Breaking News: Umana most suitable for governor, Akpabio reportedly says

Mr. Umana Okon Umana

By Nse Peter

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has reportedly said that the immediate past Secretary to Akwa Ibom State (SSG), Mr. Umana Okon Umana is the most suitable person to succeed him as governor in 2015.

Mr. Michael Bush, a respectable radio broadcaster and CEO of Bush House Nigeria, said Governor Akpabio made the remark when he was addressing the Akwa Ibom State delegation to the just concluded National Conference at Abuja.

Bush who was putting the information across to Mr. Umana Okon Umana during a live phone-in radio interview on Atlantic FM, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Tuesday, asked the former SSG who has fallen out with Akpabio what he could make out of the governor’s remarks.

“He told them (the Confab delegates) in the open that to be governor is not just about siren and that it is a very difficult job, and that of all the people angling to become governor, the man he believes in his heart could do the job is Mr. Umana Okon Umana. What do you make out of that?” Michael Bush asked Umana, to which the former SSG retorted “Well, I’m hearing from you Michael….”

“Yea, you are hearing from me as a journalist, (and) I’m reporting the truth, otherwise I won’t say it on live radio (programme),” Bush cut in.

Umana, who turns 55 on Wednesday, then offered a modest response to the question. He thanked Governor Akpabio for ‘those sentiments’, and added “as somebody I had worked with I believe he must have a basis for making that kind of assessment and statement.”

Umana who enjoys favourable rating in the race for the 2015 Akwa Ibom governorship reiterated his plan to create and distribute wealth in the state as well as reduce unemployment among the youth of the state.

During the programme, a caller from Eket who identified himself as Edoho said the former SSG has paid his dues in the politics.

“I have known you over the years, right from our school days. I have known you to be a goal-getter. By the grace of God, you’ll be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State,” the caller said, to which Mr. Umana responded on air  “that is heart-warming because that is my old school mate who knows me very well.”