11/07/2013
UMANA: FROM SQUASH COURT TO HILLTOP MANSION
The democracy lights are not going off all in Akwa Ibom State , but the political chances are. Of the many known and unknown entrants and intending entrants into the gubernatorial political race of 2015in the state, with a combined capacity to undo each other, there seem to be only two people in the race, Umana, and the rests. A good dozen are unlikely ever to re-open their political files; one which suffered a calamitous triple meltdown after a political earthquake and Tsunami in October 2012, others either too close to the fortress and foretaste, and considered to be at risk of similar disaster, have shut down tentatively for either maintenance or 'stress tests.' Pausing for breadth, it is quite possible that none of them will have the temerity before 2014 to resurrect such ambitions, but Akwa Ibom will well join the ranks of other states currently muddling through with all interest un-split.
If anything outside this however happens, a good number are likely to re-open, and this will have symbolic importance. At least to do with something hitherto seen as a necessity opens the mind to new possibilities. But since governance is a serious business, fielding an apprentice in a workshop that exacts excellence may as well be an error. Now that the zoning of power in the state's political diary is more likely to shrink, but not just vanish altogether, Umana is waving a big stick.
There has been an intense debate about the future of the state, and it goes beyond the clamour for power rotation or zoning, the ethnic slogans needed to secure the nomination, and the war songs required to deepen the depth of mistrust, and mobilize people to take on ethnic labels. We must come into the consciousness of the state as an institution that cannot be allowed to melt into the negative pot of ethnicity. Akwa Ibom is a small state, but 2015 will certainly be a big year for it. As those constantly visited with pressures and tensions, we must develop the guts and courage, the intellectual culture of remaining the conscience of a state in search of role models.
We must be overwhelmed by the desire to lay a good foundation for the future of the state and to contend and advance the socio-economic and political well being of all and not be engulfed in the clinching of power through the shades of ethnicity Elections of 2015 will test the stability of a state that celebrated 25 years of creation last year, but that will not stop it from remaining an instant landmark, courtesy of the giant strides of Governor Godswill Akpabio.
Akwa Ibom has become a symbol of a tiny state's fast recovery from the devastation visited upon it by denials and negligence of the previous governments. Who occupies the hilltop mansion after Godswill Akpabio therefore will make the state to pass more important milestones, and bracketing the other side of anger of the Akpabio administration instructively requires a disciple of the Godswill of history, and Akpabio of faith. If everything is to go well and the state democracy not allowed to somersault into rude health, a man who premiered the Akpabio administration, who can underwrite the Akpabio policies, a good recipient of the Akpabio strictures, and who would never allow the Akpabio legacies live in the shadow of annihilation therefore should succeed him. In this case, Umana can modestly be said to be something of an expert in textual exegesis.
While the great alliance between the three ethnic clans is deeply appreciated, when it comes to the survival of the state as the nation's destination of choice, then the people must always remain the masters of their fate and not zoning. People should not be swayed by the transcript of aspirants who think they can magically spin out to be governors, just as mere businessmen, hoping that success to the seat would compensate for their ill-starred records and fading fortunes that seemed to have reached a new low. These aspirants if they had any other sur-names, would surely be pondering a new career. Are we like the children of Isreal hoping one day to wake and chorus, 'By the rivers of Babylon , there we sat down, and there we wept, when we remembered Zion .'
So far, however, So good. Sensitive to what is at stake, politicians seemed to have agreed not to incite ethnicity, but generally to keep the ethnic political thermostat turned down. Akwa Ibom State governor Godswill Akpabio may be glad he is entering his final year in office in 2014, but he would not be unaware of new problems that would beset the state economy. He has no problem convincing citizens that his promised efforts to build a 'harmonious,' Akwa Ibom have made progress. Akpabio is expected to hand over to somebody who would understand the drawing board and sustain the tempo of developments. Rules vary, but opinion seems to be converging on Umana as the most suitable candidate to wear the shoe, talking about self preparation for political office. Since the 25 years of the state, Akpabio has tried to cultivate a man-of-the –people image.
When he boasted he had visited the 31 local government areas of the state as the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, and this had helped him understand the people's lives,…….'I know what they expect, I will live up to their trust,' their expectations however may have exceeded his capacity, but today the rest of the world have marveled at Akwa Ibom's double digit growth rates for most of the less than a decade, millions of people have become richer.
This is what being familiar with a terrain amounts to. Akwa Ibom State in the fluid period of trials, political convulsions, struggles and engineering deserves something more than a mere catalogue of the roles played by such great men like Umana. During this political eclipse, he constructed a series of data going back to the days of Obong Victor Attah that helped shaped and framed the debate over the oil dichotomy. You know a successful business by the company it keeps, and Umana has kept company of the last two successful governors.
