Wither G 22, PDP and the rest of us

BY TOROBONG EKPO

In Akwa Ibom State, politics has suddenly become a disgusting and  shameful game, to outsiders and those who are apolitical; it is very fascinating, especially the ‘Sekem’ type currently practiced in the state. 

A Governor can jeopardize the destiny of his state, via reckless spending of funds and resources, in the name of politics. It is only in our kind of politics that blood is not thicker than water. Also a relationship of decades can come crashing down all because of interest. Like they say, there are no permanent friends in politics but interests. 

Ordinarily, as an objective writer and a social critic who is somewhat not given to intervening in patently partisan “political process,” l would have maintained my calm and watched the “political process” to see the final action of the national body of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) regarding the fates of 22 Governorship aspirants in the state. But the obligation I owe to the people of Akwa Ibom State, particularly the oppressed, makes it incumbent upon me to share my knowledge regarding the matter, the obnoxious illegalities, injustice and gross irregularities surrounding the December 8, 2014, PDP Primaries in the state. 

Having seen the caliber of persons that constituted the G22 group, I have decided to christen the forum as Golden 22. Indeed, a forum that has two former Deputy Governors of the state, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Ambassador to Russia; a serving Senator; two university Dons, two astute legislators; four legal luminaries; a renowned geologist and an oil magnets, deserves to be addressed as Golden 22. For these calibers of people, who have made indelible marks in the socio-political, economic and literary history of our nation, to have assembled under one umbrella, for me, it is highly commendable and a plus for us as a state.

 Unfortunately, the forum is a child of circumstance. It evolved as a result of injustice meted against members and right thinking natives of Akwa Ibom State by the National and State Leaderships of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). 

None of the members of the group, prior to the purchase of their nomination forms, had imagined that he/she will be subjected to injustice. They had thought there would be free and fair gubernatorial primary, with the party rules and guidelines duly followed. They had believed bona fide party members would be allowed to vote for their preferred aspirant. Their faith in the party was unquenchable, believing that the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, would allow his words to be his bond. They were ready to congratulate and work with the best among them who will emerge under a decent democratic process and electoral atmosphere. 

Regrettably, it all started with a marred congress, where delegates were accredited at the State Government House instead of the constitutionally approved venue, to a point where the Golden 22 petitioned the National Leadership of the party. According to their petition, authentic delegates were not given access to the venue let alone allowed to vote, “The Governor’s security aides took it upon themselves to usher those accredited by the Governor into the stadium as against the party’s tenet.”  The Golden 22 also posited that the delegate list used at the congress was not in tandem with best practices.

In a sane and civilized society, prayers of the Golden 22, as led by a former Deputy Governor of the state, Obong Nsima Ekere, would have been attended to. The case of Lagos State is a typical example of a civilized and regarded society. When Senator Musilu Obanikoro, a Governorship aspirant, threatened to move out of PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan and the party bigwigs painstakingly rallied round and solved the impending problem. However, till date neither the national nor state leaderships of the party have put modalities to proffer solution to the Akwa Ibom State’s situation. Instead, supporters of Governor Godswill Akpabio’s ‘anointed,’ the immediate past Secretary to State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel, have branded the Golden 22 “Leaders without Followers,” “Aggrieved Politicians,” “Hungry Politicians,” among other vulgar names. 

Some politicians claim that, if G22 had made their grievances known to the public since the flawed outcome of Adhoc Ward congress, the president and national leadership of the party would have stepped in and proffer solution. But I ask, what of Obong Umana Okon Umana who drew their attention and proceeded to court to seek redress? I doubt if presidency would have mediated.  From the perceived body language of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, it appears that he has made up his mind to be loyal to Governor Godswill Akpabio more than God, who created him. 

Newspapers report that some of the members of G22 had relied on Abuja, Presidency and even Governor Akpabio’s factors of becoming the next governor of the state, thus the reason why they didn’t unite earlier and fight against impunity and injustice. Anyway, God understands better. 

