2015 governorship poll: Oro give Udom Emmanuel red card

Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom SSG

It seems the Akwa Ibom SSG, Mr. Udom Emmanuel may have met a brick wall and may be pretty difficult to secure the political support of the Oro ethnic group for his 2015 governorship ambition, going by the position of Oro as reported in the Sensor, a community newspaper in Akwa Ibom State.

And yet the question is, if Udom Emmanuel, as it is, can’t get the support of Oro, and that of the majority of Ibibio in both Eket and Uyo Senatorial Districts, including some parts of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District like Abak Five, Ini and Ikono local government areas, what magic will Governor Godswill Akpabio do to install him as the next governor of the state?

Time, only time, will tell.

Read the story after the cut…..
  

As the battle for Akpabio's successor in the 2015 governorship election thickens, the Secretary to the State Government Mr. Udom Emmanuel and stakeholders of Oro Nation, yesterday disagreed on the next occupant of the hilltop mansion after the expiration of Chief Akpabio's led administration in May 29, 2015.

The Secretary to the State Government accompanied by the leadership and members of Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA), Chief Otu Robert, Prince Ekpe Atakpo, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, Mr Aniekan Umana, Enobong Uwah and other serving Commissioners in the State Executive Council and some Council Chairmen stormed the residence of Professor Okon Eminue in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo to Consult Oro Think Tank and Oro Union on his Governorship ambition.

Briefing Oro stakeholders on the rationale behind his visit, Mr Udom said he was in the residence of Eminue to solicit the support of Oro people as he offers himself to serve the people of the state as next governor, having received adequate training from Chief Godswill Akapbio.

Udom who intimated Oro people of his readiness to embark on all round developments of the state and make it a Maritime gateway for Africa, if elected as next governor, noted that he has the managerial skills, experience, exposure and ideas that will generate positive results.

“I have come as one of your brothers and as one who knows the problems of Oro people to seek your support. There is nothing wrong if two brothers vie for a particular thing. Let our sentiments be all inclusive. I am a true son of Akwa Ibom. I promise not to disappoint Oro”, he said.

Udom announced that he facilitated establishment of Tank farms and NDDC Industrial park in Oro nation, adding that if Akwa Ibom was developed at the pace the administration of Godswill Akpabio is transforming it, the state would have turned into industrial hub for the Africa sub-region.

He recalled that in the past, Oron urban used to serve as a confluence city where people from every part of the state used to meet, stressing that it will restore the lost glory of Oro if elected as governor.

But in his swift reaction 'The Chairman Of Oro Think Tank' Chief Okon Osung described the Secretary to the State Government Mr. Udom Emmanuel as a brilliant, humble and intelligent gentleman who has made the country proud while working in different capacities of Zenith Bank before coming into the State.

Chief Okon Osung disclosed that there was a fundamental political marriage between Onna where the SSG comes from and Oro, emphasizing that Onna is politically indebted to Oro and 2015 remains payback time for the good people of Oro who supported late Clement Isong and others from Eket federal constituency to climb major political ladders.

Chief Osung informed the SSG and his team that the only thing that will sustain the unity and relative peace in the state and calm frayed nerves is to make an Oro man the next governor of the state.

The Oro Think Tank chairman noted that Oro remains the economic life-wire of the state and should be given its right of place in the business of governance.

Chief Osung, pointed out that the only thing that can bring peace and unity to the state and calm frayed nerves is to make an Oro man the next recalling that when the governorship was zoned to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, it was given to the Annang as majority in the zone.

Chief Okon Osung who informed the governorship aspirant that the 2015 Oro governorship project was un-negotiable, called on all Akwa Ibom people to see themselves as believers of politics of accommodation and inclusiveness against that of alienation as selfishly canvassed by few politicians whose stock-in-trade is to fan ember of disunity and violence in the state.
 
He maintained that the political ladder of the state finds expression in the three sons of Ibibio, Annang and Oro, spread into three senatorial districts of Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene, insisting that it would amount to political catastrophe and chaos if Oro nation which produces over 80 percent of the derivative revenue of the state is denied the governorship seat in 2015 which will take them 40 years to have another chance.

The Oro Nation outspoken grassroots politician dismissed the insinuation that Oro has five local governments and reminded Akwa Ibom people that Oro belongs to Obolo nation with 8 local governments of Obolo, Oron, Mbo, Urueoffong Oruko, Udung Uko, Ibeno, Esit Eket and Eket local government areas.

Osung further stated that Akwa Ibom Governor of Oro extraction in 2015 will witness growth, stability and sustainable development.

He however commended Governor Godswill Akpabio for developing the state through quality infrastructure and appealed to him to allow justice and equity to run its full course in the choice of his successor.

Prominent among Oro people who were at the meeting were: Chief Okon Osung, Professor Okon Eminue, Dr. Efiong Edunam, Ambassador Etim Uye, Chief Jerry Okpo, Engr. Asuquo Inuikim, Chief Okokon Ufi, Bishop Etim Ante, Elder E. Bassey, Chief E. Ebito, Chief (Dr.) Friday Antai, Chairman of Okobo, Udung Uko, Oron and Urueoffong/Oruko Local Government Areas, Princes Felicia Bassey, Mrs. Kenim Onofiok, Mr. Orman Esin and Mr. Okon Tom Osung respectively.