Date Published: 11/15/09

Dear Sir,

Endorsements: Politicians and their antics

Since Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State is assumed to have gotten the endorsement of the ‘totality’ of Ibibio people who are about 65% of Akwa Ibom population at the Esan Ibibio October 10, 2009, there was no need for his recent seek from the Traditional Ruler of Onna LGA, His Eminence Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, as reported in the media recently. People are now alleging desperation and arm-twisting in his manner of seeking endorsements.

In Lagos State (populated of almost all the tribes in Nigeria and of varied religions) where I reside, it is the people’s insistence that Fashola must be forced to a second term because of what they see he is doing. But in Vanguard newspaper of November 11, 2009, page 8, I read where indigenes of Bayelsa are castigating Governor Sylva for using public fund for campaign of endorsements. In Akwa Ibom, my home-state, almost everyone, for fear of being ‘dealt-with’, is keeping quiet and cowed into clapping with two hands and tongue-in-cheek when things are glaringly going wrong with public fund being wasted for endorsement assemblies, as if we are under the regime of the dreaded late emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa of Central African Republic.

Reading from the media the paramount ruler of Onna LG, His Eminence Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, was so elated by the visit of the governor to the extent of saying that “it will be included in my (the traditional ruler’s) biography”. He ‘literarily’ put a curse on any Ibibio son or daughter thinking of contesting against Akpabio, come 2011. In the story, the governor called Traditional Rulers “God” and according to him, any curse they placed becomes effective.  Let me refer all to the Holy Bible; 2 Jerimiah 17:5,6,7 – “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. Blessed is the man who truly trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord”

It is being alleged that the paramount ruler was among those that advised former Governor Victor Attah to sack the present governor when he was Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs because of what they claimed; his bad antics. His Eminence is so pleased now with Akpabio that he had to put ‘curses’ on Ibibio sons and daughters because of his present wish.

It is pertinent to mention here that not even in the present northern Nigeria where indirect rule still thrives can such a tall order be obeyed, by gods or humans, let alone here that we have many Traditional Rulers of varied shades and opinion. I am happy that the paramount ruler’s suggestive curse did not include Oron sons and daughters who can challenge his ‘anointed’.

Now we are blaming Attah for being instrumental for the present government but we would for eternity blame those responsible for any repeat. I cannot remember Akpan Isemin forming any association while in power. During Attah’s, we were aware of his FOVAN (Friends of Victor Attah…). But in Akpabio’s we hear of KKK, AKPF, ADV, etc too numerous to mention here. Now this is a prophecy: If Governor Akpabio returns for the second term, no one should complain about stronger dictatorial tendencies.

Furthermore, we expect His Eminence to also ‘curse’ any interested persons in Eket Senatorial District (including Bishop Sam Akpan who is head of AKPF and deputy Chairman of State PDP) that would challenge the sitting Senator Lady Eme Ufot Ekaette, wife of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, who are his immediate subjects of Onna Local Government.

 Chief Okon Emerson, 95 Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos State