ORO LEADERSHIP AND BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
PRESS RELEASE
29th May, 2017
NIGERIA'S DEMOCRACY: ORO PEOPLE ARE NOW READY FOR THE GAME
It is exactly eighteen (18) years since Nigerians celebrated the long expected exit of the military from governance. This democracy was not just long anticipated, but hard won.
Similar to the hope of other Nigerian people, Oro people of Akwa Ibom State expected this democracy to bring remarkable improvements and play advantageous roles in the quality of their existence. Democracy was also perceived by the Oro people as a system which would enhance their sense of pride in their beloved nation.
In the early days, the democratically elected government led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was fond of assuring Nigerian citizens that they would enjoy the "dividends of democracy."
18 years over, the state of being of the Oro people in Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria is far worse than it was before the advent of this democracy.
Ironically, we are also witnesses to how this same democracy which is seemingly counter-productive to Oro people has transformed some hitherto villages and slums in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria into heavens on earth. What an irony!
The largest oil producing community in Akwa Ibom State and by extension, Nigeria has remained impoverished and has been reduced to a lowest mendicant status, its contributions to national and state development, notwithstanding.
There is no gainsaying that same Oro Nation which was renowned for excellence in leadership and effective representation now holds the unenviable trophy as a group of people with most inept, mediocre, timid and rudderless political leadership. Sadly, this has not been caused by the fact that Oro is now short of quality manpower. That we are at this sorry state is because political parties and party leadership take delight in imposing the worst of aspirants on us for reasons best known to them.
Therefore, as we make the 18th anniversary of this democracy, the Oro Nation Leadership and Business Roundtable hereby urges political parties and political leaders to henceforth desist from this wicked act, as Oro people will no longer tolerate such barefaced modern day slavery and political subjugation.
If what we are practising is a democracy or anything near it, then, our people must be allowed to choose their leaders and representatives at all levels. In any case, we shall resort to mobilizing massively against any party with intentions to continue in this evil act of imposition.
However, the practice of multi party system, which should strengthen our democracy provides us with multiple choice, among which we can seek the quality of leadership and representation the Oro people desire.
John Ntekim
Director, Media/Publicity
