Akwa Ibom State Politics: Umana Okon Umana versus Bassey Albert Akpan

Umana Okon Umana is the Secretary to the Government of Akpabio, while Bassey Albert Akpan is the Commissioner for Finance. In public, these two powerful men of Akpabio may appear as if they are cordial towards one another, the every-day reality is that they are not in good terms.

While Umana Okon Umana's ambition to succeed Akpabio is not a secret, many in Akwa Ibom State may not know that Bassey Albert Akpan is discretely and secretly campaigning to also succeed Akpabio. In order to impress Akpabio for support, both men are indulging in a serious campaign of back-biting, back-stabbing, and, according to reliable sources, the situation is so bad that both men are seriously posing threats to each other.

Credible sources have confirmed that a few days ago, the tension between Bassey Albert Akpan and Umana Okon Umana almost resulted in a fist-fight. Trouble began when Bassey Albert made a recommendation to Akpabio that Obong Victor Attah should be paid his entitlement as a former governor of the state; he has not been paid since he left the office for Akpabio. But Umana Okon Umana objected and vehemently opposed to the recommendations of Bassey Akpan; probably to impress Akpabio on how much he hates Obong Attah---a fellow Ibibio man.

Sources say in a note sent to Akpabio by Umana in support of his reasoning for opposing the payment of entitlement to Obong Attah, Umana also recommended that Bassey Akpan should be asked to tender his resignation. Bassey Akpan was infuriated and decided to confront Umana in person. Those close to the situation have confirmed that if the aides on both sides were not present at the time Bassey went to confront Umana, it is very likely that a fist-fight might have ensued, which could have resulted in any one of them loosing his life.

Sources say in I dare-you-to-get-rid-of-me attitude, Bassey Albert Akpan wrote his resignation letter and forwarded it to Akpabio, who has since moved his State Capital from Uyo to Abuja.

When the news of the resignation reached Akpabio, before he even had the chance to receive the letter of resignation from Bassey Albert, sources say Akpabio contacted some trusted members of his inner cabinet to discuss the matter. He was advised to reject the resignation letter outright.

One of the sources, who is very close to Akpabio said; "Akpabio may be an evil man but the man is not stupid. He knows that he would be constructing his own coffin if Bassey Albert Akpan resigns from his administration. Other than Umana Okon Umana, only Bassey Albert Akpan knows every kobo of the people's money that Akpabio has stolen, how he steals the money, and where he hides the money. Now, tell me how any man would be stupid enough to mess with another man who knows so much about his illegal activities? I don't know why Umana Okon Umana wants to mess with Bassey Albert Akpan when he knows that he (Bassey) has all the information enough to implicate him and seal his anus with wax."

Written by
Ikpafak Thompson Essien
Portland, Oregon