AKPABIO WANTS UMANA EXPELLED FROM PDP

Paul Ekpo under pressure to execute act

Embattled and now out-of-favour secretary to state government Obong Umana Okon Umana may receive a killer punch from his boss Chief Godswill Akpabio if developing incidents is not halted half way. Although his governorship ambition has since been dead and buried, it is no longer news that in a commando-style approach, UOU was sacked by the Governor last Monday.

The sack of UOU came as a big relief to some commissioners who the former SSG is said to have cowed. Apart from members of the state executive council, some well placed indigenes of the state in private discussions with THE INK has described the unceremonious exit of Umana from the corridors of power as a welcome development.

One of the commissioners from Uyo Senatorial District who spoke to this reporter said “yak ayong mbok, ke ama anam mkpo oboho” the cup he used in measuring for others has been used for him. And another commissioner from Ikot Expene Senatorial District retorted that “the sack of Umana is a right step that will lead to the focus in the leadership of the exco. This commissioner was more daring when he said “Da how can a common SSG who was not even screened by the House of Assembly become so powerful. It is good that he is now part of history in this exco and I want to tell you that all the minor challenges and infighting here will stop.

THE INK gathered that while the commando style that was used by Akpabio to execute the sack of Umana lasted, the Governor is alleged to have set up machinery in his efforts to expel the Nsit Ubium born ex finance commissioner. The newspaper gathered that Governor Akpabio had fear that if Umana could have the temerity to challenge him in a heated argument like the one that led to his (Umana’s) sack, then his 2015 succession plans should hit the rock. The Governor is said to have began a high powered consultation among some close confidants where the idea of expelling the former SSG was reached. And this action was to be carried out in the mix that ensued during the locking out of the former SSG. This was actually to ensure that Umana’s troubles are compounded, THE INK learnt.

How the Governor later dropped this plot at that time could not be ascertained. But a high placed Ukana source informed THE INK that the idea of expelling Umana from the PDP will be resuscitated as soon as possible and or very close to the PDP gubernatorial primaries.

Party chairman Obong Paul Ekpo have been put under serious pressure to ensure that whenever the Governor wants this done, it is actualized. Before the plot to expel Obong Umana from the PDP was suspended for now temporarily by Gov. Akpabio, Paul Ekpo is said to have been contacted and all documents made ready for the action. The issue is said to have taken Paul Ekpo by surprise but that the party boss did not have a choice. It was learnt that at this time, Obong Paul Ekpo was waiting for the killer punch of information to sign the sack letter. Sources close to the Governor and Paul Ekpo hinted that Obong Umana would have been accused of indiscipline and insubordination to the party and the governor. With these accusations, Umana Umana would have been nailed and he would have since last Tuesday ceased to become a member of the PDP.

Investigations reveal that suspending the expulsion of Umana from the PDP at least for now is a clear delay of the evil days. A Government House source told our reporter that the former SSG is not even safe with his ambition as any attempt by Umana to speak more than what is expected of him will land him in trouble. THE INK was reliably informed that the state Governor Obong Godswill Akpabio has instructed the state PDP boss Obong Paul Ekpo that upon his instructions, he intends Paul Ekpo to weild the big stick on Umana and sends the ex-SSG away from the PDP.

With this development and more coming from the governor, it was revealed that the government house strategists through Obong Paul Ekpo has extended its hands to the Nsit Ubium chapter chairman of the PDP and his exco as well as the ward chairman of Ndiya ward 1 where Obong Umana hails. These party officers of Nsit Ubium have also been placed on standby on the likely sack of Obong Umana from the PDP when the time is ripe.

But a section of the elders of the state have been making appeals to the Governor Godswill Akpabio not to overheat the party by sacking the former SSG from the PDP unceremoniously just like he did to the man while in office as SSG. Among those said to have been appealing on behalf of the out-of-favour Umana Umana is the Ntisong Ibibio Obong Essien Ekidem. The Royal father is said to have assured that he will take the message of appeal to the governor.

Watchers of the unfolding drama had informed the newspaper that this is a typical Akpabio in action who is always playing a politics of “attack, kill and bury”. They opined that Akpabio is seeking the genesis and end of Umana’s political career. They cited the cases of Udoedehe which Akpabio fought out of PDP as well as Ambassador Sam Edem which Akpabio is said to have brought to the grounds. The unfolding plot to sack Umana from PDP if it sees the light of the day will mean the governor had thrown a killer punch on his former close confidant.

The chairman of the PDP Obong Paul Ekpo said he is not aware of the plot to sack Umana from the party. While speaking to THE INK on Sunday night via a phone call, the party boss said “the person who gave you the information should be able to expantiate because I don’t talk about the things I don’t know”