Guber 2023: Have We Lost Our Voices?
An American writer, Germany Kent must have had Senator Bassey Albert Akpan in mind, when she posited thus, “To say nothing is saying something. You must denounce things you are against or one might believe that you support things you really do not.”
On Thursday, August 26, 2021, Senator Albert, representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District; Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Leader, Akwa Ibom Caucus in the National Assembly lived up to Kent’s hypothesis. The occasion was the inauguration of Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
MPM, floated to replace Divine Mandate – the hitherto political campaign organisation of Governor Udom Emmanuel in previous elections – is primed to drive the 2023 governorship succession of the ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Against the run of play, MPM was contrived and rolled out by the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration without the involvement of key stakeholders of the party in the process. Worse still, the choices of state officers as well as coordinators and secretaries of local government chapters of MPM are duplicitously handled.
Key stakeholders including Senator Albert, who is the highest elective political office holder in Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District, comprising nine local government areas, were not privy to its establishment or incorporated into the management of MPN. It is rather odd that a body intended to mass up support from members of PDP and Akwa Ibomites berthed incredulously. Professing the enthronement of peace in the land, it was expected that its leadership will be composed of clergymen, traditional rulers, members of other political parties, security officials, et al. But none was the case. What an infantile politicking?
It is such clandestine modus oparandi that have left no one in doubt that MPM is being fronted to push for the preferred choice of the state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for the 2023 Governorship elections in the state. Though the governor has disputed these fears, his body language raises the suspicion about it. He has so far kept the operations of the group only to his men; a motive that completely punctures his denials.
Thus, a body pushed forward as a peace promoter is clad with political deceitfulness and half-truths. For those who didn’t know, it was under such scenario that Senator Albert rose to offer his ovation-laden speech in Ibiono Ibom, his home town at the inauguration of MPM. Senator Albert, bold and courageous as ever, thundered: Have we lost our voices? The message was loud and clear. It sounded as a sermon on the Mount. What was the import of his message? He was doing a wake-up call on elders, stakeholders and members of the PDP to rise up for the soul of the party against the smouldering tide of retrogression likely to rock the party in the state.
Throughout the length and breadth of Akwa Ibom, it is said loudly beyond hushed tones that Mr Udom Emmanuel is fast transforming himself into a “maximum ruler” both in the management of the state and party affairs. Party and government officials readily confess of the overbearing influence of the governor and his growing intolerance for inputs and criticism.
Senator Albert had rightly anchored his famous speech on the lofty principles of peace, justice and equity which have been the intrinsic character of not only the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but sits as the foundation of true democracy. In the words of an American author and sociologist, DaShanne Stokes, “Only by speaking out can we create lasting change. And that change begins with coming out.”
OBA spoke passionately as someone who is quite abreast with the dictum of democracy. As popularly professed, democracy is enduring because it anchors on the people. It is defined as “Government of the people by the people and for the people.” Democracy promotes plurality of voices and ensures mass participation of the people both in the governance and leadership processes and rungs. Democracy abhors tyranny and raises checks and balances. Once its practice falls short of these perimeters, then it is no longer democracy. Period!
For Senator Albert, his sacrifices for the PDP and the state are tremendous, covering more than 13 years and still counting. He served the State as Commissioner for Finance for seven (7) years and currently, a second term Senator. At the Ibiono Ibom event, he had reasons to go into memory lane.
“I stand here to be quoted and God bear me witness that before President Goodluck Jonathan, I was asked to step down in 2014; that was when the party issued a statement recognizing zoning in Akwa Ibom. Barr Emmanuel Enoidem is aware. Hammer (Enobong Uwah) is aware,” he recalled. OBA’s decision to step aside made way for Udom Emmanuel to have a smooth ride to the Hilltop Mansion under PDP in 2015. If he was not a force to be reckoned with, the political resolution couldn’t have gone before the highest political office holder in Nigeria, being President Jonathan then. So OBA speaks from a standpoint of merit and a patriot.”
He went on, “And we all know that if you all talk about peace without justice and equity you’re not fair. I’m also very happy that the Governor has not spoken yet… Please my brothers and sisters, I want to say that as leaders, we cannot keep our mouth closed. I think we are all men of integrity. You know that there are three federal constituencies in Uyo senatorial district and our brothers in the other two federal constituencies have had a taste of leadership and service of Akwa Ibom in the Office of the Governor.
