Adamu Mu’azu
Demands on the PDP national chairman to intervene in the stalemate in the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the party over who should be the party’s flag bearer in 2015, has put Mu’azu in a dilemma as pressure from the two opposing sides appears overwhelming.
Under normal circumstances, the choice
of who will fly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag in Akwa Ibom
ahead 2015, would have been Governor Godswill Akpabio’s to make. With
the power of incumbency, grip on the party structure and his connection
at the federal level, his influence on the party is much.
But recent happenings in the state have reduced the enormity of the influence such that what could have been a straight forward issue has become a subject of controversy leading to the emergence of two major camps in the Akwa Ibom PDP, with one camp lining up behind the governor on his choice of candidate and another, rallying round to stop the governor from having his way.
The latter group has raised voices of dissent opposing the choice of successor of the governor.
Akpabio is believed to be supporting the aspiration of the current Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Udom Emmanuel, while notable leaders of the state who have almost equal influence at the national level like Chief Don Etiebet and Senator Aloysius Etok, are opposed to that.
The account of how Akpabio later settled for Udom is replete with histrionics as he was known to be excited about his then SSG, Umana Okon Umana, succeeding him.
But the relationship between the two later went sour on account of political differences and both went their separate ways.
Since Akpabio parted ways with Umanah, the certainty of actualising his dream has been affected, as the ranks of those who feel the slot should go to the former SSG having earlier been endorsed by the governor has remained adamant.
Top PDP stakeholders in the state agree Umana had been the choice of Akpabio for a very long time until the cordial relationship between the two snapped compelling Umana to resign his position as SSG.
The furore leading to Umana’s resignation had to do with his nomination for the position of chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) by Governor Akpabio who was said to have had it worked it out with the presidency.
But Umana, sensing it might be a ploy to take his attention out of the state by sending him out to dim his political career turned down the offer, preferring to remain in Uyo to pursue his ambition which project he is said to have promoted to a considerable level.
His supporters say, leaving the scene at that stage would have made nonsense of the project which he had taken great pains to put together.
But as the issue of zoning the seat moved to the front burner, stakeholders in the state in an enlarged meeting with the state chapter of the PDP, met and after deliberations on the issue, decided to zone the PDP ticket to Eket senatorial district.
Again, this was interpreted as another attempt to undercut Umana who is from Uyo senatorial district.
Seeing this as a ploy to deny him the ticket of the party in favour of the governor’s preferred candidate, some of the leaders of the party decided not to leave the matter, which was generating lots of heat in the state, within the precincts of Akwa Ibom and took it up.
They petitioned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP asking the national secretariat to intervene to safeguard the interest of the party in the state.
But the state exco of the party in response met with the PDP National Working Committee and explained to it the circumstances that led to the choice of Eket zone by stakeholders in the state and presented the communiqué of the meeting where the decision was taken.
State chairman of the party, Obong Paul Ekpo who led delegation of party chieftains from Uyo, to present the communique to the party’s national Working Committee surmised the issue and the resolve of party stakeholders saying it was a collective decision that was done without bias to any individual or group.
The party leaders contend that it was the enlarged meeting of the state chapter of the party that yielded to the demand to zone the party’s ticket to Eket given that it has not had its turn in the present dispensation.
The communique which was issued at the end of the party’s enlarged State Executive Committee meeting held last April, in Uyo and signed by the state chairman of the party, revealed that the party resolved to zone the governorship position to Eket Senatorial District explaining that the decision was unanimous.
“It is without prejudice to the right of any other person from other senatorial districts to contest for the governorship seat in 2015,” they stated.
Our correspondent further observed that during the “meet the people tour” by the governor, where he met with the electorate to sound them out on the demand for power shift in the state, many argued in favour of Eket senatorial district to produce the next governor, since the other two senatorial zones, Uyo and Ikot –Ekpene had occupied the office in the past.
Those who expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangement include Etiebet, Umana and Etok.
The Oron ethnic nationality, the third largest ethnic group in the state, commended the party and the governor’s resolve, but further demanded that the communique should have proclaimed that it was the turn of Oron.
Chairman of Oron Think Tank, Comrade Okon Osung said, “It is our considered opinion that this will lower tension and acrimony in the polity and minimise wasteful spending of scarce resources.”
They base their argument on the fact that being the third largest ethnic group in the state, they deserve the next slot after the Ibibios had taken their turn of eight years, and the second largest, the Annangs with Akpabio, are about finishing their eight years in office.
The PDP national chairman, who was measured in his response assured the stakeholders of the NWC’ support, saying his leadership ‘’will look at the communique carefully and in accordance with our party guidelines, we shall give you the support it deserves.”
But since then, the expectation on the NWC to act has been high.
Those in the opposition camp fear that it might not be too difficult for Akpabio, who is the chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum to have his way as the issue continues to linger given his interest in the matter.
They say given the role the governor had played at the national level, the odds seem to be against their camp.
But those on the governor’s side have maintained that the facts of the issue speak for themselves and do not require any lobbying or sleight of hand to arrive at the truth.
They stress that since the decision to zone the seat to Eket was not taken by the governor but by an enlarged meeting of the party, then it follows that in a democracy the will of the people should be respected.
