The clock is ticking very fast. The gladiators are doing everything to keep pace with the frenetic speed with which time has assumed.
The serious candidates and jokers alike are not leaving anything to chance – they are busy oiling their political machineries for the battle ahead without qualms.
The various camps are devising subtle strategies to outwit one another. Many have started frequenting their villages to more or less familiarize themselves with their people while also doling out some goodies both in cash and kind to sway the minds of the people to their aspirations. At times like this, politicians summarily become ‘saints’ and very close friends with almost anybody they can.
They see themselves in equal terms and will dare not engage in acts that could alienate them from the masses.
Bags of rice, food condiments, goats and other items are distributed magnanimously. They suddenly develop a different spirit and ways of doing things. Their all round conduct and posture becomes welcoming and accommodating. Infact, as a result of what they share our during this period, those who benefit from such largesse coin fascinating appellations to cloth them. You will hear things like: ‘friend of the poor’, ‘merciful leader’, ‘father of the fatherless’, ‘cheerful giver’, ‘husband to the widows’ and many other fanciful sobriquet just to constantly remind their ‘benefactor’ that they are solidly behind him.
With these appellations springing up like grass daily, the man with the ‘golden heart’ is spurred up to do more. If he has the wherewithal in abundance, he deploys it fully to the welfare of the people.
He sinks a borehole immediately, renovates some primary schools, gives a facelift to some decrepit buildings while also ensuring that his people enjoy power supply.
Their milk of human kindness flows in torrents to every corner of their communities. They are ‘missed’ by the people when they head back to their base in the city. Everywhere becomes dull and drab. The people whose faces hitherto beamed with smiles suddenly become disconsolate and pale. They would better have their ‘donor’ live permanently in their midst rather than see them fly to the city in a flash. They groan and moan in endless return of their man with a ‘large heart’. Upon his return, everywhere becomes lively, there’s partying and a no-hold-barred soiree. The hitherto dull mood of the community springs to life even as the jubilant supporters’ enthusiasm and solidarity reaches fever-pitch.
The foregoing is a clear picture of what transpires when politicians seek for votes from their people. It has become a normal phenomenon for them as it serves as an avenue to stand on a good stead ahead of what is envisaged to be a fierce contest. They adopt win-win strategies all in a bid to have an edge over their opponents. That’s politicians for you; they are unique in character and planning. They are blessed with the special instinct of knowing when to blink and when to ‘shine’ their eyes. They know when to keep their focus on the ball and the next marauding move to make. These are qualities that stand them out among the pack.
In Akwa Ibom State, governorship contestants for next year’s elections are certainly no losing grip with the demands of the time. Infact, in one of such subtle moves to win the heart of the people, the Secretary to the State Government and one of the front runners in next year’s gubernatorial election, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel was at the famous Ibom Plaza to feel the pulse of the people and subtly use the avenue to test his popularity. According to those who confided in THE INK, the SSG came to Ibom Plaza to watch one of the ongoing World Cup matches only for him to divert attention to his governorship ambition.
Eye witnesses say that the viewing public were not comfortable with his political rhetoric which was visible in their mood. They maintained that the gestures and reaction from the people was cold and unwelcoming. Sensing that something untoward could erupt, he was swiftly helped into the car and zoomed off without a trace. Bedlam! Bad omen!
That singular incident has confounded a great many and left others wondering why such treatment could be meted out to Udom Emmanuel especially with regards to the return of the Ibom Plaza big screen which was hitherto in the history books. The Ibom Plaza which was built by the previous administration as a point of relaxation, leisure, business and other side-attractions served as an avenue for convergence as Akwa Ibomites and settlers alike trooped in in their numbers to savour the fun and panache that was constantly on offer.
The big screen provided fans the opportunity of watching football, movies and other trending events. One could be forgiven to think that Ibom Plaza as at then was mostly visited by the youths and perhaps children. The expansive Plaza was a place that played host to different individuals from all walks of life. Families were seen mostly on Sundays taking photographs and walking around to savour the scenery and beauty that made the Plaza tick and an epicenter of endless revelry.
But in no time, the people woke up to the stark reality that their big screen was no longer switched on for their viewing delight. Many thought it was due to a technical hitch that could be rectified soon.
But their hopes and conviction dashed when they waited for months without any succor in sight. Years went by and the often densely populated Plaza assumed a deserted life as business was no longer as usual and the heavy human traffic waned drastically. Everyone gradually ‘forgot’ Ibom Plaza and settled for the ubiquitous viewing centres. It was only recently that some concerned Akwa Ibomites launched a sustained campaign for our big screen to be brought back. They made use of both the print and social media platforms to agitate their points. In less than no time, the SSG, apparently hearkening to the people’s request installed another screen in a move many believe is a campaign stunt meant to compel the people to rally round him. It is on this background that the tame welcome he got when he went there to catch a glimpse of one of the ongoing matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It has led many to wonder if the former Zenith Bank chief would have a smooth ride to the Hilltop Mansion come 2015. Many have maintained that Udom Emmanuel is unpopular and infact is a green-horn as far as the state’s political terrain is concerned. Others also see him as governor Godswill Akpabio’s stooge who hopes to ride on the back of His Excellency to the Government House.
There ‘s also another section who contend that the Udom brand will not see the light of day as he has not paid his dues political-wise. It is also believed in many quarters that as a banker turned politician, he may not be imbued with the gift of ‘giving’. Whatever that means!