“I’m not speaking for myself but on behalf of the peace-loving people of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency. As we propagate this gospel of peace; maintaining and not only maintaining but sustaining it beyond the governorship of Akwa Ibom State, we should know that it can only be anchored on the tripod of peace, justice and equity.
“This is the sentiment of every single person in this government from this federal constituency but who may not have the boldness to say it. I am speaking the mind of Ini Ememobong, I am speaking the mind of Akan Okon, I am speaking the mind of the chairman of Itu, I am speaking the mind of Dr. Henry Archibong, and I am speaking the mind of Dr. (Iniobong) Essien that it is the turn of Itu/Ibiono Ibom to produce the next governor in 2023.
“We are only appealing. Please collectively, we can all sit down together and see how we can achieve sustainable peace that is anchored by justice and equity. This was the message Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem preached to me in 2014. This was the message Monty (Mr Monday Ebong Uko) preached to me in 2014. This was the message Senator Akon Eyakenyi spoke to me in 2014. Have we lost our voices?”
Those paid media agents, who rushed to speak ill of OBA’s advocacy for 2023 race to be “anchored on the tripod of peace, justice and equity” are intellectually daft about democracy and its enabling ingredients. According to the American lawyer and civil rights activist, Thurgood Marshall, “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” Should OBA keep quiet for democracy to be circumvented in Akwa Ibom State or for the rights of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency to be denied?
Raising unnecessary dust on OBA’s second term return to the Senate as having short-changed other federal constituencies in Uyo Senatorial District is being myopic without credence. OBA’s second term was a unanimous decision by the party. Despite that, he submitted himself to the dictates of democracy by going to the field to test his popularity with other aspirants and won convincingly. It is good to know therefore that OBA is seeking equity with clean hands. He stepped down in 2014 for Eket Senatorial District and that statesmanly act helped Udom Emmanuel to become Governor. Even in the build-up to the 2019 elections, Gov Emmanuel’s mentor, Senator Godswill Akpabio abandoned him and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It took the likes of Senator Albert for the political field to be made possible for Gov Emmanuel to earn a second term. So what crime then has OBA committed to seek best practices as we move into 2023? Obviously, he has not done anything wrong. For standing up for the prevalence of peace, justice and fairness in Akwa Ibom, he has enhanced his political profile as a responsible and reliable representative and leader. Without hedging, it was in the then Governor, Victor Attah, that we saw such boldness on public issues and concerns.
Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency will ever remain very grateful to Senator Albert for standing up for them on the issue of 2023 governorship. Obviously, Uyo and Etinan federal constituencies have taken turns and there can be no debates on that. As Dr Martin Luther King Jr. noted, “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.”
OBA, as the bearer of the traditional title of “Enin Ibiono Ibom” can’t be so browbeaten to mortgage the rights of his people. His resilience is ever felt. We have even seen his 5-star performances in the Senate and how his bills, passed into Laws and assented to by Mr President have enhanced Nigeria’s economy in the Oil and Gas sectors. His legislative proficiency has equally been seen and felt in the Petroleum Industry Act. As a man with charisma and diligence, not even the occasional rumpus of political divides between his party, the PDP and APC, has hampered his successes in the National Assembly.
He has continued to offer fruitful services at the parliament and to his Constituents. His empowerment programmes, skills’ acquisition trainings, scholarship awards, projects’ interventions and other social services are quite fascinating. Such a character deserves to be recognized and celebrated by his party at the highest levels. Maintain Peace Movement has to be a vehicle that carries all gubernatorial aspirants on board if its mission must be popularly achieved.
Those OBA’s message was meant for have heard it and they know the truth. He did what E. A. Bucchianeri pointed out that “It’s not unpatriotic to denounce an injustice committed on our behalf, perhaps it’s the most patriotic thing we can do.” Let’s join Senator Albert in agitating for peace, anchored on justice and equity. We must not lose our voices.
-Andrew Ndifreke writes from ONNA, Akwa Ibom State.
