Banner Online News

By Etim Etim

Let me begin by thanking Gov. Umo Eno for allowing the APC candidate win the Local Government election in Essien Udim LGA, Senator Akpabio’s LGA. The election was conducted yesterday, Saturday, October 5, and of the 31 LGAs, PDP won all but Essien Udim. We all know that all over the country, council elections are never free and fair, and most often than not elections results are written in the Government House. In fact, two months ago, I have warned APC members across the state not to waste their energy, money and time to contest the council elections because PDP would, naturally sweep the polls. In any case, I noted that APC in Akwa Ibom is too weak, factionalized, demoralized, demotivated and despondent to win any election. I have been borne out.

By allowing APC to win in Akpabio’s backyard, Gov. Umo Eno has saved the Senate President a huge political embarrassment, cemented the cordial relationship between the two leaders and formally signaled the nature of the game that would be played in 2027. A political alliance is being constructed between the Senate President and the governor and this will shape the politics of 2027.

Some of us have had an inkling of this mutually beneficial political alliance for some time now, and I am pleased that the contours are becoming visible.  I commend the governor for being a man of honour and for extending uncommon respect and political civility to our Senate President. Never before has such an inter-party cordiality and alliance played out in Akwa Ibom State. Furthermore, the governor has recently initiated the amendment of the State TRC law just to accommodate and pacify Senator Akpabio and others who did not like the provisions of the law.  Political pundits will now be watching out to see how the Senate President would reciprocate these gestures. Akpabio owes Umo Eno, in particular and Akwa Ibom people in general, a lot. He must assist the governor to bring ‘’democracy dividends’’ from Abuja to our people. Umo Eno is also obsessed with keeping the peace in the state. The Senate President should also help in this area by eschewing incendiary commentaries and fostering peaceful coexistence with others., especially other APC chieftains and political leaders who have been offended by his style of politics. He should also show compromise, large heart and selflessness. He should take a cue from the governor and be magnanimous to his ‘’enemies’’.  The governor has invested a great deal of his political capital on the senate president. He should not be disappointed.

So, how will things shape up in the years ahead? I will say more on this in due course, but for now, suffice it to say that all those APC members from Uyo Senatorial District who are positioning themselves to challenge Umo Eno in 2027 should have a rethink; and all those PDP members in Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial District who are warming up to challenge Akpabio in 2027 should think gain.  The ‘’alliance’’ will trump all such ambitions, if all goes according to plans.