Akwa Ibom goes agog for Attah

Gen. Edet Akpan (rtd) (1st left) and Mr. Umana Okon Umana (2nd left) welcoming former governor, Obong Victor Attah (1st right) to Uyo

By Iboro Otongaran

Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, is expected to erupt in a carnival of songs, dance and drumming on Friday as former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, is treated to a grand reception by the elders and people of the state “in appreciation of is meritorious services to the state and humanity in general.” Elaborating on the meritorious services for which the former governor is to be celebrated, organizers of the reception say “the event is meant to honour and welcome Obong Attah back from the just concluded National Conference where he served with his characteristic mastery and polish as the co-chairman of the committee on resource control.”

They add that the honour being planned is to pay a fitting tribute to “Attah’s path-breaking leadership as a governor of Akwa Ibom State between 1999 and 2007.” Many political associates and former members of Attah’s government are already effusive with complimentary commentaries about the former governor in the build-up to the big ball slated for the weekend.

Obong Rita Akpan, former minister of Women Affairs who served as the first secretary to government (SSG) in the Attah administration said of the upcoming event: “We are receiving him as the father of modern Akwa Ibom State.” Mr. Umana Okon Umana, immediate past SSG in the state and commissioner for finance in the Attah administration, said in a goodwill message to the former governor: “Akwa Ibom people are proud of your leadership and overall contributions to the success of the recently concluded National Conference. At the National Conference, you affirmed your position in Nigeria as a patriotic and visionary national leader.”

Obong Attah is a very influential political leader in Akwa Ibom and a towering national figure. An accomplished architect, he cut his political teeth in national politics in 1994 when he was appointed member of the 1994/95 Constituent Assembly which wrote the operating 1999 Constitution of the nation.

Coming a few weeks to the PDP governorship primary, the reception for Attah is also to take on the colour of a political carnival. Political pundits believe that Attah’s political clout both within the state and in the PDP could deliver significant electoral value to whoever the former governor supports in the coming contests.

Reflecting political thinking in knowledgeable circles in the state and beyond about the former governor’s influence on the politics of the state, Umana said in his goodwill message to Attah on the occasion, “Our people will definitely look up to you for guidance and direction as we soon begin the process of choosing a new set of leaders for our state.” Chief Kanu Agabi, a former minister of Justice and Attorney General is expected to deliver the key note address at the event. Governor Godswill Akpabio and the various governorship aspirants in the state are also expected to speak at the reception.

Mr. Otongaran is a media assistant to Mr. Umana Okon Umana. This article is culled from Ibom Chronicle, a yahoo! online group.