NASS Horse Race Deepens in Akwa Ibom Contenders, Projections, Battlegrounds

With less than three weeks to the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25, 2023, political Parties in Akwa Ibom State are crisscrossing the length and breadth of wards canvassing for votes from the electorate in what is clearly a final push from all fronts.

The battleground zones in Akwa Ibom State may threaten the dominance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, who have consistently held sway in the National Assembly elections with the new political dynamics with strong contenders raising the stakes for a likely photo finish at the close of polls by 2:30 pm that fateful day.

In Akwa Ibom State, there are three Senatorial Districts and ten Federal Constituencies. Since the return of democracy in 1999, the PDP has consistently been in charge of the federal legislature.

In 2019, the first attempt to break the stronghold of the Party met its first stiff opposition when Senator Godswil Akpabio sought a second term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress but failed to win at the polls.

That attempt was the first real test on the strength of the PDP, which in recent months, especially in the last one year, will be facing its most significant political test in the general elections.

With the fallout of the party primaries last year and critical chieftains leaving the Party for the Young Progressives Party, which today has become the fastest-growing political Party in Akwa Ibom State, the twists and turns have made the projections for the national assembly Polls too close to call in what political pundits have described a new curve that will change the political landscape of the State.

Going into the last week of the polls, no political Party is sure of sweeping the polls; there are projections based on opinion polls in various senatorial and federal Constituencies that multiple factors and more of individual choices will play a significant role in the next set of lawmakers that would represent Akwa Ibom State in the 10th National Assembly.

There are 18 political parties featuring in the process in Akwa Ibom State. Still, the dominant three neck-to-neck are the Peoples Democratic Party, Young Progressives Party and the All Progressives Congress. Across each senatorial District and federal Constituencies, any of these parties are sure bets to win the polls.

One thing is becoming apparent and more realistic, the PDP will not have a 100 per cent sweep at the National Assembly polls as all the three major parties have strongholds to protect and win.

This special report by the political team of Daily News Wire carefully takes an analysis of the different Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituencies and their chance at the polls.

In Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District ( Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District), it is clearly a three-horse race for the Senatorial District ticket among Emmanuel Enoidem of the Peoples Democratic Party, Godswil Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress and Emmanuel Ekon of the Young Progressives Party.

All three gladiators have a history together and will be going to the polls to once and for all settle the score on political supremacy.

The Senatorial District has Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, Ikono, Ini, Abak, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas up for grabs at the polls.

Godswil Akpabio was Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007- 2015. Emmanuel Enoidem was one of his longest-serving Commissioners. He brought Emmanuel Ekon to seek elections from his base then in the United States in the House of Representatives in the National Assembly.

All three actors have parted ways; they are bitter political rivals and have thrown all it takes to ensure their victory.

For Akpabio, the road to retrieving the APC ticket had to wait till last month following a Supreme Court ruling which duly declared him as the legitimate candidate of the Party, throwing out the victory of retired police super cop DIG Udom Ekpoudom.

The long road by Akpabio, who had sought the office of President before stepping down for the Party’s Presidential Candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been tedious.

He walks a tightrope, having not started campaigns earlier and has much grounds to cover.

Immediately after the Supreme Court ruling, he commenced his campaigns at Oruk Anam and Ikono Local Government Areas but has been off the radar since the visit of the APC Presidential Campaign Council last week to Akwa Ibom State.

The party failed to hold any campaigns last week, with just a few weeks to the polls.

He has a lot of work to do especially following his defeat in 2019 and the interest of the Akwa Ibom State Government to stall his return bid once again.

In the coming weeks, it is expected that Akpabio will resume campaigns, especially since the APC campaign council was inaugurated in Uyo on Saturday.

The Senatorial District has a basket of votes in Oruk Anam and Essien Udim Local Government Areas.

Zoning, which plays a critical criterion, favours the people of Abak Five comprising Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo, Abak, Ika and Ukanafun Local Government Areas.

There has been a war of words and attacks on the former Minister of the Niger Delta, who has remained calm in the heat of solid resistance to his bid by government officials and stakeholders in Abak Five, including Atuekong Don Etiebiet.

However, insider sources revealed to Daily News Wire during our investigation that the APC candidate is reaching out to the people for support.

For Emmanuel Enoidem, former State Treasurer of the PDP, Commissioner under the administration of Godswil Akpabio and former National Legal Adviser to the PDP,  has been on the campaign trail since the ban was lifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission in September last year and has shown consistency in his ward to ward tour.

He is the only candidate in that Senatorial District that has embarked on a successful Ward to Ward tour of all the Local Government Areas within the Senatorial District.

He has been on the road, speaking at campaign rallies and is the front runner to the polls with few weeks left to the elections.

