Ikono political leadership and the persecutions of a messiah, by Ubong Sampson

Mr. Emmanuel Ukpong Udo

For a while now, I have been observing events unfold within the polity of Ikono local government area. Though I initially picked no interest in them, the dimension it later assumed forced my interest out of its reservoir. Laughable or annoying, as they may appear to anyone, depending on his view of it; truth is, more than enough of the fight for political supremacy and power has been on the screen for public view, and even enough to attract the eyes of many.

For the time being, the Ikono fight has been between two sects- one consisting of protagonists of the new “messiah”- Emmanuel Ukpong Udo, and the other consisting of his antagonists, including Victor Udofia, the area’s representative in the state house of assembly who happens to lead the sect.
While acknowledging the bone of contention here to be about the political leadership of the area, the story has it that sometime early this year, the Ikono people had decided to initiate one of them into full political involvement, consequent upon their belief that the person in question has enough goodwill fit for leadership, owing to his record and deeds even as a private individual. But for whatever reason(s) known to his antagonists, this man apparently has turned out a threat to their political will and desires. Hence, the reason he is suffering all the castigation and blackmails so far thrown on him.
But for self leadership, no man takes leadership on others except he is mandated to do so. And so is the case of Obong Emmanuel Ukpong Udo who, until his people massively moved to entrust the leadership of Ikono polity in his hands, never desired such position. One might be forgetting to wonder why a man who has made it all in his private career would chose to bother himself over a political position that is of no financial, and perhaps, no other kind of benefit to him, except that it is only creating a channel for more pressure to be sent his way. Surprisingly, he is not even bothered about the latter, owing to the incurable philanthropic virus running in his blood stream which makes him ever desiring and ever willing to assist whoever comes his way.
As if that was his main purpose of being sent to planet earth, hundreds of persons from far and near his place of origin have through his existence been blessed, with more and more joining to increase the number on a daily basis. Selflessly, he has over the years sacrificed his convenience and even embarked on risky ventures just to see to the welfare of others. Boys have been made men overnight and more having glittering prospects of joining the trend anytime soon, all of these being possible  through one man- Obong Ukpong Udo.
What else is expected of a leader if not that through him, many more leaders are made to succeed him at his retiring age? What else is expected of a leader other than making God’s blessings in his domain sufficient to all. What else is expected of a leader if not to have the underprivileged share in the privileges made abundant at his disposal? How else can a leader be of value to his immediate community and larger society other than bridging the conspicuous gap separating the rich from the poor? All of these , Obong Ukpong Udo has ensured over the years to the best of his ability. If this be the case, why then would another man develop grievances over the fact that the people have seen light and decide to follow same?
When people who approach a man to ask for bread end up owing a bakery; when people who approach a man to ask for fish end up being made fishermen; when people who go to a man to ask for rent end up being landlords; when people go to a man to ask for just transport fare but return as car owners… would it be a surprise to anyone that such a man is being celebrated and honoured? Why on earth would anyone be surprised that a man who excels in his chosen career and path of goodwill is honoured with public office not as compensation, but as reward for excellence? Why?
Truth is, it is not the fault of Obong Ukpong Udo that he is so committed to the course which he was anointed for. It is no fault of his that he is not seeing the blessings and onward elevation as a means to oppress and suppress the less privileged ones, but rather as a means to encourage others to #Dakkada from being boys and make themselves men. It is not his fault that the virus of philanthropy in his blood makes him unable to enjoy his first meal each day without blessing at least one person. Certainly not his fault.
Be that as it may, like his response to every bullet of blackmail shot at him has always been, “whom God has blessed, no man can curse”. And since Obong Emmanuel Ukpong Udo is glaringly one whom God takes delight in blessing, no man has, and will ever have the power to decide otherwise. And to further make the task of bringing him down more onerous for his persecutors, this man by his actions, so believes in that part of the scriptures that, “it is only through giving that we are worthy to receive”. Therefore, with the much he has given and still giving, one can imagine how long it will take his coast to fold.
On a final note, power and the mandate of leadership is of God and only Him decides who holds it and for how long. Clear enough from indications, this man called Ukpong Udo has received this mandate from the Supreme source. And like my senior colleague, Osondu Ahirika had sometime wrote, “upon his shoulder has the government of Ikono rested”. Already, his name is Emmanuel, and as a prince of peace sent to Ikono, I foresee peace returning to the area soon, and very soon.