Gov Godswill Akpabio Causes Division In Powerful Akwa Ibom Family, Albert

…pays lip service backing, funds main opponent’s brother as successor

Heat in the politics of Akwa Ibom over the likely successor of outgoing Governor Godswill Akpabio just increased.

And the architect of this development is identified as…the Chief Executive of the state himself, Mr Akpabio.

Sources confirmed the state headman just created major division in the rank of one of the powerful political families in the state, the Alberts. The clan that parades one of his fierce opponents and former commissioner for finance, Bassey Albert Akpan.

Sources divulged Mr Akpabio has paid lip service backing to Bassey’s brother Ime to contest for the gubernatorial post. And not only this, the governor is alleged to have provided funds for the ‘new aspirant’ to do as bided.

Close watchers of events explain the move is aimed at ‘creating rancour in the Alberts widespread support base and divisions that would lead to lose of steam in growing support’.

‘He is just using Ime to his own end, he won’t ever risk putting some that shares such a bond with his political enemy as successor’ another insist.

How this plays out remains to be seen.

Observers however view the ploy as yet another attempt at strategic move, by governor Akpabio to reduce growing influence of political opponents.

He recently made a surprise turn up in America where another former cabinet member and gubernatorial hopeful Umana Umana went to drum up support.

The effect of the development on Umana’s approach is available via the link
(Fight Without Border
Gov Godswill Akpabio, Ex SSG Umana Umana Quarrel Publicly In America.)

Findings revealed the all out fight to reduce perceived opponents influence and clout, at the risk of heating up the state is part of the endgame target of enthroning a candidate of his choice as next governor of the state.