Akpabio’s Stage-Managed Town Hall Meetings By Ekanem Moses 08027272651 “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country”-Franklin Delano Roosevelt. What everybody discusses for now is 2015. By and large, Akwa Ibom will have somebody taking over from Governor Godswill Akpabio, that is, if at all there shall be 2015. I think, 2015 to my knowledge may only exist in the Gregorian calendar, as election may be elusive. Reasons are not far-fetched as there is a fierce and stubborn contender to the seat since after the 2011 General Election-Engr. Frank Okon. Frank Okon as determined and rugged as he is has refused to blink in the matter, which is now before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. I wish Akpabio should hurriedly just leave the scene. We are fed up with his unjustifiable way of interpreting democracy, though those who are disproportionately benefiting from the decadent order that thrived on arbitrarily may regard my wish as a drunken sailor’s desire. If we are to do justice between government and the people without fear of favour, I will better advise Akwa Ibom politicians to rather buckle up. Given the armada of contrived opposition against the governor in the last couple of months, it is clear people who are overloaded with the state locked in a cycle of dysfunction are coming together to explore ways to connect theory and practical. I know this may not go down well with chains of political opportunists who prefer this shadowy power structure. Meanwhile, even if they frown at my disposition, do they know the mind of God? It is only God who can boastfully talk about tomorrow. He (God) alone also has the best answer for the people of Akwa Ibom State. But any conjecture that Akpabio will end in 2015, is asking for the moon in daylight, because Engr. Frank Okon is fixed as the Northern Star, as no amount of threat and blackmail can sway him from actualizing his goal. The people have started to doubt leadership at the state level as self-serving. It is not self-assessment as always done by this administration that determines the success or acceptability of government policies. It is obvious that the governorship race in the state is gaining momentum. It is becoming fierce as politicians are throwing political punches for their individual beliefs. Remaining silent is no more a cherish idea. Peeping toms are staging show trials, as some aspirant are roundly accused of not being real tested and trusted politicians, whereas others are simply being branded novices. Yet, the many so self-acclaimed politicians could be asked how many of them were political science students or graduates? In essence, my contention is that a cry for who will succeed Akpabio come 2015 is a foreclosed arrangement spiritually, sealed and kept in God’s own vault. What will happen before 2015 remain God’s secret than Godswill agenda? Therefore Akpabio’s agenda is inferior to God’s own, as such politicians’ effort and desperation to force their will on God is an exercise in futility. I appreciate the courage and boldness of some Ibibio Elders, and specifically my paramount ruler Edidem Ime Umoette for telling Governor Akpabio to surrender power to those who gave it to him. There is no doubt that there is an origin for everything. This is the simple truth of a time when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed with their own internal contradictions. The paramount ruler seems to have touched on the governor’s paradox. That is if at all there will be election in Akwa Ibom State come 2015. That town hall meeting at Etinan Federal Constituency, held on Monday, March 10, 2014 at Etinan Millennium Hall also indicated that this administration is not setting the right precedents for the future. Some of Akpabio’s loyalists are introducing element of personal judgment as justification for Akpabio to anoint a successor. The misplaced optimism is not that Akpabio will not have a successor, but he will not be the one who anoints whom to succeed him. What is it that he is afraid of? Why Akpabio should be bent on producing who must succeed him, even when some leaders have repeated pleaded that the governorship position should be open for all eligible and interested Akwa Ibmites? Despite the fact that the town meeting was stage-managed, I am happy that he was told by the paramount ruler to surrender power, when others were economical with the truth. Through as I said I am not in the same shoes with them, because I am made to understand their inordinate ambition is making them fear to look straight into Akpabio’s eyes and tell him the truth he ought to know. As a citizen of the state I was excited on hearing about the town hall meeting or constituency briefing by the governor across the ten (10) federal constituencies in the state. But a second look at the entire arrangement pissed me off as the governor was on a sailing trip of selling his ideas of imposing his consensus candidate on the state. Whether in a stakeholders meeting or not Akpabio is PDP in Akwa Ibom State and PDP is Akpabio in the state, as such, no difference. But the people insist on having an independent candidate away from Akpabio’s gulag. Akpabio should allow the people to choose their governorship candidate, and indeed all other candidates through free and fair elections. Although he may not understand this as he is a product of mustered election of 2011. But whether a novice, or born and breed politicians the next governor should not be from Akpabio. Another issue that bothers me is how the town hall meeting is being tailored and doctored to favour Akpabio in a democracy where issue should be subjected to the opinions of the people. This was so manipulated that without invitation you cannot attend. Why the people were denied the opportunity to have access into the hall? It was a delegate issue conducted from ward level, and money shared along that line. Expectedly people like Obonganwan Imo Isemin; Obong Jackson Sunny Udoh; Obong Umana Okon Umana; Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Thompson; Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan, Member, Federal House of Representatives (Etinan Federal Constituency) and others were not invited or made the list. Then what is the significance of calling it a town hall meeting? I kept saying that what made it look as if anything had happened was the boldness and frankness exhibited by HRM. Edidem Ime Umoette who took Akpabio to ASAN IBIBIO ACCORD. Why should Akpabio or any other person be afraid of free and fair election in Akwa Ibom State or an open contest? Is Town Hall meeting Akpabio’s secret agenda for 2015 like Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan, member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in Federal House of Representatives has put it in a publication, of The NATION of Wednesday March, 12, 2014? Must Akwa Ibomites be docile when leaders break their oath of office, or are we not sufficient with evidence by now that Akpabio is a wily leader who could ditch aides and sacrifice some to wear façade of credibility when they are reduced to a mere clay? For my federal constituency town hall meeting it has been so amateurishly handled that any fool could conjecture that there is a missing link between the people and the government. As for the battle, it has just begun and nobody knows where, how and when it will end as it spreads like a prairie fire. “The misplaced optimism is not that Akpabio will not have a successor, but he will not be the one who anoints whom to succeed him. What is it that he is afraid of? Why Akpabio should be bent on producing who must succeed him, even when some leaders have repeated pleaded that the governorship position should be open for all eligible and interested Akwa Ibomites?” “For my federal constituency town hall meeting it has been so amateurishly handled that any fool could conjecture that there is a missing link between the people and the government”.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 10:53:53 +0000
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