The Local Governments election has so far been replete with desperation, inordinate ambitions, threats, non-issues based campaigns (campaign of calumny), malicious manipulation of the parties primaries, media blackmail among competing candidates and their political parties and violent skirmishes. Even though we have 5 major parties seeking to occupy the throne in the different LGAs in Akwa Ibom State which makes the winner a semi-god, it is evident even to the most careless observer of happenings in Akwa Ibom State that the race is narrowed down between the incumbent People Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) as the main contenders.
Without doubt this LGAs election is turning out to be the most
contentious in the anal of our history, to the extent of threatening the
corporate existence of Akwa Ibom State (Abak, Etim Ekpo, Udung Uko, Mbo, Urue
Offong/Oruko and Eket in Context). The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been
at the helms of affairs in Akwa Ibom State for the past sixteen years without
interruption, largely due to lack of a formidable and widespread opposition.
With the merger of erstwhile the Parties to have APC, the PDP seems to be losing
sleep.
Since the release of the elections time-table by the Akwa ibom
State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISEIC), the polity has witnessed both
overt and covert politicking, even before the ban on campaigns was lifted. With
an opposition that can match the ruling party strength to strength, the stakes
are higher and the anxiety is deeper; this is evident with the in-road the
opposition has made into areas once believed to be "no-go area" and
pulling mammoth unprecedented support.
The political clash between the two goliaths has gone further to
exacerbate the heating up of our volatile polity; as is being evident in the
beating of war drums by self-conceited ethno-regional chauvinistic
entrepreneurs, religious bigots and political warriors. This has been fanned by
smear and device campaigns across the political divide targeting to hoodwink
unsuspecting and narrow-minded members of the citizenry, especially the youths.
The vulnerability and volatile nature of our youths have exposed
them to manipulations of the political class using money to entice them or
cheap ethno-religious primordial sentiments to instigate them into political
violence. This was witnessed in the aftermath of the 2015 Governorship
election, a situation whereby the youth perpetrated heinous atrocities all in
the name of expressing their displeasure at the outcome of the elections. This
must not be allowed to recur again, during and after the LGAs election come
2/12/2017. As stated earlier, the youths are central to the emergence of any elected
office-holders. This is to say that, youths posses enormous power in
determining who leads us; we have the power of choice and decision either to
participate constructively or destructively.
Also, voter’s education should be carried out by youths groups in collaboration
with other key stakeholders in educating not just their peers but the older
voters on their rights and responsibilities during elections. God Bless Barr.
Omen Bassey and Brother Zion Imoh for their efforts.
Furthermore, we should "not" violently support our favored candidates
diplomatically through manifesto selling; focus on issues, track-records and
character of the candidates. Omen Bassey( 2017)" personal views"
During the elections, our youth must understand the powers
embedded in their votes and reject any enticement to sell it or engage in
political apathy by not coming out to cast our votes or vote base on cheap
sentiments. Armed with permanent voters card (PVC), all eligible Youths should
peacefully come out and vote their choice of candidates, who are represented on
the ballot papers by the logo of political parties. Not Chairman that will
chair only our money....
We must also be vigilant during the electoral process by serving
as independent observers to monitor and serve as whistle-blowers in the case of
any irregularity or threat of violence during the voting and counting
process.After the elections, disagreements is a common occurrence during an
election. Especially, when results are released, it brings about, a lots of
tension and uncertainties. At this point, the youth are expected to allow the
law and relevant agencies and institutions to handle if any fall-out of the
elections. That is why the constitution (Electoral Act) established special
electoral tribunals to handle such fall-outs.
According to My Brother, Zion Umoh during
his 60 minutes Live Broadcast on Radio, We should note that the effective
participation of the Youths in ensuring credible elections is hindered by a
number of both circumstantial and man-made factors which include but not
limited to: poverty, unemployment, ignorance, monetization of politics, cheap
primordial sentiments, presence or threat of violence and lack of confidence in
the electoral umpire. e.t.c.
Until the fore mentioned are checked or mitigated the youths
will continue to play negative and destructive roles in our electoral
processes.The youths should realize that their vote is their right, and their
right is their might. They can use their vote to determine their present and
future, which can be attained only through credible and peaceful elections. We
as youths must take our destiny into our hand, not violently, but through
effective civil engagement in standing united in voting only credible and
competent candidates, even in the face of intimidation, bribery, electoral
fraud, cheap and primordial sentiments.
The role of the youths should not stop at the end of the
electoral and leadership-selection processes but should extend to in holding
these leaders accountable for the promises they made before /during the
elections.
God Bless;
Akwa Ibom State,
Oro Nation,
Urue Offong/Oruko,
Good Omen2019,
My Brother is my Brother.
Ezekiel Ibok, Writing from Ukuko2, Urue Offong /Oruko,
07051228519.
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