The Popular saying in our Local parlance that dogs don’t eat dogs is fast giving way to an even appalling precedence that in our clime today; dogs now are at home eating other dogs. Just recently, to be precise on February 15, 2014, at Ikpa Town – the very village of Engineer Effiong Assam Ntekim, the 2015 governorship aspirant on the (PDP), whom many expect will assume responsibilities as the next big thing in the state when the incumbent Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio quits on May 29, 2015, the gamut of the PDP in Esit Eket converged in the home of the aspirant, to formerly welcome him into the PDP fold.
However, the gathering took a swift turn and the PDP big wigs decided he was the right fitted material eternally prepared for the job as they took to the podium to eulogize the sterling leadership qualities inherent in Dr. Ntekim, qualifying him as their only hope to hoist their flag come 2015 in the Hilltop Mansion.
Those who made remarkable statements at the event included the PDP chapter chairman, Hon. Godwin Abia, Esit Eket Local Government Area Vice Chairman, Hon. Prince Enobong Asubob, who by far the biggest fish of the day at the event. He was said to represent the council Chairman who was unavoidably absent in what many observers say was a strategic, tactical retreat “to pave the way for the unknown” Elder A. U. Abia, who spoke on behalf of Zone A, Former Special Adviser to the Governor on political Matters and then Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Rt. Hon. Imo Udobia, Dr. E. D. Umoh – Principal Emeritus, and Imo Jonah Legislative Leaders - Esit Eket Legislative Assembly Others were Prince Imoh John Eduo, S/A to Chairman Esit Eket on educational matters, Dr. Monday Akpanabiatu, Senior Lecturer Uniuyo, CAN Chairman Esit Eket, Apostle Inua Eshiet, Youth Leader, Comrade Anietie Elijah and the Esit Eket students Leader worldwide – Comrade Godwin Etinwang.
The event was complete as past and current Councilors from Esit Eket graced the occasion to give the vive such an epoch making event was expected to possess.
And suddenly three days after, it was in the news that the adoption was not to be but that the said meeting was an avenue where Dr. Ntekim was advised on certain political decorum by certain political godfathers in the area especially by the chapter chairman, who indeed had forgotten the aged long saying that: a man words are his bond. A true leader is known by the degree of his commitment to his words. But sadly, Hon. Godwin Abia chose to play the killer game and in the process fulfilling the writings in politics and politicians by prominent political scientists and thinkers of all ages.
In this wise sir Francis Bacon reckoned in the advancement of learning,” it is hard and severe a thing to be a true politician as to be truly moral”. But it was Sir Winston (Leonard Spencer) Churchill, a famous British Prime Minister, and political strategist par excellence in 1920 that captured the true essence and character of politics thus,” politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times”.
The Esit Eket adoption and eventual but sudden denial is throwing open many questions begging for answers. Yet the man in the centre of this huge controversy, the very governorship hopeful from Esit Eket says “it is something that baffles but that is the beauty of politics. It is always for selfish interest which I am not going to join issue with anybody”. He said this to fulfill the philosophical saying of Ambrose (Gwyneth) Bierce in the Ibid thus, “politics: strife of interest masquerading as a contest of principles- the conduct of public affairs for private advantage”.
Consequently, was the stance of those politicians in Dr Ntekim’s case of any public interests or private interests? To establish this we shall have to consider the various speeches made by various speakers at the event to know if Dr. Ntekim wasn’t unanimously adopted by the PDP big wigs in Esit Eket Local Government Area. We start with the protagonist in the denial drama, Hon. Godwin Abia, the erudite sophist in this political chess game. This is what he said at the event as his welcome address or speech to the crowd on the February 15, 2014 at about 3.18pm.
“I want to welcome you all to this gathering. I want to also thank Governor Akpabio for his developmental strides. Governor Akpabio is preparing the way for Dr. Ntekim just like John the Baptist did, preparing a way for Jesus Christ. The party is supreme. We’ll queue behind you on your swearing in on May 29, 2015. The party (PDP) is so happy and as at today, we have a governorship aspirant from the area. This is to fulfill the prophecy”. Hon. said.
