As Akwa Ibom 2023 governorship race gathers momentum on a daily basis, the need to work towards the emergence of what the electorate referred to as “home grown” governorship candidate has continued to intensify.
From the political class to the juggernauts; from the civil servants to the artisans; from the roadside traders to the bystanders down to push-overs, the resolve is very unanimous: “We need someone who has been here with the people in bad and good times as governor; someone who knows us by our names and speak our familiar language and not a ‘foreigner in politics’ not a green horn or ‘stranger’ who needs to be trained before he could fit into his new shoes”. That’s the people’s choice .
When Senator J.J Akpan Udoedeghe muted the issue at the Award Night of the 2019 NUJ Press Week in the state last December, it became clear that the matter will set direction for 2023 governorship race.
This explains why the retired Vice President of Exxon Mobil, Barr Udom Inoyo who is said to have been nurturing interest in the Akwa Ibom top job, was quick to note that he lives and works in Eket as Mobil staff, with regular visit to his Ikot Okoro village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
Today, that the issue has become the consensus of Akwa Ibom people, who have vowed that never again shall the people’s patrimony will be entrusted into the hands of those who are complete aliens and novices to governance to gamble.
“Never again shall those who only visit the state during big festivities such as Christmas or New Year be entrusted with the leadership position at the level of a governor, when there are ready hands to handle such jobs,” a source said angrily.
Despite not indicating interest yet in the race, the likes of Senator Effiong Dickson Bob have readily come to mind. Respondents who spoke with Your sincerely during a random interview rate Senator Bob as the most outstanding and generally preferred choice for the post in question. Findings across the state has it that Senator Bob possesses all the attributes and requirements needed to become the next governor come 2023, going by his experience, pedigree and capacity to lead the people.
“Here is a man with humane heart, a good mixer and the people’s man who knows the people’s problem at his fingertips, a giver and amongst all, someone who speaks the language of the common man on the streets, no matter the situation he has found himself,” one respondent stated.
The people described Senator Bob as the father of grassroots politics who has won election as a councilor, council chairman, assembly member- deputy speaker, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, a 2-term senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a sitting political leader and someone who has fought under thick and thorns to keep his preferred party, the PDP afloat and won all the elections in the state and currently having his first son in the state House of Assembly as a member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, to show for the unflinching support and love he has for politics and the state generally.
“It is against this backdrop that we encourage Senator Bob to come out boldly to indicate interest to vie for the state’s number one seat. This belief is born out of the various tests we have already carried out on his performances, elected and appointed,” said a political group.
“Senator Bob’s candidature will make the much needed difference and I stand quoted anywhere, anytime and challenge anybody who has this intimidating political credentials to come up for recognition,” noted another respondent.
On the issue of zoning, which is trending both in the social and print media, politicians should play the game by the rules and allow Uyo Senatorial District to have a shot in the governorship seat after maintaining it’s cool and remaining in the queue for peace to reign. We should stop to eat our vomit and do the right thing in the interest of peace and justice. Zoning should be respected and upheld in all ramifications to avoid rancour and unnecessary political misdemeanours associated with zoning.
