2023: Confusion over Governor Emmanuel’s preferred successor
Governor Udom Emmanuel sent a list of
Commissioner/Special Adviser nominees to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for confirmation.
The nominees were, Uko Essien Udom, SAN, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, Mr John James Etim and Pastor Umoh Eno. Two names among the nominees however raised eye brows and sent the rumour mills wild. Either of Udom SAN and Pastor Eno, were fingered as new entrants, that possibly, were drafted by the Governor as his soon to be unveiled or annointed successor in waiting.
Reason for this speculation cannot be ascertained. But, long before he made the Cabinet list, Pastor Eno, in particular, was mentioned as one of those the Governor was considering as his preferred successor.
Before he emerged on the scene, names like, former Executive Director of ExxonMobil, Mr Udom Inoyo, Information and Strategy Commissioner, Comrade Ini Ememobong, his Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport counterpart, Mr Akan Okon and the CEO of Desicon Nigeria Limited, Mr Akan Udofia were mentioned as the person(s) the Governor is priming to succeed him.
The list of contenders who are believed to be in the race has only complicated matters. The updated list of Akwa Ibom State PDP Governorship aspirants as at April 2021, as bandied by the people, include, friends of the Governor such as, Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service Chairman, Mr Okon Okon, immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Enefiok Essien SAN, Mr James Iniama and Churchill Udoh.
Others are, Uyo Capital City Development Authority boss, Prince Enobong Uwah, Mr
Joe Ikpak, State Universal Education Board, SUBEB Chairman, Obon Paul Ekpo, Member representing Uyo Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Dr Mike Enyong and Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob.
Also making the list are other hopefuls, such as, Dr. Iniobong Essien, Mr Gabriel Ukpeh, Hon. Idorenyin Umoh, Mr Ide Owodiong-Idemeko, Hon. Dr. Ekere Afia and Akparawa Michael Bush.
There are however two very popular aspirants who are believed to be marked as opponents by the system, namely, Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert who represents Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo)Senatorial District in the National Assembly and Member represents Etinan Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke.
Ironically, the duo fiercely led the resistance of the attempt by former Senate Minority Leader and current Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, HE Senator Godswill Akpabio to truncate Governor Emmanuel’s second term bid. Whatever led to their falling apart is only discussed within the realms of speculations.
The cold War, particularly, between Senator Albert a.k.a OBA, and the system has resulted in casualties, the latest being the impeached Vice chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Hon. Abasiama Etokakpan, who was reported to have convened a meeting in support of OBA’s Governorship project. A blip that allegedly triggered his ejection from office.
WHO WEARS THE CAP?
It is therefore no surprise that, the most anticipated outcome of the narratives above is the anxious wait for direction from the Governor on who his annointed candidate is.
This great expectation is causing real tension in the system as everyone is confused. The reasons for the confusion are varying.
ABSENCE OF A NEWS BREAKER
Who will break the news or, as they say in street parlance, WHO WILL BELL THE CAT? On April 26, 2021, former Ambassador to Russia and erstwhile Governorship Aspirant, HE, Chief Assam Assam in cahoots with the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West in the National Assembly, Engr. Dr Chris Ekpenyong convened a meeting at the latter’s Emjmm Hotel Uyo.
The meeting was purported by some spin doctors, to have been at the instance of the Governor to unveil his ‘Annointed’ and Would-be Successor. Those who attended that meeting include, HE Senator Helen Esuene, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien,
Senator Aloysius Etok, Rt. Hon. Nse Ekanem, Rt. Hon Pat Ifon, Rt. Hon. Sunny Udom, Rt Hon. Owoidoho Ekpoattai
Rt. Hon Alice Ekpenyong, HC Okon Obot,
HC Chris Abasieyo and Rt. Hon. Uwem Ekanem.
Others are Dr Udeme Nnana, Rt Hon Usenobong Akpabio, Hon. Ntangude, Hon. Dr Chris Nyong and HC Okon Emah.
Chief Assam had described them as his friends and people of like minds. After the meeting which was rumoured to be a meeting before the breaking news, nothing was heard than a call for free, fair and credible PDP primaries.
