{"id":30552,"date":"2014-08-26T10:26:47","date_gmt":"2014-08-26T09:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=30552"},"modified":"2014-08-26T10:26:47","modified_gmt":"2014-08-26T09:26:47","slug":"tribalism-destroys-akwa-ibom-state-inibehe-effiong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/articles-opinions\/tribalism-destroys-akwa-ibom-state-inibehe-effiong\/","title":{"rendered":"Before Tribalism Destroys Akwa Ibom State By Inibehe Effiong"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We are approaching another election year in Akwa Ibom State and the
\ngladiators are up in arms against one another. Nobody is talking about
\ncompetence and credibility. Nobody is talking about health care, job
\ncreation, security, infrastructures and the real issues of governance.<\/p>\n

What matters to us is ethnicity and tribalism. In Akwa Ibom State today,
\nthe situation is so precarious such that one begins to wonder if things
\nwill ever change. The debate is not about who can do the job, the debate is
\ncentered on which senatorial district and tribe should produce the next
\ngovernor.<\/p>\n

The governor is leading the divisive campaign in the name of a useless and
\nunproductive zoning arrangement. But the truth is that he is actually
\nzoning to Udom Emmanuel, his anointed successor.<\/p>\n

Godswill Akpabio says he wants his successor to come from the Eket
\nSenatorial District of the State which has never produced a governor
\nbecause that will ensure equity. What insult on our collective sanity. If
\nzoning is so real and good; why is he pursuing a senatorial ambition
\nknowing fully well that it should go to the Abak Federal Constituency in
\nhis senatorial district which has never produced a senator? Hypocrite.<\/p>\n

These people have succeeded in pitching one tribe against another. Our
\npeople are no longer brothers and sisters. The average Annang person today
\nsees Akpabio’s government as their turn to rule. You rarely find someone
\nfrom the governor’s tribe speaking against the atrocities of his
\nadministration. They are united in support of “their son”.<\/p>\n

The Oro tribe is talking tough, threatening everyone that their time has
\ncome and that they should be given the opportunity to rule the state. They
\nare complaining of developmental marginalization, which I support having
\nbeen there. It is as if the Oro enclave is no longer part of the state.<\/p>\n

The Ibibios, being the largest tribe, feel they have been relegated by
\nAkpabio and that they must return to power by fire by force. They think it
\nis their birth right to rule the state. Nonsense.<\/p>\n

When you see someone from Ibibio or Oro supporting Godswill Akpabio, it is
\nmost likely that the person is a beneficiary of the system. Akpabio himself
\nhas never been a statesman, he is incurably tribalistic. Go to his village
\nUkana in Essien Udim Local Government Area, and you will see what I am
\ntalking about. The notorious ‘Ukana Mafia’ is so dreaded and feared by all.
\nHe has taken important institutions and cited many projects there without
\nregard to other areas.<\/p>\n

The tension is mounting by day, it is becoming too delicate for one to
\nremain silent. Nobody knows what will trigger the looming implosion. We
\nshould not out of fear of being haunted, victimised or even killed close
\nour eyes to what is unfolding in our dear state.<\/p>\n

Former governor Obong Victor Attah had his flaws, but he was not and has
\nnever been a tribalist. I heard recently that the stooge Akpabio is
\nfighting hard to foist on the people of the state, the Secretary to the
\nState Government, has started his own favoritism by giving preferences to
\npeople from his local government area in recruitment.<\/p>\n

I challenge Akpabio to publish the full names and local government of all
\nthose employed into the state civil and public service since he assumed
\noffice in 2007. There are certain things I cannot say publicly.<\/p>\n

While this mad battle of tribes is going on, the man on the street is
\nsuffering and smiling in the mist of plenty. Our people have never been
\nthis divided. We forget that poverty does not know Ibibio, Annang or Oro or
\neven Ekid or Ibeno.<\/p>\n

Whenever I raise this issue, some will say but the governor has appointed
\npeople from other tribes into his government. This is an absurd defence.
\nWho are these people and whose interest are they representing? The governor
\nhas sycophants and yes me across tribes. These people are representing
\ntheir selfish interest and that of the governor especially when the going
\nis good.<\/p>\n

Take for example Obong Bassey Albert, popularly called OBA, the immediate
\npast commissioner for finance who was recently sacked by Akpabio for
\nnursing a gubernatorial ambition. While in government, OBA defended Akpabio
\nwith all his might. But today, he is seeking to succeed Akpabio and is
\ntalking nonsense, accusing Akpabio of marginalizing the Ibibios. What
\ninsolence! The same with Obong Umana Okon Umana, the immediate past
\nSecretary to the State Government.<\/p>\n

Some folks will say that I criticise Akpabio because I am Ibibio. This is
\nbecause to them, tribe and personal interest determines where one stands
\nand they cannot imagine someone thinking and acting differently. But that
\nis a blatant lie.<\/p>\n

There is no tribalism in me. During the 2011 elections, I mobilized the
\nyouths of my community against the member currently representing my state
\nconstituency in the State House of Assembly. I also rejected monetary offer
\nfrom the member’s son. She is from my village. Most of those I have
\nsupported at elections even while in the university where not of my stock
\nor tribe. Despite coming from the South South, I am today a vociferous
\nanti-Jonathan campaigner because I do not see in him a responsible leader.
\nI am anti-zoning, from councillorship to the presidency. Let the best
\nperson get it.<\/p>\n

We have to stop this Ibibio, Annang and Oro nonsense. We are one people.
\nAkpabio should allow the people to choose their governor. The masses need
\nto realize the deceits of the ruling elites. How come that they only
\nremember and talk about tribe when they are fighting for political office?
\nHow come they are blind to tribe when stealing and sharing our money. They
\nknow that as long as the people continue to see things from the tribal
\nperspective they will never be held to account. We have had enough.<\/p>\n

*Inibehe Effiong is a Human Rights Activist. He can be reached via
\n+2348065142135 or\u00a0inibehe.effiong@gmail.com<\/a><inibehe.effiong@gmail.com<\/a>>*<\/div>\n

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