Bazee Uloh
9 November 2009
opinion
Abuja — Wt was a scene any politician would like to relish in. Many public office seekers and current occupiers of such offices would love, with all the vim in them, to be in the beneficiary's place: talk of exchanging places with someone else. It was a day both opponents of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State would live to remember for a long time to come. Besides the monumental nature of it, the electoral value of the composition of the crowd is enough for another day's write-up. It all happened on 10th October, at the most revered concourse grounds of the Ibibio, the Asan Ibibio.
Said the spokesman of the Ibibio and Chairman of the reception ceremony, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, a one-time Military Governor of the State: "Ladies and gentlemen, when on May 29, 2011 Chief (Dr) Godswill Akpabio climbs the podium to be sworn in as Governor of Akwa Ibom State for the 2nd tenure, it will not be a victory merely for him, but it will be a victory for justice, a victory for a 5-star performance in governance, a victory for goodwill, a victory for Ibibio nation who will undoubtedly be standing tall because of the decision of this moment, and a victory for God and democracy."And then he added the clincher: "I have the mandate of the entire Ibibio people within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to DECLARE that Ibibio Nation once again endorses Chief (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio for a second term in office and to assure him that we will work assiduously to realize his return as governor of Akwa Ibom State come 2011." That had, as it still
does, a ring of finality around it, and certainly could provoke jealousy, if not envy and anger, from both Akpabio's opponents on one hand, and his counterparts interested in retaining their seats, but facing robust opposition, on the other hand.
The actualization of the adoption of the governor, without any incidents, by the Ibibio on that day, simply showed that the opposition purportedly emanating from a former traditional emperor of the Ibibio people, who himself attended the event, was a product of political opponents of the governor, who are clearly in a minority. This minority know that for the Ibibio to adopt Akpabio would put the final period to their long winding sentence of generalized criticisms against the administration.
The Ibibio ethnic stock is the largest in the State, and some say it is the 4th largest single ethnic in the country. Akpabio is of the Annang group, the second biggest stock, with the governor as its first indigene to occupy the exalted position of governor since the State was created 22 years ago. With 18 of the 31 local government areas in the State, it follows that the Ibibio can, if single-minded, single-handedly elect a governor for the State. This fact makes the people's endorsement of Akpabio as governor in 2011 very crucial for the politics of the State, both now and in the immediate post-2011 period. That is the first implication of the adoption.
Another implication of the endorsement of Governor Akpabio is that politics properly played is not a thankless job as some believe, after all. It indicates that Nigerians can be appreciative of their leaders, if they lead well. This takes on a poignant edge when juxtaposed alongside the ambition of some other Ibibio sons who are eyeing the gubernatorial seat in 2011. Put another way, the endorsement of Akpabio Takes the wind out of the ethnicity sail that we have over time used in sailing our murky political seas.
The adoption signals a challenge to whoever is currently holding political office to the effect that the people are watching and are going to pass judgment on their performance at the right time. For Akpabio, who also got the chieftaincy title of Utuenikang Ibibio (Ibibio light), his terrific infrastructural renaissance in the State has not gone unnoticed. In fact, the Ibibio in that declaration called it a "5 star performance". Thus, the honour done him was earned, not arranged by few scratchy throats. That also reminds the governor that "to whom much is given, much is expected." This honour should strengthen his mind and hand to take the work he is doing to higher heights.
The Ibibio declaration also crowns the recognitions and adoptions earlier given by the Oro and Annang groups, who were also present at the Ibibio declaration. It shows that the Akpabio development waves in the State were not only acknowledged by the State's ethnic minorities. It is a State-wide recognition, and that became possible because the Administration has taken development to the nooks and crannies of the State, and still moving.
With this State-wide appreciation and adoption, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the 2011 elections in Akwa Ibom are as good as settled. The State should now start thinking seriously about who takes over from the governor. Such a person should be one who would add to what the governor would have done at the end of his stay.
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