The grand plot against Gov. Akpabio

The present day Akwa Ibom State was carved out of Cross River State in 1987 by Ibrahim Babangida administration.
The Ibibio's constitute the forth largest ethnic group in the Nigerian federation and first largest in the state.
While in the then Cross River State, Ibibio ethnic nationality was indisputably the leading and dominating majority tribe, which controlled the civil service, political, economic and administrative structures of the state with highest voting strength; a condition, which tilted political equations and elective offices in their favour.
Ibibios, the progenitors of Annang, Oron, and Efik sub-tribes, were feared by these minority forces who saw them as domineering.
Akwa Ibom State, which inherited ten (10) Local Government Areas from the then Cross River State today, has a total of 31 Local Government Areas as the most homogenous states in terms of language grouping. Ibibio language is the central language that is spoken in all the Senatorial Districts of the state with Annang, Oron, and Efik as its dialectal variants, which are spoken only in eight and five Local Government Areas of the state respectively and in Calabar and other southern parts of Cross River State.
Presently, in Akwa Ibom State, the Ibibios constitute more than two-third majority with a spread across all the senatorial district, of the state. It is on record that all the senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are all Ibibios. It is also worthy to state that the offices of the Deputy Governor, Speaker, PDP Chairman and the Secretary to the State Government were all cornered by the Ibibios to concede the office of the Governor to Annang sub-tribe.
Indeed, it was the political doggedness and intellectual sagacity of the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arc (Obong) Victor Attah, that made the shift of power from the Ibibio ethnic bloc; considered to be the power base of the state to Annang minority sub-tribe possible. A situation that made the Ibibios to work against the 2007 Governorship aspiration of the Ex-Governor's son-inlaw, Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika, which culminated into the success of Chief Godswill Akpabio as the Governor of the state.
The emergence of Chief Akpabio was a big jolt in the politics of Akwa Ibom State because since the creation of the state, the Ibibios have retained the Governorship seat consistently.
In fact, the real political class in the Ibibio bloc of the state never gave Akpabio a chance, reason being that he was a neophyte as long as Ibibio politics was concerned. When the whistle for the PDP primaries was blown, quite a number of Ibibio politicians and generals were not in a hurry to trace the odds. Big wig politicians treaded carefully, but the new breeds including, Chief Ime Albert Akpan, Ambassador Sam Edem, ex chairman, NDDC, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, Finance Commissioner during Attah's administration and the present Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Chris Ekong, Youth and Sport Commissioner in Attah's administration who became an embattled Economic Planning Commissioner in Akpabio's Government, Apostle (now Bishop) Sam Akpan, the international coordinator of Akwa Ibom Peoples Forum (AKPF) and others who hankered after generational power shift cued, hence, the emergence of Chief Godswill Akpabio at the centre stage of Akwa Ibom politics. And this group of young leaders, who have found themselves in murky waters of Akwa Ibom politics have certainly realized that the political terrain in the state is not only manned in controversy, but that meaning opposition against their Governor has become a hallmark.
Global Concord investigations have revealed that the thinking of the Ibibios right now is that despite their massive support for Governor Akpabio's emergence against Ex-Governor Attah's candidate and in view of the kind of experience that they have suffered in the hands of the Governor; Gov. Akpabio's second term ambition should be botched.
Global Concord has it on good authority that to stop Governor Akpabio from being re-elected as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Ibibio elders, kingmakers, grassroots politicians and generals have constituted opposition benches under the aegis of Akwa Ibibio State Renaissance Movement (ARM), which may metamorphose into National Renaissance Movement (NRM) for registration as a new political party or form a major bloc in the proposed mega party nationwide.
The secret political organization, which is surreptitiously and strategically building massive underground political structures across all the political units, wards and Local Government Areas in all the three Senatorial Districts of the state, has formed political alliance with several new political parties, groups and national leaders within and outside the country.
