Non-Certification of Otoro-Ubo clan:
Is Governor Udom Under Pressure?

When Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State received the mantle of leadership as the democratically-elected Governor of the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State in May 29, 2015, reactions heated up the polity of the state condemning and supporting his choice as Akpabio's successor. When he unveiled his policy measures and agenda coupled with his Only God philosophy, he became a God-sent leader prefering the title "Deacon" and premising the transformative governance of his predecessor.
At the inauguration of his leadership structure at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, the banker-turned politician, standing side by side with the out-gone Governor, dressed in the PDP customised suit and flanked by the party's top echoleon family, promised the people of the state an all-inclusive administration that would build on the structure of his predecessor. Top on the agenda of his new regime were, the departure from the retrogressive governance mentality to a dynamic and legal regime where all projects by the preceding administration would be completed, revamping insecurity and providing employment opportunities for the youth teeming population, changing the status of the state from civil service to economically viable standard, total industrialization of the state, restructuring the traditional institution, free and compulsory education at all levels and establishing a standard political consciousness to pave the way for a sustainable democracy.
Governor Udom's agenda for a more vibrant traditional institution stood out, and was not unconnected with his respect for elders and the royal stool in general. In advancing his preparedness for a refurbished state council of chiefs, Deacon Udom Emmanuel made a state-wide consultation with the royal fathers in all the 31 local government areas to enable him establish practicable standards and ethics as obtainable in other states of the federation. Driven by the spirit of Godliness, Mr. Udom ensured that his efforts did not severe the doctrines of traditional practice bearing in mind that his ascendancy to political limelight was hugely achieved through individual efforts of the royal families in the state. One of such loyal royal fathers who gave maximum support to Udom's victory was Dr. Ime S. Ekpo, the villagehead of Utu Edem Usung in Ikot Ekpene and Chief Executive Officer, Incarnate Holdings Limited.
It could be recalled that during Mr. Udom Emmanuel's campaign for governorship, Dr. Ekpo had fallen apart with most of his kinsmen for supporting Udom's candidacy. His support was quite evident in his sincere commitment of his charitable and philanthropic dispensations to mobilize his subjects and those loyal to him, even outside his traditional domain. During this time, his royal palace was converted into a campaign ground for Udom when Akpabio and other stakeholders consulted His Highness from time to time and urged him to throw his weight behind Udom. Chief Ime S. Ekpo's mobilization teams were drawn largely from the entire Ikot Ekpene senatorial district prompting him to commit his personal resources to aid Mr. Udom's victory. Some of the oppositions that vowed to see Udom's fall at the poll and who became Doctor Ekpo's foes, from Ikot Ekpene axis, have, ever since, refused to resolve their differences with the royal father. He bore the cross for giving his support to Udom and standing by him throughout the period.
On several ocassions, Doctor Ekpo was allegedly accused of lavishing his resources on Ibibio man and betraying the Annang ethnic nationality alongside threats to his life and investments. But he damned all consequencies and forged ahead to see that Mr. Udom won the election massively and convincingly.
His personal sacrifices for Udom's candidacy and physical support for his election, against all odds, have so far attracted grudges and personal hatred from a lot of people within and outside his royal kingdom.
Most astonishing is that, unknown to Udom, it is the majority of those that kicked against Doctor Ime's support for Udom that have found favour in Udom's government today and are offered juicy positions in his adminstration.
When Otoro-Ubo clan was created and Akpabio-led administration failed to issue certificate of recognition for its take-off and to function as the third clan in Ikot Ekpene, where Doctor Ime S. Ekpo comes from, public expectation was that the coming in of Governor Udom Emmanuel would usher in a fresh hope for the new clan, for certification and recognition banking on Dr. Ekpo's selfless support for Udom's victory.
Understandably, Governor Udom's first term in office was pre-occupied with a blueprint for the completion of his predecessor's uncompleted projects, including even the Otoro-Ubo clan's certification and recognition project.
Election for clanheadship of the new clan was conducted and Dr. Ime Ekpo, Udom's fortune-teller and supporter, won with a wide margin, but those who had opposed to Chief Ekpo's support for Udom during the election, and are now on
Udom's payroll, as Advisers or Commisioners, are allegedly mounting stumbling block against Dr. Ekpo's chances for certification as clanhead of Otoro-Ubo. They have come out with full force label Chief Ekpo with all unprintable names and characters that are capable of presenting the monarch in a negative light. It is likely that they are trying to use people close to His Excellency to blackmail the royal father so that the issue of Otoro-Ubo clan, its eventual certification and recognition and installation of Dr. Ime S. Ekpo as its clanhead are swept under the carpet.
In a bid to cement their resolve against Dr. Ekpo's chances for Otoro-Ubo clanheadship, they have threatened to frustrate Governor Udom's chances for senate and his right for choosing a successor. Can Governor Udom easily bow to cheap pressure?