A sagacious politician of note, a banker, lawyer and business man, Hon. Bassey Eyibio Essien is a former Vice Chairman of Ibiono Ibom local government area. As a onetime teacher, he is of the view that when rules are set for a game it should not be amended in the middle of that game. In this interview, Hon. Essien bares his mind on the issue of zoning, Governor Akpabio’s performance in the State and his LGA for the past seven years, how Akpabio’s government has affected his LGA positively in terms of appointments and road construction, the position of Ibiono Ibom during the last town hall meeting and why governorship should shift to Eket Senatorial District in 2015. Excerpts;
Who is Hon. Bassey Essien?
If I say I am the one, I think you will laugh. But that is how the question should be answered. Even from our school days when a teacher or senior student would come into the class and ask who is Bassey Eyibio Essien, normally I stand up and say I, which means I am the one.
Sir, I mean where you come from, educational background and ……… (Cuts in)
I am from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. I studied for my degrees at the University of Calabar. A degree in English/Education and another first degree in law. I have been a teacher before I worked in the bank for 12 years. After that I joined active politics: contested election first in 2006. The Honourable you hear people prefix against my names comes from my being an elected Vice Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area from July 2008 to September 2011. I am still in active politics and business.
You have contested election to represent your people at the House of Assembly twice; do you intend to contest again in 2015?
I started active politicking by contesting and I am almost used to high stake in politics. And I believe the highest stake is when you step out to contest. Contesting this time is secondary, primarily, I want to work to assist the leader of the party in Akwa Ibom State to bring on board one who will sustain the uncommon transformation already established. The maxim is “seek ye first the kingdom of God, all other things shall be added unto you”.
Is there anything like zoning in your Local Government Area?
Something very close to that, but not necessarily the entire Local Government sitting down to agree. When we tried, it was not implemented to the end. We can agree as few individuals; a sort of small clique or caucus arrangement. A gentlemen sort of turn by turn arrangement. You know decision is always taken by the few, presented convincingly to the majority who then key into it and get it implemented. That is how political offices are garnered be it elective or appointment. We have to try something, we have to try and start something. You know this is a brand new system, the beginning of a new era where old things are written off to the museum of forgotten things.
What is your take on the zoning of governorship position in Akwa Ibom State?
However we want to call it: be it zoning, turn by turn or fair distribution has to be institutionalized and consolidated. It is fair, it is just, it is equitable. It has been there; Uyo has taken 8 years, Ikot Ekpene is going to complete 8 years, then Eket has to take its turn. If the arrangement that threw up Uyo and Ikot Ekpene was not an agreement structured by men, it is time in this new era we started doing things right. The leaders are under obligation to put things right. In this new era, order must be followed, leaders must lead, those at the head must be respected so that they will be focused and give us direction. The leader of this state is the Governor. Respecting him is a biblical injunction that is binding on us. God kept him there and our collective responsibility is to allow him to lead for us to follow. In a meeting of Nigerian States representatives, the Governor answers “present” when a roll call is made and Akwa Ibom is called. If people say there is no zoning in Akwa Ibom, well, but one thing that we cannot deny is that there is leadership in Akwa Ibom. Zoning would have shown us the direction. Then if people say there is no zoning, it is left for the leader to show us the way. And as I said earlier in another newspaper, “we shall follow”.
You keep referring to new era system, new order … what are you referring to?
You see, nothing happens just for happening sake. Every event has some spiritual undertone. Akwa Ibom State was created in 1987. The “test-run” took about 5 years. At the inception of civil rule in Akwa Ibom in 1992, Obong Akpan Isemin from Etinan was the Governor while the state Chairman of the party (NRC) and the Speaker of AKHA were Lambert Udoh and Hon Jimmy Jimmy Ntuen respectively all from Essien Udim. Nineteen years after (in 2011) , the first circle was completed with the emergence of the Governor, the party Chairman and the Speaker also from Essien Udim and Etinan Local Government Area in reverse order: The Governor from Essien Udim, while the party chairman and the Speaker reversed to Etinan. That has completed the system and one dispensation. We entered the new era then and everything becomes new. You cannot conclude that what did not happen in the old arrangement cannot happen in the new.
