LIGHT/DARKNESS: A DISPARITY INDUCED SERMON. BY TOROBONG EKPO.

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I may not know what the General Overseer of Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo meant by saying that, Supreme Court Judgment was a celebration of light over darkness. I don’t also know, if it was a prophetic utterance or it came as a result of excitement.

 ‎For a cleric of that magnitude to utter such statement, I guess, it calls for additional explanation. Atleast, Oyedepo ought to have informed the crowd who among Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and Umana Okon Umana was Light and Darkness.

 ‎So if someone feels cheated in an election, such person, shouldn’t seek redress in court of law in order not to be branded as Darkness? What is this darkness all about? To me, I see the analogy of ‘Light’ and ‘Darkness’ as a platform to cause untold disparity between two brothers. I had expected us, including clergies, to proffer means of uniting the duo, instead of instigating crises.

 ‎When Obong Umana Okon Umana visited Winners Chapel Ikot Ebido, Uyo, during the Thanksgiving service of Obong Paul Ekpo, such analogy didn’t surface. When his wife, Florence donated financial assistance for the Mega Church spiritual gathering in Lagos, she was not seen as Light or Darkness. Then why are we preaching disparity induced sermon?

 ‎I understand that, Akwa Ibom State, since 2007, is seen as “Australlian league” to outsiders. It is a place, where foreigners are celebrated. It is a place where outsiders ‘stake’ their last money, knowing fully that, they will gain in billions despite dwindling oil prices.

 I‎t is only in Akwa Ibom State, that Lagos Based comedians, artists among others are paid in Dollar, whereas gifted talented ones from our dear state are treated like houseboys.

 I‎ wouldn’t want to dwell much on this sermon by David Oyedepo, because God has mandated me, not “To touch his anointed nor do his prophet no harm”. Though, there is no criterion to measure who is qualified to be seen as the Lord’s anointed, it behooves on men of God, to ensure that, their sermons, do not cause disaffection between brothers.

 ‎Umana Okon Umana is a devout member of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Dominion Model, parish, Uyo, where his wife is also a worker in the same Church. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel is a Deacon in the United Evangelical Church, thus, no one should portray them in a derogatory manner.

 ‎If UOU had won the case, myriads of pastors would have joined him, in the celebration, including Oyedepo. The utterances of some of our pastors during sermon, is part of the reasons, why some people dole out unprinted words on them.

 ‎We should pray for spiritual maturity while on podium. When Pastor Enoch Adeboye, visited Akwa Ibom State, he left the stadium without making controversial statement aimed at causing disparity and enmity within natives of Akwa Ibom State.  

 I ‎feel embarrassed as I observed volumes of unprinted words directed to Pastor Oyedepo. I became ashamed after noticing that, the disparity was spread on the internet by supporters of Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.

 ‎I see why Moslems don’t respect us. No Imam will pronounce such disparity statement between two Moslems worshippers. No Islamic preacher will instigate crises between two of its members.

 ‎Udom Gabriel Emmanuel should do away with this excess celebration. He should know that, those comparing his manifestoe with the reality on ground are more than those who are carried away by this wanton celebration.

 ‎He should know that, the money used in these celebrations would have provided official vehicles for his appointed SAs and PAs, who are currently suffering and smilling.

 ‎Both UOU and UGE are symbols of light; no one should portray them as DARKNESS. Politics has come and gone, it is time for governance. Hence, Udom should brace up, for the task ahead. I repeat, those monitoring and critically assessing his leadership strides are more than sycophants. We don’t need religion politics at the moment.

 ‎His second term will be determined by his performance in the first term. Even when Godswill Akpabio won James Iniama during his 2007, he didn’t stop the productivity of the state, by declaring a public holiday.

 ‎UGE should concerntrate and know that, each working day, brings financial blessings to the state, thus, the act of declaring a full day, as public holiday, just for Supreme Court Thanksgiving has crippled our state economy and to a large extent was uncalled for.

 ‎The cash Internally Generated revenue, would have generated on Wednesday, would have gone a long way, in creating a small scale industry, which in turn, would have taken our youths off the street.

 ‎I perceive Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as intelligent fellow; his body language shouldn’t make me to think otherwise.‎

UDOM EMMANUEL: WOLF DRESSED AS SHEEP By James Udo Edet

There is a shameless charade going on in Akwa Ibom State’s current transition politics. It is the miscalculation of taking the people of the state for granted, by some greedy politicians, who in their desperation to perpetuate their evil agenda of exploiting Akwa Ibom forever, drafted Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel into the Governorship race of 2015. First appointed as Secretary to the State Government on August, 31 2013, after Obong Umana Okon Umana was booted out, for declaring his bid to become governor while still in office, the sickening game plan became clearer sooner than later.

Udom Emmanuel, like diseased bolt from the blues, was dressed with the acronym Mr. Right. For a governorship slogan, the pinned him with other adjectives like: Udom is Right, Udom Correct and Udom Size 2015 and other such tautologies. The promoters of the Udom brand, that was inherently dead-on-arrival presented him as a thoroughbred professional and Mr. Integrity. A man whose supposed honesty, uprightness and honour made him rise to the position of Non-Executive Director in Zenith Bank. A man who was saddled with managing huge resources in the banking sector because he could be trusted. Unfortunately, only a few people are deceived by that false start in his race for 2015.

We have to stop and put Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, our new “Mr. Integrity” as he loves to be addressed, on the just crucible of true integrity “aptitude test” and see if he can score an E-rate pass mark.

Mr. Right, shockingly began his political pipe-dream on a wrong foundation. Someway back, precisely on September 10, 2013, Udom obtained by trick and naked fraud, a membership card of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to which he never belonged, and perhaps never dreamt of joining, until his managers persuaded him to come and be their Governor. On that day, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, the Commissioner for Special Duties and the council chairman of Essien Udim, Hon Nse Ntuen supervised and executed that deceit. Enoidem reportedly took away the Awa Ward one party register, to Uyo. By the time they were done, Udom’s name was smuggled into the party register and imposed as number three on the list, while the original bearer of that card number was wickedly removed.

Udom’s conscience saw nothing wrong in this. To him, evil might, becomes right, when Udom is the beneficiary. The people should judge if such a shady character can be trusted with power, if forgery is something he is at peace with.

Udom’s character becomes more questionable when we consider his last birthday outing last July. Ephraim Inyang, Chairman of the Transformation Initiative, a political group canvassing support for Udom in their goodwill message, celebrated his 52nd  birthday. On the contrary, other persons close to him felicitated with him on his 48th birthday. 

The good people of Akwa Ibom as it is, do not know the true age of the man who wants to be their governor. Are his desperate handlers once again, up to another hanky panky, trying to play “Ojoro” with the Mr. Integrity’s age? Between the two ages of 52 and 48, one is right and one is wrong. We may even end up with both being wrong. Is that a character we can trust? One who cannot come clean with something as elementary and natural as real age?

Udom’s greatest weakness, is that he is a complete stranger, not in Akwa Ibom, but in her politics. The worrisome thing is, politics is about the most important life-wire that makes for a progressive, prosperous and stable society. Forcing in someone who is at odds understanding the political history, culture, forces and stakeholders at play in any entity, amounts to planning for certain disaster. Udom makes it worse by trying to hide this deficiency.

He does not know anyone. Not the party chieftains, elders or leaders. He does not know the political officeholders of yesterday, and is hardly conversant with the current crop of political office holders, elected and appointed. Udom is unfamiliar with the critical mass of activists, youth and women leaders or groups, royal and religious leaders, even journalists and captains of civil service and private sector drivers.

To mask this weakness, rather than demonstrate determined effort to overcome it, he pretends to know everybody who he meets as he embarks on his consultations and campaign deploying the street-boy greeting, “my man”.

Senator Efffiong Bob in apparent jest of this said at Asan Ibibio on September 5, 2014, during the grand reception of Oboong Victor Attah , said, he does not want a governor who does not know his name, only to address him as, “my man”, each time they meet.

