With the commencement of the sale of nomination forms nationwide to aspirants by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), the stage is now set for an epic contest in the Akwa Ibom State 2015 gubernatorial race. Already, over 20 aspirants from the three senatorial districts who have indicated interest in the governorship of the oil -rich state are expected to pick up their nomination forms.
TheOraclenaija here presents a catalogue of the contenders who are desirous of succeeding Governor Godswill Akpabio as well as the perceived pretenders in the hot race ahead:
1.
Obong Umana Okon Umana – is the immediate past SSG of Akwa Ibom State. He was kicked out of his plum job as SSG by 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 rose from humble beginnings as a former teacher at the Cross River State School of Basic Studies, Akamkpa, through the civil service and is seen as a seasoned technocrat. Umana joined the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service in 1989 as Principal Budget Officer and rose to the position of State Director of Budge before his appointment as Fianace Commissioner by ex-governor Before his ouster from government, Umana was quite an influential politician who decided the fate of many. The former strong man of Akwa Ibom politics is an Ibibio from Uyo Senatorial District and a serious contender.
2.
Obong Bassey Albert Akpan – an economist, banker and financial expert with a rich private/public sector experience. He was the state Finance Commissioner from the inception of the Akpabio administration in 2007 until last April. A native of Ididep Usuk in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akpan was said to have been axed from his former position by a high-powered political manoeuvring, in the aftermath of the succession crisis rocking his home state. TheOracleNaija findings reveal that Bassey Albert Akpan is hugely popular across board, especially among the youths and even the royal institution in the state. Akpan is voted a serious contender for the governorship of the state. He is an Ibibio from Uyo Senatorial District.
3.
Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel – is the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government. Until his appointment as SSG Udom was Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc from December 2006. A corporate strategist and an experienced private sector player. Udom hails from Awa Eket in Onna Local Government Area of the Eket Senatorial District. Udom is believed to be Governor Akpabio’s anointed candidate. His tacit endorsement by the governor has generated a lot of tension in the state. Udom is voted a serious contender. He has vowed to run with or without the support of Governor Godswill Akpabio.
4.
Mr. Ekpenyong Ntekim – is the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. He hails from Okobo Local Government Area of the state. Findings by the Oraclenaija reveals that he’s being used by the governor to garner support from the Oron area for the governor’s candidate. Ntekim is thought to be a pretender in the race.
5.
Mr. Okon Iyanam- is a marketing communication expert and former Executive Director of Globacom. He is an indigene of Oyubia in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area of the Eket Senatorial District. Iyanam is, perhaps banking on his family pedigree as he has no known antecedent in party politics. Son of the late Uquo Iyanam, a seasoned technocrat and illustrious Oron son. He is the brother of Victor Iyanam who had served the Akpabio administration as Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice. Iyanam is a social media enthusiast who holds online consultations. He is referred to as the Internet aspirant and could pass for a pretender.
6.
Mrs Helen Esuene – former First Lady of old Cross River State and widow of Brigadier-General U.J. Esuene. She is a serving Senator representing the Eket Senatorial District in Nigeria’s Upper Legislative Chamber. She once served as the Minister of State for Women Affairs in the Obasanjo administration. The delectable grandmother appears to be the only woman in the race.
7.
Obong Nsima Ekere – former deputy of Governor Godswill Akpabio in his second term in office and former Chairman of Akipoc. Ekere is an Ibibio from Ikot Abasi Local government of Eket Senatorial District. A serious contender.
8.
Mr. Effion Abia Ekpenyon is the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He was dismissed from the state executive council for showing interst in the governoship race, but has since been compensated with an appojintment as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and chieftaincy affairs. Abia is an Oron man from Mbo Local government of the state. Abia is believed to be a pretender in the race.
9.
Chief Benjamin Okoko - a quantity surveyor from Ikot Abasi is a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary and erstwhile Works Commissioner in Akwa Ibom state. Benji, as he’s fondly called was once believed to be governor Akpabio’s Plan B candidate but it would appear things have changed. Okoko had vied for the PDP governorship ticket in 1998 alongside former Governor Attah, but was prevailed upon by Elders of the Eket Senatoial District to step down for Obong Victor Attah, in order to allow a candidate from the Uyo Senatorial District to complete their tenure. Despite his touted popularity, however, many have questioned his seriousness in the governorship contest. This is because Okoko is seen as a businessman who has only come out to run for governor in order to receive monetary compensation from whoever he steps down for just like he did in 1998 and 2007. He’s believed to be a pretender.
10. Larry Esin - a serial contender from Oron. He’s been in the Akwa Ibom governorship race for as long as anyone can remember. He came third in the governorship primaries of 2007 defeating Etiebet and Ime Umana. Esin is voted a pretender whose current political platform remains unknown.
To be continued....
As the tenure of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, winds to a close, concerned indigenes of the state are deeply worried about the huge debt profile of the oil-rich state that receives the highest allocation from the federation account and wondering whether his successor would have funds for developmental projects.
