How Umana betrayed Attah in 2007 – Udoedehe
The back-stabbing and betrayal that served as the curtain-raiser for the 2007 gubernatorial election in the state have been revealed by former Minister, Senator John Udoedehe.
In an interview he granted a cross section of the media in the state recently, Udoedehe said Umana Umana who was Finance Commissioner under Obong Victor Attah tricked his then boss into believing he was mobilizing support for his preferred candidate only to use resources earned from Attah’s magnanimity to fund the election of Godswill Akpabio( which was against Attah’s wish).
According to the fiery senator, Umana was the one who talked him into supporting Akpabio, a decision he claims he regrets.
“Akwa Ibom people should not be deceived as to who Mr. Umana Umana really is. Contrary to the picture he paints of himself in the political and other fora, he is a mean man, versed in guile, duplicity, and treachery, who has betrayed most, if not all the people who have ever helped him. He began his history of political betrayal with his first political benefactor (and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah)”, Udoedehe said.
Continuing, he said: “It was Obong Attah that promoted Umana from the position of Assistant Director in the Budget Office, to that of Deputy Director; to Director; then Permanent Secretary; and finally, Commissioner of Finance. But then, Umana after enjoying all this favor from Attah, used the resources (material and otherwise) at his disposal (earned from Attah’s magnanimity), to secretly finance the campaigns of Godswill Akpabio against Attah’s preferred candidate (Dr. Udoma Ekarika), during the 2007 elections. Umana is free to campaign for, and support anyone he elects to, under our Constitution; but the fact that he carried out his campaigns, and funding secretly, and without his boss’ knowledge indict him for high level treachery”.
Firing on, Udoedehe said : “For the records, Akwa Ibom people should also know that it was Mr. Umana Umana that introduced Mr. Godswill Akpabio to me as a better candidate than Attah’s son-in-law, and preferred candidate for the office of Governor of Akwa Ibom State, before the 2007 elections.
“As proof of his treachery and clandestine politicking, he (Umana) told me that Attah and his son in law would destroy the State, and urged me to lend Akpabio my support. I was taken in at the time, convinced that no one had the right to foist a blood relative on the people as Governor; which is why I supported and subsequently endorsed Akpabio’s candidature.
“Note that at the electioneering, he never indicated such a course of action, because too much binds both men (Akpabio and Umana); and the weight of their joint holdings and commitments can never be severed by any political inclinations, ideologies, or opinions. Umana and Akpabio are one; irrespective of party or other affiliation. That is a fact that Akwa Ibom people have to come to terms with; and so his (Umana’s) foray into the APC should provoke every degree of caution, because this leopard can never change his spots”.
