Akwa Ibom 2023: 58 Aspirants In Early Start

By Our Correspondent

Despite efforts to beat down emotions, anxiety is mounting in the camp of Akwa Ibom People’s Democratic Party PDP over who emerges the next gubernatorial candidate of the party for the 2023 polls.

Following the presumed zoning arrangement of the PDP, and as adopted by other political parties, it is expected that the next governor of the state should come from Uyo Senatorial District.

Obong Victor Attah from Uyo Senatorial district was governor from 1999 to 2007, Godswill Akpabio took the turn of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district and the incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel has taken the turn of Eket Senatorial district and is completing the circle.

It is being speculated in political circles around the state that no fewer than 50 prominent politicians from the Senatorial district particularly in PDP are eyeing the number one position in the 2023 elections.

Analysts have even expressed the opinion that a scenario similar to 2007 where about 58 aspired for the PDP ticket may ensue. The struggle for the 2007 ticket turned into a free for all that was eventually won by Akpabio.

Prominent among the PDP chieftains being speculated for the ticket are Senator Bassey Akpan, member representing Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom federal Consituency and immediate past speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Onofiok Luke(from Nsit Ubium) , Mr. Akan Okon Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom deep seaport and the lawmaker representing Uyo federal constituency, Mike Nyong.

The permutations nonetheless, there is also speculation that the incumbent governor may have also zeroed in on someone who is presently outside the political circles.

Social media in the state is awash with news about a very senior official of Exxon Mobil being penciled down by Governor Emmanuel in the same way as he was plucked from Zenith Bank to become governor.

The social media focus on the Exxon Mobil staff is despite the repeated denials by the governor of any such intention.

Similarly, the PDP through its publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong had during a media chat urged PDP faithful to ignore such insinuations.

His words, “We wish to state for the records that as a party , the discussion of 2023 is still unripe and immature at this moment as the second term of governor Udom Emmanuel has not yet reached even one year.

“We appeal to our party faithful to ignore those peddling these devious rumours of endorsement and strategic support for an alleged aspirant to any office and continue steadfastly in their support for Udom Emmanuel.”

In fact analysts are quick to conclude that the 2023 gubernatorial seat would be a tough one given the number and calibre of politicians in the PDP alone that will line up for the position from the Senatorial district.

Some have also expressed the opinion that they would not be surprised if the incumbent picks a political neophyte who had not even been in the picture as that appear to have become a recurring decimal as far as the number one seat as his predecessor, Akpabio did.

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