2015- UPN vows to reclaim Nigeria

BY KING UMANA

The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was a Nigerian political party that was dominant in western Nigeria during the second republic. The party revolved around the political leadership of Obafemi Awolowo, sometimes polemical politician but effective administrator. The party’s ideology is all about “people’s first” in everything and was the first party to promote free education and was labeled Welfarist Party. UPN has had its own share of political turmoil and at several times suffered. Major setbacks but precisely April 27, 2014, INEC gave the go ahead for the registration of the party and prominent Nigerians in the likes of; Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, Alhaji Abubakar sokoto,Dr Dominic Manzo Abubakar, et al are solidly behind the party and ever since then the party has not looked back.

Sometime in August 2014, the UPN train arrived in Akwa Ibom and stationed at 31 Itiam Street, through the concerted effort of Dr. Nsikak Umoren, who is the state leader of the party. UPN has become one of the fastest growing parties in the state, with members numbering about 30,000 and amazingly, so many women and youth groups have identified with the party in the state. In so short a period, the party has been able to secure about 25 local government areas in the state, and it is still counting. UPN has been able to secure the House of Representative, Oron Constituency, also including positions, due to INEC deadline, UPN, in a unanimous decision, secured the governorship ticket for any viable and credible candidate within this week up to the 13th of January 2015.

The party carried out an awareness tour in the state, which at the end decided to ask some salient points; according to some of its investigation, it was found out that teachers have not been paid their salaries for more than six months, and what kind of impact that will have on our children? Will these teachers, give their best? Let’s pause and think.

Until  now, nobody has taken the pains to ask why Akwa Ibom State, do not have a long-term strength (which helps to bring check and balance), when we were told by the present administration from inception that all the 31 Local Government Areas will have at least one industry in each, can we find any of that? Let’s pause and think.

If the present government, have not been able to build any, what has happened to some of the existing ones like Qua Steel Mill in Eket, Palm Oil Industry in Abak, Fishing Terminal at Ibaka, Science Park, and Abestonic Industry in Oron? Let’s pause and think.

Yes, roads and “some” other infrastructures have been built, what impact are these things to the common man? About 80% of the money accrue by the state cannot be accounted for, can we know were these monies are pause and think. Our young men and women dreamt of securing viable jobs but the opposite is seen today, why should this be, in a state that receives the highest revenue allocation in the country? Why young men should become “slaves” to politicians before they can have at least, something close to a better life? Pause and think 

There is a rumour making the rounds that huge amount of money is indebted to Zenith Bank, by the state, if this is true, means that future generations will be in alter slavery international help is not forthcoming, due to the impression that all is well in Akwa Ibom? Akwa Ibom ado ok. Pause and think. 

Majority of us keep asking what is the real meaning of uncommon transformation. Is it the roads, flyovers, or hospitals? These are actually the responsibilities of any sound government; it is our constitutional right, what is so uncommon about all these? Instead what we are really seeing are uncommon very, uncommon poverty, uncommon tribalism, etc, these are some of the many reasons UPN is careful in choosing a progressive candidate to forestall all these “uncommon” in common things. The candidates must have the “people’s first” attitude and will be able to create and manage the wealth of the state. He must not only give free but qualitative education and shun tribal sentiments.

UPN has been tested and proven in the west. This is what UPN stands for and intends to do in Akwa Ibom. Fellow citizens let’s pause and think, before we cast our votes, for posterity sake.