By: PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Polical permutations in Akwa Ibom State
This follows the widespread condemnations by various groups in the state that greeted the decision by the Governor, saying it is against the popular demand of the people on who becomes the next governor of the state.
The groups hold their ground that Governor Emmanuel imposing owned choice of candidate on the populace of over six million people will breed not just anarchy but also unfavourable political tension in the state with its ugly effect on the peace and stability that the people were enjoying in the past years.
Recall that Governor Emmanuel during a PDP stakeholders meeting in Uyo on Sunday announced his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno as his annointed candidate that should be supported to the office the governor in 2023 general elections.
New Nigerian observed that no sooner than the information was dropped that reactions began filling the air, even from among those who were present at the stakeholders’ meeting, expressing different positions on the choice of Pastor Eno an indigene of Nsit Ubium localwhere government area as the annointed candidate of the party.
One among them is Onofiok Luke, himself a governorship aspirant, and member representing Etinan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Luke said that he honoured the invitation from Governor Emmanuel to attend the meeting out of respect and as a loyal party man, adding that he never knew the agenda of the meeting nor the choice of Pastor Eno until at the meeting.
“It was at the said meeting that I heard of the agenda and choice for the first time and no one held any discussion with me prior to the meeting.
“I am not against the choice of the Governor coming from my local government, Federal Constituency nor the aspiration of my brother.
“However, as a fellow aspirant from the same local government at the same advantage when successful, my aspiration to serve the state in the capacity of the Governor remains on course,” Luke stated.
Responding also in contrast to the adoption of Pastor Eno by Governor Emmanuel as his successor in office, a group on the aegis of Akwa Ibom State Council of Ministers has demanded total withdrawal of endorsement of Pastor Eno by Governor Udom Emmanuel as his successor in 2023 .
Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Thursday, President of Akwa Ibom Council of Ministers Apostle Joseph Nyong and Secretary Apostle Elijah Usoh said Governor Emmanuel never displayed equity and fairness in the ‘purported’ endorsement, therefore urged him to rescind his decision on choice of successor.
“Such endorsement does not only mean a smack of imposition and direct affront on the political will of majority of Akwa Ibom people but is also clear violation of the long standing and immutable zoning arrangements in the state.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that it is only Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency that is yet to produce the governor of all federal constituencies within Uyo Senatorial District . It is therefore equitable and fair that it should be micro zoned to the federal constituency of Itu/Ibiono,” the group said
In the same development, another pressure group called ‘PDP Founding Members’ has sent their an opened letter to Governor Emmanuel, titled: Enough is enough: Stop this executive carelessness capable of killing Akwa Ibom PDP.
Signed by High Chief Samuel Ukpabio for Eket Senatorial District, Barr. Andem Andy for Uyo Senatorial District and Atuekong Uyoata Udofa forIkot Ekpene Senatorial District, and copied the National Chairman PDP and Members of NWC, National Vice Chairman South South as well as State Chairman PDP and Members of SWC.
The group said that their decision to write was because the Governor’s insistence on Pastor Eno as his successor has amounted to the final destruction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State by the Governor. .
“Enough is enough! Akwa Ibom must not be turned into a comedy show where soothsayers determine who will govern them against all modern norms. Kindly pull the brakes and put a stop to this madness before you destroy the gains of your administration. Most importantly, stop this madness that is capable of bringing the uninterrupted reign of PDP to a sad end in Akwa Ibom by 2023 if you refuse to listen to advice,” they stated in the letter.
Also a youth group, Akwa Ibom Youths Mandate had from resolution reached after its special stakeholders meeting in Uyo voted against Governor Emmanuel choice candidate and pledged support for Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke as their for plumbing office of the Governor in 2023.
Luke is a Pioneer Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, a two-time member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency in the State House of Assembly and a former Speaker of the House and presently a member representing Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and the Chairman House Committee on Judiciary.
From the State Chairman of Civil Society Organisations, Mr. Hilary Udoh, “The governor is not saying I chose this one based on his antecedent or what he can do but based on what God told him, in this 21st century? that is the fallacy to ‘appeal to authority,’ that is just reducing God to politician. I don’t have any problem with the Umo Eno but the governor’s posturing is unpalatable.
