Lobbying for SSG intensifies as front runners emerge
As Governor-Elect, Pastor Umo Eno gears up to be sworn-in on May 29, 2023, front runners for the position of Secretary to State Government have emerged. The appointment will be announced same day the new governor is sworn-in, or at most, few days after for effective administrative purposes of the government.
Many names have already been touted as possible successor to the outgoing SSG, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem. They include, Dr. Iniobong Essien, former Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Pat Ifon who is representing Eket/Esit Eket/Onna/Ibeno in the Green Chambers, Current Permanent Secretary of Government Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan, Charles Udoh of the Ministry of Environment and chairman of Uyo Capital City Development Authority Prince Enobong Uwah.
While few more names may be added to the list within the next two months, the aforementioned politicians and technocrats are currently the frontrunners to be appointed into one of the most sensitive offices in any subnational government in the country.
Pat Ifon: A former Chairman of ONNA Local Government Area, Hon. Pat Ifon is a serving member of the House of Representatives. He had interest in running for Senate in Eket Senatorial District but after the governor made known his decision for the seat to be zoned to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, he withdrew from the race.
His influence in the current administration fluctuates. Sometimes, he is seen as one of the go-to-men in the administration, as evidenced in the 2020 LG election where he was the chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for PDP.
His name is prominently mentioned as a candidate for the position of SSG. But those averse to his appointment mention that ONNA sons and daughters have played prominent roles in the current administration, hence will be insensitive to appoint another ONNA son as SSG just immediately after Udom leaves after 8 years as Governor.
Those in support of Pat Ifon argue that after Akpabio did 8 years, he nominated Sir Etekamba Umoren from Essien Udim to be appointed SSG under Udom as governor.
Dr Iniobong Essien: Currently the Chairman of Ibom Airport Development Company, Dr. Essien is one of the politicians considered for the job. He is considered as humble and level-headed with the requisite experience to handle the onerous task of being Secretary to Government. Essien aspired for the office of governor and went on consultations ahead of the PDP primary. Sources in Government House told our reporter that Essien had consulted his boss, Governor Emmanuel on his ambition at the tail end of 2021 and got a green light to go ahead. But after the governor presented Umo Eno as his preferred in January 2022, Essien immediately dropped his ambition in deference to his boss and joined in working for the success of Umo Eno project. A medical doctor with many years of practice under his belt, Dr Essien has worked as Personal Physician to governor, Commissioner for Environment and Commissioner for Science and Technology before current portfolio in the airport board.
High placed sources in Government told our reporter many senior stakeholders in the government are comfortable of Iniobong Essien being appointed SSG as it will help in dousing the Ibiono Ibom agitation for governorship, and also giving them a sense of belonging if their son is the number three man in the state exco.
“When the Governor-Elect went to Ibiono Ibom to campaign, he had said that whatever an Ibiono Ibom son would have done for them as governor, he will do even more if he is given opportunity to lead the state. I am sure appointing someone from the LGA as SSG will calm frayed nerves there and give some sort of stability to the government. The way the election was projected, people thought Umo Eno won’t get upto 1,000 votes there but he got more than 25% in Ibiono Ibom”, said our source.
Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan: The dark-skinned medical doctor is currently the Permanent Secretary, Government House. Sources say he is Governor Emmanuel’s preferred for the position. According to our sources, the governor believes that having worked closely with Adiakpan for many years in government, he can be his eyes and ears in the next administration. He is a seasoned technocrat who is also level-headed and well suited for the job of Secretary to Government. It is understood the governor wants him to transition from his current portfolio to SSG just like Etekamba Umoren who served as Permanent Secretary and Chief of Staff under Akpabio and was later appointed SSG under the Udom Emmanuel administration.
But if Umo Eno defers to Udom and picks his predecessor’s preferred candidate for the role, the appointee may suffer the same fate as Sir Etekamba Umoren who wasn’t trusted by Udom. Information at our disposal has it that Governor Emmanuel had preferred his friend, Mr. Akan Okon to serve as his SSG. But later bowed to pressure from Akpabio to appoint Etekamba Umoren. After Sir Umoren was appointed, the governor is said to have reduced to powers attached to that office because the occupier of the office wasn’t his preferred.
Enobong Uwah: Since after the emergence of Umo Eno as candidate of PDP in May 2022, the name that has been mentioned the most as the possible SSG has been Enobong Uwah popularly known as ‘Hammer’. It is said that the MPM cabal comprising of Emmanuel Enoidem, Frank Archibong, Enobong Uwah, Uwem Okoko of Hensek had all discussed their interest with Umo Eno and extracted full commitments from the now Governor-Elect. But what politics of recent times have shown is that the most touted names usually don’t get their preferred political offices.
Some elders and politicians in Umo Eno’s inner circle believe that the position of SSG should not go to a career politician like Enobong Uwah. It is understood that they prefer a seasoned technocrat who will settle down immediately to the business of the office and not a politician that may struggle to balance between the roles of an SSG and politicking. Enobong Uwah, dubbed the Champion of Uyo Politics is the Political Leader of Uyo LGA. He served under Governor Godswill Akpabio as SA and later Commissioner. He also served in the first few years of the Udom Emmanuel administration as Commissioner before finally being appointed as Chairman of UCCDA, a position he occupies till date.
Charles Udoh: Currently serving as Commissioner for Environment, Sir Charles Udoh is one of the politicians nursing the ambition of becoming SSG. He has some close persons to Umo Eno who are working on making sure the aspiration becomes a reality. Our source informed our reporter on Monday that former governorship aspirant, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke is one of those rooting for Charles Udoh as SSG. The House of Reps member is one of the politicians that Umo Eno holds dearly and doesn’t joke with his ideas and input. Umo Eno believes that if Onofiok Luke had decided to defect to Labour Party or rock the boat by proceeding with court cases against the party, he would have made his election more tedious than it was. Hence, since Onofiok shelved his ambition and openly declared his support for Umo Eno in August 2022, the governor-elect has tremendous respect for him and has brought him into his inner circle as one of his chief advisers. With Onofiok reportedly on Charles Udoh’s side, his SSG ambition will likely gain traction. Also, Umo Eno is said to have a good relationship with the former Information Commissioner. The Governor-Elect, according to our impeccable source was instrumental to prevailing on the governor not to sack Charles Udoh some months ago. Charles, according to our source believes he was blackmailed before the governor and was almost booted out of office if not for the intervention of Umo Eno.
OTHERS: The Chairman of Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Okon Okon and former governorship aspirant, Ide Owodiong have also been mentioned as possible candidates for the job.