The simple street logic is that since the people of Akwa Ibom State had the presence of mind and political savvy to elect Godswill Akpabio, and today rather than accuse one of exaggerating his achievements, one can only be accused of not remembering some, it is imperative that the people should make another right choice and the credentials of Mr. Umana Umana makes it an obligation, if not a duty for him to be voted. That Umana is an asset to the state draws no argument or debate and his grasp of quality leadership and good governance provides an auspicious opportunity for public appraisal of the enigmatic personality of Obong Umana, definable at the levels of political sagacity, intellectual candour, characteristic leadership, social engineering and the progressive tilt that always grace his political credentials, and in the words of John L. Motley 'Deeds and not stones are the true monuments of great men.'
Umana's calmer, optimistic mood is enhanced by the fact that he is enjoying the support of the youths, and even the vast mass of public opinion is in his favour, he has also given many people a stake in the project, and that has made the amiable Umana even more popular. What a happy coincidence that Umana Umana, perceptive readers must remember, is not of the ethnic and religion flank canonized and consecrated to lead but only a section of the State. The fact that he comes from the area of the state that has produced a governor is no extenuating circumstance much as aspirants from other ethnic parts of the state have always come out to test their popularities.
The added fact that he has the capacity of contesting and winning a free and fair election across the state accentuates rather than mitigate the antipathy trained on him like a laser beam. The strength of P.D.P. in the state appears to lie with the quality of its candidates, Besides it would be an opportunity to do something of honour so that the legacies he helped to create cannot disappear into thin air. Umana has the capacity to translate the party's large dose of goodwill into political success in the state given his feat in upturning the political table of Uyo senatorial district in the last election and giving the governor a win for the second term.
Akpabio unarguably is a creation of many Akwa Ibom people, including Umana because one can say without any fear of contradiction that at the outset Umana who had been, and who had understood the workings of government before he, (Akpabio) came into government neccessarily may have offered some inputs in the making of the Akpabio government, and that Akpabio has been a direct or indirect beneficiary of Umana's vision and mission in life. Umana has been a builder of men and Society, he has been a man of ideas and foresight. He is among the few intellectuals that worked to put Akwa Ibom State on the global political map. He indeed belongs to the class of what one would call 'engaged intellectuals,' those who combine theory and practice for the betterment of their society.
A cerebral teacher, and scholar of high repute. An economic guru, and a quintessential international public servant. When considering the challenges of good governance and leadership in Nigeria under the current democracy, the leaders should have a keen sense of history and their commitment to preserve the worthy legacies of Governor Godswill Akpabio who in the State history will remain an exemplar of visionary and transformational leadership; a model of politics of development and an inspiration for all Nigerians that are committed to good governance and public service for common good.
Akpabio could not have found a better, most suitable and competent 'Specialist' Secretary to State Government in the context of the state's evolving democratic order than this worthy ambassador of the state. When intellectuals speak, the world listens, because ideas are the ingredients to nuture a better society for all. In discussing the question of leadership as it relates to Umana, it should be noted that the lessons that could be learnt by both current and future leadership in Nigeria in terms of making impact is unmatchable and would continue to resonate and inspire. His purposeful and development-oriented stewardship is suggestive of something more fundamental about the man, his style, his world outlook, his values, and his capacity and competence to provide sound leadership and good governance. This explains why today across the State, the political leadership is being assessed and benchmarked in relation to what he has achieved.
This is also with justification when viewed against the background of the ill-equipped contenders and contentions seeking to ride on the mantra of ethnicity and zoning. Umana has provided a leadership towards evolving a just and humane society, which is particularly illustrated by his acute sense of concern for the common man, his strong desire to promote unity and sense of belonging among the diverse people of the State, as well as his high sense of responsibility and commitment to duty in the conduct of public affairs. Keeping Umana as the next governor is the best way of preserving the legacy of Akpabio.
The struggle to win the ticket should compel people to first leave commitments in the sand of time and their performance diary in their lifetime should be self evidence for the masses to adjudge them. Umana unarguably has become an institution, and a household name in service delivery in Akwa Ibom State, and it would a serious harvest of shame allowing any grey horn on the mission to secure position, seek relevance, attract attention, and secure wealth cause to sour, what true leaders have cooked. The state must and cannot afford sending a boy to do a man's job
Written By Tony Nyong, Uyo.
culled from The Sermon newspaper