Continuing, Abia stressed to the admiration of the sea of heads at the event “our time has come to key into the Hill Top Mansion. I am favoured to produce the governor of this state, so are you – Esit Eket. May God bless Governor Akpabio and his cabinet for preparing the grounds for the advent of the next governor. If any other person comes after now, we have already chosen our governor in the person of Dr. Ntekim,” he said and added, “I hope I have spoken the minds of all? God bless you all”. Hon. Abia concluded.
And in the same vein, Hon Prince Enobong Asubob, Vice Chairman of Esit Eket in his capacity as the ex-chapter chairman of PDP for 12 years and as the man who introduced Dr. Ntekim for the PDP Esit Eket adoption has this to say. “God has blessed Governor Akpabio. He brought the governorship to Eket Senatorial District and today, as the former chapter chairman of PDP for 12 years in Esit Eket, I have a very simple duty to perform, so I thank the people of Ikpa Ward 4”
The governor talked about industrialization but Dr. Ntekim will complete it”. He had said.
But in an interview shortly after Ntekim PHD was unanimously adopted by the PDP leadership, Prince Asubob has this to say of Engineer Ntekim’s leadership quality and the possibility of him being the sold choice of the people of Esit Eket political fraternity. Excerpts:-
Question: What really motivated you people to adopt Dr. Effiong Ntekim as your governorship candidate?
Answer: I am the vice chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Council and my name is Hon. Prince Enobong Asubob. First of all, I want to thank our Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. What gave us the authority to adopt Dr. Effiong Assam Ntekim for governorship come 2015 is because Effiong Ntekim is highly educated and also he is a grassroot man. He knows our problems and knows how to handle them. And we, the people of Esit Eket are solidly behind him and trust him. We also believe that he will not fail us. He will perform. He is a man that believes in industries (and) here, unemployment will not be an issue. Unemployment is a serious sickness, so if there is anybody that wants to come and save, we’ll give him our support. So we are solidly behind Dr. Ntekim and we know he will do well
Question: As at now, how many governorship aspirants do you have in Esit Eket?
Answer: In my capacity as a one-time chapter chairman of the ruling party, who served this party for 12 years, I have not seen any other aspirant(s) from Esit Eket apart from Dr. Effiong Ntekim.
Question: What message do you have for others who may have the intentions of coming in?
Answer: My message is that since Dr. Effiong Ntekim has come out to show that he wants to serve us, I will advise other people who have the intention of coming in to contest to rather queue behind and throw their support for Dr. Ntekim.
Question: Dr. Ntekim has been outside this country for about two decades now. How are you going to help him cope with the way politic is played here?
Answer: While he was in the United State for that number of years, Dr. Ntekim always comes home. We have been meeting and interaction with him. So he knows everything about us and this place.
Question: Do you think the body language of your people’s is in consonant with his aspiration?
Answer: I know my people... once an Esit Eket man says he supports you; he will not withdraw his support. Prince Asubob had told newsmen at the heat of the adoption euphoria in the country home of Dr. Ntekim at Ikpa town on the fall of February 15, 2014.
Similarly, Engineer Ntekim PHD, while agreeing to the PDP hawks’ adoption had this to say “I urge you the good people of Esit Eket; both young and old, women, youth and the elderly to come and rally round me for the actualization of this dream because this ship standing here will accommodate all. I urge you to put on your dancing shoes, because the politics of Akwa Ibom State is going to change; not because of me but you.
“There’s nothing wrong with Esit Eket having four-lane road. What do we have as an oil producing city? I will improve everything from health care system especially for pregnant women, children and the elderly. I hope to give the incumbent’s health care policy a facelift by making more it even more proactive to the yearnings of the state masses.
I also want to improve upon education. A situation where emphasis is placed on certificates as against practical is not a welcome development. I hope to make education more practical than theoretical. We really need to change the current education orientation in the state so that the future can accommodate people with practical knowledge with technical depths on what the society-our new Akwa Ibom State requires.
