By: Israel Umoh
This analysis is a continuation of governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria and the concluding part of it.
Barr. Udom Inoyo: Unlike others, Inoyo is a technocrat. A proud son of Ikot Okoro in Nsit Ubium Local Area, he is perhaps one of the biggest names in the corporate world of Akwa Ibom extraction.
He retired as Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil Nigeria operation. Inoyo has been actively engaged in activities of the oil and gas sector. On retirement, he declared his interest to serve the state in a higher capacity.
He is said to have played bass band during Akpabio’s reign. At a stage, he was said to have been the person who introduced Udom Emmanuel to Akpabio for appointment as Secretary to the state Government and subsequently as a Governor.
It is said that Governor Emmanuel appointed him into Akwa Ibom State Government Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Team to prepare him for the race.
In some quarters, it is peddled that Emmanuel wants him to be his successor, but another clime, the assertion is dismissed as a mere fluke.
However, it is rumoured that though he does not make noise, he is working like a submarine mobilizing more at the grassroots.
“He has formed and inaugurated ward and local government committees to campaign for him to becoming the next governor. He is said to be indirectly instrumental to the emergence of the present PDP state executive council at the state level,” a source told Straightnews.
However, he suffers from the distrust of Akwa Ibom people about how ExxonMobil treats her sons and daughters under its employ. Though he started his career in the then Cross River State Civil Service, his entry into the multinational may have caused him to disconnect with the people.
The recent loss by death of Air Commodore (rtd) Idongesit Nkanga may dim the light of his efforts. He is a son-in law to a former Senator who represented Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, but will that rub off on him as it advantaged his friend Udom Emmanuel?
Mr. Akan Okon is another key aspirant to the position. He is a financial expert who has carved a niche for himself in the banking sector with more than two decades of experience. He is the incumbent Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport.
The 55-year-old served as Commissioner for Economic Development and later Commissioner of Finance under Governor Godswill Akpabio. He was re-appointed as Commissioner for Finance during the first term of Governor Emmanuel. He belonged to the group that was tagged, Non-Teaching Staff in the early days when Udom Emmanuel was working to become Governor.
The group made up of Ufot Ekanem Ebong, Elijah Udo-Iyak, Chelly ‘Aristotle’ Okoko as arrowheads worked cryptically and clandestinely to position then aspirant- Udom Emmanuel while Ephraim Inyang and his Transformation Initiative was the open market when the bush had been cleared.
The extent to which these previously unknown political quantities could re-enact their previous “success story” leaves much to be desired. His escape from being mentioned in the Paul Usoro money laundering EFCC case even when he was Finance Communication at about the time leaves him unencumbered to pursue his ambition.
While he is from Itu /Ibiono Federal Constituency, the age-long alliance between his native Itam people with the Offot of Uyo could help broaden his support base.
Pastor Umo Eno: The business mogul tipped to vie under the platform- Peoples Democratic Party – is another strong contender for the top position.
Eno from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area is a state Commissioner-designate and a political leader in his ward. His group is said to have produced the incumbent local government chairman. Chief pilot of Royalty Group of Companies, he may upturn the apple cart using his financial muscle to show his teeth.
He has served as the anchorman for agricultural development and investment at AKICORP, providing the creation of a database for existing and prospecting farmers in Akwa Ibom State.
His involvement in the diversification of the economy of the state using agriculture as the pivot may have exposed him to numerous grassroots or rural dwellers that will become canvassers for his quest to occupy the Hilltop mansion.
A staunch supporter of Governor Emmanuel and a member of Fathers of Faith, he may get the solid backing of the governor. With his subtle inroad into governor’s arm, he is not a political guinea pig.
With his purported interest, Nsit Ubium is gradually turning to political bed that other heavyweights from other places may not ignore. His combination of both economic and pastoral background could easily endear him to Udom Emmanuel who has declared his aversion for cult group affiliations.
Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, a Classics graduate and legal practitioner, is rumoured to be another keen contender. From Use Ndon in Ibiono Ibom LGA, he is seen as a man who could ruffle political feathers owing to his popularity with the youths.
