ATTAH’S RECEPTION: A BELATED BUT WORTHY CELEBRATION. BY TOROBONG EKPO. Yes, I call it belated because it has long overdue for the Ibibios nay Akwa Ibom people to have honoured this THEIR icon of hope. A popular Nollywood star, Mr. Nkem Owo A.K.A UKWA once sang, ‘know me when I am poor, not when I am rich…claim relationship’. As a person, I am not against the reception put in place by Ibibio Elders and the entire Akwa Ibom people to celebrate ONLY Obong Victor Attah, among other Akwa Ibomites that represented the state at the just concluded national confab, I only guess that, since the confab is a tip of the iceberg with regard to the various laurels and achievements the ex-governor has brought to this state, he should have been celebrated shortly after his exit from office, precisely immediately the state started enjoying the dividend of resource control he fought for or at least five years later. Why do we have to wait for seven years, three months and six days before we poop Champaign for this dogged resource control fighter? Why must it be after PDP has zoned governorship seat to Eket Senatorial District? A layman may be prone to believe that, Obong Attah never executed any meaningful projects in his eight years as governor, hence the reason, for his formal reception after a mere co-chairing a conference which none of the submissions have yet been endorsed by the national assembly. Politicians, critics and other right thinking people on the other hand, may tend to believe that, the Ibibios intend to raise political and ethnic embers especially as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to lift ban for political primaries on 2nd of October, 2014. (27 days after the reception). Whichever way, one needs to observe that, Attah appears to be the only ex-governor in this country, which has not been remembered by his state via appointment or contract, yet he brought the present governor to limelight. It will be recalled that, since Obong Victor Attah tenure expired, in 2007, he had faced and he is still facing verbal, written and electronically induced insults from his former subjects- some who just left government and others who are still in the present government. These insults came in various forms, for instance: two hours after he left government house on 29th May, 2007, he was accused of leaving behind an empty treasury, yet no one, including his brother, Essien Attah who was then a commissioner, took exception to such indictment. Till date, various projects such as: Ibom Airport and Five star hotel he initiated has been described as ‘met at clearing site’ by the present government, none of these IBIBIO guests who took active part in the then administration relieved themselves of such propaganda. In 2009, Attah, who sketched the master plan of Akwa Ibom State candidly, advised his little boy, Governor Godswill Akpabio on the citing of Ibom Tropicana. Before it was dawn, someone wrote an article entitled, ‘What does Attah really want’, others went on air abusing this IBIBIO soon-to-be-celebrated icon of hope. Yet no one despite their mouth watery portfolio said anything to the contrary. On Tuesday, this week, Mr. Enoidem who wholeheartedly supported Attah’s succession plan unconsciously indicted the ex-governor of leaving behind a semi-forest in government house, which the present governor recycled it into Banquette hall. In 2012, various local tabloids reported how the present government neglected the health of late Alison Attah, a situation which is yet to be confirmed by Attah himself. It is pertinent to note that, almost all of these guests who currently prostrate before our ex-governor had served in various ways in both administrations. In all these blackmail and propaganda, none of the then government machinery kicked against the various lies, nor celebrated Obong Attah so as to prove the government propagandist wrong. Exception of, Mr. Thomas Thomas who took pains to reply the benefactor of ‘WHAT DOES ATTAH REALLY WANT’, others were pouring encomium on Akpabio, calling him name such as PROMISE KEPT, UNCOMMON TRANSFORMER, AKWA IBOM ADO OK ETC. Barely one month away to Party Primaries, it is now time to celebrate Obong Attah, a clarion call for all the Ibibio sons and daughters to worship their EARTHLY GOD. A time for the Ibibios to unite, so as to take their RIGHTFUL place, a time for other tribes to tremble for the Ibibios wants to speak. I don’t want to believe that, the ceremony is aimed at scoring dirty political point as it is widely speculated; rather I guess Attah being the architect of zoning knows that, 2015 is a birthright of Eket Senatorial District, not IBIBIO SENATORIAL DISTRICT. It will be unnecessary for him to delve into political issues, as the day does not call for that, to me the day is just for reception. Attah, I guess he should not cajole himself by openly supporting any gubernatorial aspirant (the same way he did to Udo Edehe) in 2011. Some of us have not forgotten the incident at Saint Patrick Primary School, Abak Road, Uyo. Though, we hope, he has learned lesson from that, because as a king, he supposed to have hear from God, before publicly endorsing Udo Edehe who later failed the same election. I am optimistic that, Attah being the architect of zoning is in the know that, 2015 governorship belongs to Eket Senatorial District while his senatorial district (USD) will produce the first deputy Governorship seat. I don’t want to dabble into politics; I guess it is time we distinguish between leadership, tribe and governance. I would have been the happiest lad, if the same people that are dolling out drums for this ICON celebrated him when they were in government. I would have been very glad if they celebrated him even when Attah was denied venue (Le meridian Hotel) for his birthday bash. I would have dance Awillo, if these people confronted their boss, when Ibom Plaza (Attah’s pet project) was permanently closed at the expense of Ikot Ekpene Plaza. Will Ibibio only unite with a view of producing a governor? Can’t we also unite to fight Ebola, and other health related insurgence? I urged Attah not to be distracted by the various blackmails labelled against him by HIS people, since he left office, because as the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest time will never seize. Let wait and hear what the other governments will talk about Ibaka Sea Port, 21st Century hospital, the digital nature of E-LIBRARY among others uncommon transformation projects of the present administration. As for me, Attah, you remain my secret role model, if you never did any projects during your tenure as claimed by your little boy, I am happy that, none of your co- governorship contenders escaped assassination nor the mother died as was the case of ENGR. Iniekong Udonwa. In your days, none of the traditional rulers were assassinated. Kidnapping was not as rampant as it is recently; I applaud you for not calling any of the fifty eight aspirants ABSOLOM. I wish you well even as you continually soar high on Eagles wing. Congratulation, Sir, on a belated, but worthy celebration!
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:25:13 +0000
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