Politics: etymologically from Greek’s politiká simply means “affairs of the city”. It could be narrowly seen as a process of making decisions applying to all members of each group (Wikipedia).
The real essence of politics was to be a tool that helps in making decisions and policies which will bring development to the grassroots.
In Nigeria today, politics has lost its essence, a different ideology has been bought from God-knows where, and the devastating effect of these wanton political ideologies are felt by the very grassroots that politics was originally made to benefit.
A careful look at the correct definition cum original reason for the advent of politics will reveal that what is happening in our own terrain is not politics but a game of selfish interest, immediate gratification and forceful succession.
Politics was supposed to be about a group of persons who come together with a policy driven ideology that will be beneficial to the indigene of their community.
The Americans know of this too well as it is revealed in one of their popular axioms “think of what you can do for America and not what America can do for you”. It is rather disheartening that in the Nigerian context, the reverse is the case.
We think of our belly, family, and future generation first before even considering giving the crumbs to the electorates who reposed total and unwavering confidence on us.
Too bad! We believe that everyone should in one way or the other, be loyal to the man or woman in charge before even eating the crumb.
The worst of it all is that we have even sold our individual consciences and foresight and allow ourselves to be blindfolded by political party strata to the detriment of the people.
Everyone wants to do it for their political party; everyone wants to impress their party leaders not minding whether the flag bearer of the party has policies that will be advantageous to the governed.
Isn’t this a case of capital misplace of priority? This is the reason why the best candidates with good blueprints and developmental ideas are not given chances whereas miscreants, touts, stark illiterates, mentally blind individuals and total mediocre are sent into the government.
What are they there to do? Nothing other than to satisfy their hungered belly and fill their empty pockets with the people’s money.
This is why a Local Government like Udung Uko (since its formation some twenty years ago) has remained backward in infrastructural development, trade and investment as well as tourism. We all know our woes by name and number, so I need not bring them in here again.
Like religion, we all know the level of damage that divergences of political parties have done on us as a people. Party “A” members see party “B” members as those with evil intention and vice versa.
To this end, the benefit of governance that should have been for everyone is now enjoyed on political party basis. Political party now becomes the only barrier to our common sense and rightful thinking ability.
So, do we not think that it’s high time we became valedictorians and break free from the negative grip that political party sentiment has had on us? Look my people; we need the right product for the Udung Uko course not minding which political party they represent. Let’s not do it for PDP or APC but for our and our children’s future because our situation and state of affair is just too pathetic.
When a bad leader surrounds himself with his likes, one can only imagine how damned his governed would be. If he surrounds himself with good people, there is bound to be positive assimilation.
Let us then imagine if a good and purposeful leader is surrounded by right thinking, cool headed and purposeful individuals, that would be more than just a blessing. The later is just what Udung Uko needs at the moment.
Fellow Udung Uko citizens, I do not know how you envision the future of our Local Government, but I tell you that I see a positive transformation coming, I see a good business environment, I see investors, I see our rural status changing, I see good roads, I see banks, I see good schools, I see employments, I see tourist sites, I envision greatness in Udung Uko, I see Udung Uko becoming the envy of other Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State.
My name is Joshua Osung and I see…
A New Udung Uko Local Government Area…I see a land of prosperity.
Let this be our dream, let this be our focus. Yes, it is possible!
So far, I have an unwavering confidence in one man for the job, and I believe our dream of a new Udung Uko can be achieved with Engr. Ben Edenseting.
He is the only one who has so far adopted the philosophy “think of what you can do for Udung Uko and not what Udung Uko can do for you”. he is poised to giving us a new Udung Uko - the very quality of udung Uko we've yearned for.
I will continue to trust in and stand by him until we actualize this dream. And I urge everyone from Udung Uko to do the same for posterity to vindicate us!
God Bless Udung Uko (land of prosperity)
Joshua Osung
Convener,
Coalition for a New Udung Uko (CONUU)
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