Godswill Akpabio during his first term. I remember that day of reckoning when the governor’s personal assistants were ‘lined up’ for assessment by the youths. I remember the standing ovation that greeted you when it was your turn to be judged. With the ovation, the verdict needed not be announced. As Speaker of Nigerian Youths Parliament, you gave vibrancy and clear direction to an otherwise quiet parliament. You caused it to become influential in the national polity. You brought your intellect and brilliance to bear as you steered the parliament to success while your tenure lasted; incontrovertibly, you contributed to the rising status of Akwa Ibom State in the process.
When it was time to move a step higher on the ladder of success, you got your sight on the State House of Assembly, using the vehicle of Nsit Ubium State Constituency. Your mentor and role-model, Governor Akpabio smiled at you and at your ambition. He was comfortable with your ambition. He couldn’t have objected. You were an ‘A’ student of his class. You have been a consistent ‘A’ student of that class.
It’s true you got the governor’s blessings for the race as his begotten son. It is also true that you had already endeared yourself to the people. You had sowed sufficient goodwill well beyond the boundaries of Nsit Ubium. It wasn’t political. Today, your goodwill to men continues, even more. It isn’t political. It is your natural ability to do good to men. It is inherently a part of you. Your generosity is innate. You bring back memories of Mansa Musa. Perhaps, you are Musa’s modern replica in Akwa Ibom State. You remember Mansa Musa, don’t you? You read law and so you should have a fair sense of history. If your legislative duties and other preoccupations have encroached on your sense of history, I will offer to refresh your memory a little my dear Honourable.
Mansa Musa ruled the Malian Empire between 1280 and 1337. He is most famous for his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 where he led a procession reported to include 60,000 men, 12,000 slaves, camels and donkeys. Musa provided all necessities for the procession, feeding the entire company of men and animals. HE GAVE AWAY GOLD TO THE POOR he met along his route which included Mecca, Cairo, and Medina. What made his pilgrimage occupy a top spot in history till date is not just the gold he gave out but the quantity of the gold and the class of people he gave to. This is what stands you out today. It is the reason you are conspicuous in the crowd. May your light never dim. Like Musa, history will always smile at your name.
You could be stubborn sometimes, that I know. Others should know that too; actually, everyone who knows you should know that by now. However, it is gratifying that you are positively stubborn and your stubbornness causes the happiness of others. Do I need to remind you of your stubbornness during your days in the University of Uyo that liberated students from the stronghold of the school’s administrators while it set you on collision course with the school authority and delayed your future? Little did men know that the delay was to divinely orchestrated to set your feet on a higher ground. Do I need to remind you of your stubbornness in staying loyal to Governor Akpabio and your repeatedly stubborn vows of allegiance to him even when he is no longer governor? The list of your stubbornness is long but if that’s the new definition of the word, then every public office holder should be stubborn.
Your mark on the political landscape is phenomenal. Your strides in Nsit Ubium State Constituency are mind-boggling. The appellation, ‘the people’s lawmaker’ fit you like a tailor-made Armani suit. But what struck me again about you and eventually birthed this piece happened recently when I found out that your wife documents all the benefits you have enjoyed from your mentor, Governor Akpabio. The reason is, should anyone try to point at the governor’s wrong against you, you will have all the reasons to refer such person to a thousand benefits that have accrued to you from the kind heart of your benefactor. You are such a study in loyalty. Unfortunately, your kind are extinct in the political space. You are an astute politician with profuse endowments of oratorical prowess, a cerebral lawmaker, and a compassionate leader. Sustain the perseverance my dear parliamentarian. Your image indeed looms large, larger than constructed political boundaries. You are an amazing and hopeful phenomenon. The future needs you.
From your friend in the street
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