2015: THE GOVERNOR THE god WE SEE God said: let there be light and there was light. The state governor can say let there be road leading to Atte village and there would be road or let there be light at Afaha Obong community and there would be light or better still let the people feed and there would be food. With omnipotent command God created but with derived-power, authority and processes the governor can also create. Therefore the state governor, in a way, is the god we see. The governor has a key role to play in the destiny of the state and its people. That is why everybody should be concerned about who becomes governor. Nobody, repeat, nobody should sit on the fence and imagine that all would be well. That is why we should all be concerned about all our aspirants because any of them could become governor - which means such a one would quasi-hold our collective destiny during his tenor. It is sad that while the world and indeed the country is in turmoil for the Chibok girls, one of our aspirants Deacon Udom Emmanuel a-washes the internet with his campaign rhetorics. Well if he doesnt read the mode of the nation and know what should be done and when? Itll not be wrong if one of his possible subject points out this. The worrisome part is that he has so far not bothered to consider we the voters even relevant enough to try to forge a message that would at least appeal to our expectation and motivation. Maybe because of his confidence on his anointer. We are aware he is constraint against speaking out because of events surrounding his entry but we also know who commissioned all the foot soldiers that have taken over the cyber space. It is either we are reading of his barrage of past achievement or the overlord who would whip us in line should we act against his wish. One of his foot soldiers had the brazen effrontery to publish this UDOM EMMANUEL: GODS ANOINTED, WHO CAN STOP HIM? We all know the anointer who is being referred to here, not God. In 2007 Akpabio understood that his job was to solve the problems facing voters. He also knew that voters were buying into solutions, not just an individual. I recalled in most of his speeches how often Akpabio referred to his audience compared to how often he referred to himself? This position was resonated by Akpabios foot soldiers who were everyday people. Akpabio therefore Tuned Into the voters frequency. But Akpabios proposed candidate seem all about himself, at least from what we have seen so far. Again from the beginning of the campaign Akpabio was about transformation though he didnt add uncommon as at then. On his part Obama was about change. The word change was everywhere in his campaign, so much that the entire world knew what Obama stood for. This is because these persons (Obama and Akpabio being referred to) had intrinsic inspirations to work with. Akpabios proposed candidate has so far showed no stand, at least from what we know. Other than that AKS money would be safe in his hands there is so far no articulation of the aspirants conviction and drive. Is it that there is none? I dont want to mention names since I am not campaigning for anybody but I have heard from Ikot Abasi axis a phrase like demographic dividend through economic resurgence and from Oro axis I have heard phrase like inspired to empower. Things like these give a glimpse of how the aspirant thinks - his possible road map to tackle the voters problems. But instead Udoms people gave us another jolt which they called Udo-mocracy. Just as it sounds, its all about him. One of the earliest signs of a product that would fail in the market is usually lack of cooperation from distribution channels. This is because the channels are always the first, to recognize product features that would not appeal to consumers. In politics distribution channels are party stalwarts, opinion leaders and community leaders on whom voters look onto for direction. It is no news that support for Udom Emmanuel from this segment have been more of eye service to Gov Akpabio and at best half-hearted. This is because of the deep knowledge of the product features and future. I even read of some commissioners grumbling of Udoms pomposity. The channels are already sensing that Udom would not come off his high horse to relate with common people who form over 90% of the state. Maybe Udom is not pompous. Its just that he is used to working with seasoned and trained persons in a well structured environment. Being called now to come and associate directly with the mixed basket which comprise politicians, artisans, illiterates, literates, truck pushers, truckers, beggars, herbalists, pastors, housewives, students, NFAs and even drunks etc which make up society is something he has to learn. Lets hope he isnt already above 40 years, because learning after 40 can be tricky. In the build up to 2007 PDP primaries a journalist friend showed me a list of candidates favored to win the primaries according to their ranking. In truth Akpabios name wasnt among the first 3rd. But I recalled joking with the guy using the prefix and suffix of Akpabios name. I reminded him that Akpa means first while bio means carry in Oron. Not surprisingly Akpabio carried first against all odds. That is why I cannot undermine Akpabios capability in anything he put his mind on. Rather I chose to reason with him to see the need to allow the people help him select a leader who would serve the people rather than the one who would expect the people to serve him because of his perceived distinction. That brings me back to the god we see, humble and simple like one of us. We need the Akwa Ibom version of Joe-six-pack like Godswill Akpabio. The likes of Nsima Ekere, Dan Abia, Chris Abasieyo, Okpulum Etteh, Helen Esuene, Sam Akpan, Effiong Abia, Ekpenyong Ntekim, Barr Okpo and Okon Iyanam etc can play that role. Each of these persons not only understand the dynamics of poverty traps and exclusion which currently plague our people but have been articulating answers born out of passion to fight it. That should be the post 2015 destination. With all due respect I think His Excellency would do well to consider using Udom Emmanuels experience to reposition Akwa Savings and Loans to international standard that can support the states financing needs. There is no need to force a football boot on a surgeon and pushed him into the football field to champion attack simply because of the dexterity he has displayed in the surgical wards. James Abang writes from Atte-Okiuso village Urueoffong/Oruko LGA. SMS 08037277620
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 10:35:24 +0000