As the struggle of who becomes the next Caesar of Akwa Ibom State after Governor Udom Emmanuel is attracting diverse interests, Akwa Ibom indigenes in the Diaspora have stepped into the theatre of contest to urge the sitting Governor to maintain his earlier stand where he said his successor must be someone with international recognized e-mail.
Engr Eduok Eduok a former Member of the 3rd Assembly in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in Obong Victor Attah administration now resident in Houston Texas, USA reminded Governor Udom Emmanuel of that yardstick of measurement of his successor this morning in a live interview on Inspiration 105.9 FM connecting him from Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
Answering questions on who should be there next Governor after Udom Emmanuel, Engr Eduok Eduok said:
“When we in the Diaspora heard that Gov. Udom Emmanuel needs someone with International recognized E-mail to succeed him, we were very happy”
Insisting on Governor Udom Emmanuel qualities of his successor Eduok further said:
“The incoming Governor must not only be knowledgeable in the construction of roads, he should be too knowledgeable in connections with investors around the globe”.
“Any Governorship aspirant who has zero romance and existing relationship with advance economy like America, Japan, China, Russia, Germany, France, Australia, UK, Canada and Italy should not come near the table of governance. The world economy and today new system of things have long passed the politics of knowing South Africa, Ghana or traveling to America for tourism”
This State needs a politician with proven records of successful management of a conglomerate like the newly elected Governor of Anambra State Charles Soludo who was the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, or like Governor Udom Emmanuel who was the Executive Director of Zenith Bank etc. We have the like of this person who is contesting in 2023″ Eduok appealed.
Engr. Eduok advised Governor Emmanuel not to choose showmen and contestants with self aggrandizement drives to succeed him as it will not be beneficial for the State as a whole.
Governor Udom Emmanuel had in May 29, 2021 Democracy Day broadcast told Akwa Ibom people the kind of successor he wants for the State.
In that State broadcast Governor Emmanuel said:
”Do you want a leader whose approach to testing his popularity would be to drive in a long convoy to “Ibom Plaza” and throw money at the hapless people, watching them scramble for the money and the people would say that’s “Ano owo Mkpo”! Is that the kind of a successor you want?
”Is that the kind of empowerment our people deserve? Someone who will bring out the worst in our youths rather than challenge them to seize the future and unleash their potentials? Do you want a successor who will relegate God to the background and assume an all-knowing power? Or do you desire a successor with a known e-mail address that the International business community recognises?”
Engr. Eduok urged the Governor to maintain his stands on this as Akwa Ibom State is now rated as a Nation considering its natural resources and endowment.
Also bearing his mind on how to pick a credible person to carry on the “Akwa Ibom project” the former lawmaker said:
“The choice of who governs Akwa Ibom State at this moment shouldn’t even be a political Party affairs, it should not be the exclusive rights of “Fathers of Faith”, it should not be left for the Governor alone. It should be done by Elders, responsible elders, Elder Statesmen and senior citizens of Akwa Ibom State.
