Breaking: Anger in Akwa Ibom as gov. Emmanuel discloses preferred successor

Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State on Sunday disclosed his Commissioner for Lands and Water resources, Mr Imo Eno as his preferred successor.

The State Executive Council (SEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom convulsed when the news was broken, with some members openly and secretly expressing their opposition to it.

In a surprise move, the governor had during the meeting on Sunday night with selected party leaders and some Governorship aspirants made the announcement without any prior notice.

Members of the upper and lower legislative Chambers in the National Assembly were also present in the meeting.

The announcement will put paid to speculations in the State over governor Udom’s preferred person.

CAPITAL POST gathered that Senator Albert Bassey who was the Commissioner for Finance during the administration of Godswill Akpabio has interest in contesting for the 2023 Akwa Ibom governorhip.

However, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah and some fathers of Faith, an association of influential church leaders in the State were said to be privy to the choice of Mr Imo Eno.

It was further learnt that those nursing Gubernatorial ambition immediately became uncomfortable after the announcement.

Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary Onofiok Luke said to be eyeing the governorship in 2023 reportedly stormed out of the meeting after the annoucement, sources said.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Iniobong Ememobong and his Economic Development and Ibom Deep seaport counterpart, Akan Okon were absent at the meeting.

Emmanuel’s Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udo, who confirmed the development said the action was taken by a cross section of stakeholders in the State.

“The Governor announced that he (Eno) was the one God has revealed to him as the next Governor of the state and he was unveiled to all the stakeholders from the three senatorial districts of the State by the former governor, Obong Victor Attah, who then commended the choice.

“It was an array of the political elders made up of Senators and House of Representatives members,” Udo said.