“Justice is the first condition of humanity”— Wole Soyinka. The dictionaries see justice as the quality of being just; righteousness, equitable or moral rightness. Justice is also seen as moral principles determining just conduct.  The Oxford Dictionary, in its definition sees justice as just behaviour or treatment.
However,  if justice is the quality of being just, fairness, conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude, including righteousness, fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, why is it not considered the guiding policy that every sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State should adopt, imbibe, and indeed practise?
All organizations in Nigeria, be it political, religious, social or cultural are rooted on their constitution for powers to control the activities of their adherents and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not an exemption.
The 1999 Constitution, as amended, stipulates that the only vehicle to elective offices in Nigeria is through a political party, and these parties have their rules of engagements. The ruling party, People Democratic Party (PDP), due to the crises of injustice that rocked various sectors of the Nigerian society, amended its constitution in 2002 where article 7(2) as amended, was inserted which introduced the principles of zoning of elective offices in order to promote fair-play, equity and justice. This was to eliminate suspicion, domination and injustice amongst its teeming members across the country.
On the strength of this laudable policy, our Amiable ex-Governor Obong Victor Attah, an Ibibio from Uyo senatorial district, having ruled the state for eight years, and being a loyal and founding member of the PDP, chose to lead by example, by advocating the domestication of the zoning arrangement to accommodate the various senatorial districts in Akwa Ibom State. As a result, the governorship slot was zoned to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district  where the mantle fell on one of his highly performing Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair Obong God swill Obot  Akpabio.
It was so disconcerting, when I read in The Nation of April 26, 2014 on page 56, by a certain group “Ibibio Arise Network”, who alleged that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has abolished the zoning arrangement in PDP in an advertorial titled “What Is Akpabio’s Agenda”. This left me perplexed and wonder if an Akwa Ibom indigene residing in the state for the past seven years can possibly ask such a blind question. But let me make it quick and bold to answer the so called “Ibibio Arise Network” group that the only agenda Akpabio has is the unity and progress of Akwa Ibom State.
Just like his former boss, Governor Akpabio is a loyal party man who believes in justice and fairness to all Akwa Ibom indigenes. With about seven months to complete his eventful tenure in office and with the support of the stake-holders of the party, and in compliance with justice, equity an fairness, the party has zoned the governorship to the Ibibio people of Eket senatorial district.
Why Udom Emmanuel should succeed his boss? Apart from being the secretary to the state government, Udom Emmanuel is an Ibibio from Onna, in Eket senatorial district, a member of the present and indeed current state executive council of Akwa Ibom State. Under studying the government of his Excellency Godswill Akpabio, only iron sharpens iron, only the deep can call the deep, only an uncommon leader, can spot a great talent, and bring him to share and be part of his success story. Governor Akpabio has worked tirelessly to uplift Akwa Ibom State and put it firmly on the world stage.
It is not just the International airport, or the Olympic size world class stadium, or the five star specialist hospital, which is going to be the best in Africa. I am not talking about the Ibaka Sea port, the Ibom Power Plant nor the Tropicana Resort, which will unleash the tourism potential of the state or better still the free and compulsory education policy of the state, but I am most particular about the legacies his Excellency has instilled in the minds of Akwa Ibom people. It is important to also note that there is no governor in Nigeria and who will not be interested in who succeeds him.
This is the main reason why Udom Emmanuel should succeed this miracle worker, who has raised the bar of governance in Nigeria. Udom has been tested and can be trusted with the job. He is a Lagosian, just like his boss with the mental, intellectual and spiritual capacity to push the frontier of development forward through industrialization, having learnt the art of governance from his boss. As a former chief financial officer and executive director of Zenith Bank Plc, he will explore his widely acquired contacts as a private sector technocrat in government to attract foreign and local investors to take advantage of the enabling environment aptly created by the incomparable Akpabio. Moreover, he is widely known to be deeply religious and full of humility.
He  would look into the areas of investments such as the Ibaka Sea Port, tourism, oil and gas, agriculture and manufacturing for exploitation so as to create million jobs for our youths, not just in Akwa Ibom State, but in Nigeria as a whole.
Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, an astute professional and  consummate gentleman, was born in 1966 to Elder Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang of Awa-Iman in onna Local Government Area. He attended the School of Arts and Science, Uyo where he obtained his ‘A’levels and thereafter proceeded to the University of Lagos to study Accounting. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of  Accounting of Nigeria and a fellow of the Institute of Financial Management. An Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He also attended the Prestigious Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom where he obtained a Masters of Science Degree in Corporate Governance. He  attended Executive Management Programmes such as Advanced Management Program, London Business School; Harvard Business School; Executive Leadership Program, Columbia Business School, USA; Risk Management: Assets and Liability Management by Euromoney, London; International Financial Reporting Standard(IFRS)by Euromoney London.
nAkpan is the Publicity Secretary of Transformation Initiative for the Empowerment of Ibom People, Lagos
Laced with over 23 years experience in Financial and Corporate Governance from Price Waters Coopers House, to Diamond Bank Plc and then to Zenith Bank Plc. He has authorization by the Financial Services Authority (FSA)to carry out financial services in the United Kingdom.
He is a Non-Executive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). Director Nigeria Inter-Banks Settlement System (NIBBS) (2009-2011) Non Executive Director, Zenith Bank UK, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Zenith Insurance, Pension And Custodian, Zenith Securities, Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrar. With a man like this, Akwa Ibom is in safe hands.
Indeed Governor Akpabio deserves applause for being able to identify the man.  Udom Emmanuel is the right man for the job.

Let justice prevail in Akwa Ibom