 As a person, I don’t want to argue with the submissions of Udom’s supporters. The issue of followership was addressed by the unpaid crowd that welcomed the Golden 22 to the state after their 40 days stay in Abuja. It is a pity that we have blindfolded ourselves with injustice and have given a thoroughfare to impunity to thrive. What goes around comes around, they say. It is the Golden 22 today; tomorrow it might be any of us. In 2007, Chief Ime Albert was denied of senate seat, even after he won overwhelmingly on ground. In 2011, Senator Effiong Bob who controversially emerged as a winner in 2007 was deprived of third term in the red chamber. Today, Senator Ita Enang is lamenting over his second term ambition in the senate. Who knows if in 2019, Akpabio will be vying under a different political party? After all who could have believed that, Obong Umana Okon Umana, HE Donald Duke, Senator Bassey Otu will defect to APC?   I beg to add that, we should not portray any member of G22 as hungry politicians because by all standards, these men and lady are wealthy enough to cater for their family. They came to rescue Akwa Ibomites from the shackles of Oligarchy, dead-trap and dictatorship. We should instead imagine the future of our state if we prefer Baal to God.

The word Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be a misnomer. A democratic party, as it is done in developed nations, should not have disenfranchised its members-Umana Okon Umana and ors, eligible by all standards, on the pretense of following party late night decision.  

 

A democratic party should have treated, as a matter of importance, prayers of the Golden 22 as they did in the case of Lagos State. Is the financial contribution of an aspirant far better than that of 22 aspirants? Senator Obanikoro is a Nigerian and same goes to every member of the Golden 22. I am really perturbed! Even after 40 days of seeking redress in Abuja, the leadership of the party, President Jonathan, BOT Chairman of the party, Chief Tony Anenih and its National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, never gave members of the forum listening ears.  

It seems that the national leadership of PDP encourages criminality and lawlessness because I don’t see why Ayo Fayose, a then impeached governor should have been given another mandate under the same party and state he was impeached. Maybe this is why; Apostle Johnson Suleman in his 2015 prophecy admits that, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan nurtures corruption through his closeness with corrupt governors.    Back in the state, I had expected the leadership of the party, particularly its State Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, to have called for a meeting that will address the anomalies. 

 

Even the embattled Udom Gabriel Emmanuel who is today the controversial party’s standard bearer for Governorship, if he was a true democrat and a politician, should have sought ways of keeping the people in the party and also exuded the spirit of sportsmanship. This issue that they are showing nonchalant attitude today, will disturb them tomorrow.  Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel should look beyond his nose. He should know that, they will come a time, if he becomes the governor of this state, that he will need this Golden 22, even more than Akpabio.  

If Godswill Akpabio, his ‘teacher’, can today get glued to Ambassador Sam Edem, Senator Aloysius Etok, Senator Effiong Bob to mention only three, who were at dagger drawn with him some years ago, then Udom Gabriel Emmanuel should counsel himself. Udom Emmanuel should foresee that, no matter how filial his relationship with his ‘Teacher’ is today, someday, it may wither away.
H.E T.A.Orgi, Chime and Obaino were love birds with Orgi Uzo Kalu, Chimaroke Nnamani and Peter Obi respectively. How filial is their relationship today?  

History has a way of showcasing itself in politics. For instance, who would have believed that Donald Duke of Cross River State will today be a member of All Progressive Congress (APC)? What of Obong Umana Okon Umana? Did Peter Obi ever imagine that he will leave the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for PDP? What of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State? The truth is that injustice is sacrosanct in PDP. It is a party that prides itself with Impunity, lawlessness and dictatorship. In 2007, it was the turn of Obong Ime Albert. In 2011, Senator Effiong Bob had his fair share of injustice. Today, it is the Golden 22 and tomorrow it might be our dear Governor or his anointed. So, no one should rejoice over impunity, rather we should join hands and stop the undemocratic process. It is only in PDP that somebody like Ayo Fayose, an impeached Governor, is returned for a second term in office. 

Little wonder some people have narrowly accused members of the Golden 22 of going back to their vomits. The accusation is on the premise that the same members rigged elections for Governor Akpabio in 2007 and in 2011. On my part, such comments tantamount to fallacy of hasty generalization. It is not decent to say that all the members rigged elections for Governor Akpabio. One might be justified if he says ‘some of the members,’ because it is somehow difficult to believe that the likes of Barrister Asuquo Asuquo Okpo; Dr Peter Esu; Engineer Effiong Usin among others, who were not in the soapbox, rigged elections for Governor Akpabio. 

The earlier PDP, Udom Emmanuel and his supporters realize their mistakes and correct same, the better for them. One thing is very certain, before 2019, whoever will be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State will admit that, the quest pioneered by Golden 22 was similar to Nationalists who fought for the independent of this country. I have no regret still standing by G22 till date, because I know that very soon, the God of Justice will prove himself to the world. As per G22 demand, God is purely involved.