2019 Guber Race: Ekere begs Attah for support
. As race to Hiltop Mansion gets tougher
By Signor Emedu, Newslinkng.com
As the 2019 gubernatorial poll draws near, there are frantic moves by APC gubernatorial candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere to grab the prized endorsement of revered former governor and elder statesman, Obong Victor Attah, NEWS LINK can reliably report.
According to precise information from our political desk, the current cordial association between Governor Udom Emmanuel and Attah has unsettled Ekere who is not restful in his bid to take over Hilltop Mansion next year.
Although Attah has kept a distance from partisan politics for a few years now, his current body language has betrayed his acceptance for the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration – a far departure from his clear displeasure at the way the state was administered during the 8 year regime of Godswill Akpabio.
NEWS LINK learnt from impeccable source that the romance between Udom and Attah is giving Ekere sleepless nights. According to information, the NDDC MD is reluctant to accept things like that and recently sent a delegation of party (APC) elders to Attah to plead for his blessings. So far, the mission to charm Attah with irresistible offers has been futile.
Ekere’s frantic bid to woo Attah to his side was also demonstrated recently in a political rally where he vowed to rename the Akwa Ibom International Airport, Uyo after Attah, if elected Governor in 2019.
Speaking at the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District rally organized in his honour at Uyo Township Stadium, Ekere said Attah, ignored by his successor, Akpabio for 8 years, deserved the honour being the initiator of the airport.
Sounding rather desperate, the NDDC boss also promised that pioneer civilian Governor of the state, Late Obong Akpan Isemin, will be honoured with the renaming of the Tropicana Entertainment Centre, Uyo, after him.
Recently, a Central Planning Committee of the 80th birthday celebration of Attah was inaugurated with the media informed that the Akwa Ibom State Government was planning an epoch event for the ex-governor – a clear indication of Attah and Governor Udom Emmanuel being on the same page.
The 18 member committee is chaired by the vice -chairman of Exxon Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr Udom Inoyo, (an ally of the present state governor) with Obong Nkpoette Effanga, a former Commissioner for Special Duties in Obong Attah’s State Executive Council as Alternate Chairman while Dr.Udoma Bob- Ekarika is to serve as Secretary of the Committee.
A statement issued by the Chairman, Media and Publicity sub Committee of the event, Dr Udeme Nana urged stakeholders across the country, patriots and groups interested in honouring the Elder Statesman on that occasion to liaise effectively with the Planning Committee for a successful celebration.
Events to mark the epoch milestone of the renowned Architect, seen as the father of modern Akwa Ibom State ,will be held in Abuja, Lagos and Uyo in November.
