SPECIAL REPORT: THE CONTENDERS AND PRETENDERS IN THE AKWA IBOM GOVERNORSHIP RACE! PART 2

The oraclenaija brings you the concluding part of our special report on contenders and pretenders for the Hilltop Mansion, the Akwa Ibom State government house in 2015 as we promised. Please enjoy



11.Chief Assam E. Assam SAN:  A very vocal diplomat and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia and Belarus. A former Student Union Government leader, 68- year old Assam has practiced law for over 35 years, and was the state Attorney-General. Assam is seen as a pretender who is perhaps in the race to provide for life in retirement.
 12.
Mr. Michael Okpo Onofiok: Onofiok is a maritime expert and former councillor in Udung Uko LGA of the state. In 2011, he contested and won the ticket of the ACN for the House of Representatives before disappearing during the election. There are strong rumours that he was bribed to drop his ambition. He is believed to be in the race for settlement and is voted a pretender.


13.

Rt. Hon. Okpolumph Etteh: Majority Leader and leader of the Akpabio caucus in the state House of Assembly. He once wielded so much influence His level of seriousness in the race makes him a pretender

14.
Barrister Asuquo Okpo: a Lagos based lawyer from Mbo Local Government Area of the state. He’s regarded as a neophyte who has never been in politics. Our verdict? A pretender.

15.
Prof. Richard King: 56 year-old King is a Professor of Fisheries Biology, scholar, educationist and seasoned administrator. He hails from Ikot Ebok in Eket Local Government even though there are insinuations of King being an Igboman. Pretender


16.
Prince Chris Abasi-Eyo: From the Oron ethnic group, Chris is an active politician and former Information Commissioner in the state. His political organisation is known as the Chris Abasi-Eyo Vanguard. Thought to be a pretender

17.
Hon Justice Nya Ebito: former High Court Judge who voluntarily retired from the judiciary to face full time pastoral work. He also left the A.M.E. Zion church where he was presiding elder to set up the House of Gold Ministries where he is president. His interest in the governorship contest, according to Ebito is on God’s order. Only time will tell whether or not Ebito actually heard from God. Ebito, who is in his early 50s hails from Oron and is voted a pretender.

18.
 Dr. Samuel Ndede Udonsak: A United Kingdom trained cardiologist, Udonsak is the Chief Medical Director of ONNE Medical Centre in Port Harcourt. He is a two-time governorship aspirant in the state. Although he claims to have the blueprint for developing the state, Udonsak is voted a pretender.

19.
 Bishop Samuel F. Akpan: Until recently, Bishop Akpan was one of the most influential politicians in Akwa Ibom State and held numerous positions both in the state party Exco and the government. He was the President of Akwa Ibom Peoples Forum (AKPF), a socio cultural platform used by Governor Akpabio for his electioneering campaign in 2007. He is an ordained Bishop of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, the religious sect founded by Olumba Olumba Obu. Akpan is tought to be a contender.

20.
Mr. Michael Sebastian: A  geologist from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and an in-law of the Akpabios is said to be the governor’s fall back candidate in the event that he is unable to install Udom Emmanuel. Michael, who is married to the governor’s cousin is also being used to checkmate the influence of former deputy governor, Nsima Ekere, also an Ikot Abasi Indigene, who is said to enjoy immense grassroots support. Sebastian is voted a pretender in the governorship race.