A story is told of a certain Elder statesman from Ikot Ekpene who on meeting with Udom during his consultation tour asked Mr Right, “Do you know me?” rather than humbly confess that he doesn’t know the man, Udo lied, “Chief, I know you,” in the hope that, the man would grant him the benefit of the doubt. Udom was tongue-tied and embarrassed when the elder statesman shot back “so what is my name?”, to which Udom had no response. Do we trust such a lying face, heart and tongue? Was that the right etiquette for building enduring friendship, relationship, alliance, association or brotherhood? The answer flies in the wind.

Udom’s penchant to claim what he does not possess also gives cause for concern. His handlers trumpeted his purported endorsement by the Ibibio Elders Forum as sole candidate for the 2015 governorship race following his consultation visit to the forum. A spurious claim that, the Chairman of Ibibio Elders Forum, Dr Okon Akpan loudly refuted as wrong and false. The forum had to take generous news time to debunk the claim of Udom and his team.  It was the same story when the Itai Afe Annag, HRM Akuku Pius Iside came out to vehemently dismiss as untrue, news and claims of purported endorsement of Udom by the Annang apex cultural group. 

The Afe Annang endorsement claim was more serious and laughable, because, Udom and his team were not even received by the Itai Afe Annang himself when they came calling, as was the case with many other governorship aspirants. It was the Obom Afe Annang, Dr Akpan S. Okpongette that received Udom, was it right, that, Udom’s promoters went to town pushing the false claim of endorsement by Afe Annang, when they didn’t even meet the custodian himself.

The bitter truth is, that, Udom’s character flaw betrays his futile struggle to project himself as an honest man, who can be trusted. Akwa Ibom people are tired of deception from their leaders. They have suffered enough from people of questionable character, reputation and standing. As we reach the critical turning point of 2015, they cannot afford the gamble of entrusting their fate and collective destiny into the hands of a man whose personality is shrouded with controversy.

People in government and who seek to govern others have a moral responsibility of being truthful, transparent and accountable to the people they seek to lead and govern. That is a principal requirement for leadership. Judged upon this yardstick, Udom is WRONG, and cannot be RIGHT at the same time.

The people of Akwa Ibom must say no to zoning of the governorship to any particular senatorial district. We must all accept what the father of modern Akwa Ibom, H. E. Obong Arc. Victor Attah has said that there should be an open contest with a level playing field for all aspirants. Uyo and even Ikot Ekpene senatorial district also have a right to present aspirants to the office of Governor.

James Udo Edet writes from Lagos 

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                         Culled from Insight Newspaper

WHO IS AFRAID OF MIKE SABASTINE ? By Aniefiok Udoh

We citizens of Akwa Ibom state pride ourselves as enlightened people yet most times we allow parochial sentiments dictate our every consideration.
Here we are, searching for who will lead the next phase of development in our state in 2015, yet when individuals are perceived to offer to serve, we let political jobbers disorient us. A case in point is Hon. Mike Sabastine Etuk, a grassroots politician, from Essene-Ikot Abasi, who has been so maligned because of his perceived aspiration to serve as governor of our state.

 
His ordeal, these past weeks, in the hands of blackmailers and mud slingers, is reminiscent of the dark days of military junta when anyone who defied status quo was hurriedly put down with bullets. Without, such brute force today, many have resorted to using the media to destroy lives. Nothing is sacred to these rabble rousers any more, quite sad that some have even degenerated to a point where honorable institutions like marriage could be used as yardstick for measuring a man’s integrity.

This piece was earlier titled ‘When Silence is Golden’, to commend the statesmanship displayed by Mr. Sabastine in remaining silent, refusing to join issues with those goading him with their version of half truths and complete lies. However the title: “Who is Afraid of Mike Sabastine”, was picked since it most appropriately, describes the scenario playing out before our eyes.

Someone or a group of persons, somewhere must be scared stiff of Mike Sabastine’s inevitable entry into the gubernatorial race. How else would one reconcile the barrage of acerbic attacks directed against a young man and members of his family over allegations that cannot be substantiated?

