Udom's chalice

After all the hurly burly and rancorous hullabaloo that greeted the campaigns, attack on persons, mudslinging and the likes, it is wise and fitting that we sheathe our various swords and see how to move forward as a people. Fighting, throwing of fisticuffs and campaigns of calumny will surely not be in our benefit. It is time to rise up against petty prejudices and strike a balance that will propel us to the level that will place us on a good stead to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Beginning from the number one seat in the state where Deacon Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has emerged as the Governor-elect, the House of Assembly members who all received their certificates of return yesterday down to other offices in the land, it is time to get down to work, real work. This is a time to seriously and dedicatedly emphasise on what unites us as people while deemphasising what disunites us and put us at daggers drawn with one another now and again. We must grow up and be seen to have grown in words and in deed. Things have changed. Saner climes are very committed to how they can contribute ideas to making their societies better by constantly devoting time to thinking of those things that will advance peace and harmonious co existence of all and sundry but here, it is always disheartening if not shocking that what we preoccupy our time with is how to pull one another down. We think of how to destroy the integrity of another with so much passion which most times, gives us out as people that are still operating under the influence of the stone age while presenting us as ancient folks that are highly and alarmingly uncivilised.

I will never tire out from always laying blames on the feets of our elders; reason being that they are the chief custodians of our culture, traditional beliefs and those values that knit us together. They are, by their statuses expected to show the way at all times and caution defaulting youths and their subordinates when they err. The youths should always have confidence in their elders. They should listen to them and learn from them always so as not to go contrary to laid down rules and laws that govern the land. The words that come out of their mouths should always be inspiring and soothing. They should say words and lead lives that are not only exemplary but capable of stimulating the mind of the young ones to follow suit. While these are just the basic qualities we expect of elders, it is rather pathetic that the reverse is the case in our time. Our ‘big men’ have, by their utterances, postures and judgments, presented themselves as people whose minds have been decimated, contaminated and configured obtusely so much that they, rather than make comments that unites and also maintain their dignified positions, they have today, become people whose utterances cause commotion and pits people and  communities against one another. 

These men should always lead by example but they have woefully failed in their responsibility with most of the reasons not being far-fetched. At the root of some of their public faux pas is the lure of money. This is why most will see evil in the land and keep mute. They look the other way while calamity walks on all fours. What do we make of a situation where elders utter words in public that have the tendency to cause disharmony while carrying on as if nothing is wrong with all that. In all, the fact remains that if we continue in the manner we are going, then, our future and that of the unborn is in jeopardy. This is time for realignment, reengineering and reorientation that will right the wrongs we have already wrought on the land. It is never too late to make amends. The success lies in taking a step conscientiously and following it up meticulously and with strong resolution to change things. Elders must once again, take up their pride of place and assume the responsibilities that have been placed on them by the virtue of their age and standing in the society. Will they heed this advice?  Time will tell. I digress.

Two weeks away from today, Mr. Udom Emmanuel will be sworn in as governor of Akwa Ibom state to take over from where Governor Akpabio will stop. Surely, huge responsibility rest on his shoulders. He is also coming in at a time political awareness is very high among the people. The expectations of the people on Udom are legion. Those without roads want him to come in immediately and salvage their situation. Those suffering from neglect but voted en masse for him want quick dividends. The deprived, the downtrodden and the oppressed are all looking up to him to bring about permanent and immediate changes to their situations. Those wallowing in abject poverty want to sing a new song. They desire a turnaround in their fortunes. They want their story to change from shame to fame, lamentation to celebration and failure to success. 

Those who campaigned tenaciously for him are also waiting in the wings to have some share and fill of the Government that they rallied behind throughout the rigorous campaign period and the voting processes. So, Udom has got his hands full. There’s no pretence about that neither can he run away from the realities on ground. On the other hand too are his close allies. Those I can elect to call his bosom friends. Remember that Udom Emmanuel does not have structures politically. That is the truth. But he is coming in with loads of experience and some level of financial and managerial expertise from the banking sector. That is where he built his fiefdom. That is his foundation and from where he has garnered whatever experience he intends to bring to bear as far governing Akwa Ibom state is concerned. Udom may be described by many as a greenhorn politically but he just has to settle down to the business side of governance and come to grasp with the workings of government while also being domesticated politically. Udom is treading on an unfamiliar terrain. A terrain that is riddled with slippery slopes, bumpy roads and highly convoluted with all manner of personages, both the good, the bad and the out rightly deceitful.  

