From the banking hall, Udom guns for Akwa Ibom State government house

With the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to affirm the zoning arrangement of the Akwa Ibom State governorship position to Eket Senatorial Zone, Udom Emmanuel may be coasting home to the Hiltop Mansion come 2015, writes ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK in Uyo.

This is the season of increased political activities as next year’s general elections draw closer.  Aspirants from all walks of life are stepping up their consultations, while political parties are gearing up towards the conduct of congresses and national conventions.

In Akwa Ibom State, the stakes are high and many aspirants, who have already indicated their interest to seek elective positions in next year’s elections, are jostling for last minute preparations before the primaries.

The key issue appears to be how the current tempo of economic activity and particularly the provision of infrastructure by the incumbent governor, Godswill  Akpabio would be sustained and if possible, surpassed.  At the state level, many are of the view that Governor Akpabio, given his recorded achievements, will be leaving a shoe too big for whoever takes over.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom suspends international students’ day celebration

One man who claims he has all it takes to step into that shoe, is Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, who until recently was the secretary to the state government having left his exalted position at Zenith Bank to answer the call to serve his people. But Udom is not alone, as there are scores of other aspirants jostling to step into same shoes.

However, with the decision of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to affirm the decision of the state chapter of the party to zone the governorship position to Akwa Ibom South Senatorial district, the chances of aspirants from the area have become brighter. And Udom seems to hold the ace.

Though it is expected that there would still be a handful of party members who might be opposed to the zoning arrangement fearing that it could  disenfranchise people from other senatorial districts, many of such ‘oppositions’ have crumbled in recent times.

And indeed, the zoning principle of the party appears to be gaining grounds each day with noting politicians from Uyo senatorial district who had kicked it throwing their weights behind the arrangement.

First, it was the immediate past commissioner for finance in the state, Bassey Albert Akpan who had abandoned his governorship ambition to throw his support behind the zoning arrangement in general and in support of Udom’s governorship aspirations in particular.

It was the turning point in the build-up to next year’s general elections and in arriving at a common ground within the party hierarchy in the state and also getting the support of the people of Uyo senatorial district.

Akpan, is now seeking to represent Uyo senatorial district, a position currently occupied by Ita Enang, chairman senate committee on business and rules.

But if Akpan’s decision to back Udom’s aspiration came as a surprise, that of Ita Enang who is also from Uyo senatorial district who until now had been a staunch supporter of a candidate from Uyo senatorial was the last straw that breaks the opposition’s spine. It made it impossible for party members from Uyo senatorial district to continue in their quest to back an aspirant from their district since their top politicians have made a U-turn.  According to Ita Enang, he took the decision after a careful consideration of several factors, among them,  Udom’s capacity to succeed Akpabio based on his professional expertise as a banker of repute.

“I believe that Governor Godswill Akpabio and the people of Akwa Ibom State have today tutored, mentored, examined and appraised one man wo is a contender for the governorship race. I want to plead with the people of Uyo senatorial district to join me and most of us to declare their support for Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio,’’ he said.

Similarly, Effiong Bob, a former senator also from Uyo senatorial district has also jettisoned his opposition to the zoning arrangement becoming another high profile from the senatorial district to support Udom’s governorship aspiration.

“Putting all this side by side with the supremacy of the party and after due consultations with my loyal constituents and leaders who advice had guided me in the past, I have arrived at the conclusion that we must bury our personal and group interest in the large interest of the PDP.

According to him, the people must respect the decision of the party regarding the next year’s governorship race in the state. “I therefore appeal to all aspirants and groups in Uyo senatorial district to accept this decision as a sacrifice for the growth of the state and our party.’’

While many have expressed delight over the recent development regarding the zoning arrangement saying that that the coast was gradually becoming clearer for Udom to emerge as the most preferred candidate of the PDP in next year’s elections,  the aspirant’s has clearly outlined his seven point programme that he would implement if elected.

“As the next governor come 2015, my seven point agenda is anchored on building on the going transformation programme that will bring about industrialisation and sustainable public private sector initiative that will open up many opportunities and improve the living standard among the people, ‘’ the former secretary to the state government said.

In addition, he said he would pursue the task of rural development and transformation with vigour to ensure  that the benefits and dividends of democratic governance get to every nook and cranny of the state and pledged to uplift Akwa Ibom into the ‘’committee of highly industrialised state.’’

“I will provide basic amenities to all and sundry without discrimination. I am committed to uplifting Akwa Ibom into the committee of highly industrialised state. I am passionate about all round development and transformation of this state. I am passionate about wealth creation for our people and economic development,’ he said.

He described the moment as historic for the state since it would mark the transition from a more distinguished administration to another ‘epoch making that will consolidate and sustain the uncommon transformation of the present administration’’ adding that it was time to move Akwa ibom forward and bring to pass the industrialisation of the state.

The former SSG who also promised to promote “unity, oneness across the state with due respect to our traditional institution and elders of our society,” said he would develop and empower women and youths “with improved welfare programme.”

“I will respect and uphold the tenets of democratic governance under which our great party, PDP stands for and respect the party structure and ensure the security of lives and property of people at all times with adherence to the principles of the rule of law, thereby ensuring equity, justice and fair play.”

Before  Udom declared his interest to join the governorship race, Akwa Ibom had witnessed a major breakthrough in its quest for industrial development with the ground breaking of the $1.5 billion privately funded petrochemical complex.

Backed and sponsored by Jim Ovia, chairman of Zenith bank, many believe  that attracting the first ever privately owned petrochemical complex to Akwa Ibom could not only have come without  Udom Emmanuel’s governorship aspiration.

First,  Udom has served as director at Zenith Bank before his appointment as SSG, it was therefore not difficult according to analysts for Jim Ovia, the chairman of the Quantum Petrochemical complex who is also the chairman of Zenith Bank to be convinced that the location of the facility in Akwa Ibom was a wise decision.

With the zoning principle firmly in place intended to ensure fairness and equity in the distribution of political offices, everything appears to favour Udom as the leading aspirant on the platform of the PDP.

The zoning arrangement is important because according to observers, since former Governor Victor Attah who hails from Uyo senatorial district had ruled the state from 1999 to 2007 and the present Governor, Godswill Akpabio who is from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district has been in power since 2007, it is in interest of justice and equity for Eket to also be given the opportunity to produce the next governor, observers say.

As it is now, Udom is the aspirant to watch and all eyes appear to be on him as the preparations for next year’s general elections begin to gather pace.