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-Umana Okon Umana Lose Out
Following weeks of speculation on the position of the apex socio cultural organization in Ibibio nation, Ifim Ibom Ibibio on the zoning principle and stand of the Ibibio people, The Oku Ibom Ibibio 111 and paramount ruler of Donna Local Government, Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa has thrown his weight behind the zoning principle and the candidature of one its illustrious sons and former Zenith Bank Executive Director, Mr Udom Emmanuel. Speaking to journalists at his palace, the royal Father said the Ibibio people are intelligent, sensible and patriotic citizens who believe in the hallowed and sacred principles of equity, justice and fair play. “Ibibio people cannot be portrayed in bad light as being selfish and without conscience. Inasmuch as we constitute the majority in the state, we cannot afford to wield our powers carelessly. Our dear state sits on a tripod of Senatorial Districts for political convenience. It is only natural that power should go around it. That is fairness”. The Paramount Ruler endorsed the candidature of the son of the soil and Secretary to the State Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel noting that Onna and Akwa Ibom State are blessed with a man of such standing and reputation. He noted that he(Udom) will import his wealth of experience in the finance world to formulate policies that will drastically reduce poverty and joblessness in the state. He debunked the rumour making rounds that Mr Udom was not accepted by his own people noting that no sensible set of people will fail to appreciate a man like Udom who has made strides in his profession and career. “Udom is not a stranger to us. We know him and the family. He is one gentleman who his kept in touch with the developments of his people. We cherish him and celebrate him. Who will have such a son and not celebrate him? He has made bold statements in the Nigerian banking community and even beyond the shores of Africa. As a true son, we give him our pat on the back and wish him well in his endeavour. We wish he can also use his wealth of experience to change things around here and create jobs. He is a priceless gift to Akwa Ibom State”. Akpabio Ukpa decried the activities of some senior citizens of Ibibioland who are fanning the embers of disunity and ethnicity in the state for their selfish interests. He said that the true position of the Ibibio people will be known when the candidates file out for the party primaries and subsequent general elections. Chief Ukpa took a swipe at the nine monarchs of Ibibio land who have have registered a sectional group known as Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Ukpa described the group as an assemblage of wayward, selfish and greedy members of the Ibibio traditional organization who want to be politically relevant in the present administration. The Royal Father maintained that the Ifim Ibom Ibibio remains the apex socio cultural group in Ibibio nation, adding that it was a taboo to register a group of such magnitude with the Corporate Affairs Commission. “Ifim Ibom Ibibio remains the apex socio cultural organization in Ibibio nation, we don’t want to join issues with them, have you ever seen in your entire life people taking ‘ikan’ to register in the Corporate Affairs Commission? So such is against the norms and beliefs of the Ibibio society. Though the nine paramount rulers have the freedom of association, they should not blaspheme the apex socio cultural group which is Ifim Ibom Ibibio”. he posited. Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has cleared the air on his stands on fairness and zoning. When the Akwa Ibom State leadership of the PDP paid him a visit and presented the stand of the party in the state, he was quoted to have said, “PDP is the only political party that has grown democracy in this country. Those who want undemocratic tickets can try other political parties.You have to work hard for the party’s ticket; that’s how to deepen democracy. Nobody has the right to anoint anybody as candidate. Power comes from God. Knowing that God gives power, at the end of the primary, support whoever emerges.” He said this week in Abuja that his statements did not imply that political traditions acceptable and common to a state should not be upheld especially when these traditions like zoning and rotation of power are clearly defined and generally accepted. He pledge to continue to give the PDP the leadership it deserves and assured of the party’s success at the next general elections. Meanwhile, various camps preparing for the Governorship Race in the state seem to be facing towering frustrations lately as things appear to be falling apart following sudden upsets in their line of planning, with the worst hit said to be in the camp of the former Secretary to the State Government, Mr Umana Okon Umana. The immediate past SSG met his first major political frustration when the former national chairman of the ruling party (PDP) Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was unceremoniously removed from office- thereby dashing his hopes of riding on Tukur’s shoulder to clinching the party ticket for the election. Umana according to our source had earlier bought a house in London for the former national chairman as well as took his family abroad on holidays, with all expenses paid. He was rudely shocked and thrown off balance when Tukur was suddenly removed from office. Another monstrous setback is the recent sack of the special adviser to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak in whom Mr Umana Okon Umana is alleged to have shifted his hope after the removal of Alhaji Tukur. Umana had banked on Gulak’s influences in the villa and the party to make in-routes and let the President see reasons why the zoning arrangement in Akwa Ibom State should not stand. As would be recalled, Mr Umana had recently invited the ex special adviser to the president to the state to boost his campaign under the guise of a Goodluck Jonathan campaign group with the aim that the visitor takes his plea to the national conscience of the ruling party. But that arrangement turned out to generate a bitter taste especially at the presidency which considered Gulak’s visit to Akwa Ibom State not only as a misnomer but also a misrepresentation of the presidency which immediately handed Gulak a sack notice. Our competent source confirmed the former political leader received a token to the tune of over 200million Naira to embarked on that which earned him his sudden sack. Umana’s latest move is to make incursions on the back of Chief Don Etiebiet. Etiebiet recently made bold remarks concerning zoning in a National Daily. The publication has attracted numerous rejoinders notably from Sen Anietie Okon. Etiebiet’s influence has since waned in the party. His BOT status is moribund. He has not been to any major PDP Caucus meeting in the last one year and is not likely to pull any major upset.
Culled from Town-crier Newspapers
