Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, is set to enter the governorship race to seek to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio from May 29, 2015.

Sources close to Udom’s camp confided that the SSG would likely resign this Friday, October 17, preparatory to actualising his governorship ambition.

Udom, the former Zenith Bank Executive Director, is believed to have been anointed by Governor Akpabio as successor. He has come under increasing pressure to contest and it is barely a week to the expiration deadline given by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to political appointees and public officers who are interested in contesting the 2015 elections to resign their appointments.

Upwards of 150 political groups and associations spread across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom have continued to mount pressure on Udom to contest the governorship election next year. Notable among the groups are Itai Afe Annang, Ati Annang and Afigh Iwaad Ekid.

•Photo shows Akwa Ibom governorship hopeful Udom Emmanuel.