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| Tony Akan |
In a political clime like Nigeria where elected officers and political office holders often make themselves demi-gods to their subjects, it will be totally unthinkable for anybody to believe that there could be a politician, in this part of the country, who sees fame and extravagant life style as unnecessary to his calling. Such politician could be said to be a pretender whose real character is masked within the frontier of his political interest with the aim of currying supports from his people to further his political course. But when such life style is consistent with the person in question for many years, such can be said to be his character. Therefore, show me a politician who snubs his supporters after election and I will show you a man who has turned his house into human friendly centre. A man who spends every day of his existence listening to his people and assisting them in all human possible ways. A politician who takes everybody around him as his sibling and deny no one his right. A peaceful gentleman who believes that promotion comes from God, and as such, whoever God chooses to lead him and his people deserves their support. Show me the people’s leader, pathfinder, father to the poor, students-friendly captain, and I will tell you that Rt. Hon. Tony Akan is the one.
Just like Prof. Jerry Gana, whose consistent participation in every government of the day has marked him out as a gift and one of the eggheads in Nigeria, Mr. Tony Akan can be akin to Jerry Gana of Akwa Ibom. His participation in government right from Senator Godswill Akpabio’s days as Transition Committee Chairman, and later elected as the Executive Chairman of Uruan Local Governmant Area, has made him a unifying figure in which everybody in Uruan Local Government Area has the cause to reckon with. With his transformational leadership style, Mr. Tony Akan has been able to create a milestone both structural wise and in terms of human empowerment, in which posterity will never forget him. In his dealings with his people, Rt. Hon. Tony Akan has ensured integrity, sincerity, authenticity, consistency, humility, and admitting mistakes and never hiding them. His leadership role as the council helmsman has given a sense to all, irrespective of party affiliation, and regious attachment.
During the last general elections in the state, it was never a debatable issue that Uruan Local Government Area was a stronghold of All Progressive Congress(APC), yet the onion was on Mr. Tony Akan to prove his mettle as a seasoned politician by mobilizing, and persuading his subjects to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) which eventually won the election.
During the bad days of PDP defeat at the presidential poll, Mr. Akan was at the forefront in pleading with his people not to allow the emergence of the then President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC to denigrate the achievements of the Akpabio PDP led government in the state.
Mr. Akan argued that Governor Akpabio, as the Chairman of PDP governors’ then forum had contributed immensely to the uplift of PDP as a party and Akwa Ibom people in general, thus making the state foremost in the community of states in Nigeria and the world over, sighting the Ibom international Airport, the free and compulsory Education and the rebranding of state’s image as part of the achievement.
“My brother, you will agree with me that our governor as an uncommon transformer, who has made his party, the PDP proud deserves our honour for the selfless passion and sacrifice for the the party and the Nation at large. It’s on our part as a people to reciprocate the gesture by honoring him and our party, by ensuring that we cast our vote to the PDP candidates across board. “
According to Mr Akan, who is the former Uyo senatorial district aspirant that stepped down for the emergence of Mr Bassey Albert Akpan, “abandoning Gov Akpabio and the PDP at this point in time would be a dis-service as well as Ingratitude to the man who has done us proud in his governance.”
Unlike other political office holders who see their aides as slaves and treat them as such, Mr. Akan has ten aides which he has graciously helped them live a reasonable independent life. Recently, while many politicians still muse in the lack of money-syndrome currently plaguing the state, Mr. Tony Akan last week empowered some of his supporters with new cars which is not the first time.
In one of those interactions with the Uruan Council boss, he declared, “I have never bought a car for myself. The only cars I’ve bought in life are the ones given to me my supporters’’. He explained that all the cars he has were given to him by government ,and pledged that he will do everything possible to support governor Udom Emmanuel to succeed. Mr. Tony Akan noted that, he can never fight the system which has made him what he is today, and warned blackmailers to desist from casting a harsh shadow on government of the day. This is a clear demonstration of a selfless leader and caring partner. While his mates have long left the high quiet Ewet Housing Estate to build sky-scrappers in other places, it would interest Akwa Ibom people that Mr. Tony Akan is still living in their family house till today. His philosophy of leadership by example and the passion to better the lives of his subjects have made shun extravagant lifestyle and rather use such fund to help his people.
To political pundits, if there is anybody that should have allowed PDP sink in Uruan LGA, it would have Rt. Hon. Tony Akan following the political travail he was subjected to. Despite the fact that had all what could have taken him to the senate, and the House Of Representatives, but as obedient servant, Mr. Tony Akan listened to the voices of his mentors and elders, who explained to him why he should back down, and unlike a typical Akwa Ibom bred politician, he never backstabbed his supporters and benefactors by joining forces to frustrate them at polls. This exemplary lifestyle of Mr. Akan, has showcased him as a rare breed in the murky political water of our state. It is widely known, whether in the past or present, that Mr. Tony Akan has never made a statement that has the potency to pull down his opponents or foes in politics. One of his defining philosophies is that ‘power comes from God’, and as such, no matter who leads, such a person should be given the full support. As a modest man, both in thinking and action, Mr. Akan has through prudent management of limited resources within his administrative demands, touched more lives than ever.
From the very remote area of the Local Government, to the boisterous city of the local government capital, the man Rt. Hon. Tony Akan has ensured every community benefits from his programmes.
In the whole, Mr. Tony Akan is a rare brand of gold whose existence and commitment to leadership cannot be pulled down through cheap blackmail by his enemies.
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