The new order is the exact antithesis of the old. There is going to be equity, fairness and orderliness. There is going to be zoning if there was none, the leader must lead in the new era, if leaders were followers in the old system. The governed will follow the Governor as the cart follows the horse, if it was Vice versa. There will be synergy between the state and the centre if it was not there. All old things had past away giving way to the new arrangement because Akwa Ibom is now a brand new order driving on the wheel of change for progress. The only constant is the will of God for the State because God changes not. God’s will must always be done: as it was in the beginning, it is so now and forever shall it be in Akwa Ibom State without end.
How do you see the concept of the present Governor installing a successor – What is the possibility?
It is a done deal. How will the Governor not be able to put in a successor? I cannot imagine that. The Governor will certainly install a successor. He will do it as a sitting Governor. If he cannot do it as a sitting Governor, he will do it as the leader of the party in the State. If he cannot do it as the leader of the party in the state, he will do it as a member of the national caucus of the party. If that appears to fail, he will do it as the present chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum. He will be able to negotiate for a successor as the man that will lead delegates from Akwa Ibom State to go and deliver the president at the presidential primary. My brother, do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked – Godswill Akpabio installing a successor is a done deal.
What happens if his chosen and anointed candidate turns out not to be politically qualified in the eyes of the people?
God will guide and direct the Governor to a good choice. Remember also that since power belongs to God who gives it to whosoever he chose qualification in the eyes of the people is secondary. God does not choose the qualified lest any man should boast; He qualifies the chosen and that is how God works. David was the least qualified amongst the sons of Jesse but when chosen by God, he became the most qualified to be king of Israel.
Can we do a critical comparison of the achievements of this Government?
Well, if you can do it, you can go ahead and do it. I have told you that we are in a complete brand new era. All right, I am from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. Let me attempt an appreciation of what has happened in that Local Government. We have a new road spanning from Itak to Oko Ita and beyond. Which other road existed in that Local Government that I should compare with? I cannot compare one thing with no other. This government had given the position of Speaker of AKHA to Ibiono Ibom for three years. We have occupied the position of Commissioner for Finance from inception of this government. Or can you not imagine the weight of both the Speaker and the Finance Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State coming from one Local Government? My brother, let this Governor finish in 2015. When another one comes in, then at a point we can do an analysis and compare. For now, this is the first government with great impact in Ibiono Ibom where I come from. I cannot compare one thing as well as you cannot clap one hand. Do you want us to compare the road network across the state, the urban renewal of Uyo, the numerous flyovers, the status position of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, the youth empowerment policy to what is going on in older states in Nigeria? There is no state in Nigeria which has attained the development level of Akwa Ibom State. Or better still, can you compare Akwa Ibom State with Katsina (because Katsina is our age mate) state? Please let us not compare, the Governor has performed.
Were you at the last town hall meeting in your Federal Constituency (Itu/Ibiono Ibom)?
Yes
What is your take on the positions of the speakers?
I completely endorse the positions of Hon. Idongesit Ituen and Barr. Mfon Udeme. The turn to produce the next Governor goes to Eket Senatorial District. And that is the summarized position of that federal constituency. That is my position. That is the position of my people. That is the position of AKWA IBOM CONSOLIDATION ALLIANCE (ACA) which I am the coordinator in Ibiono Ibom. As far as ACA is concerned, it is consolidation and continuity so that Godswill shall be done again, and again, and again.
Sir your advice to Akwa Ibom people
“Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord”. “Kindness begets Kindness”. In criticizing the Governor, let us do to others what we would like others to do to us (Holy Bible); or let us act according to the maxim that we would like to be adopted as a universal law (Immanuel Kant). This is my position.
That you sir.
You are welcome.
I ADMIRE
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