The race to the Hilltop mansion is heading to its defining moments. Pundits are fine tuning factors that could make the difference while the political class are silently calculating where to pitch tent to avoid being left out. The current Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel is in the mix. His present portfolio will not allow for an early declaration, but he is in excellent condition and this is why he will win:
1. HE REPRESENTS THE FUTURE: Akwa Ibom has gone a long way since 1987. The development has been tremendous especially with the infrastructural Renaissance of the present government. What does the future hold then? It requires strategic planning and sound economic policies. Nobody's credentials beats Udom's practical experience interacting at the highest level with business developers and investors. He doesn't just hold vague academic records but has been hugely successful in his private strides so far. He was the Pioneer Manager of the Lagos Central Branch of Zenith Bank. He was also in charge of the Telecommunications Sector, Income Optimization and Financial & Strategic Planning Group of Zenith Bank Plc. He had over seventeen years financial services experience and shortly before his appointment served as an Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc. This is a big factor Akwa Ibom people won't ignore.
2. ZONING: Hasn't this issue been flogged enough? It is the deciding factor in this race. It carries with it equity, justice and fair play. Nobody with conscience will honestly rule it out. Every part of the state feels a sense of belonging when they are part of the leadership. It becomes more compelling when that part of the state parades very fine candidates for the top job. One of Gov Akpabio's enduring legacies will be leaving power respecting the zoning formula that aided him to power. What is good for the Reverend Father is good for the Cathechist. Isn't it? More so, his credentials dwarfs other likely contenders from the district, the like of Rt (Hon) Okpolupm Etteh, Bishop
Samuel Akpan , Senator Helen Esuene , His Excellency Obong Nsima Ekere , Larry Esin ,
Senator Udo Udoma and Hon Effiong Abia. His experience and professional dexterity are almost incomparable.
3. POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Udom has no previous political attachments. No much of it. Everyone desires political and economic integration. And with this background, he is the people's favourite. Willing to welcome all and sundry, young and old, men and women. It becomes more interesting when the odds are stacked against him. The faithful disciples are pouring in in their numbers.
4. CAMPAIGN FUNDS: Money, Money, Money. Thats what the game is all about. In Nigeria, money itself is a decider. His savings at the bank will save for a good start and with tremendous contacts and friends, funding shouldn't be issue.
5. CV: Elections are always about the best hands. Udom's credentials are rich. He holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos in
1988. He bagged Master’s Degree with specialty on Corporate Governance from the Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. His
responsibilities while with the Zenith Bank included Non-Executive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) from 2008 and Director, Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBBS) from 2009, Non-Executive Director, Zenith
Bank, United Kingdom; Zenith Bank – Gambia; Zenith Bank – Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian; Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrars. An alumnus of, France, Columbia Business
School, USA, the Wharton Business School, USA and the London Business School, he is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Financial Management. It is also worthy to note that with over 23 years cognate experience in financial services garnered from PricewaterHouseCoopers , Diamond Bank and Zenith Bank, he is authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to carry out financial services in the United Kingdom. This is a great factor.
There are a thousand and one reasons Mr Udom Emmanuel will be Governor but these few are very instructive.
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