Mike Sabastine, from information made known to the public, has not declared for governorship but even if Mike was to make known his aspiration to vie for the ticket of governorship, wouldn’t he be within his constituted rights?  The Nigerian Constitution is clear about requirement for participation in a governorship contest. It states in section 177, that “a person shall be qualified for election to the office Governor of a state if
a, he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth
b, he has attained the age of thirty-five(35) years
c, he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party, and
d, he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent”.
From the above mentioned sections of the Constitution, Mr. Mike Sabastine is qualified to contest in the governorship election in 2015 period, and as a matter of fact he may likely win since the contest is more of popularity, which is his strong point.

On the other hand, the only constitutional disqualification against any aspirant in that contest is found in section 182, subsections (1) and (2) which has been paraphrased to include voluntarily acquiring citizenship of another country, having been previously elected two times, being a lunatic or declared to be of unsound mind, under death sentence or under any conviction or found guilty of any offence under the Nigerian law within a period of at least 10 years, having been declared bankrupted, not resigning from public office,  being a member of a secret society, being indicted for embezzlement or fraud, having presented forged certificate.

Apart from the above anyone wishing to serve is backed by the constitution therefore those sponsoring attacks on an innocent man should have a rethink or better still channel their energy into more productive venture.
That said, it is expedient to explore inherent potentials in our man, Mike Sabastine. Firstly, this focused and highly motivated Geologist is an epitome of success with both local and international management experiences.
He is very qualified educationally with his academic pursuit ranging from Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from the prestigious University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigerian to Certificate in Strategic Performance Management from the University of Cambridge Business School, London and Certificate in Negotiation Skills and Tools from the Lagos Business School, Nigeria among several others.     

                        
He is driven by passion for progress and desirous of pursuing an active role in serving Akwa Ibom state and Nigerian as a whole.
To date, he has served the Akwa-Ibom State Government in several capacities including the position of Commissioner I, in the Local Government Service Commission and earlier as Board Member II, in the Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board. while in the Board, he was responsible for implementing the Basic Education Program Policy Design, as a Team Member in various groups at the Annual Council on Education. He also participated the implementation of the free and compulsory Education Program of the State Government in the Basic Education sub-sector

In his private capacity, he had served the people by undertaking geotechnical soil investigation for the determination of load-bearing capability of the sub-soil for drilling rig positioning at Well 3 UNYENGHE by Universal Energy Resources, geotechnical investigation of the Ikot-Abasi – Eket 132 KVA transmission line for the Independent Power Plant Project.
His passion for rural development inspired his contribution. As the Managing Consultant for AKSG Medium Density Housing Estate Water supply program in 31 Local Government Areas, he took active part in the construction of 30,000 Gallon Federal Government/CRBRDA sponsored Mini Water Scheme at Minya, Mkpat Enin, hydrological survey/design of surface water source for the Ultra-Modern General Hospital Complex at Ini LGA, as well as partnered in the design and construction of Mini-Water Scheme in Itak-Ikot Udo, Ikot-Ekpene and others.

Despite this active involvement in state development and success story we all refer to as uncommon transformation, Mike, wishes to do more. He considers the challenge of contributing to state building nothing compared to huge returns of advancing society and bettering the lives of our people.
He is not one to act alone but as a team player, Mike, believes in working with other resourceful youths to realize a new vista in our state. He aspires to lead the team of next generation of leaders who will midwife this new paradigm.

Hear him, “I am committed to adding value to any organization that epitomizes my passion and drive for excellence and innovation. My desired professional goal is the transfer of knowledge and the pursuit of policies which will drive positive system changes and outcomes”.
These crisp words from the lips of such a young Akwa Ibom man should ordinarily evoke two powerful emotions in the hearts of people. On one hand, mostly his teeming supporters eager to have him declare his intention, he breaths hope and possibilities which unavoidably translate into palpable fear for the few, who cringe at the certainty of his success.

Etienam and the Senate: History beckons

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