As who gets what in the 2015 general elections is causing a lot of confusion at the national level, we can report that there is growing disquiet within the membership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State.
Currently, party members are beginning to grumble about a grand design to impose the newly sworn in Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Emmanuel Udom as its next gubernatorial flag bearer.
Sources who spoke to us explained that while many of those who are close to the governor agreed with the sack of the former SSG due to the blatant and aggressive way in which he went about pursing his ambition, members would see it as a slap on their faces if the Governor dare suggests the imposition of Udom.
Asked to explain the reason for this speculation which is already growing into angry sentiments among party loyalists, our sources told us that they have heard rumours that the Governor may have entered into some sort of agreement with the new SSG “assuring him that he would be the next governor and to tell you the truth the new man also carries himself like he is over and above every other political appointee in the state, you know this ‘I am governor-in waiting’ kind of thing.
He is here bragging about how much money he has made in the past and his profile as a banker but how does that concern us. We are politicians and we have invested all of these 14 years into the PDP in the state, it would be unacceptable for the Governor for whom we have a lot of respect to bring anyone here to come and lord it over us”
Our sources informed that they were mainly concerned about the chances of the PDP in the coming election especially with the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC).
“And presenting a candidate who has not contributed anything to the development of this party would be a major insult on the work that we have done all these years and I am afraid that our people would not want to have any of that”. Sources explained.