Though Governor Emmanuel has been emphasizing that he would not be keen in producing a successor, some political pundits allege that Ememobong appears to come from the stem of the governor.
The 38-year-old is the person largely penciled for the emergence of Borono Bassey as the state PDP Publicity Secretary,” an anonymous source confided in the online newspapers.
He may be nursing the ambition but he cannot enter the ring without the governor blowing a whistle and signaling him to join the race.
Rt. Hon. Mike Enyong, is a two-term member representing Ibesikpo Asutan/ Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He hails from Idoro in Uyo Local Government Area.
Popularly known as Baba Ntan, Enyong is seen as a silent political caterpillar. Despite stiff opposition against his second term ambition, he weathered the storm and was re-elected.
“My father dug and buried ten drums of money. He died and left them for me. On discovery of the money, I have used only one drum remaining nine drums of money. I am prepared to enter the governorship race.
“I will match money for money and Naira for Naira. If any candidate gives a delegate N1 million, I will give N2 million,” he once bragged.
He is a Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals in the Federal House of Representatives. He could be talking about solid minerals underground. Politics wise, he has set up contact committees in all local government areas.
His lack of experience in executive position is seen as a flaw, as he may be easily alienated from the people should he be overwhelmed by the exigencies of the office of governor.
Nse Obot Willie: He is another person who is eyeing the position. From Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, he will gun for the job under the canopy of the ruling APC at the national level.
A seasoned banker, he is a one-time Senior Assistant on Finance to the then Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obong Nsima Ekere.
Willie who is in his 40s may look like a dark horse in the race, but he is suspected to leverage on the political structure of his boss, Ekere who had contested for the position twice but failed to notch it.
Another source confided in Straightnews that he will pose a black leg to the perceived aspiration of Ita Enang.
No Plan to Produce Successor- Gov Udom
The governor came in as a political greenhorn from the corporate world. Based on the support of his predecessor, he floored the G-22 (22 governorship aspirants in PDP).
In 2015, his campaign team adopted the theme Divine Mandate and in 2019 Only God was picked for his re-election bid.
Perhaps, due to his disagreement with his predecessor, Udom has made up his mind not to ‘anoint’ a candidate.
While fielding a question from journalists in May 2020, the Governor stated “A good leader thinks of the next generation and not the next elections. As at today, no one has consulted me on his or her ambition. This, in all honesty, is not the time for such issue; we want to work and reposition this State for rapid economic growth.
“I think it is very unfair on part of the electorate who just only last year, had elected us to various offices to work for them, for us to now begin to talk about the next elections. I have always said that power belongs to God and ONLY HE alone will determine who my successor would be.
“I have not anointed anyone to be my successor, so my advice to those who are angling for certain position is that they should join us to put the building blocks of sustainable economic growth for our people and not cause unneeded and unhelpful distractions.”
During an interactive session with journalists in the State on Monday, December 21, 2020, Governor Emmanuel said he has no plans to rule for a third term through a stooge, adding that producing a successor was not on his agenda.
“As soon as I leave as Governor, I would not rule for a third term through a stooge, I will leave with my I-phone and laptop. So people should be patient and God alone will produce the next Governor for the state.”
“Let’s think about the next generation and forget about Udom Emmanuel. Once you write and send one investor away because you don’t like the face of the Governor, it will take the next Governor 20 times more effort to convince and bring back that investor.”
However, when the ‘political spirit’ comes on him, the public will understand the governor better. He may not want to impose a governorship candidate, but undue pressure from his political sons and cousins could compel him to change his stand by deciding to sponsor a candidate to ‘protect’ him when his out of office.
Last line
Like in masquerading, the small and biggest usually come to the market square at different times. Once, the biggest masquerader shows up and performs some acrobatic displays then the anxious traders and curious spectators would go home.
In this wise, the biggest will be the ‘anointed’ candidate and subsequent winner to occupy the endeared domain. Once that is done, all the contenders would then collapse structures and canoe with the reigning king in the harvest. Like reggae, let the political music play on.
-Concluded
