Umana Support Base swells with Chris Ekpenyong, Gen Etukudoh

*Medallion Ends Retreat, appoints patrons

The governorship aspiration of Mr Umana Okon Umana has received a major boost with the acceptance of frontline politicians in the state to serve as patrons of Ibom Medallion, a political group that has gone public with its objective to champion the election of Umana as governor come 2015. Ibom Medallion, a political group routing for the governorship aspiration of Mr Umana Okon Umana, which ended a retreat in Uyo, with the appointment of patrons in the three senatorial districts of the state, also appointed coordinators for the federal constituencies, senatorial district coordinators and local government coordinators.. Among those appointed were the likes of former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom state, Engr Chris Ekpenyong and a well-known political leader in Eket, Gen Anthony Etukudoh.
The group paid working visits to the three zones selling the suitability of Umana for the state’s governorship position in 2015. In Ikot Ekpene zone, Engr Ekpenyong and Dr Emmanuel Akpanobong emerged patrons. While accepting to serve as a patron of the group, Engr Ekpenyong pledged to give his support to the Umana aspiration, noting that he was throwing his weight behind the SSG for his wealth of experience and his ability to continue with the good work already done by the present administration in the state.
In Eket, the Medalliuon selected Gen Anthony Etukudoh and Hon Alice Ekpenyong as patrons. In his reaction to his appointment as a patron, Gen Etukudoh stated that he knew the implication of the step he was taking, but maintained that he was an old man, capable of making independent choices and adding independent voice to issues without fear or favour. He said he was convinced that Umana had all it takes to lead the state. He called on the state to move away fro from ethnic politics and embrace politics of excellence. He commended Umana for having served the state diligently from military regimes to civilian regimes without blemish. He added that with such an enviable record of accomplishment, Umana was the best suited for the job of governing the state come 2015.
In Uyo, the group appointed Gen Edet Akpan and Dr Donatus Okon as their patrons. I accepting to serve, Dr Okon said it was very easy to come on board the Medallion group because of the good product they had to sell. H said that he had known Umana as an astute administrator who has always had the passion to serve Akwa Ibom state, adding that the governorship platform would provide the man the needed leverage to bring to bear years of experience he had garnered in the service of Akwa Ibom state. He said no one was as qualified as the SSG to continue with the superlative performance of the incumbent governor of the state, Chief Godswill Akpabio. 
The Ibom Medallion retreat, which took place at EEMJM hotel featured National Executive council meeting, Board of Trustee meeting, enlarged Exco Meeting. At the enlarged Exco meeting that lasted for over six hours, the group reiterated its commitment to championing Umana’s 2015 project. They commended the Akwa Ibom state government for its agenda to position Akwa Ibom state as the industrial hub for not only Nigeria, but the entire gulf of Guinea. They pledged to continue in their support for the state administration in its drive to better the living condition of Akwa Ibom people.