A competent source revealed that so far nine underground political groups, operating in Abuja, Lagos, Akwa Ibom State, Asia, America and some parts of Europe have formed new-party alliance with ARM. Global Concord has confirmed that these nine political groups have entered into merger agreement with the Akwa Ibom State Renaissance Movement (ARM). Investigation conducted by Global Concord unveiled the nine groups to include, Ibibio Nation Diaspora Group, United State of America, Ibibio for Ibibio, 2011 (I 4I , 2011) Ibibio Coalition for Change (IC), Ibibio Good Governance Group (IGG), Ibibio Progressives (IP), Ibibio Democrats (ID), Ibibio Redemption Group (IRG), Never Again Action Group (NAAG), Ibibio Mafia, and Alliance for Change (AC), and the Positive Change Group (PCG).
Our correspondent reliably gathered that one of the groups, Ibibio Coalition for Change is operating under the cover of Pro-Akpabio Campaign Organization (name withheld) with coordinators in all the political unit, wards and Local Government Areas in the State.
Global Concord investigations have revealed that ARM has also formed alliance with powerful political interest groups within and outside the country for sharing of political offices in the state. It has also been gathered that all the nine (9) affiliated groups to ARM have submitted names of their nominees for the 2011 Governorship race to the Central Screening Committee for screening and harmonization.
An impeccable source within the group hinted that, the Ibibio Nation Diaspora Group has nominated an Etinan-born and Singapore based first class Marine Engineer, Iniekong Charles Udonwa as their Governorship flag bearer for 2011.
Engineer Udonwa is working with the largest Ship Management Company in the world, Therne Offshore PTV Ltd. He doubles as the President, Nigeria Business Association, Singapore and Executive Director, Inikus Marrine and Offshore, Singapore. The source added that major players in Ibibio for Ibibio, 2011 (II) an assembly of Ex-Gov. Attah's loyalists have forwarded Engr. Patrick Ekpotu to the ARM Screening Committee as their nominee for Akpabio's job, while Ibibio Coalition for Change (ICC) has Bishop Sam Akpan, the International Coordinator of Akwa Ibom Peoples Forum (AKPF) a political platform that brought Governor Akpabio to power as their best choice. Bishop Sam Akpan who has publicly declared his intention to contest the Eket Senatorial seat with the wife of former secretary to the Government of the Federation and presently the minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Obong Ufot Ekaette, Senator (Mrs.) Eme Uffot Ekaette, is allegedly said to be flying a political kite. Bishop Akpan was the Special Adviser to Governor Akpabio on Political and Legislative Affairs and presently, the State Vice Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Political analysts within the ICC group opined that Bishop Sam Akpan is becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the present system as Akpabio's cousin Barr. Ibanga Akpabio, who is the State Secretary of PDP is alleged to be using his political group Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice to checkmate his political structure in the state. The analysts further stressed that Bishop Akpan is a force to reckon with anytime, any day. He is seen as a grassroot politician with super structures across the state. It is the thinking of the major political players in the state that Bishop Akpan may drop his senatorial ambition for the Governorship race.
Global Concord impeccable source has confirmed that a pro-Akpabio Campaign Organization which has a working understanding with ARM is already it merger talks with ex-governor Attah's Group to produce a mega political structure under which Akpabio's second term project will be exterminated.
A competent source within ARM informed Global Concord that the pro-Akpabio Group is negotiating with Attah's Group to produce an Ibibio man as Governorship candidate. Under the arrangement, Global Concord gathered, the head of the group (name withheld) may eventually emerge as the consensus Governorship candidate while Gov. Attah's camp may produce the State Chairman of PDP in the forthcoming convention of the party. It has been reliably gathered that Otuekong Idongesit Udokpo is favoured by Attah's camp to clinch the state PDP chairmanship position, the offices of the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government and Speaker are to be ceded to Attah's camp.
