“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”. George Bernard Shaw
Change, in its simple form, is a variation or altercation in something, whether it’s a process, a method, or even an individual’s perspective. It’s a natural and constant occurrence in life, impacting individuals, organizations and the world around us. Understanding change involves recognizing its various forms, causes, and effect, as well as developing strategies to navigate and manage it effectively.
Coming to Akwa Ibom State, whether you like it or no, a greater change has occurred in our political system. The change took effect on that memorable day, Friday, June 06, 2025, the day that His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, moved from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, declaring his allegiance to his new political party, the All Progressive Congress, APC. This is one of the greatest change that can occur in a political setting. So it is normal for some people to do everything possible to resist the change, but again, adapting to change is often a smart move, as change is said to be constant. There is no place in the world where a particular change occured and everything remain the same, otherwise, the word change itself, would lost its very essence and true meaning.
In view of understanding change, note that change involves variation in processes and methods. Change can be a deviation from established routines or procedures, requiring adaptation and adjustment. For instance, in Akwa Ibom State, some people often said that the Peoples Democratic Party is like a religion, but in the real sense of it, we all know that the Peoples Democratic Party is a Political Party, and of course not different from any other Political Party whose primary interest is to win in any election that the Political Party is involve. If the Peoples Democratic Party is a religion, what happen to Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism? These are some of the world’s major religions. These religions are characterized by distinct beliefs, practices, and spiritual tradition, encompassing diverse aspect of human life and experience.
I just googled religion and didn’t find the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. This should bring to an end the notion that the Peoples Democratic Party is a religion in Akwa Ibom State, because it is actually not so in the real sense of it. The Peoples Democratic Party is a political party. The last I checked, a Political Party is an organization that coordinate candidates to compete in a particular area’s election. Just like the All Progressive Congress, APC, is getting set to present Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the performing Governor of Akwa Ibom State, as the sole gubernatorial candidate for the All Progressive Congress, APC, during the forthcoming 2027 gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State.
It is pertinent to note that change can be driven by external factors like technology, globalization, customer demands or even internal factors like organizational growth and policy changes. Also, change can be natural, reactive, or planned, and can range from incremental adjustment to major transformation. Change can bring opportunities for growth, innovation, and improvement, but change can also lead to challenges and resistance, which is what we are witnessing in Akwa Ibom State at the moment, though the resistance is minute or insignifance, as majority in Akwa Ibom State have since moved with Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, to the All Progressive Congress, in realisation and adaptation to change as it were.
It was Peter Drucker that said “The danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – It is to act with yesterday’s logic”. And very disappointing is a mature individual that packs his belongings to live back in the past. In Akwa Ibom State, Progressive Movement is real. The Governor in his wisdom has connected Akwa Ibom State to the center for the common good of all Akwa Ibomites. Never again shall we be the golden hen that laid the golden eggs, yet, denied the test of it. It is the time for Akwa Ibom State to sit in a round table, right were important decisions are taken as regards her common wealth. And the only way that could be achieved was joining the ruling party at the center. That has been accomplished by a very visionary leader, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. We can never go back to Egypt. Thank you very much Governor Umo Eno, for being a true leader and a pragmatic one at that.
Arise, that same God.
Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City.
