By Torobong Ekpo
For those well-wishers who spent their airtime texting and calling with a view of congratulating me on the surreal appointment as the Special Assistant on New Media to the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), I rise to say a very big thank you for wishing me well and also pray that God in His infinite mercies shall reciprocate same gesture to you in all ramifications of your life.
Like Jesus Christ during traditional marriage in Cana said, 'My time has not yet come', I would want to say that the appointment was a mere speculation.
However, as a devout Christian, who knows the power of tongue and positive prophecies. I hereby claim all positive words, spoken, typed and drawn with my name boldly written on it in Jesus name.
Whether it proceeds from the devil, friends, clowns, blackmailers, lunatic, propagandists, enemies among others, provided it has a positive undertone, I claim such prophecy in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Some months ago, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio while commissioning an edifice built by Governor Nyesome Wike described the latter as best performing governor, logically implying that either Udom and other governors are worse/worst performing governors or neither here nor there in terms of rating.
Of course Wike has always invited Akpabio to commission projects, whereas Udom who Godswill Akpabio single-handedly brought into this State has not been able to build a project worthy enough for the Senate minority leader to commission.
As we all know, Akpabio who in his days built flyovers, International Stadium, Ibom Tropicana, Ibaka Deep Seaport et al cannot stoop so low to commission toothpick, pencil and what have you. That will be a dent to the image of uncommon transformer.
Who knows if such ineffectiveness could be the reason why Akpabio has not attended Akwa Ibom Day since Udom was sworn in as governor?
In Rivers State, we have heard pockets of defectors from APC to PDP. The Rivers State chairman of PDP on Thursday for instance welcome thousands of defectors. Till date, no singular APC member has found his way to PDP in Akwa Ibom State.
In Akwa Ibom State, defection is a one way traffic. Off course the very first time in the history of black race where a ruling party daily lose members to opposition political party.
What could be the cause of such blow on the government of the state?
Could it be as a result of alleged arrogance on the part of the governor? the ineffectiveness in his administration? Inability to fulfill his campaign promises?
It is said in beer parlour that Mr. Industrialization has suddenly turned to Mr. Confusion. I am just imagining what that mean. I only believe that when a leader who earlier promised to industrialized the state ended up wantonly breaking grounds, by and large such act constitutes CONFUSION, not INDUSTRIALIZATION.
No matter abuses thrown on defectors, the bitter truth remains that membership of PDP is decreasing on daily basis while that of APC is swelling and waxing stronger and stronger. Off course, it is a shame to the leader of the party, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
Aside from infrastructural renaissance, Wike has molded the youths, party, women into a formidable team in readiness for 2019 election, but could we say that in Akwa Ibom? CAPITAL NO!
What we are experiencing in our state is paid propaganda targeted on defectors and opposition. Here, some manufactured riffraff and renowned sycophants are encouraged to pour unprinted words on anyone who has denounced PDP.
Whether such encouragement emanates from governor or government appointees, one thing is sure, I AM YET TO SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO INSULTS HIS FATHER AND STILL MAKE HEADWAY IN LIFE. As such, we should learn to bestow respect on who such honour is due.
The story of PDP in Akwa Ibom State is pathetic and sympathetic.
While the leadership of the party is working, the leader (Udom) is discouraging them via nonchalant attitude towards the well-being of members. This is just the bitter truth.
Akwa Ibom State is the only State where all past State Chairmen of PDP, except Uwem Ita Etuk are now members of APC. All past indigenous National Officers of PDP are now in APC.
The Senator representing the Governor Sir Nelson Effiong, the House of Representative member
representing the birthplace of governor's wife, Rt Hon Emmanuel Ukoette, the political leader of Etinan, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene including the chairman of chapter chairmen of PDP, Elder Sunny Ibanga have long bade farewell to PDP.
On daily basis, the public is beginning to get used to defection stories from PDP to APC.
Imagine a sitting board chairman of Judiciary Service Commission, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia jumping ship while on seat! Such feat could only happen in Akwa Ibom State.
What of Senator Etang Umoeyo? Baba Otu? Temlong Nkwo? Iniobong John? Atiku, former Chairman Uyo chapter of PDP? RT. Hon Alice Ekpenyong? Oh, the list is endless... Let me not bored you jare.
Almost all the past local government chairmen, exception of Godwin Ekpo, (who is vying for House of Assembly and may defect if the ticket is not given to him) and very few others are now in APC.
Aside from Sam Ikon and Rt Hon Aniekan Uko (who is still serving), other past Speakers of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly are in APC
The manner it is going, I won't be surprised if the likes of Ekpeno Gold, Essien Ndueso and Moses Armstrong would emerge as political leaders of Uyo, Eket and Itu respectively, coz Udom appears to have killed the party spirit in the entire state. A clearer look at antecedence of some Chapter chairmen of PDP in the state, will give a nod to this postulation.
I pause and apologize to any PDP member (Not fan) who may perceive this piece the other way round, as you all know, I won't be able to shy away from known truth, thus, the reason I have to use this Easter period to tell the world that it is rumoured in some quarters that there are some pockets of PROMOTION ABOVE COMPETENCE in the party.
When a former Youth Leader, Councillor, aide to aide is chosen as Chapter Chairman of a party, could that amount to promotion above competence? I may not know. But that is the rumour making around in some quarters.
In politics, no former or present political office holder is defunct. Underrate any of them, then regret much latter!
The 2019 election in Rivers State will not be a surprise to pundits, reason being that the domain is a strong tower of PDP.
In Akwa Ibom, it will be what an annang man would say, 'anie idem a fighting for ' meaning fight for yourself.
Yea, some members of PDP will win their reelection, some will contest and win higher positions, but I doubt if they will be able to convince their followers to vote for Udom Emmanuel.
It may likely be a mixed breed of political party in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, House of representative and Senate, but the governorship result will not be PDP, if the party files Udom as its candidate.
For the very first time, fans and disciples of Akpabio will betray the Senate minority leader.
No politician will want to vote for a man who will shortchange them for his Lagos friends.
What on earth would've made the governor to allow Emmanuel Enoidem to resign from the present government? Does he know the street credibility of that man?
What on earth would have motivated him to shortchange all the known politicians in the just concluded State Exco and replaces them with so-called 'technocrats' yet none of them could perform like Enoidem who built stadium and other impressive facilities in his days.
I am not saying he shouldn't have dropped from STATE EXCO, the likes of Aniekan Umana, Hammer, Ibiok, Uwem Ita Etuk to mention but a few, but not at the same time. It would have been a gradual process not quenching the hope of the street like that of 5000 teachers.
Is there any barometer one can borrow to compare these crops of borrowed commissioners and ones who supported Akpabio to produce infrastructural renaissance in this state? Anyway, that will be a separate article when the time is nigh.
Does Udom knows the capacity of the followers of the ex commissioners and their street credibility? will an electorate vote for someone who will throw away the ladder after using it to climb?
Will you vote for someone who will call you a fool and illiterate on assumption of duty?
Will Party Officers vote for someone who will starve them of official vehicle after Akpabio has set precedent?
Udom is the first governor in West Africa that NLC has rejected cow gift, he is the first governor that has broke the heart of 5000 teachers.
A grateful heart would have constructed Uyo- Ikot Ekpene road as appreciation to good Akpabio did for him.
The people who toiled day and night working for him are the ones being caricatured by the public and you think there will be no day for reckoning.
2019 is the year of reckoning... 'File Udom and lose PDP in Akwa Ibom State' that will be the caption of petition sent to Sheriff led National Secretariat of PDP.
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