It is not the bank that you know the number of staff at your disposal and dish out orders and effectively monitor the day to day goings on in the system without having your well fitted suit ruffled or your finely sewn tie displaced. It is a small world compared to managing a whole people from different backgrounds, persuasions, idiosyncrasies and culture. Here, you are confronted by highly sophisticated people both educationally and in every other way. You have all manner of persons to contend with. There are those that will come with sweet talks intended only to coax you into doing their bidding to the detriment of the masses so long as their interest is served. There is also a cabal that will always want to dictate how things are done. They want to tell you what to do and what not to do. They want to advice and even handpick those that the governor should work with and all that. It is a dicey office with so many complexities. It can be a poisoned chalice for Udom if he doesn’t break away from the norm and create his own identity. He must carve a niche for himself and chart a way for his administration. 

Udom has variously been accused of coming to cover Akpabio’s tracks. Those in this school of thought are of the opinion that Udom Emmanuel is a smokescreen for Akpabio to have a third shot at governance. Many things have been said and by different personalities with each adducing substantial reasons for their argument and stance. But today, I wish not to dwell on all that but I hasten to urge the governor-elect to beware of spoilsports and kill joys. In other to dispel the beliefs and disabuse these persons from their mindsets, the Awa Iman born trained banker must know that this is his administration and not run by another individual on proxy. 

He must not be a figurehead or allow outside influences to overwhelm him. The challenges that lay ahead are numerous. Truth be told, it is not all those that went on the rooftops to holler “Udom is right, Udom Correct’’ that really mean well for the man. Many only queued behind him because of what they stand to gain from his administration and not what they can bring to the table to help add some verve and fillip to his government. Some are bunch of sycophants who are only out to scoop the goodies of Government without commensurate meaningful contribution to how things should be done. While it won’t be easy to readily sieve these people out, it is apt to chip in that Udom should be cautious and be wary of some people who will present themselves as saints but are wolves in fine garbs. All these are necessary if he must succeed and also leave behind an enduring legacy for posterity. Away from all of these, let’s not also shy away from the process that led to Udom’s emergence as governor -elect. We know the truth because we were there when the whole thing began. We may not have been in the kitchen but we kept our noses to the ground while keeping a close eye on the workings of government. 

The only thing we can say is that Udom was the choice of the outgoing governor who in turn convinced all his loyalists and followers that Udom will be his successor. Who are you to counter that? Of course, you just have to nod in agreement since his emergence will still make you relevant politically. You must not necessarily hold a big post but just having close affinity with the governor is only what is needed to have access to the largesse. In no time, major stakeholders and those who played ball complied and work began in earnest. Those who proved stubborn initially were convinced with everything. Money was splashed with flourish, sooner than later, they jumped on the train and everything got going. In this game, when one is anointed, little or nothing can be done to stop his emergence because everything including state structure and apparatus will be employed to pave the way for him to sail through. Dissenters will not be spared. It’s either you are in or out. There’s no two way about it. This is politics, they say. Are you a learner?

So, in the end, whether you go with the flow or not, the major thing is that a choice has been made and in order to have a look in and remain relevant, you have no choice than to tag along with the tide. That is why the protestations are intensifying daily yet the victors are maintaining stoic deportment and cheery faces, paying no attention whatsoever to what the aggrieved ones feel about how things have panned out. To worsen things, the PDP said they will investigate how the APC in Akwa Ibom managed to have the number of votes they amassed. How ridiculous! But it is not a day to talk about parties, so, I won’t espouse more. But the point is that the election was not clean even though we cannot have an election devoid of minor skirmishes. But continuing in this way is not the best option for a state named after God; or, is the God factor being used only when it suits our whims and caprices? The system needs cleansing. This is the task ahead for Udom. He should begin to fashion out ways to reverse the ugly trend before we all get consumed by it.

Other parties who contested the election are in court today because they were not given a level playing field to test their popularity. Everything was manipulated in favour of the anointed candidate hence let no one cast aspersions on them for going to the tribunal. It is not a must that they win, but they will be contented that they protested the outcome of the elections. It is their right, so let them exercise it. Whether they win or not, the reality is that the process has huge question marks hanging over it but we just have to move on. In moving on, let us devise ways to correct the system else those we armed to cause havoc for ephemeral success will, in the long run, turn the fire on us when the table eventually turns. It may not be now but surely, there is a tomorrow. Finally, Udom has emerged because he was programmed for it. He can as well unite warring factions through his utterances and how he runs his government. Boasting that the election was free and fair is taking his luck too far. Methinks peace will reign and calm return if he admits that some things were not in order but with time, he will correct them all. That is my viewpoint. After all, is it not one state that we have? Or, are we planning to create a new state pronto? Well, except we are strategising to create a new state. If not, can we just help our state grow by preaching and practicing justice?  I hope someone is listening!