and Obong Rita Akpan, who are founding member of the PDP. Other  defectors include  Otuekong Sunny Jackson from Uyo Senatorial District, former treasurer of the defunct All Nigeria peoples Party (PDP) and member of the House of Assembly, Dr. Morris Ebong, Linus Akpan, an engineer, Obong Cyril Ekiko, a former lawmaker, Okon Uwa, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly; Uwem Udoma; Dr Chris Ekong, a former commissioner, Chief Sonny Udom, a the former member of the House of Representatives and Obong Imo Isemin, wife of the former governor.

    Others were former Commissioner Dr. Emem Wills, former Special Adviser Sammy Frank, Clement Bassey former commissioner and former member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Emmanuel Obot, former member of House of Representatives, Chief Okon Ekanem, a former Permanent Secretary; Chief Victor Iyanam, and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Bishop Asuquo Ekanem.

    Umana and other defectors were received by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, the National Leader, his deputy, Chief Segun Oni, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential aspirants former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

    The rally was witnessed by Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso, his Rivers State counterpart,  Rotimi Amaechi,  the Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Hilliard Eta.

    Oyegun his in address to party faithful said APC is confident of victory in the next year poll in Akwa Ibom State, saying with the coming of APC on board, the development which has eluded the people for long, would come.

    Oyegun told the electorate to equip themselves with their voter’s cards, which he described as  the only instrument needed to  sweep PDP out of power. He said that with the coming of Umana and others into the party, the train of change has begun in the state.

    He critisised the PDP-led government for abhorring corruption and using the security agencies to attack the opposition. His words: “Many of you who don’t have the voters’ cards must go and have the voters’ cards. The voter’s card is your weapon for change. How many of you are happy with the level of corruption in this country?

    “Corruption is the sole reason that education has collapsed, that health is collapsing, it is the sole reason that our roads are not looked after. It is the sole reason for the problem we are having in the country today. In APC we have zero tolerance for corruption.

    “Another duty we owe to the youth of this country is to provide them with jobs. We have worked out our programmes to achieve these.

    “Now we are going to have a third colossus like Umana in APC after having former Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Senator James Udoedehe and former Military Administrator of both Ogun and Rivers state, Sam Ewang.  Strong people like Umana are just discovering that they have been working for a party that is destroying this country. Umana should demonstrate how he can use the broom to sweep the destroyer.”

    Even the Akwa Ibom State APC chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai, in his speech, bemoaned the level of corruption in the PDP-led government, saying the last seven years of PDP in the Akwa Ibom state has been fraudulent and traumatic for the people.

    Attai decried that despite the oil-money, Akwa Ibom is still one of the poorest states in the country, this he said, would stop as soon as APC takes over the mantle of leadership in 2015.

    He said: “We have been suffocated by the government of the PDP. The state is the richest but the people are the poorest since Akpabio took over the mantle of leadership.

    “The ruling party and the Presidency have failed to listen to the concern of the elders. Governor Akpabio wants to install himself as a third term governor through a pseudo arrangement. Today’s event has proven that APC is on the part of winning Akwa Ibom State in 2015.”

    In his remarks, Asiwaju Tinubu, called for ‘common sense revolution’  to end  the PDP ‘misrule’.

    He said that when God wanted to deliver the people of Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh  He gave the Israelites instructions through their leader, Moses and they took their destiny in their hands and their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage of over 400 years was secured.

    He said the way to start the revolution is for the people getting their voters’ card from INEC  and be ready to vote for the agent of change symbolized by the APC in the coming general elections next year.

    He said: “Your voters’ card is the weapon for common sense revolution. The common sense revolution is not by bloodshed. It is about voters’ card. Ensure that you get it from INEC to change the government in Abuja and other states not controlled by the APC.

    Tinubu explained that with Umana and his supporters joining  APC and  working with people like Senator John Udoedehe, Captain Sam Ewang and others, the Akwa Ibom people are on the way to delivering  the state from impunity that has rocked the state all these years.

    The national leader also said APC would make the people the cornerstone of their policies and programmes.

    Tinubu also recalled how Senator James Udoedehe went to jail in the hands of the PDP-led government in the state during the 2011 general elections.

    He said: “John Udoedehe suffered, he went to jail and almost got killed in the hands of the PDP government. I am happy to see him stand here today with another of our brother Umana. Both of you must join hands together in Unity.”

    Also, the APC Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, urged Nigerians and Akwa Ibom people to unite and rescue the state from the ruling PDP next year.  He said: “Make sure there is a change in the next election. Whoever is you candidate, the persons who wins should be supported.”

    Another APC Presidential aspirant, Sam Nda-Isaiah, said it has become necessary for Nigerians to ensure they vote out PDP in the next general election.

