A’Ibom politician denies granting ThisDay interview

Udeme Utip

Following inaccuracies and unpleasant statements attributed to the Akwa Ibom politician, Mr James Iniama in the online version of THISDAY Newspaper of 06 September 2021, Iniama has denied granting any interview to the newspaper at any time.

Iniama, a PDP chieftain and frontline Governorship Hopeful in Akwa Ibom State come 2023, said he is a strong supporter of Mr Udom Emmanuel’s succession plans, and is loyal to those plans and the completion agenda of the governor. He believes that the governor does not have an anointed successor.

On the said edition of ThisDay online, it stated, “Iniama, in an interview with journalists in Uyo over the weekend, noted the clamour by different groups for the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, to name his successor and said that the delay by the governor in announcing his preferred candidate could result in imposition of unpopular candidate on the state.”

Reporting further inaccurately and in bad taste, the online reporter quoted Iniama as saying that “He warned that the state would not tolerate any imposition without a level playing ground for aspirants to test popularity.”

In a swift reaction to the unfounded statement, Iniama noted: “I did not make such comments, and again; I don’t remember talking to any ThisDay correspondent anywhere.”

He, however, admitted that he had extensive interaction with few journalists recently but was so certain that the correspondent of ThisDay Newspaper was not one of them.

“Yes, I was asked a question in that direction, and this is exactly what I said: ” Gov. Udom Emmanuel does not have an anointed successor and he is honest about it. We the people of the state know about that. As loyal PDP people, we are waiting to follow the party guidelines, which will also follow INEC guidelines for the governorship primaries and what leads to the proper elections.

“Mr. Udom Emmanuel is a Governor who understands the rules of succession. We are not in a church that you think an anointing oil will be used to anoint. He understands that we will all compete, exhibit convincing competence. We should know that the Governor came from a banking sector, a reputable name of the organized banking sector, Zenith Bank.

“He rose to the height of an Executive Director, he understands process. He will like the process to run. He is honest to us. I can tell you that Akwa Ibom will get the best of the best. There is no anointed successor anywhere. The Governor cannot have a successor until elections are held. There will be an electoral process that would be published by INEC which will be followed. That was my explanation.”

Iniama expressed disappointment over the erroneous report on ThisDay newspaper and described it as mischievous and highly unprofessional.

He, therefore, called on people of the state, especially the political class to discountenance such reports and pull their weight behind the governor on the Maintain Peace Movement (MPM)  and the completion agenda.