“Oron people would be better off with Umana Okon Umana” - Victor Iyanam, Akwa Ibom Ex-commissioner for justice

Mr. Umana Okon Umana

BY CLETUS UKPONG

Mr. Victor Iyanam, the former attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Akwa Ibom State is very straightforward about his desire to see the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, SSG, Mr. Umana Okon Umana becomes the next governor of the state in 2015.

Victor Iyanam told Daily Independent in an interview, “Oron people would be better off with Umana”. He said what is at stake in 2015 is the Akwa Ibom project, and not the senatorial project.
The interview, published in November, 2012, was done by Mr. Aniefiok Macaulay, the paper’s correspondent in Akwa Ibom State.

“I have known Umana since 1983 and we have maintained a good relationship since then. I do not know how to betray the confidence of friends. I believe in that integrity. As long as Umana remains in the race, this is where I stand,” said Victor Iyanam who was the commissioner for justice in Governor Godswill Akpabio’s first term.

“The only aspirant that has called for my support for his governorship ambition is Umana Okon Umana. As I talk to you now nobody else has mentioned his ambition to me.”

Umana Okon Umana is the leading name for 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State.  He is said to enjoy enormous goodwill and political support across the state, including Eket Senatorial District, although he is yet to formally declare his intention to contest.

Victor Iyanam’s declaration of political support for Umana Okon Umana is particularly significant because the former commissioner is from Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area, a part of Eket Senatorial District clamouring that their district be allowed to produce the next Akwa Ibom governor. Also, he is the older brother to Mr. Okon Iyanam who has declared his interest to contest the 2015 governorship election.

Victor Iyanam has harsh words for those agitating for zoning of Akwa Ibom governorship to senatorial districts, instead of Ibibio-Annang-Oron ethnic tripod in the state.

“The claim to senatorial zoning is spurious! I know about Ibibio-Annang-Oron,” Iyanam said.

“I mean zoning on senatorial district is spurious. It is calculated to expand the coast against Oron and I prefer to be counted out. PDP can only adhere to verifiable zoning. It can work at the national level with some mobilisation but definitely not as a point of law. It would certainly not hold water in Akwa Ibom State. It cannot be verified and there is no unity whenever that senatorial deceit is mentioned.”

Culled from DETAILS newspaper