Enoidem is campaigning vigorously hinged with the sentiments of the Abak Five on equity and justice. He is leaving no stone unturned and has taken the battle to the doorstep of his former boss.

He has had an intensive campaign meeting with the people daily.

For Emmanuel Ekon, it’s a big challenge for him to upset the cart with the Young Progressives Congress. He has been up the villages in the Senatorial District campaigning and last week came in strong into the race insisting that he is not a ” front” for Godswill Akpabio in the elections.

On Friday, he was at the forefront of the YPP ward-to-ward campaigns at Etim Ekpo and is working hard to get the electorate’s support.

The former lawmaker who was in charge of the Local Content Committee in the House of Representatives, National Assembly is optimistic that zoning from the Abak Five-axis will favour sentiments to his side at the polls.

He has described himself as his own man with his own race to win.

The three gladiators have a score to settle at the polls; above all, the pride of who wins and leads the Senatorial District has become intense amongst them, and they are all willing to go the hog on February 25, 2023.

PROJECTIONS:

TOO CLOSE TO CALL, BUT EMMANUEL ENOIDEM OF THE PDP HAS AN EDGE TO WIN

The overwhelming acceptance and performance of Hon. Unyime Idems by his people and superlative representation of his people at the House of Representatives, which led to his consensus nomination for a second term, has given the lawmaker a pole position to return for a second term in Office.

Unyime Idems is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Communications and has been exceptionally exemplary in his stewardship.

He has been campaigning and providing democratic dividends for his people until last week. His people love him. There is no strong opposition.

PROJECTIONS:

UNYIME, IDEMS OF THE PDP WILL WIN THE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY

With the remaining few weeks left for the polls, Ikono / Ini Federal Constituency will be a battleground zone, and it will be between Emmanuel Ukpong Udo of the YPP and Glory Edet of the PDP. The outsider is Sunday Smart of the APC.

The PDP and YPP candidates have made this federal Constituency a must-watch, and it will go down the wire.

There have been consistent clashes, campaigns and challenges in the area.

Emmanuel Ukpong Udo, until last year was a member of the PDP and is the incumbent. He hails from Ikono Local Government Area, while Glory Edet, until last year, has been one of the longest-serving Commissioners right from the Akpabio administration and has the backing of the Government of the day.

Zoning issues have been faulted along both sides, with Glory Edet insisting that zoning favours her Local Government Area.

At the same time, Emmanuel Ukpong Udo further states that zoning also does not favour the part of Ini local government area where Glory Edet hails as Prof Ini Udoka, a former lawmaker in the House of Representatives, National Assembly, is an indigene.

The political temperature of this federal Constituency is high, week in and out, as the YPP and PDP are necks to neck.

Just recently, YPP raised the alarm over the plot of the PDP in the buying of Permanent Voters Cards, which reports allegedly stated led to the arrest of some persons.

Campaigns at both parties have been well attended, and the PDP has witnessed massive defections of party officers to the YPP in this Federal Constituency.

The following two weeks will be critical for the chances of both parties in the forthcoming elections.

PROJECTIONS:

EMMANUEL UKPONG UDO OF THE YPP HAS AN EDGE.

Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere of the PDP is in the pole position of winning the polls.

The incumbent lawmaker representing Obot Akara/Ikot Ekpene State Constituency has been campaigning in villages across the federal Constituency and, despite the almost zero opposition, is not letting his foot off the pedal of his campaign.

PROJECTION:

IDONGESIT NTEKPERE OF THE PDP HAS AN EDGE

Abak Federal Constituency is home to the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo, MFR and is represented by Hon. Aniekan Umanah who is seeking a second term in Office.

A communication expert and one of the longest-serving Commissioners for Information in Akwa Ibom State, Umanah may enjoy the goodwill of his constituents for a second term in Office.

He owns a private radio station at Abak and enjoys the confidence of his people.

PROJECTION:

ANIEKAN UMANAH OF THE PDP TO WIN

The Senatorial District race in Akwa Ibom South has been exciting so far. New dynamics, and it’s a two-horse race between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Young Progressives Party.

This is the Senatorial District of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and all cards are at stake by political actors who will go down the wire to the polls.

Ekong Sampson, a lawyer, Journalist and Author by profession, is a candidate of the PDP and hails from Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

He has been a Local Government Chairman, a lawmaker in the State Legislature and Commissioner.

This is the biggest test of his political career and that of his Party since the return of democracy in 1999.

The Senatorial District, which includes Oron, Udung Uko, Urue Offong Oruko, Okobo, Mbo, Eket, Onna, Ibeno, Esit Eket, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas, is a battleground zone with so many political realignments ongoing.

