By AmanamHillary Umo-Udofia
We
live in very interesting times!
I
thought it was an epiphany, then I suddenly realised I was dabbling into an
area I really not know about. I only held my sway in politics as a student
unionist until I decided to bid farewell to it. Yes, I had denounced politics
in whatever guise but I want to remain among the next generation of young
people working to revolutionise Africa’s political processes.
Call
me a neophyte but let me make some super sense here - I care not about politics
nor its interest and I care not about the ‘politics’ of politics. I care about
processes; I care about strong institutions; I care that young people must rise
up and challenge the success of history, reflect on the challenges and envision
a great future.
I
believe in the power of pen over guns; I believe that no amount of momentary
falsehood can triumph over truth nor coerce the liberty of a freeborn. In
exercising the power of my pen, I will confront the patronization of mediocres
over cerebrals; I will advocate need to reduce the untidiness of politics and
tilt towards the path of sanity. Never will I sit and watch anyone mortgage my
future nor that of generations to come, never!
Call
this whatever you may like – nah you sabi! I am duty-bound to enter an open and
candid opinion on the sheer parade of arrogance exemplified by few disgruntled
youth leaders and their sponsors under the aegis of College of Youth Leaders,
to pass a vote of no confidence against Hon. Emmanuel Ekon, and I challenge
anyone with counter arguments to come forward.
Let
me take that nonsensical communique by its fake substance. First, the purported
three-hour meeting is arrant falsehood with recourse to information available
to me. It is true that these elements convened a meeting to further their petty
political narrative since last week, scavenging for signatures and in worst
case intimidating non-yielding youth leaders. To their utmost disappointment,
fifteen out of eighteen youth leaders that constitute the College of Youth
Leaders bluntly refused to be part of such unconstitutionality, hence they
resorted to using known cronies but listen: we are too many to be intimidated!
I
will not resort to name calling, but it surprises me that for over three years,
Etim Ekpo has witnessed wanton killings and acts of criminality. The College of
Youth Leaders for whatever reasons never called an emergency meeting to condemn
massive killings of innocent people. I am forced to think that those who don’t
speak out against evil could even be the perpetrators of such dastardly acts –
is this the case of College of Youth Leaders and their sponsors? Only posterity
will judge!
One
would wonder, on whose authority did these elements rely on to speak on such a
weighty security issue? The import of paragraph 2 of that communique is beyond
accusing Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekon of politicization, it is an open allegation
that the Inspector General of Police was induced and that the police acted on a
fictitious petition. It is only just and wise that this isn’t swept under the
carpet; it must be thoroughly investigated. Secondly, if their sponsors are so
innocent as they purportedly claim – why worry about an issue that is being
handled by security agencies? This is purely diversionary and a clear
demonstration of exuberance and rascality.
To
buttress the height of their irrationality, Ubong Umanah - a civil servant,
breached the ethics of civil service to be part of such a demonic plot. This is
cheaper than cheap!
The
time being so close to electoral decision, we can understand the haste of some
to resort to shortcuts. In the process however, they must be reminded not to
commit the error of opening the space to elements whose curative touch is to
unleash lies, tension and further personal interest.
I
am not holding a brief against this College of Youth Leaders but I accept
records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory, but to operate as
guides to the future. If the concept of constituency briefing they talked about
is empower constituents - Are we truly expected to forget the ICT centers at
Abak and Etim Ekpo respectively equipped with 16 nos. desktop computers each
and a generator, installation of 500KVA transformer at Ikot Obong Afaha Obong
in Abak Local Government Area, installation of two 500KVA transformers in Etim
Ekpo Ward 10 and one 500KVA in Ward 1, two solar water projects with two
kilometers reticulation located at Nto Udo Ewan and Ikot Akpan Anwa - Ika Local
Government Area?
And
even if their sensibilities have become blunted by succeeding seasons of
cruelty and brutality, if power itself had so coarsened the sensibilities also
of our REAL STAKEHOLDERS and corrupted their judgment, have we forgotten the
Three Classroom Blocks with Mono-pump and VIP toilets in Ikot Udobong - Etim
Ekpo; The Community Hall in Etim Ekpo Ward 1 and Rural Electrification in Ward 10
spanning through five communities namely: Ikot Nyah, Edem Akai, Iwukem, Ikot
Ekon and Ikot Anwak?
How
about the construction and furnishing of a Community Library at Iwukem High
School fully equipped with a generator, Comprehensive Health Centre at Etim
Ekpo, construction of a 1km access road to Mobile Police Barracks, distribution
of branded exercise books to primary school pupils across the Federal
Constituency to support the free and compulsory education policy of the state
government, rehabilitation of some primary healthcare facilities in Uruan and
Ikono Local Government Areas through the Federal Government Sure-P Programme
and facilitated the donation of 110 laptops to Akwa Ibom Polytechnic by NCC and
the recent projects Commissioned by the then Honourable Minister of Special
Duties Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, Have we forgotten?
Nor
must we omit the most remarkable Iwukem-Ukanafun-Ekparakwa-Azumini dual
carriageway; the oil and Gas Industrial Park – Onna, Youth
Empowerment/Constituency Centre at Abak; the licensing and employment of 13
traffic controllers trained by Akwa Ibom State Government; facilitating the
Halliburton Training Institute to Uyo and Sea Diving Training Facility to the
Maritime Academy, Oron; Oil and Gas Training Centre at Government Technical
College, Abak; purchase of JAMB forms for over 600 youths from Abak, Etim Ekpo
and Ika Local Government Areas, and the training of over 400 youths in oil and
gas industry; ICT centre in Ika with 50 units of desktop, internet, solar
powered; ICT Centre in Ukanafun, Ikot Ekpene, Nasco Utu Etim Ekpo, Technical
College, Abak and under construction now at Ikot Ese in Etim Ekpo LGA?
Going
by the landmark projects listed so far, it becomes basic to declare that the
purported vote of no confidence against Hon. Emmanuel Ekon amounts to an
unconscionable crime against the youths of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal
constituency, carried out in defiance of known constitutional dictates.
Fellow
youths, let me speak to your conscience: power belongs to almighty God and He will
allot it to whomsoever He selects. The present arrangements, additional
concoctions, projecting and power-speaking by a select few are, therefore, of
no moment and of no consequence!
I
believe that the 2019 contest would be won on the basis of a superior program
of action; upon parade of superior will, competence, knowledge, exposure and
experience; in good conscience driven by Godly principles and upon the
endorsement and support of the people. It will neither be won through
intimidation, shortcuts nor reliance on existing, former appointees of
government and personalities.
I
rise!
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