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As we get closer to the 2015 landmark elections in Nigeria, the gubernatorial race in Akwa Ibom State is getting hotter for the current Secretary to the State Government, Mr Umana Okon Umana, who until now had boasted that he held all the aces. Recent reports reaching us show that more people are contesting the “it is my turn” attitude with which the man has carried himself in the past couple of years. By the end of last week, there were at least four heavyweight names being mentioned in connection with interest in occupying the Government House in Uyo come 2015.

On the list is Senator Helen Esuene, a former Minister in former President Obasanjos’ administration and current Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial district of the state is one of the candidates who now pose a threat to Umana’s ambition. Esuene is said to have started consultations with political leaders in the state over her ambition, although some observers believe that age is not on the side of the former First Lady of the South-Eastern state.


Another potential candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial slot in the state is two-time Senator Udoma Udo Udoma. A popular legal practitioner and politician, Udo Udoma is believed to be well-connected at the presidency, a factor which a lot of people assume may work in his favour. Another former member of the National Assembly who has been named to have interest in the governorship seat is Senator Effiong Bob. Bob, who is from the same local government area as Umana is rumoured to have been stopped from returning to the Senate for the third time in 2011 because of the opposition to his candidature by his kinsman, Umana”. We learnt that the ebullient former lawmaker may soon announce his intention to join the 2015 fray even if just to stand in the way of the SSG.

Another person whose interest in stepping into the shoes of the incumbent Governor Godswill Akpabio is evident is Bishop Samuel Akpan. Akpan, who is also believed to enjoy a good relationship with Governor Akpabio is currently the chairman of Akwa Ibom State Road Maintenance Agency. He is believed to be a force capable of upsetting whatever calculations Umana might have made towards being the only one eligible to picking up the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2015 gubernatorial race.

Although the names listed above are capable of turning the table against the ambition of Mr Umana Okon Umana, “it is even too early now to assume that many more people, who will even be more formidable than the man will not come up as we move closer to the elections.

Source: Niajagaga

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