By Theresa Donatus, Uyo
Choice of successor in the history of Akwa Ibom state has never been an easy task as the people's choices most times are always overlooked, the incumbent would always want to install a successor they felt to be their best for the state and as such the good people of the state were surprise as Governor Udom Emmanuel announced Umo Eno, his commissioner for lands and water resources as his preferred successor.
Since the announcement was made, the people have reacted with different opinions on the choice even though he will still have to go through the primaries of the party to emerge as its flag bearer and why he was chosen.
First to react was Onofiok Akpan Luke, a member of the House of Representatives, himself a governorship aspirant who said he was present at the stakeholders meeting but was never informed about the agenda.
According to him, he honoured the invitation from the governor “out of respect and as a loyal party man. I honoured an innocent invitation from the governor for a meeting this evening at the lodge,” adding that “Umo Eno was presented as the choice of the governor for succession.”
“It was at the said meeting that I heard of the agenda and choice for the first time and no one held any discussion with me prior to the meeting;
“I am not against the choice of the governor coming from my local government, federal constituency nor the aspiration of my brother.
“However, as a fellow aspirant from the same local government at the same advantage when successful, my aspiration to serve the state in the capacity of governor remains on course.”He urged his supporters to note that “we are as resolute as ever in our desire to give our people purposeful leadership in the office of the governor come 2023.”
Also, another aspirant, Ezekiel Nya Etok congratulated Eno on his selection as the governor’s successor but advised him to “keep your eyes on the ball as there is still primaries of your party that will greatly determine the strength of the army that you will use to face the real election battle.”
Nya Etok who said he would be contesting on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC) urged other aspirants to align or continue with their aspiration, saying the governor had the choice to stay neutral or have his preferred aspirant.
“Just as much as you should respect the right of the governor, he also must respect your right to agree or disagree with him,” saying it “will be the first major step of the PDP in conflict management.”
According to reports, it was former governor Victor Attah who presented Umo Eno during the stakeholders meeting where he was eventually unveiled as Udom’s success.
Harry Udoh, Chairman, Civil Society Organisations, Akwa Ibom State, said it is within the governor's remit to support whoever he wants and that's not the choice of Akwa Ibom people.
Udoh said in this 21st century, that it is fallacy for the governor to say that God revealed his successor, postulating God as a politician.
He solicited that the governor should give his people chance to make their choice of leadership, adding that every one has dreams and purpose.
"There's still the primary election to be won and theirs still the general election to be won. Anybody can choose anybody, it is left for the people to decide, I think that's what democracy is all about. The governor can go ahead and dream the dreams he wants and see visions he wants but that is not the dream and vision of the people. The people have to decide at the end of who should be governor. We can't argue with the governor, I have my dreams and visions too likewise every other persons.
"Things are changing, society is evolving the way, we used to do elections in time past is no longer like that elections are different today, people are being more conscious, there is a heightened interest in what is happening in the polity. There used to be imposition but now I see a strong battle for that position Even in the time past there were upheavals .
"The governor is not saying I chose this one based on his antecedent or what he can do but based on what God told him, in this 21st century? that is the fallacy to 'appeal to authority,' that is just reducing God to politician. I don't have any problem with the Umo Eno but the governor's posturing is unpalatable." He said
No comments:
Post a Comment