Akwa Ibom PDP: Aniekan Akpan and the burden of great expectation
The election and inauguration of Rt. Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Simon Akpan as the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on 30th June, 2021 have marked a new chapter in the history of the party. The party has won resounding victories in the state since the inception of our 22-year old democracy. Given the antecedent of the new State Chairman, he is expected to grapple with the possible challenges of the party. He is not a stranger in the mirror anyway. In this regard, appropriate application of knowledge is an investment to the party. With him, the hope of a better future can solve the problem of the moment.
As the State Chairman noted recently during the maiden meeting with State Officers, “the reward for hardwork is more work; I have come to tell you that there is more work to be done if we must maintain our unbroken string of victories in the state. We must work harder, and show total loyalty to the party at the State and all levels”. The State Chairman charged the State Officers to ensure that the Completion Agenda of the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is a huge success.
Elder Akpan advised the State Officers that to record political l, they must avoid unethical behaviours, blame game, gossiping, dishonesty and divisiveness among ethnic, social and religious lines. He proffered teamwork as a requisite ingredient in the building of their Great Party. It is all too clear that to accomplish great things, we must first be able to do small things perfectly. Elder Akpan is not a neophyte in conflict-prevention cum resolution. He has been doing that between the dog and cat, between the hen and worm, no matter the apple of discord. The agenda of the State Chairman is simple: unity of purpose and the purpose is to win.
A surgery of the party reveals that it wants to fly and is set to give up everything that weighs it down. That is why members can start where they are and change the ending. In other words, the remedy for injuries, is not to remember them but with the party’s performance in the past years, it is certain that it has been greasing its way and travels easily. It is obvious that when charismatic candidates, not hard sell con artists, fly the flag of the party, it provides a cakewalk to victory. Obviously, the PDP cannot live on the bank of a river and wash its hands with spittle. It cannot put the sledge-hammer on the things that have held them together.
The State Chairman emphasized that officers of the party should exhibit good work ethics as that can provide a springboard for higher positions and more responsibilities, pointing out that such officers do not need eagle-eyed supervision. He maintained that such committed officers are self-motivated, valuable and highly reliable and appreciated for what they bring to the work place. The officers are expected to be workaholics in the interest of the party and shun diabolical disregard for any official assignment. From the horse’s mouth, the State Chairman is not a control freak.
The new State Chairman pledged to ensure that a favourable work environment is created for all, especially by providing work facilities, building capacity through training, just like he promised to reward excellence and hardwork. Elder Akpan stressed that “the PDP maintains its status as the landlord of the… Hilltop Mansion come 2023”. He underlined that the officers should ensure total victory for all the party candidates in the forthcoming elections at all levels. There is no misgiving about the capacity of this mild-mannered Chairman. One cannot teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla.
For the PDP under Elder Akpan to win the state from end to end is not in doubt. For one, he has been an indispensable insider since the beginning and he has contributed to lift the party from victory to victory. As a progressive vessel of encouragement, he is endowed with sharp and sagacious political prognosis. He has spent time to build his morality mansion and integrity. His leadership has provided him the opportunity to amplify his potential and carve a niche for himself. A man of compassion, he does not shed crocodile tears, neither does he encourage crocodile’s smile.
Some mistletoe political parties are likely to emerge from the blues to front themselves as opposition. Struck by misfortune over time, these parties behave as if their sky is caving on their gods. Some of them cannot read the political compass or rescue the wreckage of their dreams. The great expectation of the party faithful is that the new State Chairman would inspire the party to a greater height and that there is going to be a new song in the party’s mouth, a song of praise complete with thunderous applause. The burden of proof lies in the new leadership of the party.