“What is on ground is a matter which facts are clear, while Akpabio may have his strong points, it is obvious which side represents the wish of the people,” said a source.
As the issues linger, all eyes are on Mu’azu to see the direction he would take.
But recent happenings in the state have reduced the enormity of the influence such that what could have been a straight forward issue has become a subject of controversy leading to the emergence of two major camps in the Akwa Ibom PDP, with one camp lining up behind the governor on his choice of candidate and another, rallying round to stop the governor from having his way.
The latter group has raised voices of dissent opposing the choice of successor of the governor.
Akpabio is believed to be supporting the aspiration of the current Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Udom Emmanuel, while notable leaders of the state who have almost equal influence at the national level like Chief Don Etiebet and Senator Aloysius Etok, are opposed to that.
The account of how Akpabio later settled for Udom is replete with histrionics as he was known to be excited about his then SSG, Umana Okon Umana, succeeding him.
But the relationship between the two later went sour on account of political differences and both went their separate ways.
Since Akpabio parted ways with Umanah, the certainty of actualising his dream has been affected, as the ranks of those who feel the slot should go to the former SSG having earlier been endorsed by the governor has remained adamant.
Top PDP stakeholders in the state agree Umana had been the choice of Akpabio for a very long time until the cordial relationship between the two snapped compelling Umana to resign his position as SSG.
The furore leading to Umana’s resignation had to do with his nomination for the position of chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) by Governor Akpabio who was said to have had it worked it out with the presidency.
But Umana, sensing it might be a ploy to take his attention out of the state by sending him out to dim his political career turned down the offer, preferring to remain in Uyo to pursue his ambition which project he is said to have promoted to a considerable level.
His supporters say, leaving the scene at that stage would have made nonsense of the project which he had taken great pains to put together.
But as the issue of zoning the seat moved to the front burner, stakeholders in the state in an enlarged meeting with the state chapter of the PDP, met and after deliberations on the issue, decided to zone the PDP ticket to Eket senatorial district.
Again, this was interpreted as another attempt to undercut Umana who is from Uyo senatorial district.
Seeing this as a ploy to deny him the ticket of the party in favour of the governor’s preferred candidate, some of the leaders of the party decided not to leave the matter, which was generating lots of heat in the state, within the precincts of Akwa Ibom and took it up.
They petitioned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP asking the national secretariat to intervene to safeguard the interest of the party in the state.
But the state exco of the party in response met with the PDP National Working Committee and explained to it the circumstances that led to the choice of Eket zone by stakeholders in the state and presented the communiqué of the meeting where the decision was taken.
State chairman of the party, Obong Paul Ekpo who led delegation of party chieftains from Uyo, to present the communique to the party’s national Working Committee surmised the issue and the resolve of party stakeholders saying it was a collective decision that was done without bias to any individual or group.
The party leaders contend that it was the enlarged meeting of the state chapter of the party that yielded to the demand to zone the party’s ticket to Eket given that it has not had its turn in the present dispensation.
The communique which was issued at the end of the party’s enlarged State Executive Committee meeting held last April, in Uyo and signed by the state chairman of the party, revealed that the party resolved to zone the governorship position to Eket Senatorial District explaining that the decision was unanimous.
“It is without prejudice to the right of any other person from other senatorial districts to contest for the governorship seat in 2015,” they stated.
Our correspondent further observed that during the “meet the people tour” by the governor, where he met with the electorate to sound them out on the demand for power shift in the state, many argued in favour of Eket senatorial district to produce the next governor, since the other two senatorial zones, Uyo and Ikot –Ekpene had occupied the office in the past.
Those who expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangement include Etiebet, Umana and Etok.
The Oron ethnic nationality, the third largest ethnic group in the state, commended the party and the governor’s resolve, but further demanded that the communique should have proclaimed that it was the turn of Oron.
Chairman of Oron Think Tank, Comrade Okon Osung said, “It is our considered opinion that this will lower tension and acrimony in the polity and minimise wasteful spending of scarce resources.”
They base their argument on the fact that being the third largest ethnic group in the state, they deserve the next slot after the Ibibios had taken their turn of eight years, and the second largest, the Annangs with Akpabio, are about finishing their eight years in office.
The PDP national chairman, who was measured in his response assured the stakeholders of the NWC’ support, saying his leadership ‘’will look at the communique carefully and in accordance with our party guidelines, we shall give you the support it deserves.”
But since then, the expectation on the NWC to act has been high.
Those in the opposition camp fear that it might not be too difficult for Akpabio, who is the chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum to have his way as the issue continues to linger given his interest in the matter.
They say given the role the governor had played at the national level, the odds seem to be against their camp.
But those on the governor’s side have maintained that the facts of the issue speak for themselves and do not require any lobbying or sleight of hand to arrive at the truth.
They stress that since the decision to zone the seat to Eket was not taken by the governor but by an enlarged meeting of the party, then it follows that in a democracy the will of the people should be respected.
“What is on ground is a matter which facts are clear, while Akpabio may have his strong points, it is obvious which side represents the wish of the people,” said a source.
As the issues linger, all eyes are on Mu’azu to see the direction he would take.
No comments:
Post a Comment