Speakership: Nsit Ubium cabal, other powerful forces align against Prince Akpabio
Ahead of this week’s proclamation of the 8th Assembly of the Akwa Ibom State House, prominent and influential Nsit Ubium politicians have moved against the speakership ambition of the Member-Elect for Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio.
The proclamation which is expected to be done on Friday June 9, 2023 will see whoever emerges as speaker swearing-in other 25 members-elect of the state legislature.
Prince Akpabio, a relative of the former governor of Akwa Ibom, Sen. Godswill Akpabio is currently primed as the next speaker by a strong cabal that played a critical role in Umo Eno’s emergence as Governor in the state. Same cabal pushed for the emergence of Prince Enobong Uwah even though they had huge resistance from those not comfortable with the arrangement.
TheMail Newspaper had authoritatively reported penultimate week that it was immediate past Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel that pushed for Ukpong to contest for the Essien Udim Assembly seat. The former governor had few years ago had positioned and anointed Prince who is his former Commissioner for Trade and Investment as the next speaker of the house. We learnt that the former governor had gotten Umo Eno to acquiesce to the proposition of Ukpong’s speakership and the arrangement still stood till Udom’s last day in office.
But, with the swearing-in of Pastor Umo Eno last week, a new cabal, majorly made up of the governor’s kinsmen from Nsit Ubium has moved to thwart Ukpong’s emergence as speaker.
The move is championed by a political leader from Uyo senatorial district and a serving elected official from the area. Those against Ukpong’s speakership aver that it is too dangerous to allow someone with the tendency of being powerdrunk to be the head of the very important arm of government.
Those pushing to kill the speakership dream of Prince Akpabio have told Governor Eno about their ugly experiences with Ukpong when he had so much powers under his brother, Godswill Akpabio even though he was just a PA to the then governor. They said he used his familial privileges to do and undo, stating that at some point he was antagonistic to Udom Emmanuel.
They narrated how Prince disrespected Udom, who then was SSG and the anointed governorship candidate of the PDP. They said, Prince in one instance had disagreement with Udom, shoved and even reportedly slapped him in the process. Though the said incident reportedly happened about 9 years ago, Prince’s antagonists wondered why and how Udom could develop short memory and try to leave the leadership of the legislature in possession of the junior Akpabio.
Some other powerful politicians in the state have also joined forces with the Nsit Ubium cabal with the sole aim of foiling the speakership bid of Ukpong.
They insist that ranking and cognate legislative experience should not be sacrificed for Prince Akpabio to emerge Speaker.
Those against Ukpong Akpabio strongly suggested that either of Mfon Idung or Udeme Otong who are returning members should be picked for the role.
They also argued that in case legislative experience is to be jettisoned in the choice of speaker, Lawrence Udoide from Ini State Constituency should be considered and not Ukpong Akpabio.
“Prince is too mercantile. He can’t do anything if money is not involved. He will monetize the House which is not what any governor should pray for. We won’t allow our brother the governor to make huge mistakes in this early stage of his administration. He has to take charge. We don’t care if he had earlier agreed with Udom on the choice of Prince. This is about his government. If he fails, he is the one that will take the blame. He has to stamp his feet and take bold decisions”, said one of the Nsit Ubium political stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the cabal backing Prince Akpabio have dismissed the threat by those opposing their preferred choice for the speakership seat.
A source who is one of Ukpong’s backers told our reporter on Monday that the project had already been signed and sealed and would be delivered on Friday. He stated categorically that it is a done deal and that Prince will emerge Speaker no matter the machinations of his adversaries.
The source stated that those kicking against Ukpong also tried stopping Enobong Uwah from being appointed SSG, saying such conspiracy will fall flat because Udom and Eno are men of integrity who don’t renege on their promises and commitments. He stated that unless the duo of Umo Eno and his predecessor, Udom have a change of mind between now and Friday which is unlikely, Ukpong will be speaker.
“They have brought up the issue of speaker and senate president coming from one family. Truth is that when the issue of Prince Akpabio’s speakership came up few years ago, we didn’t think about the possibility of a Godswill Akpabio senate presidency. Though the dynamics have changed not due to any fault of the young man, the fact is that Udom is not someone that reneges on his words”, said our source.
Prince Sampson Idiong of Oruk Anam State constituency who is a younger brother to immediate past First Lady of the State, Dr (Mrs) Martha Emmanuel is firmly in the race and has been consulting and lobbying at very critical quarters. Lawrence Udoide from Ini State Constituency, though not a frontline aspirant, has emerged a dark horse in the race if things go south for Prince Akpabio. Kufre-Abasi Edidem is very confident of emerging Deputy Speaker though Eric Akpan of Nsit Ibom who is close to Governor Umo Eno is not ruling out the possibility of clinching it ahead of Edidem.
Prince Akpabio and Udeme Otong are the clear favourites to emerge speaker. Governor Umo Eno is expected to meet with all the House of Assembly Members-Elect either on Thursday night or Friday morning to give direction on his choice of leadership of the 8th Assembly.