Our source said, the Governorship hopeful, who has the ears of Governor Akpabio is seeking possible resolution of the impasse between Akpabio and ex-governor Attah to give a smooth take off. With the emergence of this mega political structure, Akpabio's second term is a mirage, the source concluded.
Global Concord investigations have also revealed that Akpabio is aware of the insincerity and underground political maneuvering by some of his close political associates and top aides, but he is just being careful as any attempt to rebuild this political structure away from the present managers may not only truncate his second term project but destabilize his 2007 mandate.
A political Analyst and a Lecturer, Faculty of Social Sciences with the University of Uyo, who spoke on condition of anonymity said “Politicians holding powerful positions in Akpabio's Government secretly belong to these Ibibio underground political organizations, to which they have secretly pledged their loyalty but publicly condemn yet, it is common knowledge that these powerful Government officials leak official secrets to the organization and secretly mobilize even those in government towards the realization of the Ibibio political agenda”.
An Ibibio political leader, who also spoke on condition of anonymity said, a situation where most of the so-called Akpabio's support groups are floated by Akpabio's brothers, cousins and relation who front stooges from Ibibio as executive Heads is antithetical to his (Akpabio) electoral success in 2011. He mentioned some of the groups to include Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice (ADV), allegedly promoted by Akpabio's cousin but managed by Chief Emmanuel Ibiok an Ibibio man from Nsit Ubium and Continuity Advancement Group (AG) headed by another Ibibio man, Mr. Tony Akan from Uruan.
Speaking to Global Concord on the mushrooming groups supportive of Akpabio's second term bid, a political stalwart and former chairmanship aspirant in Itu Local Government Area, Dr. (Elder) Sunday Etuk said, the groups are floated and promoted by politicians who can not even win election in their political units/villages. He described them as grasses without roots. Dr. Etuk further said, it is rather disheartening that politicians who parade themselves as Akpabio's friends are wolves in sheep's clothing, ready to dump Akpabio on or before 2011. He added: “they have floated all sorts of ethnic and socio-political Associations in readiness to sell lies as hard facts to people at the grassroots, thereby manipulating them into wrong political attitude and prejudices to truncate Akpabio's second term aspiration.
“The presence of these mushroom associations masquerading as Akpabio's support groups, whose public declaration may seem pious but whose secret activities can cause unwholesome distraction and even civil unrest all in pursuance of the quest for political power”, he concluded.
Global Concord also confirmed that Ibibio Democrats (ID), and affiliate of ARM, have the former military Governor of Ogun State, Group Capt. Sam Enwang (retd) as their favoured candidate. Group Capt. Enwang is said to have the best economic Blueprint for industrial development of Akwa Ibom State with a network of contacts within and outside the country. The Ibibio Progressives, one of the affiliated political groups to ARM, which is made up of intellectuals have submitted the name of Dr. Ebebe Ukpong for screening as their nominee for 2011 Guber race.
Dr. Ebebe Ukpong, who is from the same Senatorial District with Gov. Akpabio resigned from Akpabio's Government and is presently fielding an appointment with World Bank. He is said to be intellectually very deep and respected by his former boss Ex-Governor Victor Attah. It was further confirmed that the centrists within the II group are also rioting for Dr. Ebebe Ukpong as their choice for the Governorship race. According to Global Concord source within the group, they argued that if Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District should go for a second term, then the Ibibio axis of the district must take their turn with Dr. Ebebe Ukpong as their candidate for equity and justice.
In a meeting of the groups in Lagos, Global Concord learnt that the Never Again Action Group (NAAG) and Ibibio Mafia (IMAF) nominated Mr. James Iniama, the AC 2007 Governorship candidate who claimed to have won the 2007 Governorship Election in the state, while the former minister and senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator James Udoedeghe is supported by the Positive Change Group.
Another political group, which is dominated by Ibibio elites Ibibio Redemption Group (IRS) nominated Senator Udoma Udo Udoma as their candidate for the screening exercise.
