Ordinarily, it would be more rewarding to ignore the publication at page 59 of the Thursday, April 22, 2010 edition of the Nation signed by one Ukemebong Akaninyene and Bassey Willy, but we are constrained by the legion of erroneous and dangerously misleading remarks contained in their write up.
The magnitude of moral barrenness that has engulfed these folks is self-evident. This duo rightfully symbolizes the prototype of the mediocrity that forms the soul of their promoters. We enjoin the pubic to discountenance any insinuation aimed at distracting Eket Senatorial District from consolidating this enviable position in the Positive Change project.
But for the records, we invite every thinking and patriotic Akwa Ibomite to see this development, first, as a part of the fruitless strategy by the prevailing ebbing political disorder to incite and assault the sensibilities of our people, and again, as a monumental affront on the political integrity of the mass of the credible and highly intelligent political class in Eket Senatorial District who have not only demonstrated tremendous goodwill towards the lofty goals of the Positive Change project, but also strongly affirmed that they have nothing to do with both the monetary value of this dirty job and the unsavory comments by these paid agents.
It is instructive to assert that His Excellency, Arc. Obong Victor Bassey Attah is, by all standards, a selfless patriot whose contributions to state, national and international issues are outstanding. He is not only a tested and highly respected democrat whose views are painted on the global canvass, but also the father of modern Akwa Ibom State. His footprints aytre indelible. Therefore, we find the comments by these barefaced nonentities on the person of Obong Victor Attah as irrational, baseless and outrightly mischievous. It is evident that they are indebted to their memory for their jests and their imagination for their facts.
We hold a very strong tenet that it is dishonest to defend a cause deliberately with faulty indices and baseless arguments. Therefore, we are strengthened by the intimidating facts and evidences at our disposal to assert that contrary to the tuneless drumming and orchestrated public ribaldry, the present administration is consciously working towards the extinct of the Ibibio ethnic nationality. Available incontrovertible data will be made public at the appropriate time to vindicate our position.
Zoning of political offices in a democratic setting is neither a license for a reign of visionless and reckless government nor an irreversible bond to settle for what is less than an ordinary performance. And Democracy itself provides for change where the people are dissatisfied at any given time. In 1979/83, for instance, when late Dr. Clement Nyong Isong, an Ibibio son from Eket Senatorial District was the governor of Cross River State, the people were dissatisfied with his performance and decided to make a change. Chief Donald Etiebet, an Annang man defeated Dr. Isong at the party primaries to become the governor when the Annangs, Efiks, Oron and Ogoja teamed up against that Ibibio man. At that time, no Ibibio or Eket man cried foul or instigated as reign of terror for the fact that power was taken away from an Ibibio/Eket man to an Annang man.
Also in 2003, when Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah contested for a second term, ten people from both Ibibio and Annang ethnic groups also joined the race in a bid to unseat him. As a true democrat, Attah did not grumble, kill, kidnap, harass or intimidate those opposed to his ambition. He did not use the state resources to induce Paramount Rulers, Clan and Village Heads, various groups and associations to make him the Sole Candidate for the 2003 election. Obong Attah, rather provided a level playing ground for a worthwhile electoral contest. Chief Godswill Akpabio who was in Obong Attah's government for six years was a witness. Even when Dr. Imeh Umana, an Annang man, having been defeated at the polls by Obong Attah, resorted to a legal battle that terminated at the Supreme Court, nobody from any ethnic group queried Dr. Umanah's resolve to challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal.
In the face of these facts, it is pertinent to ask why some disgruntled politicians take pleasure in insulting Obong Attah and Senator Udoedehe now that the majority of Akwa Ibom people have resolved to change the evil, corrupt, wasteful and anti-people government of Chief Godswill Akpabio.
Contrary to insinuations that the irreversible move for positive change is meant to deprive other senatorial districts from having a shot at the governorship position of the state, it is edifying to assert that it is meant to institutionalize the needed freedom that would make this lofty ideal a concrete reality.
Senator Udoedehe is propelled by a strong conviction the “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” The prevailing new wave of killings, kidnapping and insecurity that colonize and strangulate our political landscape are indeed not an atmosphere of freedom, but a barbaric strategy employed by the present administration to create fear and undermine freedom. Throughout the state, there is a cloud of hopelessness. Many of those who should act have been bought over. Others have recoiled into protective shells and have cowardly resorted to complaining to the same person they are complaining about. It is in the midst of this frustrating scenario that Senator James Akpan Udoedehe has demonstrated the much needed uncommon audacity to move in the opposite direction and free the state from a far-reaching network of evil.
Senator Udoedehe understands the degree of responsibility that guarantees freedom. As a committed patriot with a high sense of integrity, he is everything far from a leader that would promote disunity in Akwa Ibom State. Therefore, the remark that Obong Attah's support for the Positive Change project is to pave the way for his son in-law to become a running mate (and thereafter, following a planned impeachment, he (Udoma) becomes the governor) is a product of ignorance and misinformation. So also is the thinking that, in the alternative, he is talking to Chief Larry Esin to dump PPA for the position of a running mate to Senator Udoedehe.
The Udoedehe administration will be a responsive government for all Akwa Ibom people. We are confident that together with the people of Eket Senatorial District and the entire peace loving people of Akwa Ibom State, we will effect a positive change in government in Akwa Ibom State come 2011.
We are not unmindful of the fact that change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. As asserted by King Whitney Jr, “Change to the fearful is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better”.
Given the justness of our cause, change is inevitable. And this is the simple truth. It is timely to remind anybody who is still in doubt that, “all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second; it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident”.
The truth is that CHANGE has come to Akwa Ibom State.
Signed:
Rt. Hon. (Obong) Thomas O. Akpan
Chairman,
Publicity/Strategic Committee
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