     

    He said presently, there are 48 million young Nigerians without jobs.  He asked Nigerians to vote for APC candidates as the party, saying the party is ready to turn the misfortune of Nigerians caused by PDP miss-governance around with god policies.

    He said:  “The time to change has come and Nigerians must seize the opportunity to vote out PDP government.”

    Another chieftain of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said with the coming election, time has come for Nigerians to deliver themselves.

    Onu  said nobody is happy the way things are in the country and prayed for God’s grace to enable the party win next year and turn things around for the good of all in the country.

    In his words, the national Vice Chairman of the party for the South/South region, Prince Hillary Etta, said majority in Akwa Ibom have taken a stand to secure change for the suffering of the people.

    He said though President Jonathan is from the Southsouth, he has failed to impact Akwa Ibom and indeed Nigerians in any meaningful way.

    Umana, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, asked PDP to return his N11million he used to purchase the nomination form for the governorship race.

    Umana said he decided to seek the mandate of Akwa Ibom people to serve as governor on the platform of the APC because the party offered the people the freedom to elect leaders of their choice without the undemocratic practice of imposition by a single person or a political cabal.

    He promised to lead an administration, if elected, whose priority would be job creation, industrialisation, war against poverty and unemployment; investment in quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and other forms of people empowerment.

    With Unana and others PDP bigwigs finally in APC, the coming months will be interesting politically in the oil-rich state between the party and PDP.

  • Umana faults PDP’s decision on zoning

    One of the leading governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Umana Umana, has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) National Working Committee’s (NWC’s) decision to zone the governorship ticket to Eket Senatorial District.

    Speaking on phone yesterday with our reporter, Umana said the NWC’s decision was inconsistent with President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that there would be no room in the party for the imposition of unpopular candidates.

    He expressed worry that the NWC singled out Akwa Ibom State of all the states affected by the contentious zoning of the governorship seat.

    According to him, his organisation, Ibom Development Network (IDN), would ensure that the PDP does the needful.

    Umana recalled that in the history of the state, governorship elections had always been open to all aspirants.

    The politician said if the decision of the PDP were allowed to stand, it would mar the chances of the party in the 2015  election.

    He warned the PDP against targeted zoning, adding that even with the decision of the PDP NWC, the chances of other aspirants from Eket Senatorial District might be foreclosed.

    Umana said: “Majority of the members of Akwa Ibom PDP were surprised at the decision of the PDP NWC. They wondered why Akwa Ibom State should be singled out since it is not the only state where there are divisions on zoning. The debate on zoning is not only affecting Akwa Ibom State; it is affecting many other states.

    “The decision of the PDP NWC is not consistent with what happened in Ekiti State, where the party opened its door to the aspirants. This resulted in the fielding of its popular candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. That decision led to a successful outcome of the election for the PDP. So, why is Akwa Ibom case different?

    “As loyal members of the party, we will follow due process and make sure the party does the right thing by allowing the people to choose who they want as governor.”

  • Akwa Ibom 2015: The many odds against Umana

    Akwa Ibom 2015: The many odds against Umana

    Former Akwa Ibom Finance Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umana Umana, has been in the eyes of the storm lately over his governorship ambition. Sunday Oguntola analyses why his chances of clinching the governorship slot have become slimmer 

    Until last August, it was taken for granted he was coasting home to the Government House. Nearly all indigenes of Akwa Ibom saw the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umana Umana, as the next governor. His governorship ambition was open secret. It was not a misplaced prospect. Umana was not only highly connected but also influential. He was the only man Governor Godswill Akpabio was said to fear in the state’s political space.

    Umana, who joined the civil service as a Principal Budget Officer in October 1998 rose to become the State Director of Budget same year. Two years later, he was appointed Permanent Secretary in charge of the Budget office and retired in 2003. He joined the Victor Attah’s administration as Finance Commissioner and served for eight years. In 2007, he supported Akpabio and allegedly bankrolled his campaign to emerge victorious.

    When the administration kicked off, Umana was expectedly appointed the SSG, a position he held until August. His closeness to Akpabio made him feared and respected. Many aides deferred to him and consulted the astute administrator to curry his favour. His words were laws and his pronouncements unchallenged. He could access just about anything and anybody throughout the state.

    He survived all the cabinet reshuffles and was even said to have determined those to go and stay, a further testimony to the implicit confidence Akpabio reposed in him. Many of the government’s nominees, it was reported, either came from him or received his blessings.

    This aura made the Ibibio politician, born in Ndiya, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the state’s most powerful go-to person. It was said that even Akpabio feared hurting or injuring his interests.

    But nothing lasts forever. The once untouchable politician was forced to resign in most controversial circumstances. First, he was locked out by security operatives from his office. Then, he was forced to tender his resignation 48 hours after the humiliating episode.

