When former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere resigned some weeks ago, a colleague conversant with the situation called to tell me that one of the tyres of Eket Senatorial District had been deflated. He went on to analyse the rhythm of celebration that those against the governorship of an Eket Senatorial District person were currently enjoying. That’s bad news; tha’s sad news, did you say so? I beg to disagree.
Although Nsima Ekere was hunted to resign as has now become an open secret, there is no deflating of the tyres in the struggle for an Eket Senatorial District man to become governor by 2015. The history of securing political power has never been fair to all the contending forces and parties. There must be a sustained clamour backed up with objective reasons on why power should be gotten by the contending forces.
There is no reason to justify the exit of Nsima Ekere from the state Exco as a deflation of the tyre of the struggle for an Eket Senatorial District person to emerge the governor of Akwa Ibom State. And let me be very clear, here, that an adage holds that ke enwan ikuengeke ke ndipe nto. This, in English, means hitting an opponent on the floor in the process of a fight does not signify the end of the fight.
While I do not argue that the exit of Nsima Ekere from the Executive Council of Akwa Ibom State is sad for Eket Senatorial District, I will agree that, that is politics. Power is never given; power is always grabbed; and as the gubernatorial seat of 2015 comes closer, the political Akwa Ibom State becomes more conscious. This consciousness was demonstrated during the just-concluded constitution review towards amendment. The people of the state insisted that zoning has to be obeyed religiously and followed in toto. As the constitution matter went on, all political eyes were on Uyo Senatorial District on their position on the matter. This district did not mince words when it unanimously agreed that zoning must remain. If one is sharp, one will understand that the position of Uyo Senatorial District is a technical knockout on politicians who feel they can shortchange others in the 2015 governorship bid for Akwa Ibom State.
Apparently understanding the position of the people, the masses, the electorate, Senator Ita Enang, in the know of what some political hawks in that district may do to him, declared that zoning is a party’s decision. He thought he had been able to save the day. But the people shouted on top of their voices that there must be zoning and it must be allowed to stand. Even the governor admitted it in Uyo and in Calabar during the South-South review of the constitution. To suit their political interests and greed, some persons claimed Akpabio’s acceptance of zoning is that governorship must be rotated but that he did not say where the 2015 slot should be zoned to. Such raised argument has no standing; it is watery and hopeless.
If you look at the PDP constitution, zoning is there. It allows for each senatorial district to have a shot at the government house and Akwa Ibom cannot afford to disobey. It was a good thing put there by the PDP to allow uniformity and justice. And the leadership of the PDP at the national level will not allow their constitution to be mocked at by paying a deaf ear. The national secretary of the party and former governor of Osun State, Otunba Olagunsoye Oyinlola stressed the need to allow the zoning principle of PDP to remain at all levels when he argued that the party (PDP) will ensure that it observes this policy to the fullest. Oyinola had stated very clearly that zoning will remain at all levels of election in the country, the states and at the local government areas. The national secretary of PDP’s position is only a confirmation of what the people of Akwa Ibom State want.
It is quite unfortunate that some people who are eating and making so much money in the state today as a result of zoning are the ones leading the race against it. No ill feelings anyway. The idea of allowing each senatorial district a chance to produce the governor is rooted in the need to give every section of a state equal rights and justice, because it is true that “all men are created equal”.
The argument that zoning has never been a factor in determining who and where a governor should come from in the state is true. But zoning is an exclusive position of a party (the PDP) and it is practising this wholesale. It is, therefore, not unkind to say that the PDP will not field a candidate from Uyo or Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for the 2015 gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State. The PDP will field an Eket Senatorial District person for that position, no matter which way one looks at it. This is real. If you doubt, ask Ambassador Sam Edem whom I am told was asked by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo on his quest for governorship by 2007 whether he was Annang. A friend from Abeonuta hinted me that when Ambassador Sam Edem failed to answer this question in the affirmative, an angry Obasanjo then asked him what he was looking for in the Akwa Ibom State governorship race for 2007.
Long before this time, it was known that some persons would want to capitalise on the mixed nature of Eket Senatorial District to create confusion. For example, Eket Senatorial District is the only district that comprises almost all the ethnic nationalities of the state. There are the Ibibios, the Oros, the Obolos and others. In fact, Eket Senatorial District has evolved in so many ways politically but it has been quite developmentally backward. And now would have been a time for unity to get to the hilltop.
Akwa Ibom has so far gotten three democratically elected governors and none hails from Eket Senatorial District and with this and others, the people of Eket, especially the patriotic ones, are really prepared to get the governorship seat come 2015. With the political developments in the state, which appear to be at par with what the people of Eket have hoped for, the stage appears set for an impending political war. And the people of this district appear bent on ensuring that they are not cheated and shortchanged.
To me, it does not matter whether a group of Oro nation politicians and few others have gone behind to selfishly negotiate for deputy governorship and other positions; it does not also matter whether some acclaimed loyalists have gone to work against this struggle. What appears certain is that the battle will be won and we will appear more than conquerors.
Yours faithfully does not blame these persons, after all, before they go there, they have interests to protect and fight for. I read in one of the state-based papers that the ambition of Eket Senatorial District ahead of 2015 has suffered a setback as Oro nation has charted a new course. I believe, and rightly so, that these are elements of politics; these are factors associated with politics. There is bound to be confusion, blackmail and sellouts but all these will not stop the emergence of an Eket Senatorial District person for the 2015 governorship of Akwa Ibom State.
The conventional political strategy across the world is that politicians of the opposing divide must always use propaganda, real or imagined, to sway support from the other group. They, especially the smart ones, usually picked violent men of the opposing camps and brainwashing and promising them juicy positions in their governments. These are essentially, to an extent, ad hoc approaches and experiences have shown that to an extent, these tactics served a purpose. But at the same time, there is also always a question of risk and uncertainty.
As conscious as the people are of this brand of politics, deep down inside, one cannot assume that these people do not appreciate the quest of the people for justice. This is because as long as these intending aspirants are hoping to use PDP as the springboard to succeed Akpabio, a new chapter will definitely be read in the political government of the state.
Akwa Ibom, like Nigeria’s democracy, is barely 13 years and Arch Obong Victor Attah from Uyo Senatorial District has led the state for eight years. Chief Godswill Akpabio of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District will end his eight-year leadership of the state by 2015. Now, is it not just a satisfaction of justice for the sake of posterity and history that Eket Senatorial District produces the next governor? As long as Akwa Ibom State is positively branded, this will come to pass.
Nsibiet John writes from Uyo,Akwa Ibom State
