By Joseph Atainyang
The two personalities captured in this piece have earned public grounds
in the politics of Akwa Ibom State. However, their recent relative
engagements in pieces of stories flying on the social media and the
pages of newspapers have made it instructive for a strong sense of
pensive reflection and rumination.
First, it must be noted that
both of them are from Itu Local Government Area of the state, a
situation that should propel unity and togetherness in all their
dealings for the overall interests of the people of the area. Be that as
it may, the salt has been soaked in the waters and remedy seems very
complicated.
But sure, the two have a great mission in rescuing the
situation for the sake of the people whose interests they represent,
both at the state executive council and at state house of assembly.
Let me say that the problem of inferiority complex is one thing that
has killed dreams and weighty aspirations of most people in many
societies, including ours. My father (biological) has always advised us,
that if anybody surpasses another person in any contest or situation,
the latter should always look for another person to defeat.
He always
posits that when ever one feels he is taller than he is (height wise),
he must also admit that he is shorter than the person, invariably
insinuating that you cannot claim to be both taller than he is and at
the same time, shorter than he is. You win him in tallness, he wins you
in shortness.
That having been said, no sooner had the tournament
hosted by Prince Idongesit Ituen to groom football talents across the
state had ended than blackmails from the pit of hell started coming to
discredit the overwhelmingly expressed appreciation of all and sundry
towards the reputation and wonderful deeds of Hon. Idongesit Ituen. They
accused him of being a blackmailer, liar and traitor.
They dirty
stories, said to have been sponsored by the current Commissioner for
Special Duties & Housing, Mr. Akan Okon called the revered lawmaker
unprinted names which, to a right thinking person who is current with
the political fame of the young lawmaker, such would only be but cheap
attempt to belittle him.
They claim that he subverted the Itu Youth
Council list, during tue recently constituted local government youth
council of his area by bringing on board his candidate for the post of
the Chairman.
In the same way, the other side of the story has it that
Akan Okon was trying to play smart by jumping queue and installing his
cultist loyalist who is a conspicuous APC agent of destruction at the
position.
In a communiqué sponsored by
ITU MANDATE GROUP entitled
"RE- You are a pathological and congenital traitor, liar and
blackmailer - constituents blast Idy Ituen" and signed by its Chairman
Comrade Unyimeobong Essien and Secretary, Effiong Davies, the group
fingered the Special Duties/Housing Commissioner, Akan Okon as being
responsible for the blackmail.
The people, in the 7-point
communiqué condemned Akan Okon who in a bid to impose his stooge on the
stool of Itu Youth Council to ensure his dream of becoming the state
Governor come 2019, charged him to concentrate on his duties as a member
of the state executive council while promising to resist his antics.
They however passed a vote of confidence on the lawmaker and promised
to be fully loyal to Governor Udom Emmanuel till 2023. The paper read
thus in parts:
"That we are not ignorant of the fact that, the
failed attempt by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Housing; Mr.
Akan Okon to impose one Mr. Victor Edem Akpan on Itu as the Chapter
Youth Council Chairman, is the remote and immediate cause of the sudden
attacks on Prince Idongesit Ituen.
"That, Mr Akan Okon is trying
to hide behind his thumb, as we are in the know, that, he is the
mastermind, sponsor and blackmailer in chief of Prince Idongesit Ituen
and, is using his foot soldiers to engage in this campaign of calumny.
"That Mr. Akan Okon who is dissipating so much energy setting up
structures for his dream governorship project should rather focus on
performing on his current job as Commissioner and Contributing to
actualizing the vision of His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel, as the
Governorship will only rotate to Uyo Senatorial district, come 2023.
"That Prince Idongesit Ituen is performing creditably well in
effectively representing Itu in the State legislature and we hereby pass
a vote of confidence in his leadership.
"That we congratulate
Prince Idongesit Ituen on the Constituency road maintenance project,
and for sponsoring the Akwa Ibom State Road Traffic Management Bill,
which just passed the second reading and the Successful conclusion of
the Akwa Ibom Community Shield (the biggest football competition in the
state), which was sponsored by him, and many other achievements which we
will celebrate in another outing.
"That whereas, IMG hereby
pledge (words indiscrete) total support for Governor Udom Emmanuel and
pledge to re-elect him for a second term in office, come 2019, we hereby
wish to advise Mr. Akan Okon to desist forthwith from sponsoring
attacks on our respected lawmaker or we shall resist his failed antics.
"Finally, we wish to congratulate the new chairman of Itu Chapter of
the Youth Council, Comrade Idongesit Bassey Tom and assure him of the
unflinching support of all Itu people."
Meanwhile, it would be
instructive to mention that the road project, which allegations have
been made as being abandoned by Prince Idongesit Ituen, is still
on-going.
Again, the case of Coach Friday Okon which has been brought
forth as a fresh situation was said to have been raised five months
back. The situation, according to findings is that coach Friday was
never in a formal contract with the lawmaker.
Findings reveal that at
the wake of that allegation at the time so mentioned, the lawmaker had
called on him to come sort the issue out with him.
As I proceed
in this, reliable sources continue to admit that Akan Okon is but a
major weakling whose political ambition of being outrightly ready to
contest the governorship seat against Udom Emmanuel in 2019, seems
cracking with the astute personality of Prince Idongesit Ituen who has
the stamina to command excessive degree of follower ship in the area.
One thing that must be settle, as I weave this piece to the end,
remains the dire need to seek peace between the two men and among the
entirety of Itu people.
Of course, were these two men not being sought
after by the reputable Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of
Journalists for excellence awards just last Friday?
This, to me is
supposed to be a testimony that they both are distinguished men of
honour whose selfless contributions to the society have not escaped the
eyes of the public.
In inference, while it still sounds very
unruly and perhaps unpopular to seek more popularity by attempting to
assassinate character, I, though feel a sense of nostalgia to contain
the belief that Akan Okon could become so irrational as to making
efforts to rubbish his brother, simply because he may, as pundits say,
be nursing plans to become the state governor in 2019, or perhaps to
achieve more popularity in the area than Idongesit Ituen whose high
marks are flying with worthy and meaningful contributions at the state
assembly, it would rather be more better for both of them to think of
the development of Itu people and that of the entire Akwa Ibom people.
That should be the priority.
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