    The zoning hurdle

    Since he left office, Umana’s influence has continued to wane. Those who could not as little as walk beside him started throwing jibes at him. They derided his governorship’s ambition, saying it was dead on arrival. Investigations revealed that the major hindrance against the governorship ambition of the former SSG is the zoning arrangement within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Umana, who is from Uyo Senatorial District, is considered unqualified for now because the governorship slot has been reportedly ceded to the Eket District. Since the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987, nobody from Eket has mounted the saddle.

    The first civilian governor of the state, the late Obong Akpan Isemin, won the race under the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1991. He was from the Uyo Senatorial District. But he did not last as the military took over power in 1993.

    At the return of the nation to democratic rule, Obong Victor Attah, also from the Uyo Senatorial District, mounted the saddle. He served for two terms and handed over to the incumbent, Godswill Akpabio, who happens to be the first from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to rule the state.

    It was learnt that Attah conceived a rotation arrangement among the three senatorial districts months before his handover. The districts, it was gathered, were to take turn to produce the governor. The arrangement was to protect Eket from domination. Uyo district has the most votes but Eket produces more oil wells than others. Zoning advocates said there is no way Eket will be able to produce a governor on their own without such rotation policy.

    This zoning arrangement is the biggest hurdle against Umana’s ambition. Investigations revealed that the political barometer in Akwa Ibom is more disposed to having an Eket indigene become the governor. This, it is learnt, is to ensure fairness and equity. Had Umana been from Eket, he would have driven to the Government House almost unchallenged, observers believe. It is reported that this arrangement is why Akpabio moved to cut him to size and dismantle his political structures.

    Rumbles from ‘enemies’ camp

    Many of his critics also fear the soft-spoken politician is too rich for their comfort. His wealth, they contend, will put him at a complete advantage over other political interests if he were to become governor. This, it was gathered, is why many conspired and rose against him. They say a powerful man blessed with means and resources will be too hot to toy around with for a state like Akwa Ibom where political patronage is high. They are also uncomfortable with his strong political structures across the state, a development they allegedly pointed out to Akpabio.

    Akpabio, it was learnt, was told installing Umana as his successor would haunt him for the rest of his life. A source in the anti-Umana camp said: “It was a pretty thing to do. All we needed to do was to point out how Umana is already rich and will be too strong to handle for Akpabio, who will still want to pull strings while out of government.”

    The governor reportedly started seeing the wisdom in what his aides were pointing out to him. He considered Umana as a serious threat that must be out-muscled to prevent future heartbreaks. They also succeeded in convincing him of Umana’s independent streak, a trait they said will make the ex-SSG quite uncontrollable. This plot, it was learnt, was hatched by close aides of the governor, who were becoming uncomfortable with the vast influence Umana was wielding in the state.

    Another source said: “Every governor is keenly interested in who succeeds him. We just showed His Excellency how having an Umana will make him become a loser. Umana is independent minded and loves to run shows on his own. There is no way he will become governor and he won’t move against Akpabio. The signals are just there for us to see.”

    Investigations revealed that the fear of having an influential, rich and independent successor without regards for his legacies and achievements was what finally convinced Akpabio to move against Umana. Akpabio’s indisposition to supporting Umana might prove to be the greatest undoing of the former’s governorship ambition.

    But Umana, a relentless personality, is not giving up without fighting back. Sources close to him say he won’t drop his aspiration for anything in the world. This explained why he turned down the offer to serve as the state’s representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He is also said to be prepared to pursue the ambition under another platform should the PDP becomes too unbearable for him. How far he can go will surely spice the contest in the state.

  • Ibibio elders to Umana: You can contest 2015 governorship poll

    Ibibio elders to Umana: You can contest 2015 governorship poll

    •Say no one can stop him

    THE immediate past Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Mr. Umana Umana, was yesterday given the green light to contest the 2015 governorship race by the Ibibio Elders Forum.

    Mr.Umana was given the boot by Governor Godswill Akpabio after declaring his intention to join the race.

    He is currently locked in a cold war with the governor over his ambition.

    However, the Ibibio Elders Forum declared that Umana has the constitutional right to contest the election and that no one can stop his political ambition.

    The elders dismissed as false a newspaper report that it had a meeting with Umana during which it prevailed on him not to contest for the position.

    Umana was sacked from office on July 29, this year and his office sealed off by security operatives.

    Chairman of the Forum, Obong Okon Uko, in a statement, said: “If Umana wants to aspire to occupy any political office within and outside the state, he has the constitutional right to do so. Therefore, it is not true that anybody or group of persons have either advised or asked him not to exercise his constitutional right.

    “Ibibio Elders Forum calls on the general public to disregard the said publication because it is baseless and has no iota of truth in it. The report credited to us does not represent the revered status of Ibibio Elders Forum. That mischief makers should desist from sponsoring publications that may disunite or cause disharmony among the various ethnic groups in the state.”