A frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Okon Umana, reportedly concluding plans to defect to the opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC.
The aspirant, who served as Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, SSG, until July 2013 when he resigned his appointment to pursue his political ambition, gave PDP’s decision to cede its governorship ticket to Eket Senatorial District as reason for his impending defection.
The aspirant, who is from Uyo Senatorial District told Premium Times yesterday in a telephone interview that he was ready to formally defect to the opposition APC in the state this Thursday in a colorful ceremony to be attended by all national officers of the party, including a presidential aspirant, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).
Disputing widespread rumours that his defection is informed by Governor Akpabio’s open support for another aspirant, Umana, said to be the longest serving SSG in the history of the state, described himself as the ‘real issue’ as far as Akwa Ibom politics is concerned. Governor Akpabio is rooting for the emergence of Udom Emmanuel, who succeeded Umana after he resigned.
Expatiating on Umana’s resolve to quit PDP, his media aide, Iboro Otongaran, said: “The decision to move does not have anything to do with Governor Akpabio’s declaration about his preference in Udom Emmanuel or anybody”, adding that “It does not matter who the governor prefers. As a citizen of the state he has a right to prefer one person over another.”
Speaking about his principal’s chances of realizing his ambition under APC which already has an array of aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket, Otongaran said Umana remains undaunted as he is a force to be reckoned with inAkwa Ibom politics.
“Whether Umana Okon Umana is in PDP, Labour Party, APC or Accord Party, he will still be the issue. In fact, even if there was a provision in the constitution for an independent candidate, he will still be the issue.
“The issue is not which party would brighten or dim his chances of winning the election in Akwa Ibom State, because the Umana brand is the real issue. People are interested in him irrespective of the party he is contesting under,” he said.
Other APC bigwigs expected at Umana’s declaration for the party include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; as well as Governors Chubuike Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Rivers and Kano States respectively.
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