Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, reputed for being profligate, lectures about governance and corruption
The whereabouts of Umana Umana is unknown.
Barely five days after he made public his ambition to run for the office of the governor in 2015 the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Umana Umana, has been reportedly given 48 hours to resign from office or be booted out.
Mr. Umana had last Thursday declared his aspiration to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio in 2015.
The declaration followed weeks of speculations that he was under intense pressure to vacate office and withdraw from the race, reports that his associates dismissed as blatant lies and fabricated rumour.
His spokesman, Iboro Otongaran, had said the reports were baseless and unfounded, as it followed a similar one that he was rejected and barred him from running for the office after he was presented to President Goodluck Jonathan as the state’s PDP gubernatorial candidate for 2015.
The intrigues heightened last week when reports said he was one of three nominees, whose names were submitted to the presidency for consideration and appointment as the next Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Though the latest report that he has been forced to resign is yet to be confirmed officially, PREMIUM TIMES’ visit to the Government House, Uyo, revealed there was palpable tension around the premises with an unusually high presence of armed security operatives at the main entrance to the SSG’s office.
The fierce-looking mobile policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), mounting security at the gate, were busy frisking every person and vehicle going in or out of the premises.
Nobody was ready to speak on the whereabouts of the embattled SSG, whose decision to declare his interest in the governorship race has been described by Governor Akpabio’s loyalists and associates as an affront and the height of disloyalty to his boss.
When contacted, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umana, said he could not comment on the recent happenings as he was not in Akwa Ibom.
Source: Premium Times
UPDATE: Akpabio pick Udom Gabriel Emmanuel
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio, has appointed a Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as the new Secretary to the State Government.
He is from Onna Local Government Area of Eket Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, and replaces Umana Umana, who was sacked for declaring his ambition to contest the gubernatorial race in 2015.
The party had to him to drop his ambition and had already offered him the post of Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Sources say Akpabio was infuriated that Umana made the declaration without his knowledge, especially with the fact that the PDP zonal arrangement did not favour Umana.
A statement on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State, Aniekan Umana, said the appointment of Emmanuel takes immediate effect.
It reads further: “Mr. Emmanuel, a great Ibibio son until his appointment was an Executive Director on the board of Zenith Bank Plc from December 2006. Mr. Emmanuel also doubled as Non-Executive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) from 2008 to date and Director, Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBBS) from 2009, Non-Executive Director, Zenith Bank, United Kingdom; Zenith Bank – Gambia; Zenith Bank – Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian; Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrars.
“A corporate strategist and an experienced private sector player, Mr. Emmanuel has wide experience in various blue-chip organizations such as Price Water House and Diamond Bank Plc.
“His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio expressed appreciation of the Government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State to the erstwhile Secretary to Government, Obong Umana Okon Umana for his dedication and contributions to the uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State.
“The Governor further described Obong Umana Okon Umana as a brother and a friend who displayed exceptional competence in the discharge of his duties in the last six years. He wished Obong Umana Okon Umana success in his future endeavours whilst congratulating the new appointee, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.”
Source: Daily Post
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