2015 GUBER: Stop ethnic war! …group warns selfish politicians

Mr. Basyl Obo-Ayama

A socio-political and economic discussion group in the state, Ibom Development Roundtable, whose membership is drawn from the academia, civil societies, organizations and professional bodies, has called on politicians and interest groups in the state to thread the path of peace in their quest for the furtherance of political aspirations. 

The group stated this in a press release made available to THE INK at the end of their session in Uyo last week. The discussion which was tagged “Akwa Ibom 2015 Governorship Race: Political Interest and Ethnic Unity” was meant to x-ray the ongoing political activities in the state with the aim of generating ideas that will not only contribute to the smooth transition to the next administration, but also engender peace and mutual understanding amongst ethnic nationalities in the state. 

According to the release, the facilitator of the Ibom Development Roundtable, Mr. Basyl Obo-Ayama during his paper presentation noted that “as great patriots and stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom project, we cannot afford to fold our hands in times like this, when our age-long brotherhood, peaceful heritage and ethnic unity are being dragged with the iron chain of ethnic chauvinism, mediocrity and intellectual dwarfism, to be sacrificed on the altar of selfish and personal aggrandizement of certain individuals and cliques.” 

He noted that the topic was very apt and timely in view of the ongoing ethnic-political cross-firing, which has the capacity of raising political tension, brewing mutual suspicion and undermining the age-long peaceful co-existence enjoyed in the state. He therefore called on members to express their candid positions on the issue to enable them contribute their quota in the making of a greater Akwa Ibom beyond 2015. 

At the end of the discussion, the group commended the State Governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio for his uncommon transformation programmes which has put the state on a sound footing for future industrial revolution, adding that, as the race for 2015 begins; politicians should start thinking more like statesmen, putting the unity of the state above every other interest and ethnic aspirations. They further maintained that as the people of Akwa Ibom progress towards the 2015 elections, the stone-age politics of empty propaganda and ill-motivated media warfare should be counterproductive, noting that the people are looking forward to a positively robust terrain this time from political parties and their aspirants.

It was also advised that the 2015 governorship elections should be open to all sections of the state without ethnic bias to guarantee the emergence of a competent successor with the capacity to sustain the present tempo of infrastructural and economic development in the state 

In another development, The Ibom Development Roundtable has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for convening the long expected National Conference to discuss the future of Nigeria. The facilitator, Mr. Basyl Obo-Ayama used the opportunity to call on all delegates irrespective of ethnicity or religious background, to put the interest of the nation first in their deliberations, stating that Nigerians are optimistic that the conference will fashion out a new Nigeria where equity and justice will prevail.

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN