Umana set to spend N25 billion to become governor

Former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government and governorship aspirant, Obong Umana Okon Umana, has allegedly budgeted a staggering N25 billion to prosecute his gubernatorial campaign in the hope of actualising his long-held ambition of becoming the next governor of Akwa Ibom state in

2015.

The erstwhile ‘strong man’ of Akwa Ibom politics and self-styled “man with the plan” was overheard telling his close friends that he has set aside the obscene sum (N25 billion) for his electioneering campaign while discussing his readiness to run for the office of governor of the oil-rich state.

It would be recalled that Obong Umana was kicked out of his plum job as SSG by his former friend, Governor Godswill Akpabio in July 2013 for flouting the rules of engagement and declaring to run for the office of governor, while still holding the position of SSG.

Umana had been very fortunate in many respects and is, perhaps, relying on mother luck to shine on him in the hot race to the Hill Top Mansion, as the Akwa Ibom Government house is called. He rose from humble beginnings as a former teacher at the Cross River State School of Basic Studies, Akamkpa, through the civil service. Umana joined the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service in 1989 as Principal Budget Officer and in the course of the journey enjoyed a meteoric career success rising to the position of State Director of Budget within just 9 years!

Before his unceremonious sack last July, Umana had been in the corridors of power for at least 14 years having served a two-term of 8 years as Finance Commissioner in the Victor Attah administration before his appointment as Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government in 2007 by Governor Godswill Akpabio. Until his ouster from government, Umana was also widely regarded

as the political iroko who decided the fate of many in the political arena.

However, those in the know claim Umana was kicked out for attempting to hold Governor Godswill Akpabio by the jugular over issues of succession in 2015. They believe that Umana had seen his ascension to the throne of governor as his birth right and a debt that Akpabio owes him and his ilk. A debt that he had sworn Akpabio would pay.

But, being the consummate politician the governor appears to have outsmarted Umana by unilaterally zoning the governorship position to the Eket Senatorial District. Umana is an Ibibio from the Uyo Senatorial District. Akwa Ibom politics is full of mind boggling dramas, indeed.

How the former SSG plans to cross this huge political hurdle despite his hefty budget remains to be seen. The issue  has become a front burner topic among politicians in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.