Akwa Ibom deputy governor resigns to escape impeachment

The state’s legislators were allegedly plotting to impeach the deputy governor, he got wind of it and resigned.

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nsima Ekere, Wednesday, resigned from office in circumstances widely believed to be connected with the politics of 2015 elections.

In a terse statement by his Press Secretary, Inemesit Ina, made available to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Ekere’s immediate resignation was on “personal grounds”.

But sources say the decision may not be unconnected with his undisguised ambition to take over the reins of power at the Hilltop Mansion, Uyo after the incumbent administration.

Mr. Ekere’s ambition has been a source of worry for Governor Akpabio, whose political permutations about his likely successor when he vacates office come 2015, shows that Mr. Ekere is not one of his favourite candidates.

Apparently to bring his political ambition in check, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that members of the state House  of Assembly, who are part of the inner plot to pave the way for the governor’s anointed candidate, spent the better part of last weekend perfecting an impeachment process against Mr. Ekere over issues that are not immediately clear.

But just as the group was getting set to effect their plot during the session on Thursday, information was reportedly leaked to Mr. Ekere who moved swiftly to counter the plot with his immediate resignation.

Close watchers of the unfolding political construction say Mr. Akpabio, a minority from the Annang extraction, favours a candidate from the Oron/Eket Senatorial District. Mr. Akpabio, observers say, is not in support of his now former deputy succeeding him come 2015.

Some political pundits say Mr. Akpabio has his sympathies leaning towards the candidacy of Umana Umana, the incumbent Secretary to the State Government and former Commissioner for Finance, from Nsit Ubium Local Government, who has never hidden his ambition to vie for the gubernatorial position in 2015 when the whistle for who takes over the baton of leadership in Government House sounds.