“With my background as an industrialist, if given the opportunity by the electorate and if my political platform- the PDP, will find my candidacy meet, I’ll transform the state economy, turn it around in less than five years, that is considering that I’ll be allowed to do eight years of four years per term. I shall deploy my numerous contacts, connections and friendships with several internationally recognized blue chips companies/industries in America and Europe to open shops in the state. As an individual, there is a limit as to what one can do, but as the governor, the office of the governor provides the needed necessary alibi coupled with the faith that investors will repose in you because they know that their investment will be secured and safe under your watch” Engr. Ntekim had said to the cheering crowd.
Concluding, he pleaded with the people to come, join hands with him in his attempt to take the Hilltop mansion come May 29, 2015.
Hear him, ‘please, I want you to join hands with me. Iam therefore appealing to all of you today that I need your support in all aspect’. He said.
However, to illustrate that the occasion of the adoption of Dr Ntekim was a big event, these personages also made speeches at the event. Starting with the leaders of Zones A-C, The PDP woman leader in Esit Eket, the youth leader and that of Esit Eket students Association
To the woman leader – PDP Esit Eket, the aspirant on assumption of office on May 29, 2015 must as a matter of necessity continue with his philanthropy by providing basic necessities of life to women, keep to his promise of industrializing the state, fix road and make the access road to Esit Eket a four lane road, as he has just promised. The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, in Esit Eket, Apostle Inua Eshiet was not left as he led his speech in a form of prayer, asking for divine guidance for the aspirant. He also sought wisdom, knowledge and the way forward for the governorship hopeful.
But it was the Esit Eket youth leader, comrade Anietie Elijah who provoked the most passion, when he alluded to the absolute commitment of the youth of the area in making sure the dream of the Engineer materializes.
Hear him ’’ the youth of Esit Eket are solidly for you. I want to assure you that these same youths had previously delivered the representative of Eket Senatorial District, the federal representative in the federal house for the Eket Federal constituency.
“We have contacts in the three Senatorial Districts and we’ll be for you as usual. We’re solidly behind you so that come 2015, you’re sworn – in as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State; he said to a wild applause by the crowd.
In the same vein, the Esit Eket students president, comrade Godwin Etinwang in his articulate speech though off cuff, pleaded with Dr. Ntekim to as a mother of importance, when he assumes office as governor of the state, should consider scholarships to every students of the state up to the university education and availed Ntekim of students’ support over his ambition when the election campaigns start as well as the students’ votes
Speakers from the three zones led by Elder A. U. Abia for zone A, Dr. O. D. Umoh for zone B and Inyang Bassey representing zone C all made glowing remarks on the bright chances of Dr. Ntekim come 2015.
For Elder A. U. Abia, who reasoned that it was God who has lifted Dr. Ntekim and his coming is the fulfillment of the prophecy five months ago. He alluded to the Ene Henshaw’s classic, ‘This is our chance’ and concluded that with the advent of Dr. Ntekim in the political arena of Akwa Ibom state, ’’I am certain that this is the chance for Esit Eket’’ to stand up and be counted.
Dr. O. D. Umoh, speaking on-behalf of zone B, urged Dr. Ntekim to keep to his promises of creating jobs, fixing the roads, industrialization of the state and providing quality education forged in practical instead of the current certificate and theory foundation.
He said “He has promised and we’re sure he’ll keep his promises especially that of industrializing the state. We are ready to work assiduously for Esit Eket and on behalf of Esit Eket, we’ll work for the success of Dr. Ntekim”, he stressed.
Finally the zone C speaker, Mr. Inyang Bassey has this to say ’’ we’re very excited to have Dr. Ntekim. I urged Esit Eket to stand up for Dr. Ntekim for power is great and a people with political power can reach anywhere they want. So, this is our turn to produce the next governor. I am here to tell you (Ntekim) that zone C will give you support but you must work. You mustn’t go to sleep after this. I pray God to grant you the grace.
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