Will Udom Achieve His Senate Ambition In 2023?

Even though it is widely acclaimed that his tenure as the fourth democratically elected governor of Akwa Ibom State is not characterized with politically motivated assassinations and political instability, analysts believe that Governor Udom Emmanuel may not have a smooth succession flight and a luxurious trip to the senate in 2023.
By the Peoples Democratic Party’s zoning arrangement which was midwifed by the Victor Attah’s administration, the state governorship slot swings to Uyo Senatorial district, where the rotation started in 1999. None -verbal but strong indications suggest that the governor may finally present Udom Inoyo, Deputy Chairman of Exxon Mobil as his anointed successor.
Although by strategic convention and for security convenience, the governor does not and will not impose anybody on the people but will support anyone chosen by the people of the state and particularly, the PDP. The question now follows, who is the party? Who are the people of the state that will choose who they want and what machinery will be used in selecting the next governor of the state?
While his critics see him as a green horn in the peculiar politics of the state, others give a nod to his suspected candidature on grounds that he has the charisma, the exposure and has invested in philanthropy and humanitarian activities even before he ventured into politics.
Uyo Senatorial district has three federal constituencies, namely; Etinan, Uyo and Itu Federal constituencies respectively. It is argued among the political class that if the PDP will survive in 2023, the internal rotation arrangement should be strictly followed. To this end pundits believe that since Etinan Federal Constituency had taken their governorship slot through the late Obong Akpan Isemin and Uyo Federal Constituency had also taken through Obong Victor Attah, justice and fair play demands that Itu Federal constituency should, in the spirit of equity, take the next turn.
Udom Inoyo from NsitUbium, comes from Etinan Federal Constituency; John Udoedehe from Uyo Local Government is from Uyo Federal constituency, while Bassey Albert, the senator representing Uyo Senatorial District is from Itu Federal Constituency, the axis that has never occupied the Government House.
Some arguments support the claim that the governorship slot should rotate to Itu Federal constituency, but does not okay the candidature of Mr. Bassey Akpan on the grounds that his Ibiono Local Government has occupied the House of Representatives and two term seante representation, including other juicy political offices through Senator Ita Enang.
Though Albert is popular with a battalion of fanatical supporters across the state with an uncommon gift of generosity, this school of thought insists it should rotate to another part of Itu Federal Constituency. Whether any aspirant has emerged yet or not, they believe it is just and fair to give it to Itu Local Government.This development, if not tactically managed, may ignite a political conflagration that could born down the flag of the party in 2023.
For one, it is feared that if Albert is hit below the belt at the party primary, he will not throw the towel and may seek justice elsewhere. It is equally feared that if Mr Onofiok Luke finally yields to pressure from his youthful supporters to throw his hat in the ring and is equally denied the royal anointing, the water could be murky and the political clouds could gather against the government’s candidate. This, according to political mathematics, may brighten the chances of the APC while the PDP could be relegated into a slippery scope.
Findings show that Udom Inoyo has investment acumen and a broad development agenda if he mounts the state podium. However, his challenges are inexperience in public governance, green horn in politics. He does not and may not be interested in learning the language of politics, does not know his sheep by their names and so on.
Findings also show that those who sing “hosanna” today, may likely say “crucify him” tomorrow with particular reference to the Godswill Akpabio story. Observers note that those who betrayed his predecessor for him could also betray him for the next master.
Udom’s powers as the number one citizen will soon fade away. He will be struggling to join the senator’s club, just like others go to the senate to rest or hide from the shadows of their past.
His suspected senatorial ambition would have been a smooth ride, but the zoning is against him as the slot will return to Ikot Abasi Federal constituency where it started in 1999.
Apart from the rough tendency to swim against the tide, Ikot Abasi is the stronghold of APC and the political class feel cheated as he has not carried them in the scheme of things, occasioned by conspicuous absence of Ikot Abasi in the state exco and for denying them infrastructure and electricity, even when they host the Ibom Power Company.
Therefore, miffed by what they described as backstabbing and colossal disappointment, political stakeholders from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, say they will leave no stone unturned in frustrating the governor’s senatorial ambition.