Another election year hovers in our political horizon and as usual, the good, the bad and the ugly have all thrown themselves into the ring either fully or subtly. They are ready to do battle. Unfortunately, in our part of the clime, those with brawn almost always triumph over those with a brain even though it is instructive that good leadership isn’t necessarily about being “all brain”. In Nigeria, understandably, we have come to see politics as Darwinism where only the fittest survive.
Since the advent of the
present democratic dispensation in 1999, one critical issue that has constantly
been harped on is the need to allow the wish of the electorates to prevail in
elections. According to Tom Stoppard, “it is not the voting that is democracy;
it is the counting”. The imperative of this cannot be overemphasized; its gains
are glaring. When a leader emerges through a clear and credible process in an
election, he most likely will be bound to a moral debt which he would strive to
repay by performing above average.
For the 2015 Eket
Senate seat, the District has yet another begging opportunity to befriend
history. Of course, the efforts of all those who have served the District in
the capacity of senator must be applauded – from the iconic Victor Akan, the
cerebral Udo Udoma, the immaculate EmeEkaete and the Amazon, Helen Esuene who
is still serving. But in life, whether in public or private space, there is
always a vacuum left unfilled and always, there comes a time when the task of
filling such vacuum requires an exceptional character – one in the mould of
Hon. Barr. Bassey Etienam.
The people of Eket
Senatorial District can raise the bar this time. Previous jugdements were good
and it can be better in 2014/2015. For when we are unconscious of history, we
are bound to repeat the mistakes for which history itself had first occurred
for lessons to be drawn. Seeking to raise the bar of representation for the
District from 2015 at the senate is Barr. Bassey Etienam, currently the
representative of the constituents of Urue Offong/Oruko in the State
Parliarment. Etienam, it is generally agreed is a synonym for integrity; he is
also a lesson in service.
Flipping through his
life to unravel him, his unwavering mission to alter the course of human race
positively is staggering; the passion burns crystal clear always. Etienam’s
senate ambition is cemented on the foundation of unity and brotherhood. It is
propelled by the zeal that fired President Obama’s thought into action which
subsequently led to his historic election as the first Black man in the White
House. It is fuelled by the determination that made Nelson Mandela
anti-apartheid hero. Above all, it is an aspiration that genuinely desires to
raise Eket Senatorial District to a prominent position and make it a strong
negotiator on the national stage. The District, he says, has contributed
immensely to the common wealth of the country for years now, yet, it has
nothing to show for it; it is time it gets its due. It contributes billions of
dollars to the national economy yet it is rewarded in the thousands.
It is understandable if
there is a certain presumptuousness – a kind of audacity to Etienam’s
aspiration. But it is true that the Urue Offong/Oruko lawmaker has spent a lot
of time mastering the ways of the legislature. His legal background, needless
to say is a massive advantage. By 2015, he would have mastered enough to know
the politics of the National Assembly – to know that Eket Senatorial District
deserves better.
In between this period,
Etienm has learned to differ without being disagreeable; he has learned to
compromise so long as he knows the principles of his bond with the people can
never be compromised. These principles were what led to his floating of free
medicals for his constituents through his Foundation, CHAYIL, where over 4700
people were treated of various life-threatening ailments. They are what have
sustained his remarkable empowerment of people within and outside his immediate
political constituency. In his category, Etienam has nothing to envy anyone in
terms of performance. On these same principles, he will construct a more
hopeful senatorial district.
In the moments of
despair, a new generation has always risen up to do what is needed to restore
fading hopes. Today, such a time has come once again, and Etienam is not shying
away from answering that call. The
position of Oro regarding the Office of Governor in 2015 must not be avoided.
The clamour is in order. But it is also true that Oro has not produced a
senator for the district in more than thirty years now. They may be right in
laying claim to both positions come 2015 but realistically, it is unthinkable
that they can have the two simultaneously. The political intrigues and shenanigans
in the state doesn’t guarantee Oro the office of governor, hence Oro must watch
it so they don’t lost out in the two at the end. Etienam, being a man of honour
and not unaware of the agitation, has stated over time that he will sacrifice
his senate ambition for an Oro governorship should the opportunity come. This
is the hallmark of leadership; it is the trait of a leader who is in sync with
his people and not blinded by personal ambition. And so, he can be trusted with
a higher responsibility.
For the few who think
the senate is for the Methuselahs, old age doesn’t guarantee performance. In
Eket Senatorial District, the best performer who has ever held the office of
senator was Victor Akan of blessed memory. He was in his early 30s when he
became a senator. Let me further puncture such faulty thinking. In the United
States from where we borrow our bi-cameral legislature, John Henry Eaton from
Tennessee was 28 years when he became senator; Armstead Mason from Virginia was
the same age. Henry Clay was 29 and so were Rush Holt from West Virginia and
William Wells from Delaware; Joseph Biden was 30. Etienam will be 43 by 2015.
Besides that, he represents a generational bridge between yesterday and today.
And it is time a new generation came to the fore. But for those trying to play
God, here is a word from Otto Von Bismarck; “I have seen [three] emperors in
their nakedness and the sight was not inspiring”.
I agree with Warren
Bennis that the most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born - that
there is a genetic factor to leadership… the opposite is true. Leaders are made
rather than born. Leaders are made, and they are made by hard work. In this
rare category is where Barr. Etienam belongs. There can be no better manifesto
for the district than that contained in his Rebirth 2015 project. With his
magnificent strides so far in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the
expected approval of his candidature by the people of Eket Senatorial District,
a new dawn shall break forth - from Eastern Obolo to Ibeno, Mkpat Enin to Oron,
ONNA to Mbo, Urue Offong/Oruko to Eket, Ikot Abasi to Okobo, and from Udung Uko
to Esit Eket.
Otobong Sampson is a
public affairs commentator
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