By John Ntekim
To succeed, the PDP must identify the true ambassadors of Udom Emmanuel.
As none of the thirty one (31) local government areas of Akwa Ibom
State can be ignored in a match for the occupation of the hilltop
mansion, the position of the Okobo people remains weighty and
unavoidable in a discourse of the Akwa Ibom's polity, on any occasion,
including the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Consequently, it is not
debatable if Governor Udom Emmanuel must enjoy the popular support of
Okobo electorates, to emerge governor a second time.
But, it has
become obvious that a few politicians who are fast running expired from
the area have always depended on what I would term 'urban praise
singing and drums beating' in support of the incumbent, to derive their
personal political succor, without establishing a single touch with the
grassroot.
Unfortunately for these metropolitan politicians, with the
birth APC which has caused the existence of two major opposing political
parties in Akwa Ibom, the idea of reaping by extension and the concept
of 'food is ready politics' (whatever that means), are now old
fashioned. At this point, the verbal support given any candidate must be
justified with complementary field work. He who supports must show
working!
Unarguably, the political space of Okobo has never been
characterised by the outright disorder and uncertainty which have
become eminent in the system, owing largely to the amount of deceit and
unbearable highhandedness which have gradually become official policies
of the political leadership of the land, ranging from the hierarchy of
the People's Democratic Party at the Chapter level, to the
representative seat at the State House of Assembly and the local
administration.
This has inexcusably surged conspicuous activation
of the people's consciousness and has made grassroot mobilisers
determined to resist eventual intrigues by those who have risen to key
government positions presently through claims of credit for over the
efforts of others.
Yes, circumstances have changed in the polity
of the Okobo local government area and any keen observer would
vindicate this opinion. The PDP must act fast!
Even a weakest
survey would prove that the Okobo people are already regretting the
choice they made at the 2015 poll which has turned out to be one of
their greatest disappointments overtime, with not one positive result
forthcoming.
Today, the women are complaining, children are
wondering if in fact, Okobo has anyone in government, the youths are
taking to the social media and elders' doorsteps to express their
frustrations, while the elders themselves are confused and just waiting
to alter the status quo by next chance. All is not well!
Carelessly, these public officers who have lost touch with the home
front by shying away from discussing the needs of their people and
snubbing those who supported them to the top have fallen the ladder
through which they climbed, trusting in their relationship with the
leadership of the PDP at the State level to remain relevant beyond 2019.
But, how far can singing the hallelujah choruses of His Excellency
without getting close to the people who voted for him in your Ward and
village drive the governor's second term ambition?
In my
opinion, anyone who supports the governor and wants him in office beyond
2019 would not oppose the reconciliation of aggrieved persons back to
the ruling party, neither would he/she disappear from his/her root, only
to return for campaigns when the tide is high and the time is nigh.
Undoubtedly, the governor himself and the current leadership of the
Akwa Ibom PDP are not ignorant of the split and chasm in the Okobo
Chapter of the party. Hence, knowledge of this imbroglio must be allowed
to influence the choice of who gets the party's flag in the anticipated
local government elections and 2019 election of a representative to
fill the Okobo State Constituency's seat.
To succeed, PDP must identify
the real ambassadors of Udom Emmanuel and remain conscious of the fact
that the choice of one who has been written off by the electorates can
only attract total collapse of support against the PDP, because a party
with positive ideals must not promote negative people, no matter the
excuse.
The 'Jonahs' must be restricted from travelling with people who
have integrity, lest, the boat sinks wholly.
Moreso, the
Electoral Act has recently been amended to introduce electronic voting,
so, 2019 cannot be business as usual. Now, the notable secrets to
electoral victory, for both APC and PDP, nationwide, becomes
consideration of aspirants' antecedents, intensive preparation, hard
work, home-based popularity of candidates and strategising according to
dynamisms. "If you carry bad product enter market, na bad market."
Fortunately for the Akwa Ibom PDP, even while others have been obsessed
with their closeness to the governor and the party hierarchy and are
already counting on their praise-singing attitude to launch and succeed
in their personal ambitions, there are persons who have the right
message about Udom Emmanuel and the PDP.
These ones have shifted from
the smiling praise singers and have been on a reconciliation course,
which of course is yielding positive results and having more persons
return under the umbrella. Notably, two of such bodies in Okobo Local
Government Area are the PDP Leadership Forum, led by a former Executive
Chairman of Council and former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of
Assembly, Hon. Asuquo Odiong, alongside Amalgamated Okobo Youth Leaders
Council (a youth body with about 160 affiliate youth associations and
clubs), led by a widely celebrated youth leader, Ulap Iniobong Esung.
Anyone who sincerely supports Udom Emmanuel must emulate the activities
of these persons.
Statewide, handing of tickets to persons with
bad reputations will only drag the second term bid of His
Excellency to a
breakdown.
PDP must be positively selective!
Okobo
people are not satisfied with the status quo and shall go miles to
upturn it. So, the PDP must look for the black goat this daytime.
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