Those who thought that the visit of Nigeria Consensus Group to Akwa Ibom for what its leader, Professor Ben Nwabueze called a Summit to save Nigeria was going to run into contrary wind with the State and federal governments must be disappointed and miffed with the turn of events. The Summit held under very congenial atmosphere rubbishing earlier insinuations which alleged that the agenda of the meet was to ratify the group’s position against President Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.
When the idea of the Summit was mooted and Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State proposed as the venue, there were anxieties that the ploy was hatched to embarrass Governor Akpabio who is an ardent supporter of President Jonathan administration. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State is acclaimed to be the last man standing for President Jonathan. He has stood with Mr. President all the way sometimes attracting hollow criticisms. But Governor Akpabio’s view is that you cannot elect a man and withdraw your support thereafter and expect him to succeed. He posits that President Jonathan’s failure would be tantamount to the failure of the Niger-Delta region in particular and Nigeria in general. Little wonder that some concerned persons who share the governor’s sentiments issued a warning through an advertorial that the State would be intolerant to such a Summit. And so the Summit was at the risk of being dead on arrival.
But all these changed with appropriate communication on the part of the convener and courage on the part of the governor of the State. The convener, Professor Ben Nwabueze who happens to have been Governor Akpabio’s teacher had earlier clarified his position through a press statement that the advice which he volunteered to the President was in a personal capacity, not the position of the group. The statement stated inter-alia “My position has been drawn to the insinuation that the purpose of the National Political Summit holding next week in Uyo is to take a decision to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking re-election in 2015. This is far from the truth. The purpose of Uyo Summit is to agree on a roadmap to stability, progress and unity of Nigeria. The entire aim is to build national consensus on how to save Nigeria”. Professor Nwabueze who stated that the question of election was not even listed on the agenda of the Summit maintained that the advice he gave to the President not to seek re-election was personal and therefore not the position of the Summit or Project Nigeria, organizers of the political Summit.
With the anxiety duly rested, the Summit proceeded and ended with a communiqué duly handed over to Governor Akpabio, perhaps for its content to be shared with Mr. President. Even though the content was not made public, it was apparent that the Summit did not take a position on whether President Jonathan should seek re-election or not. The Summit, however, transmuted into a platform for the assessment of the Akpabio administration followed with unbridled eulogies and encomiums for a governor who has given governance a character comparable to what is obtainable in civilized climes. Speaker after speaker had kind things to say about Governor Akpabio in the context of good governance and delivery of democracy dividends. The views were akin to a national consensus.
Curiously, all the speakers have a pedigree of non-conformity. They are all men of character, honourable men who have been adjudged to be beyond reproach in character and conduct. They are people who are not susceptible to inducements or candidates of the pervasive corruption that rules the land. They are men who inspire hope for the Nigerian nation. They are people who truly love this nation already raped to scorn by political contractors and rent collectors. They toiled to bring about this democracy which the so called politicians are subjecting to tottering. They are not known to be psychophants or praise singers. They call a spade a spade no matter whose horse gord. But their opinions of Governor Godswill Akpabio are united in a consensus without any dissension. It is one quilt of unanimity with all opinions coalescing into one verdict of compliment to the governor.
The gala night organized by the State Government for participants of the Summit had an array of notable Nigerians, mostly of the progressive hue. They were in Uyo to discuss how to move the behemoth called Nigeria forward. The gala night like all others under the deft handling of the protocol department was as riveting as it was educating. Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, a one time governor of Plateau State and an uncompromising progressive in his goodwill message stated that he would leave Akwa Ibom State carrying with him fond memories of the State which has witnessed momentous development under the watch of Chief Godswill Akpabio.
A onetime governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife described what he has seen in the State as a comprehensive uncommon transformation. He also referred to an aspect he described as psychological uncommon transformation citing the Ekemini and Asian Idem cultural troupes that performed that night as evidence of that psychological leap-frog. The onetime Special Adviser under erstwhile President Olusegun Obansanjo posited that Governor Akpabio is not meant for Akwa Ibom State alone. He urged Akwa Ibom people to prepare and sustain him for greater national duties.
Former President of National Women Society, Hajia Ramatu Bala Usman in a fiery speech described Governor in many superlatives one of which was extraordinary governor. He narrated a story of how she lost her way in the State the previous day despite her consistent visits because of the maze of developments that the Akpabio administration has unleashed on the State. She said that her prayer is that Nigeria finds performing people like Governor Akpabio to lead the Country to the promise land.
Notable activist, founding member of rested National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and one of the leading lights of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo agreed that he had known the land space of Akwa Ibom since the 50s. He said that he was on the team that started the campaign for the creation of Akwa Ibom under the aegis of COR State. Chief Adebanjo further said “for those of us who remember what the State of Akwa Ibom was before Akpabio came into existence, we appreciate him”. He referred to telephone calls he made to his daughter in Dubai and wife in London urging them to come to Akwa Ibom rather than those places. The Afenifere leader advised South-West governors to come to Akwa Ibom State for education on good governance. He counseled Akwa Ibom people to embark on travellings so that they can appreciate what they have.
Ms Ann Q. Briggs in her goodwill message informed Governor Akpabio that the effusive praises he is being showered with “are results of what we have seen and which we in other States are lacking. I believe that people like you should lead the way to development”, the light skinned speaker concluded.
Former President of Ijaw National Congress, Professor Kimse Okoko said: “I am overwhelmed by the development in the State”. He stated that when he used to hear of awards about Governor Akpabio, he used to say, how come? He said that such question would never arise again. He described governor Akpabio as a shining example of the Niger-Delta and indeed a shining example of Nigeria. He said that Uyo stands in the next few years to be the best city in the Niger-Delta. He advised the people of Akwa Ibom to stand by their governor.
Alhaji Bello Dantata in his complimentary remarks said “I have seen transformation”. He said that he told the wife who is in England earlier that day that she should begin to plan the family’s relocation to Uyo where development is actually taking place.
The views of the convener and elder statesman, Professor Ben Nwabueze could be proportioned as the icing on the cake in the spectrum of the speeches. Not known for frivolities or loose talks, he said to Governor Akpabio: “you have done a fantastic job”. He further stated,: “I take a special pride that a lawyer is the one that has transformed Akwa Ibom”. The constitutional expert stated that he was particularly grateful that Akpabio was his student. He congratulated Akwa Ibom people noting that they have been blessed with democracy dividends through the competent hands of Governor Akpabio.
The erudite scholar referred to a symposium he chaired which had the title: Philosophy of Democracy without Democrats asserting that Godswill Akpabio is proof that we still have democracy with democrats. He said that the group is happy to share with Governor Akpabio “this great dream, this great hope”.
But Governor Akpabio has intermittently been the butt of negative press and malicious criticisms especially in recent times. It is curious that those who are familiar with the tools of assessing good public governance adjudge him as a benchmark while the direct beneficiaries in the State vilify him. Is it the case of the maxim that a prophet has no honour where he comes from? Let us jettison this instinctive nature and embrace attitudes that would encourage development for our collective good.
Joe Iniodu was a public affairs analyst.
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