Erstwhile Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has formally declared his entry into the 2015 Akwa Ibom State governorship race.

Emmanuel, declared today at the Uyo Township Stadium in the Akwa Ibom State capital. He had resigned his appointment as SSG today and is seeking the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Emmanuel, an Executive Director with Zenith Bank before he was made SSG, is believed tpo be the anointed aspirant of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Dignitaries who garced the declaration ceremony include Governor Akpabio’s wife, Mrs. Ekaette Godswill Akpabio, Emmanuel’s wife, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), and Chief Essien Ndueso.

•Photo shows Udom Emmanuel, sandwitched between his wife, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, and Governor Akpabio’s wife, Mrs. Ekaette Godswill Akpabio, acknowledging cheers from the crowd . . . this morning at his formal declaration for the governorship of Akwa Ibom State.