Pundits dismissed the meeting, insisting that, Chief Assam is not one, in the mould of an incontrovertible News breaker for Governor Emmanuel.
This is exactly what is lacking with Governor Emmanuel. The absence of a reliable, dependable and intimate political ally whose words can be taken to the bank by all as coming from ‘Etteh’.
The two foremost persons that fit that mould are sadly late. Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, the then irrepressible Director General of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization and immediate past Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong.
Any of the duo could have easily convened a coven of other trusted Kitchen Cabinet members to break tbe news as proxies, albeit indirectly, to point to, and unveil Etteh’s mindset. In their absence, the persons who can do so, remains a herculean task.
The other possibile persons who could play this role are, Chairman of the Fathers of Faith Forum, Prelate Dr Mbang, Member representing Eket Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Pat Ifon, Deputy Director General of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization, Elder Ben Udobia, or the Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel on Religious Matters and Chairman of The Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Nduese Ekwere. The problem though is, the level of closeness, rapport or access of these persons to the Governor was never been out of this world. Who will believe their report?
MR FIX IT?
Another gulf in the 2023 Succession Ageda of the Governor is a Fixer. In politicking, every leader has a Man Friday, one that is a hatchet man who arranges and sorts out every issue of the boss, especially the political.
At the inception of the administration, immediate past Commissioner for Works and currently, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen was crafted in that mould. However, the Late Nkanga loomed larger than life and was the godfather running the hood of the System.
Then, Rt. Hon. Ifon has shown sparks of it, but, as things stand, that role is vacuous. Who will fix this for the Governor is what he has to sort out, sooner than later.
THE VOICE OF JACOB AND HANDS OF ESAU
Again, Governor Emmanuel has not cultivated in the last six years, a man or woman, who can be seen as always, speaking the mind of the Governor even where he is tight-lipped. President Buhari is a veteran in this. His late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, was that powerful. His word was as good as the bond of Mr President and his signature, nearly as powerful as a Presidential Seal.
Anytime, kyari spoke or signed a Memo, it was taken as guaranteed in the System as the Hand of Mr President but the voice of Kyari.
Besides Kyari, there is also Alhaji Mamman Daura and Alhaji Ismaila Funtua. Both Kyari and Funtua died last year.
Political stakeholders in Akwa Ibom look around and see no such close advisers of Governor Emmanuel whose position can be gleaned unmistakably, as that of the Governor on any issue and that becomes a burden.
A CABINET POINTSMAN?
In the Cabinet of Governor Emmanuel, there is no Pointsman, carefully choreographed and developed to be seen as his main man. Usually, the leader will at every cabinet meeting must hold a tête-à-tête with that Pointsman, especially before announcing any major policy decision. He must be seen to have insight and whispers on classified files and should be with the Governor at every public function, where of course, the governor must momentarily, and intermittently whisper into his ears even when saying nothing. Its just for the camera and to put that Pointsman in the spotlight.
Such a pointsman will have many referrals from the Governor of people seeking his(Governor’s) attention, favour or appointment. This makes that Cabinet member who can be the first or last man the Governor sees on a daily basis and now by all as the Last Man Standing, to be an easy vehicle to disclose the Governors position.
In this era, this again is lacking in Governor Emmanuel’s leadership module.
MARKETER, RECRUITMENT AND MOBILIZATION ?
When the Governor finally unveils his choice , who begins or leads the recruitment and mobilization of stakeholders and power brokers around the candidate?
Who will be the capable, convincing, credible salesman to anchor the marketing of the Annointed, whenever he is finally unveiled?
The Marketer, will have to sell the product, ‘Mkpo Urua’ as it is called, for 2023, across the political wards and Constituencies of the State. The Governor has to identify that person.
THE MIDDLE GROUND
Beyond this maze of uncertainty, Governor Emmanuel can opt for the, howbeit, difficult option of a middle ground. This implies, standing aside from the rumble by not adopting any aspirant but adopting a Candidate who emerges as tbe popular choice of the people.
This is a very tough call and it’s strictly his decision to make. The merits and demerits of this option is for his scrutiny to help him take a decision.
A townhall meeting with critical Stakeholders for a Consensus candidate to be selected and handed to him can sort this out.
Whatever the Choice, what will be will be.