An Ibibio elite from the group who spoke on condition of anonymity, however disagreed with Udoma (senator) running as governor. He staked his preference on Senator John Udoedeghe saying his political profile and determination to face any odd in 2011 to salvage the state from an alleged Akpabio unholy grip warranted his preference. So far, the source said, the support given to the Senator by members of the public, especially the political classs as he kicked off his campaign was a logical yardstick to guide the Ibibios on the choice of candidate in 2011.
Global Concord source disclosed that the nominees to the Akpabio's job will be screened the Central Screening Committee of the Akwa Ibom State Renaissance Movement (ARM) in April, 2010 after which a consensus candidate will be adopted for presentation as an Ibibio sole candidate for the 2011 Guber race.
Speaking exclusively with Global Concord in his expansive and tastefully furnished office in Lagos, the Governor General of Akwa Ibom State Renaissance movement (name withheld), said once the nominees are screened and one is selected by the electoral college (constituted by the leadership of ARM) as a consensus candidate, all other nominees will be persuaded and adequately compensated, as originally agreed, to support the consensus candidate to succeed as the next Governor.
The Governor General added: “we have planted the necessary political structures and machinery to ensure transparent election by the Electoral College, which is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a free and fair election”.
He continued: “all the Governorship nominees from affiliated political groups will hold very strategic voices in the new unity government, come 2011. Meanwhile, inter and intra political lobbying and consensus building have been intensified across political groups and party lines”.
Another source in the group speaking on the conspiracy on condition of Anonymity said, once an elected candidate emerges all the opposition candidates' affiliated political groups and parties will adopt him in a very colourful and widely publicized state-wide rally at Asan Ibibio to sweep the remnants of Akpabio's 2011 aspiration under carpet.
Another Ibibio Elder and a Chieftain of ARM who spoke on condition of anonymity said, Ibibio have been forced into opposition benches and gang-up against Gov. Akpabio because of many reasons, some of which include, stagnation, marginalization and suffering allegedly meted-out to the Ibibio nation by the present government. Our correspondent reliably gathered that the grouse of Ibibio with Gov. Akpabio also anchored on non-construction of inter and intra city and city roads in Uyo Capital territory, especially those earmarked by Ex-Gov. Attah, despite the excess crude oil windfall and jumbo monthly allocations which the father of Ibibio nation, and Ex-Gov., Obong Victor Attah, fought and staked his life for; while, according to them, over one hundred world-class roads have been constructed in Ikot Ekpene, Ukana and its environs considered to be Akpabio's ethnic bloc.
The gang-up to oust the governor seemed to have received the nod of the party leadership at Aso Rock as those allegedly lined up for the number one job currently enjoy direct assess to the presidency. They are said to be protecting what most people call the South-South presidency which is currently gaining prominence at national round table discussions.
However Global Concord reliably gathered that Governor Godswill Akpabio is aware of the hurdles he has to cross to retain his seat at Government house in 2011. The paper learnt that Governor Akpabio has an undisclosed plan to help him marshal his aspiration. Should the PDP be intimidated by what an Annang political elder called “the Ibibio antics to nail Gov. Akpabio” to deny him of its ticket, Global Concord leant from the anonymous source that, “the governor has earned acceptance locally and nationally to give him the presidency if it was the south south turn not to talk of 2011 governorship in Akwa Ibom. He may have ticket to be our governor in 2011 from any party.”
Another source in Ibibio who would not want his name on print observed that politics in the state was centred on ethnic line and regretted that it has robbed the state the unity it should have. The source, a key player in Political and Legislative Bureau of the state said unity, progress and development “is what we should pursue now. I strongly believe that Akpabio should be given a second chance in 2011. We in Ibibio will give him condition, he will go again forget any alliance it will not work”. He stated.

Report by Solomon Johnny, Unyime Ekwere & Thomas Thomas