By John Ntekim
To succeed, the PDP must identify the true ambassadors of Udom Emmanuel.
As none of the thirty one (31) local government areas of Akwa Ibom State can be ignored in a match for the occupation of the hilltop mansion, the position of the Okobo people remains weighty and unavoidable in a discourse of the Akwa Ibom's polity, on any occasion, including the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Consequently, it is not debatable if Governor Udom Emmanuel must enjoy the popular support of Okobo electorates, to emerge governor a second time.
But, it has become obvious that a few politicians who are fast running expired from the area have always depended on what I would term 'urban praise singing and drums beating' in support of the incumbent, to derive their personal political succor, without establishing a single touch with the grassroot. Unfortunately for these metropolitan politicians, with the birth APC which has caused the existence of two major opposing political parties in Akwa Ibom, the idea of reaping by extension and the concept of 'food is ready politics' (whatever that means), are now old fashioned. At this point, the verbal support given any candidate must be justified with complementary field work. He who supports must show working!
Unarguably, the political space of Okobo has never been characterised by the outright disorder and uncertainty which have become eminent in the system, owing largely to the amount of deceit and unbearable highhandedness which have gradually become official policies of the political leadership of the land, ranging from the hierarchy of the People's Democratic Party at the Chapter level, to the representative seat at the State House of Assembly and the local administration.
This has inexcusably surged conspicuous activation of the people's consciousness and has made grassroot mobilisers determined to resist eventual intrigues by those who have risen to key government positions presently through claims of credit for over the efforts of others.
Yes, circumstances have changed in the polity of the Okobo local government area and any keen observer would vindicate this opinion. The PDP must act fast!
Even a weakest survey would prove that the Okobo people are already regretting the choice they made at the 2015 poll which has turned out to be one of their greatest disappointments overtime, with not one positive result forthcoming.
Today, the women are complaining, children are wondering if in fact, Okobo has anyone in government, the youths are taking to the social media and elders' doorsteps to express their frustrations, while the elders themselves are confused and just waiting to alter the status quo by next chance. All is not well!
Carelessly, these public officers who have lost touch with the home front by shying away from discussing the needs of their people and snubbing those who supported them to the top have fallen the ladder through which they climbed, trusting in their relationship with the leadership of the PDP at the State level to remain relevant beyond 2019. But, how far can singing the hallelujah choruses of His Excellency without getting close to the people who voted for him in your Ward and village drive the governor's second term ambition?
In my opinion, anyone who supports the governor and wants him in office beyond 2019 would not oppose the reconciliation of aggrieved persons back to the ruling party, neither would he/she disappear from his/her root, only to return for campaigns when the tide is high and the time is nigh.
Undoubtedly, the governor himself and the current leadership of the Akwa Ibom PDP are not ignorant of the split and chasm in the Okobo Chapter of the party. Hence, knowledge of this imbroglio must be allowed to influence the choice of who gets the party's flag in the anticipated local government elections and 2019 election of a representative to fill the Okobo State Constituency's seat. To succeed, PDP must identify the real ambassadors of Udom Emmanuel and remain conscious of the fact that the choice of one who has been written off by the electorates can only attract total collapse of support against the PDP, because a party with positive ideals must not promote negative people, no matter the excuse. The 'Jonahs' must be restricted from travelling with people who have integrity, lest, the boat sinks wholly.
Moreso, the Electoral Act has recently been amended to introduce electronic voting, so, 2019 cannot be business as usual. Now, the notable secrets to electoral victory, for both APC and PDP, nationwide, becomes consideration of aspirants' antecedents, intensive preparation, hard work, home-based popularity of candidates and strategising according to dynamisms. "If you carry bad product enter market, na bad market."
Fortunately for the Akwa Ibom PDP, even while others have been obsessed with their closeness to the governor and the party hierarchy and are already counting on their praise-singing attitude to launch and succeed in their personal ambitions, there are persons who have the right message about Udom Emmanuel and the PDP. These ones have shifted from the smiling praise singers and have been on a reconciliation course, which of course is yielding positive results and having more persons return under the umbrella. Notably, two of such bodies in Okobo Local Government Area are the PDP Leadership Forum, led by a former Executive Chairman of Council and former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Asuquo Odiong, alongside Amalgamated Okobo Youth Leaders Council (a youth body with about 160 affiliate youth associations and clubs), led by a widely celebrated youth leader, Ulap Iniobong Esung. Anyone who sincerely supports Udom Emmanuel must emulate the activities of these persons.
Statewide, handing of tickets to persons with bad reputations will only drag the second term bid of His Excellency to a breakdown.
PDP must be positively selective!
Okobo people are not satisfied with the status quo and shall go miles to upturn it. So, the PDP must look for the black goat this daytime.
N/B: Opinions expressed as contained herein are personal and those of an analyst from Odu Clan in Okobo Local Government Area, John Ntekim.
