By: Solomon Essiet
Just like our State’s Anthem that reads, “Akwa Ibom, rise to the faith of greatness”, we are rising geometrically at the moment with an untold unity of purpose, for the common good of our State. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, is at the driver’s seat, a man, generally referred to as a unifier and recently, as a solvent, by no other person, but Obong Donald Etiebet, who himself has seen it all in the political realm of Akwa Ibom State, as an Elder Statesman in his own right.
Funniest thing is, while many prayed that the Governor fails in his spirited move from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress, APC, it’s now seems like their prayers is now working in favour of the movement, probably, due to the good intentions of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, who from unset, publicly stated that the movement from the PDP to APC is occasioned by enlightened State interest.
It is high time we stopped deceiving ourselves. Both the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressive Congress, APC, are first of all, political parties, and the membership of these political parties is highly traceable. It takes politicians to join and own a new political party. A case study of the supposed new political party in town, even though details is scarcely available whether they can succeed as a political party, given the level of disagreement trailing the progenitors as a result of power sharing formular. But, at the end of the day, you discovered that the members of some of the political parties are still the same people that we know.
This is why we must appreciate the wisdom of Governor Umo Eno, who recently reminded us of scriptures as stated in the book of 1Corinthian 3:4, which stated that, ‘paraphrased, Paul planted, Appollos watered, yet they have same level of reward. What wisdom is this? As the Governor read that scripture to everyone that gathered at the recently concluded stakeholders meeting, I couldn’t help, but nodded in agreement, like the much mentioned Agama lizard.
Just like the name of a Church cannot take anybody to heaven, even if the Church is named “Heaven Finally”, you still have to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Serve God in spirit and in truth and trust God to make it to heaven. Similarly, no political party on its own can drive the desired developmental needs of the people. It takes the people operating under the political parties to drive the necessary change, by bringing the dividends of democracy to the people.
So, I laughed. Yes, I laughed crazily when I heard people saying that Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State, will start performing poorly because he is now a member of the All Progressive Congress. What a delusional frame of mind! All in the name of talking politics, some people who should know better are now talking like those who have not been to elementary school, talk less of higher institutions. Are you now telling me that the Governor is no longer the same person he was? What has changed? His blood or face? Wonders shall never cease. Please do not allow anybody to deceive you. If it is about Governor Umo Eno, I can tell you for free that nothing has changed. The Governor joined the All Progressive Congress, APC, with that same can-do attitude that he had adopted since assumption of office, helping him to emerge as the Governor of the year 2024, coming from many awarding institutions, ranging from the Leadership Newspaper, ThisDay Newspaper, Telegraph Newspaper, Premium 89.9Fm, and many more.
As we speak, there are over 45 new projects in the State awaiting flag-off, The Governor is operating with the same determination and desire to see Akwa Ibom State transformed beyond what an average Akwa Ibomite thinks of the State. Let me tell you that the Governor will stop at nothing, than to deliver the right dividends of democracy to Akwa Ibom people, like he has always done.
So, talking about the much talked about movement, what we are finally experiencing is this unimaginable unity, blewing all through the nooks and crannies of the State. Like the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong would say, the movement has not only brought about political unity, but unity in our Churches, Businesses and Community relationship. Yes! At some point, things were so bad such that a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, for instance cannot not sit down to exchange drinks with members of the All Progressive Congress or other political parties in the State, in the name of preventing a situation of being accused of playing anti-party politics. I am sure I have witnesses in the house.
So, when we sit down with all political leaders and stakeholders across the State, who have already experienced the murky waters of political alienation, and divisiveness, in one roof at a time like this, like what we witnessed during the recently concluded stakeholders meeting, one can understand how appreciative they are. Because, these set of people understood what they have lost overtime, individually, corporately and otherwise, due to political differences. It is time to give this peace a chance.
Fortunately, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa IbomState is blessed with the spirit of reconciliation. He has what it takes to bring everyone together to work in oneness and unity as a people from a State loved by God, and named after God, Akwa Abasibom State.
I love the level of unity and peace we are currently enjoying as a State, and I urge everyone to rise to the faith of greatness, just so that this peace can be sustained, within the leaps and bounds of our dear State.
Arise, that same God.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City.
