Udoedehe vs The Five Fingers of a Leprous hand

By Globalnewsreel Uyo

This may be the opportunity to explain what you either know but ignored or did know know at all.

Obong Victor Attah had his succession plan which did not go down well with very many people. Some of these people did not have the forthrightness of Sen John
Udoedehe to tell His Excellency NO. They rather grumbled behind after saying in pretense "may you live long oh king" in his presence, so to say.

We must not forget that Obong Attah was the man who vigorously pursued power shift in AKS leadership to our
Annang brethren. There was initial resistance even among the traditional institution outside Annang land, where the desire for power shift originated, until Obong Attah successfully convinced and carried majority along.

The resistance which gave way to sluggish acceptance, according to many, was the product of previous surprise experience before the military coup which cut short the civilian government of HE Chief Etiebet (of blessed memory - may his soul rest in peace).

But, Obong Attah's power shift to Annang was centered on his son Inlaw - Dr Udoma Bob Ekarika. Ekarika - a
medical doctor by profession was moved as a commissioner to the lucrative Ministry of Works.

Many in the state saw this arrangement as an attempt to perpetuate the Attah's "dynasty" (from Attah to his son Inlaw). As earlier, said many opposed.

The Annang people who recognized the impossibility of installing a governor without their Ibibio brethren presented three candidates from which they wanted the Ibibios to choose from, assuring that they will be satisfied with any.

They were Dr Udoma B Ekarika, Etiebet, and one other. The negotiation which was a give and take in the spirit of trust was not publicised, as such was not
known to many - hence those who castigate Udoedehe have little or no knowledge of what transpired.

Godswill Akpabio, was not among the three put forward by the Annang people. He was a dark horse in the race.

Don't forget that Godswill came from Lagos to join Attah's cabinet as a commissioner. Let it be said here
that Akpabio became a commissioner through the active link of Barr Joe Ukpong which relationship latter soured.
Attah probably realised late that as a commissioner for Local. Govt. & Chieftaincy Affairs for many years,
Akpabio was desirous of succeeding him and had worked closely with the traditional institution in the state to that
end.

Those who opposed the dynasty style idea of Obong Attah cued behind Akpabio. The tough PDP primary came at a
time Gov Attah vigorously pursued the resource control project and was always on the move to sway Nigerian's opinion in support of the agitation. Perhaps lulled by the much vaunted power of incumbency, he may not have pursued his succession plan with equal vigour.

One primary, on two different dates and venues - Ibom Hall ground and AKHA ground sprang two major surprises:
Akpabio emerged against government preferred Udoma Ekarika while Larry Esin of 'afangki' dusted many popular candidates to emerge near the top with over 800 votes.

Indeed, Udoedehe was the campaign manager for Godswil. But once he emerged the PDP flag bearer, what followed was the usual state wide tour for consultation with traditional rulers which Udoedehe as his campaign manager led.
To credit Udoedehe with instituting the 2 term tenure of 8years for Governors, just because a paramount ruler had urged concentration on 1st term governance first, before 2nd term, would amount to arrogating to him the Genesis of 2 term 8years presidency also.

That is not correct.
When Akpabio won the Governorship, a meeting was held in Ukana, Essien Udim where the shape of government was drawn. At that meeting many, including late Dr Ime Umanah disagreed with the new Governor on some issues (that is by the way). The new Governor had his agenda and what followed struck fear down the spine of the majority.

The result was forced silence in the face of the unbelievable. People were either cowed to retreat, or enticed to compromise, but not Akpabio's campaign
manager - Sen John Udoedehe. This was the real carrot and stick strategy.
Sen John Udoedehe is consistency and foresight personified.

In those early days when many were excited about the prospect of becoming this and that, and making billions, this principled loner saw beyond today and
started a struggle for freedom.

He has not changed despite painful negative experiences over the years.
Here is a rare gift lacking among our people. By 2015 when Akpabio vowed that unlike his predecessor, he will
foist a successor of his choice on the state, Umana and his group of embarrassed Akpabio men, who were outfoxed, invaded the APC primary at the Uyo township
stadium, making caricature of the exercise to produce Obong Umana who had no real intention to win election
but to stop Udoedehe.

Udoedehe who is ever consistent in his opposition to succession by clan or dynasty, whether by the Ibibio,
Annang or any other unit, retreated back to the drawing board.

People have to understand that the present struggle is a continuation of the fight to free Akwa Ibom from succession by cronies which Udoedehe started
against his Ibibio brother - Gov Attah.
IF IT WAS NOT ALLOWED FOR THE GOOSE, HOW CAN IT BE ALLOWED FOR THE GANDER?
Umana Umana, Udom Emmanuel, Nsma Ekere, Samuel Akpan, and others who will emerge from that clique are
fingers of the same leprous hand - the Akpabio dynasty.

Unless we are hypocritical about this, it is within our power to break their attempted strangle hold and enforce
the precedent for posterity.

We are certainly aware that
the silent majority, like the hidden 7000 who did not kiss Baal in Israel during Elijah's time, are in this struggle.

These are the true context of event, not the skewed version designed to hinder progressives led by Sen Udoedehe.

It has become monotonous to repeat this empty excuse that all these men were in PDP rather than admit the defining circumstances which led to each exit.

It took the real man in Udoedehe to quit the PDP when the ovation was loudest.

There is no diplomatic language about this, the other pack were disgrace and chased out.
It was not hidden!