Hilltop Mansion 2023: Contenders meet pretenders
By Moses Tom
The die is cast in the race for the soul of Hilltop Mansion, Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo, ahead of the 2023 governorship elections. Scores of aspirants have already indicated interests in the Akwa Ibom top job. Who have actually thrown their hats into the ring to contest for the No 1 seat and who are preentending to do so? But what are their chances? Who are the contenders? Who are the pretenders?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Pastor Umo Eno
Before 31st January, 2022, Pastor Umo Eno was nothing but a pretender in the race to the Hilltop Mansion. He did almost nothing in the public betraying his interest in the race. At a point, he needed to deny nurturing any ambition whatsoever. Many had written him off in view of the calibre of political bigwigs who were warming up publicly for the plumb job.
But with his adoption by Governor Udom Emmanuel and subsequent presentation as his preferred successor, Pastor Umo Eno has risen to the top of the Log of Contenders in the race to the Hilltop Mansion 2023. Despite opposition in some quarters, many strongly believe he flies the PDP flag already while others are just struggling to grab it from him.
Pastor Umo Eno is a Contender in the ratio of 89:100
Babantan: Hon Michael Enyong
Rt Hon Michael Enyong, popularly called “Babantan” because of his perchant to dole out money to the populace, is the current member representing Uyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. His recent interest in the governorship race has raised the question: What does Babantan really want?
His supporters made the loudest noise and his posters now occupy available spaces in Uyo, the State Capital. His major argument is that Uyo can’t wait anymore.
“For 33 years now no indigene (of Uyo) had been a governor, none has been a deputy governor, none has been the speaker, none held office as agrade A Commissioner or state chairman of the ruling party PDP. Yet we have sacrificed so much to warrant the highest position. If we miss this (time) it will take 72 years to have another chance because by 2023 it will be 36 years of hosting with nothing to show,” Enyong was quoted as saying.
Rt Hon Michael Enyong is a pretender in the race for Hilltop Mansion. He appears to be negotiating for a third term to the House of Representatives in 2023. He tops the table of Contenders.
Obong Bassey Albert
Before 31st January, 2022 when Governor Udom Emmanuel adopted Pastor Umo Eno as his preferred successor, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan was probably the one the two contender in the race to the Hilltop Mansion. His chances only dropped following the presentation of the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources.
Obong Bassey Albert is fast becoming enigma in the race to Hilltop Mansion 2023. He remains the most outspoken and is all out to battle for the top job. He has 78:100 chances of winning the race.
Pastor Peter Daniel
The Founder and General Overseer of A Touch of Great Glory International Ministry Church, Uyo, Pastor Peter Daniel, also said he is in the race. Soured said he has admitted that he is not sent by God. He is on his own.
The cleric is frank in his ambition. He is not out to win but to create an impression that a man of God was in the race. He is this a pretender in the race to the Hilltop Mansion.
Barr Onofiok Luke
Barr Onofiok Luke is apparently one of the youngest aspirants in the race to the Hilltop Mansion. Onofiok Luke, who currently represents Etinan, Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency, has insisted that he is not in the race to negotiate for a second term. He wants to be the Governor of Akwa Ibom State come 2023.
Although Barr Onofiok Luke hails from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area alongside Pastor Umo Eno, he still garners remarkable support from the area. Before the emergency of his kinsman as the anointed one, Luke seemed to have only OBA to contend with.
It will be a great mistake to either ignore or underestimate him. His chances is well over 73:100.
Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok
Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok is regular contestant in the race to the Hilltop Mansion. He is here again as the Governor, Office of the Citizens, Akwa Ibom State.
An advocate of Social Governance, Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok says he out to change the music but lacks the financial muscle and support base to prosecute his ambition. He goes for a pretender.
Idorenyin Umoh
Hon Idorenyin Umoh is a former member of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and served a Deputy Majority Leader on the platform of PDP. Idorenyin Umoh is not new in the race to the Hilltop Mansion. He contested in the 2011 governorship election on the platform of Labour Party without much impact and challenge.
Despite his popularity, the entrepreneur may not pose any threat to the major contenders in the race. His rating fits that of a pretender but a major distraction in OBA’ camp.
Mr Udom Inoyo
Barr Udom Inoyo was once touted as the anointed candidate of Governor Udom Emmanuel but scheme evidently died on arrival. The adoption of his kinsman, Pastor Umo Eno as the preferred successor of the governor would further complicate his woes. He has been in limbo in recent times and to think that he is still in the race to the Hilltop Mansion is the greatest pretence of 2023.
Senator James Akpanudoedeghe
Senator James Akpanudoedeghe is also a regular contestant in the race to the Hilltop Mansion. His best chance was the 2011 governorship race when he attempted to dethrone former governor Godswill Akpabio.
Since then he has not missed any governorship contest yet Senator James Akpanudoedeghe carries the image of a joker and political businessman who negotiates his ambition to the detriment of supporters. There is no indication that he has changed. Will you truly say he is a Contender? Or …
Where will you place these stalwarts?
Dr Iniobong Essien
Mr Akan Okon
Senator Ita Enang
Mr Akan Udofia
Mr Churchill Udoh
Mr James Iniama