But in the midst of all these seeming shortcomings, those promoting the ‘Udom is Right’ mantra are not perturbed by the groundswell of rejection that have attended the Udom stable. They have continued to vigorously propagate the gospel of ‘Udom is Right’ at every given opportunity or platform. Hardly could one find a state tabloid that does not dedicate at least a page for Udom Emmanuel. Infact, the man from the corporate world have almost become a cult figure in the state. Everywhere in the state has felt the Udom sermon so much that it is gradually phasing out that of Godswill Akpabio from the lips of the people. It is Udom everywhere! I have really had cause in recent time to wonder what qualifies one to be a governor of a state. The thoughts have been raging like wild fire and further intensified when Ayo Fayose of the PDP defeated the incumbent governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi of the APC in the recently concluded elections. Does it mean that being popular or possessing a reasonable political clout could favour one at the polls? Could it also be that one could have an edge over his opponents if he mixes well with the people? Could a candidate also have a seamless or landslide victory at the polls if he has the backing of the incumbent governor? These posers germane because of the unpredictable dimension political calculations have assumed in our society.
Prior to the Ekiti State governorship elections, not a few people believed that Kayode Fayemi of the APC would win the contest on account of his incumbency. Ayo Fayose, a former governor of the state was not expected to cause any upset at the polls especially with the believe among some folks that he does not have the charisma and a refined character to lead Ekiti State. During the campaigns, branded bags of rice with the picture of Ayo Fayose and the PDP logo flooded the state. It was one of the strategies adopted by the crowed-moving Fayose to psyche the people. It worked for him. He won the contest against all odds and expectations.
The people must have voted massively for him because of that singular campaign strategy. Feeding the people! That is our country – the people are hungry and famished as a result of years of neglect and unfavourable policies by the government. Hence in Fayose, they saw a man that will quench their hunger. A man that understands the immediate problem of the people and works hard to meet it. A man with a grassroots flavor that has lived in Ibadan, the state capital all his life even after the EFCC and some forces sacked him from office in 2006. He maintained a close relationship with the people and would interface with them from time to time to know what their worries and aspirations are. He was gregarious and a true Ekiti citizen in all ramifications. For Fayemi, he was seen as an elitist; someone who did not really understand the basic needs of the people and only embarked on projects he felt could be beneficial to the masses without recourse to the disposition of the people.
This and other elitist attributes worked against the soft-spoken politician at the polls. Surprisingly, what has dominated the headlines is not Fayose’s victory but Fayemi’s humility to accept defeat and quickly congratulate his conqueror. It was an act that confounded political observers in the country who have described the feat as quite ‘unNigerian’. If anything, Fayemi perhaps knew why he lost and hence saw no wisdom in going to court to contest the election as it has become the character of our politicians. He accepted his fate with an air of sportsmanship while Fayose has in turn remained magnanimous in victory.
By their actions, both men have set a precedence in our politics and have created a new chapter and a model our politics should follow. They have shown the true attributes of true democrats that should naturally permeate our democracy. This is what politics means and the way it should be played. The politics of daggers, brawns and assassinations remains undemocratic and alien to out culture.
Any candidate whose intention is to maim and slaughter fellow humans to achieve his ambition is not fit to lead or even live around sane minds.
Such disruptive elements are not the kind of persons any society should harbor and condone. They are evil and venomous and therefore portend grave danger to any civilized society.
Akwa Ibomites must be watchful and vigilant as they head to the polls in a matter of months. We must follow the Ekiti example by taking our destiny in our hands. Let’s not be deceived or cowed into rooting for candidates whose private and public conduct is nothing to write home about. We must go for the best man that will know the plight of the masses and go all out to address those needs without delay. Many of the candidates will throw up many goodies all in a bid to sway our minds.
We must vote without bias and unfounded sentiments if we must not be made to regret our decision in the long run. We know what we want and wisdom only demands that we do the rightful thing and upset bookmakers. Our maturity as a people must reflect at the polls. No candidate is worth the blood of any Akwa Ibom child.
Fayemi and Fayose have set a hallmark in governance and our beleaguered democracy, hence we must follow suit and entrench this culture in our political terrain. All the contestants can’t be governors at the same time.
Two captains cannot paddle the same boat – it doesn’t work that way. We must put on our thinking caps and put the welfare and future of the state before our personal gains. We have only one state hence we must guard it jealously.
One does not need to be popular to be a good leader. One will not emerge a governor because of his hair style, the way he walks, talks and the number of years he has been in politics. Though, one cannot totally rule out the influence such attributes could contribute in our politics as they more or less say a lot on how far one can go at elections. Back to Fayose’s rice. Yes, this may just be an ‘expo’ to our governorship hopefuls. They can go the Fayose way. It may not necessarily be rice. Look for other staple and brands with high demand to market yourself. It can work o!
Everybody needs food – take such branded food items to the rural areas and distribute them to your target audience. Most of the rural dwellers are subsistence farmers and are only living from hand-to-mouth. Imagine them returning from the farm to find a bag of rice or even garri with your name boldly written on it in their house. Goodness me; the sky will only be your limit if your lauchpad at the polls.
If you are still contemplating on what campaign strategy to adopt, you better act fast because time and time waits for no man. Find a need in your community or neighbourhood and fill it immediately. Sink a borehole, buy soccer boots and kits for the youths, go to church and see what you can contribute to its growth. In all, let us play safe and put public interest above our personal gratification.
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