The Senatorial District is divided along the interests of the electorate and not political parties.

Ekong Sampson has been campaigning extensively and is making inroads in specific communities, especially with the projections on zoning.

The major contender for the ticket is Ephraim Inyang-eyen, former super commissioner under the present Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, who left the Government based on his political ideologies to join the Young Progressives Party.

Ephraim Inyang-eyen hails from Onna Local Government and has embarked on a massive one-on-one campaign in the last few months, touching communities and winning more support.

A very vocal and bold personality, he has taken the political fight for his Party to the doorsteps of the PDP, consistently making them reactionary in their campaigns.

His personality and clout have gained a lot of grounds for his party ahead of the polls, and he has his strengths with the people.

PROJECTIONS:

Ephraim Inyang-eyen of the YPP has an edge in the race so far.

The Federal Constituency comprises Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas and has Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh, a serving lawmaker in the State Legislature, is a candidate of the PDP in a clear pole position. He is the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and Finance.

He hails from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.

Despite his overwhelming popularity and acceptance in the area, he has been campaigning on Ward to Ward tour and has reached out to his people.

There is no strong opposition to his candidacy in the campaigns.

PROJECTIONS:

Uduak Odudoh of the PDP will win with a landslide.

Oron Federal Constituency comprises all five Local Government Areas in Oro Nation, including Oron, Udung Uko, Urue Offong Oruko, Okobo and Mbo.

Traditional a PDP areas over the years, the rising popularity of the YPP in the last few months in the areas has made it challenging to have a clear-cut projection.

Most Governorship candidates have taken their running mates from the zone, including Offiong Amba of the YPP, Victor Antai of the APC and Akon Eyakenyi of the PDP. All gladiators have the task of delivering this Federal Constituency to their various political parties.

The PDP, YPP and APC are presently campaigning in these areas, and it is a battleground zone for all the political actors.

PROJECTIONS:

TOO CLOSE TO CALL

The race in this Federal Constituency, which comprises Eket, Onna, Ibeno and Esit Eket Local Government Areas, is very dynamic. It is a battleground zone.

Okpolupm Etteh of the PDP is the man to beat. He hails from Ibeno Local Government Area and has the backing of a majority of key stakeholders.

Etteh has been a lawmaker in the State Legislature and resigned last year from the State Executive Council to contest this election.

The campaigns of the PDP have been pervasive, with many endorsements. He is popular.

The prominent opponent to the PDP is another former lawmaker who served in the national assembly years ago, Eseme Eyiboh of the All Progressives Congress. He hails from Eket Local Government Area. His campaigns have mainly been door-to-door.

PROJECTIONS:

ETTEH OF THE PDP HAS AN EDGE

The quest on who clinches senatorial seat for the Senatorial District is between Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Usenobong Akpabio of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, the current Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Call it a race between two brothers, and you will not be out of place. Barr. Usenobong Akpabio is from Northern Region, while Hon. Aniekan Bassey is of the Southern Region, all in the Uruan Local Government Area.

Uyo Senatorial District has nine Local Government components: Uyo, Itu, Ibiono, Uruan, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ubium, and Etinan, which are up for grasp by the two candidates.

Barr. Akpabio and Hon. Bassey has been on the political scene under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, up until the bill up to PDP primaries where Barr. Akpabio decamped to Young Progressive Party as a result of internal impunity.

For Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Usenobong Akpabio has been a two-term lawmaker in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2011, with an unbeatable track record of excellent representation.

Akpabio had contended with Senator Bassey Albert for the Uyo Senatorial District seat under the platform of PDP in 2015. Still, due to an internal party rejig, he lost out in the race to the general elections.

In 2019. Akpabio, for the second time, joined the senatorial race, but due to yet, another internal party arrangement, his ambition became taunted at the Primaries.

Again in 2022, Barr. Akpabio indicated interest and bought a nomination form for the senatorial district in PDP, but when he noticed intrigues and imposition of a preferred aspirant by the party on delegates ahead of the Party Primaries, Barr. Akpabio was stretched to his limit in PDP.

He decamped to YPP and clinched the Party’s ticket to run the Senatorial race; that’s how he came up with the mantra, “PDP left, me I did not leave PDP”.

Barr. Akpabio resigned as a Board member of Victor Attah International Airport Management Board to Contest for the senatorial seat.

He has taken his campaigns to the nooks and crannies of the Uyo Senatorial District and has received wide acceptability.

Political pundits, even within PDP stock, feel Barr. PDP cheated Akpabio despite his loyalty to the party. He is likely to gain votes across the party line.

The electorate seems more comfortable with Barr. Akpabio in the senate, given his legal background and intellectual capacity, as demonstrated in his representation at the State Assembly.

For Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey is the current speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He is completing his second in office.

Hon. Bassey is contesting on the platform of PDP. His campaign train seems to be meeting stiff opposition in some Local Government Areas, especially in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, the Home of the YPP gubernatorial Candidate of the State.

The altercation he had with some political chieftains of Ibiono Ibom when he was asked to do away with an opponent’s campaign material during his consultation in the areas, and he declined, is a significant setback for his campaign.

Again, it was also gathered by our reporters that most of his campaigns are done by his campaign DG, a development that’s not going down well with electorates.

He has been telling the electorate in his few campaign appearances that his mission isn’t to speak grammar on the floor of the Senate, and instead, he aims at bringing job opportunities to the Constituents.

Hon. Aniekan Bassey has the support of the PDP fold, although his vision to serve as an observer at the Senate, if elected, is unacceptable for intellectuals in the senatorial District.

PROJECTIONS:

USENOBONG AKPABIO OF THE YPP IS OF ADVANTAGE

The Constituency consists; of Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Uruan, and Nsit Atai Local Government Areas.

The race is between Rt. Hon. Mark Esset of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Ekemini Ukim of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

The unmatchable track record of Hon. Esset in the State House of Assembly, who is currently serving as a ranking member of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has given him an edge in the forthcoming National Assembly election.

Hon. Esset is embarking on the ward-to ward campaigns across the four Local Government Areas components of the Federal Constituency.

He is enjoying massive support and intimidating acceptability. He has repositioned himself ahead of the election through his vibrant and vocal representation in the House; again, he has the financial strength to pull through the hurdles of the electioneering process.

Ekemini Ukim of YPP is currently campaigning for the same seat. He has his supporters, but he is running against the tide. Electorates believe he is testing the political waters at the moment and maybe mature enough in the next election year for any elected office.

PROJECTIONS:

LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR MARK ESSET OF PDP

The race for Etinan Federal Constituency could be described as that between political titans and the democratically driven populace, yearning for their right to place in the upcoming election.

The race is between Obong Paul Ekpo of PDP and Hon. Ubong Iyoho, YPP.

Etinan Federal Constitution race is in the forthcoming national election. Is the rotational right of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area to send in a representative after Etinan and Nsit Ubium might have concluded their two terms of eight years each in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja.

Nsit Ibom people are yet another victim of the internal impunity of the PDP. PDP, based on their interest, jettisoned Corhese Nsit Ibom people to the ill-fated concession of their right of place.

The emergence of Hon. The locals perceive Ubong Iyoho as the YPP candidate for Etinan Federal Constituency as a recovery mission for Nsit Ibom Stolen mandate from the powers that be.

Hon. Iyoho is from Nsit Ibom Local Government Area and has gained the general acceptability of the electorates.

He is deepening the gains of his campaigns, and the majority believes he will enjoy both organic and protest votes from voters.

Obong Paul Ekpo of PDP hails from Etinan Local Government Area. He has for many years served as the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of PDP.

Electorates from the Federal Constituency frowned at his candidature as a retirement benefit and compensation from the powers that be to the detriment of Nsit Ibom people, whose turn to produce the next representative for the Constituency has been compromised.

He resigned as the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Akwa Ibom State, to contest for the National Assembly Election.

Obong Ekpo is campaigning far and wide the Federal Constituency.

PROJECTIONS

IT IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION

This election shall serve as a litmus test for the outcome of the Akwa Ibom Gubernatorial election of March 11, 2023.

Itu/Ibiono is the Federal Constituency of the YPP gubernatorial Candidate of the State. It is a flashpoint area, which makes the election uptight for any other political party in the area.

The Federal Constituency Seat is between Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Okon of PDP and Mr Mfonobong Edet of YPP.

Barr. Okon is a former Akwa Ibom State parliament; he represented Ibiono Ibom state Constituency for two terms and served as a principal officer of the House.

He resigned as an administrator from the moribund Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology, Nung Ukim Ikono, to contest for the Federal seat.

The former legislator had contested for the same seat in the 2019 elections, but the party didn’t favour him then. He is currently carrying out his campaigns and preparing for the fast-approaching polls.

Mr Mfonobong Edet of YPP has been around the state’s political scene. He has been patiently waiting for the right time to throw his hat into the race, and by all indications, no time is better than now for him to have joined the race.

The gubernatorial candidature of the YPP candidate of the State favours him. He is enjoying wide acceptability across party lines, and he exudes confidence in the February 25 elections.

His campaigns have been resonating across the constituency, and he equally appears ready for the election.

PROJECTION:

OVERWHELMING VICTORY FOR MFONOBONG EDET OF YPP