Udom’s 6-month agenda to outsmart Akpabio (1)

Stage set for a very serious gubernatorial tussle in 2019

By Akpo Ometan

While Wednesday’s much publicised formal declaration of defection ceremony by former Akwa Ibom State Governor and Senate Minority Leader, Obong Godswill Akpabio from the PDP to the APC did not come as a surprise to many given the equally ‘public square’ movements that had preceded it, the question on the lips of many now is what impact the move would have on the political fortunes of the state and indeed the anticipated second term bid of incumbent Governor Emmanuel Udom.

With this development also, it is now very clear that the stage has presently been set for a most serious gubernatorial tussle in 2019 even as analysts equally hazard that given the long-term dependence of Udom on the political machinery of the former Governor, the critical challenge now would be how very quickly Udom will prove that he has now ‘become a political man of his own.’

Accordingly, and given that time is clearly running out now, the challenge now would be as to whether Udom, the banker-turned-politician can now proceed to put together and implement a solid and most formidable 6-month agenda to outsmart and overwhelm his erstwhile benefactor.

The following days and months will tell.

(To be continued)

Ovovernor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria