Israel Umoh
After intensive electioneering campaigns and subsequent elections, the incoming administration in Akwa Ibom State is intensifying effort to roar into life from May 29, Straightnews online can authoritatively reveal.
As is common with a new government, political gladiators and stakeholders in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are positioning themselves and lobbying the power-that-be for political appointments and those of their cronies into various offices.
Despite any seeming pact the outgoing governor Udom Emmanuel and other stakeholders may have reached with the Governor-elect, Pastor Umo Eno, the incoming Governor holds the handle in the appointment of persons into different political offices.
From time to time, the governor-elect would consult his kitchen cabinet, some respected leaders and trusted friends to avoid making unpardonable mistakes.
A source close to some groups and the governor-elect confided in Straightnews online that some names have been rumoured to be penciled down for what political analysts called juicy positions.
‘‘Yes, it is true. Before the elections, some politicians especially in the PDP invested their resources and time for the emergence of their choice candidates particularly the governor.
‘‘With the big wins by PDP in the state, members-elect of the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate could now ventilate their views and stamp their feet in lobbying for the positions of interest so that they would remain relevant in the scheme of things.
‘‘For the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), some names are being mooted to be jostling for the position. Enobong Uwah, the National Secretary of Maintain Peace Movement, is touted. Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan, Permanent Secretary, Government House, Uyo and senior brother of Governor Udom Emmanuel are being hyped for the position.
”Also included is Dr. Iniobong Essien, Chairman, Ibom Air Development Company. Dr. Essien was one of the spin doctors that rallied to douse the tension that arose from the certificates scandal that rocked Umo Eno’s nomination as candidate for governorship slot. He is said to have been two years ahead of Pastor Umo Eno at the high school they attended at Ikeja, Lagos. Many around the corridor of power question his relationship with his former principal, the famous uncommon governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
‘‘From all indication, Adiakpan holds a big ace owing to his pedigree on the job and the plot by his immediate boss to keep someone who will ‘cover’ some tracks for him and strengthen the new system. It is also added that his institutional memory knowledge will smoothen the transition and reduce lapses if not eliminate altogether. This may be borne out of the experience the outgoing Governor may have benefited from the teachings of his “great teacher Akpabio” who recommended Sir Etekamba Umoren, a former Permanent Secretary, Government House to occupy the office of SSG in 2015. He seems to be sponsored by the outgoing governor.’’
Straightnews, according to the source, learned that Uwah was tipped by a clique of government appointees for the position and purported attempt to shove him aside has put a big knife between MPM and the team of the incoming.
‘‘At a recent close-door meeting with some PDP bigwigs, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, is alleged to have been walked out for insisting that Uwah should be considered for the position.’’ This group is largely populated by the young Turks of the days of Akpabio who have now grown to become major influence peddlers.”
Another vantage position- Chief of Staff to the Governor – is in hot contention by some interested parties said to close to the governor-elect.
‘‘Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, member representing Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency; Capt. Iniobong Ekong (retired) popularly known as Ikwa Afang, also the state Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources; Mr.Otobong Edemidiong, a one-time Nsit Ubium Transition Chairman are tipped for the position.
”Though Umo Eno’s kitchen cabinet favours Ekong or Edemidiong for the position, Luke allegedly is not trusted by a lobby group, The issue of trust is said to stem from the conduct of Luke at the inauguration of the 9th NASS during the election of Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives in 2019. He is accused of having dumped party’s decision and gone to support the majority party so as to feather his nest. He was handsomely rewarded with Chairman, House Committee on Federal Judiciary with oversight over Federal High Courts, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Nigeria. Also, Hon. Luke was a candidate for the PDP Governorship primary elections until a Facebook post on the eve of the primary election where he withdrew from the race. His position as a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly (AKHA) provokes anxiety that he could meddle in the affairs of the House of Assembly to the detriment of the soon-to-be-sworn-in Governor,” the source noted.
According to the insider, ”For the positions of commissioners and special advisers, the rumour mill has it that some performing or highly recommended ones by the outgoing governor or highly placed persons in the society may be retained by the incoming administration, at least for a year or the governor’s first term, in stabilising the system. There seems to be a tradition to retain some old hands who were strong election vote canvassers and party agents so as to ensure effective adjudication at the election petition tribunal. Their services are easily dispensed after the petitions are disposed of.
”Though pressure is mounting that Umo Eno should do away with the present Senior Special Assistants, Senior Assistants and Personal Assistants, it appears as some of them would be re-appointed.”
In the media circle, it is unpredictable if the governor-elect would retain them. ‘‘It is believed that Udom Emmanuel administration is currying bad press due to the inglorious activities or poor relationship of most media handlers who are unable to decipher their right from their left. The best thing to do for an effective image strategy/perception is for the governor-elect to choose his media team and do away with Emmanuel’s team.
”The only person said to be a nexus between the state government and the press is state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong whose performance in office is impressive,’’ the insider in government told this newspaper.
‘‘It is rumoured that Anietie Usen, a one-time Assistant Editor of Newswatch magazine and author of Village Boy may be appointed as the new Chief Press Secretary. He made stout defence for the governor-elect during his travail on the certificate scandal. It is still being speculated that Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Udom Emmanuel is alleged to be angling for the position despite remaining on the position for eight years. His prolonged stay has left much to be desired. He was quoted to have boasted that he would remain on that position for 16 years without any qualm.
”However, it is feared that if Udoh is retained, Umo Eno administration would run into glitch as media chiefs in the state accuse him of inability to manage and maintain a cordial press-government relationship,’’ the source told the newspaper.
