Succession Saga: Mass Defection Scare Hits Akwa Ibom PDP, Stakeholders Lament

• The recent pronouncement by the Akwa Ibom state governor, Emmanuel Udom, is causing some controversy in the state
• The governor's endorsement of Umoh Eno as his expected successor come 2023 is not sitting well with members of the PDP in the state
• Some of the party members have described the action of the governor as one without due consultations

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom state is faced with a threat of massive defection following the recent naming of Umoh Eno as Governor Emmanuel Udom's successor.

Recall that the governor had announced that Eno - who is said to be his paternal cousin - would be succeeding him as governor of Akwa Ibom state.

Leadership reports that Eno, who serves as the commissioner for lands and town planning in Udom's cabinet is barely known by the party and was not a member of the PDP until his appointment as commissioner.

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Photo emerges as PDP governor’s preferred successor kneels before him, Nigerians react

Also, it was gathered that there is a high level of disapproval among major stakeholders of the party on the declaration made by Governor Udom.

Many of the party members have vowed to leave the party for the governor and "his kinsmen" as he has been accused of not consulting with critical stakeholders in the state before choosing or evening announcing who his successor could be.

Key things that confirm that Eno is Udom's paternal cousin.

Also, in a swift move, stakeholders of the party have started calling on the national working f committee of PDP, the party's governors' forum and the board of trustees to prevail on Governor Udom to retrace his steps.

The stakeholders urged the key members to ensure that they allow room for internal democracy to prevail within the party.

Speaking to Legit.ng, a party chieftain and second republic lawmaker observed that Udom is new to the party.

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Akwa Ibom governorship aspirant reveals plan despite Udom's announcement on possible successor

The chieftain said:

"Udom is new to the party.

"He is not versed with the norms and history of the party, so he thinks because Akpabio succeeded in imposing him in 2014, whoever he throws up as successor will be accepted by the people. He should learn from Attah's mistake and backtrack before he destroys the party".

Akwa Ibom governorship aspirant reveals plan despite Udom's announcement on possible successor

A governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom state has said that his ambition to become governor is still on course.

Onofiok Luke said this while reacting to the declaration made by Governor Udom that he would prefer a commissioner in the state to succeed him.

Luke said he is not worried about Udom's choice for his successor but only disappointed at the way he decided to make his decision known to the public.

Photo emerges as PDP governor’s preferred successor kneels before him, Nigerians react

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God revealed him to me: PDP governor unveils preferred successor ahead of 2023

Umo Eno, a commissioner in Akwa Ibom state, was spotted in a viral photo kneeling before the state governor.

Reports claim that the photo was taken when Eno led his campaign team on a thank-you visit to Governor Emmanuel.

The Akwa Ibom had earlier publicly announced Eno as his preferred successor, saying it was God who picked him.

Source: Legit.ng