Akwa Ibom State Politics: On the Matter of Sen. Udoedehe and Umana Okon Umana: My Opinion By Thompson Essien
Not too long ago, we read that the Akwa Ibom State APC has been convening a meeting, consulting with stake-holders, and assembling in preparation for the party to take over the State from PDP in 2019.
It is disappointing that all the news about restructuring has turned into a matter of the camp of Senator Udoedehe versus the camp of Umana Okon Umana, with each side competing on how well crafted it can be in throwing insults at the principal of the opposite side.
It is important to point out that Akwa Ibom State politics has grown and should grow beyond this type of infantile and archaic diatribes. It is also important to point out that with the advent of social media, the people of Akwa Ibom State have become sophisticated and very-well enlightened about the political affairs of their environment, where truth can no longer be obscured from them, and where all the name-calling is no longer in-vogue or appealing.
From May 2015 to August 2016, I was privileged to visit Akwa Ibom State three times. In each of my visit, I observed the grinding poverty induced by poor planning of the economy by the last administration. I observed the hunger among the people due to all the misappropriations of resources by the last administration of Godswill Akpabio.
What the people of Akwa Ibom State is in dire need is how to feed themselves, feed their families, and take care of their loved ones, live in peace and security. Therefore, if the camp of Senator Udoedehe and Umana Okon Umana think APC is going to win Akwa Ibom State because of hauling insults and opprobrium at each other, then the party might as well forget about all their strategies to take over Akwa Ibom State.
So far, as far as I am concerned, and considering that the revenue from oil allocation has dwindled, Governor Udom Emmanuel is trying his best to push the economy through positive agenda; it’s not easy, but he is trying.
If the APC think it has what it will take to present to the people and which will enhance their performance beyond what Governor Udom Emmanuel is doing, they have to stop all the infantile attack on their principals and come up with agenda that will be able to convince the people that the party torch-bearers are serious. So far, all the personal attacks are really turning-off the masses; they are not interested.
How is it beneficial to the people by knowing that Senator Udoedehe is “a thug” or if Umana Okon Umana has the “head” of his Paramount Ruler in the basement of his house?
I am using this public medium to appeal to both of my brothers (Senator Udoedehe and Umana Okon Umana) to call their supporters to order and tell them to stop propagating and hauling insults. This style of politics is no longer in style; it is wasteful, unappealing, infantile, archaic, and it is not leading Akwa Ibom State to anywhere.
The two brothers should tell their supporters to focus on a more serious agenda and then spread the agenda to the people. That would be a much better and an appealing strategy than insults.
Written by
The Great Ikpafak Thompson Essien
The Voice of the Poor Masses
Defender of the Oppressed
A native of Ibibio nation of Ubium Republic extraction, living in the most beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, where everyone is invited to visit.
