Onofiok Luke and the making of Akwa Ibom’s 6th Legislature

BY SAMUEL AYARA

As the inauguration of  the newly elected government representatives in the legislature across the country beckons, anxiety over the next line of the people’s expectation has been on the rise. This informs the several in claims and counter claim that has characterized the polity in a bid to protecting diverse interests.

The importance of accommodating all interests in the making of the current democratic dispensation cannot be overemphasized. Especially now that inclusion and credibility has become a major factor in defining the true essence of democracy. One could say that if service be the hallmark of governance, we may sure be in for interesting times, as our choices could this time make or mar our hopes.

In living true to these expectations, it is pertinent to call to mind the need of strengthening democratic institutions, and making the different arms of government work for the people, rather than work against them. If the true essence of democracy is anything to go by; there would be need to start doing the needful, by carefully departing from the era when our democracy was called nascent, to the reality of a fledging system.

The history of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly since at inception is likened to Banana Republic; where every leader must necessarily go down, sometimes for doing nothing. This instability has become the bane of the legislative arm, which by extension has negatively affected the business of legislation and policy development.

The clamour for legislative autonomy, has dominated the polity, but not many care to question if the legislature truly wants this independence. If you ask me, I will say that some of them would wish to, even as some never had any business being in the house at first instance, as evidenced in the number that gets missing amidst a handful 26 members, shortly after inauguration.

It is noteworthy that the 5th assembly which was christened the People’s assembly and headed by Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon, had a few lawmakers who gave their best in defense of their core legislative mandates, while others were just basking in the comfort of docility the hallowed chambers provided, not minding their constituent’s fate.

In being kind to those that did well even in the face of provocative blackmail; it is on record that posterity would reckon with these few. Even as it will with the many that watched alame, at situations that almost consumed their people, because they feared criticism.

Interestingly, rather than celebrate those who had chosen to be docile, the government was kind enough to hearken to the plea of the few that dared to be heard; it of the truth was a government of the people, and in all sense would not sacrifice the welfare of the people on the altar of docile quietude.
The fifth assembly despite mindless tantrums, recorded some landmark achievements, a few includes the child’s right law, gender protection law, healthcare bill, labour law, and several other life touching bills. The reversal of the pension bill for past Governors and Deputy, which the people rose against, is also a plus to the fifth assembly, and a testimony to their pro-people disposition.

All of these achievements would amount to naught, without a succession deal that would consolidate on the pro-people attributes of the fifth assembly, which was neither confrontational with the executive nor stood against the people. They were able to achieve a balance in the discharge of their legislative responsibility, despite a few cases of human errors, which in any case is expected.

As this dispensation unveils, expectations are high, but in all these; choices of first team players would be a major determinant of the administration’s readiness to deliver on its mandate. In all fairness, the robustness of the next administration would be greatly dependent on the synergy between the government and the people.

In a bid to ensure the next assembly lives to its bidding, it is necessary to separate good legislators from good representatives. One who can serve as a bridge between the two categories, one who must show beyond every doubt that he belongs to both classes, should be supported to lead the house, as he can better handle the task of separating legislators from representatives in the 6th assembly.

This is where the man, Hon Barr Onofiok Luke, comes to mind, in the choice of leading the Akwa Ibom’s sixth assembly. At the expense of being misunderstood, I am not campaigning for him to emerge as the Speaker, neither has he told me he is aspiring for the position, but this could serve as a guide to whoever would emerge in the end.

Without fear of contradiction, I seek to put forth that a man in the mould of Onofiok Luke, would be the best bet, as he will balance the interest of government with that of the people, and would at all times be loyal to the task of making the society a better place. The more reason, we must look beyond every considerations, and settle for a man who can be like Onofiok, if not the scion of the Luke’s dynasty.

If we are caught at the cross roads of choices, we should but settle for informed choices, considering the times we have found ourselves in, it is now time for the real deal, all thanks to Chief Godswill Akpabio, who has given Akwa Ibom a new identity and orientation, to guide our sojourn to the next frontier.

The need to espouse passion for good governance and result oriented leadership cannot be compromised; even beyond now. All we have to do is stoop further, so that generations to come would have what to stand on. This informs why credibility should henceforth guide our decisions.

The vibrancy of the legislature may not entirely be dependent on negative engagement with the executive, though dependence on the executive should be discouraged in every form and type. As representatives of the people, they need to always go with the people and only explain to the people why they should change their minds if they feel the people are wrong.

It is on this note that we should encourage the need of creating a balance in the mean leadership age, by seeing that if the age of the governor, allows him the liberty of being an elder. It then suffices that the speaker be looked for within the age range of below forty, to give the youths (which are the most active population) a place in decision making, to affirm the 10% for youths agitation.

The speaker in the 5th assembly had risen to the position of Chairman Conference of Speakers in Nigeria, that acclaim need not be watered down. We owe our state the duty of seeing that whoever emerges speaker in the next assembly has a national identity and acclaim, which would aide our flight to stardom.

If we have been blessed with a Governor in Udom Emmanuel, who is known the world over, we should then not allow mediocrity inform our choice of a Speaker, since that may amount to serving meals meant for adults with infant spoon. Having come into this glorious era, we cannot settle for a local champion; it is an era of competence and reputation.

In the light of this, need I mention that a man who has shown capacity in the leading of thousands of Nigerian students, former Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament and an all time best representative and legislator, a man that understands sustainable development as the politics of the moment, will not be a bad choice?

Since the responsibility of choosing who leads per time depends on members of the assembly, who at first consideration are the peoples representative, I am not convinced they would wish to vote differently from an acceptable choice which their people would be proud of, except asking for a people-based legislature to them means asking for too much.

A man that has exuded unparalleled goodwill across the State is the perfect fit for the leadership of the state legislature, reasons being he would be speaker of the entire state and not a single constituency, a trait Onofiok Luke has shown for a period as long as his advent into politics.

True to words of the former President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, “when a man succeeds in a given assignment, he should be called into more responsibility” Having served the people of Nsit Ubium State Consituency meritoriously to deserve a second term, even against the fiercest political dagger of the opposition, it can be affirmed that he deserves the mandate of the people to further his good works in the state.

With the affirmation of the street, the most populated political block in the State, one can beat his hand to the chest and say that, it is not an easy task to win the admiration of the street. If one man has, then there is something he has done differently, and as such should be allowed to keep showing his street-credibility in the business of governance, which is in dire need.

I therefore submit even against those who would come asking for my head, that Com. Barr. Onofiok Akpan Luke is the beat of all interests in the leadership of the legislature. He will protect the interests of both the government and citizens. This is the most reason we should all join the call on this illustrious son of Nsit Ubium, to join the leadership race of the 6th Akwa Ibom Assembly

I hereby present Onofiok Luke, as the ticket of the street, for Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. Those in support say Ayyyyyyy!
Samuel Ayara writes in from Ibong Otoro, in Abak Local Government Area.