Akwa Ibom Cheating On PDP

By UbongAbasi Ise

“Cheating and lying aren’t struggles, they’re reasons to breakup” – Patti Callahan Henry

We must have been very familiar with one mawkish saying that “Akwa Ibom is PDP and PDP is Akwa Ibom.” Of course this best summarize the state’s political narratives since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. But based on the look of things, it appears the truth in that saying is beginning to expire as political development is assuming unfathomable dimensions. Akwa Ibom, one of the beautiful and sultry Nigeria’s 36 daughters, was known to be
faithful to PDP, and remained so in the face of electoral gale in 2015 which dramatically alter the political rhythm in the country. But after the dust coming from the windstorm of change which fixed APC at the centre of Nigerian politics settled, there is this atmosphere of unpredictability about Akwa Ibom faithfulness to PDP. After assuming power at the federal level, APC-led federal government has not hid admiration for Akwa Ibom, and the ruling party is wooing the state by making terrific overtures she could not ignore.

            At the moment, Akwa Ibom has enough reasons to make political tergiversation by ditching PDP for APC so to speak.  As we are entering the season of electioneering, the state may be looking beyond PDP’s usual sweet talks to see if she can make concrete political decisions that would better her lots. Of course, the state, for 16 years since 1999, was not used to affiliating to a political party that was parallel to the one controlling the centre. The initial fear, when APC-led government emerged in 2015, was that Akwa Ibom would lose out in the scheme of things at the federal level since she did not support President Muhammadu Buhari’s elections. But today, it is surprising that APC-led federal government could fall head over in love with Akwa Ibom in a way that make the state rethink her relationship with PDP.

From strategic projects to appointment of officials, Akwa has not fared badly under APC government. The Buhari administration, in a bid to increase local refining capacity and to generate employment opportunities, is proposing 10 modular refineries to be located in five out of the nine states in the Niger Delta region; and Akwa Ibom’s Amakpe Refinery with 300,000 barrels refining capacity, is said to have their modules already fabricated, assembled and containerized overseas, and ready for shipment to the state for installation. In fact the presence of refinery in an oil bearing state like Akwa Ibom means a lot to the growth of the state’s economy. This can tremendously revolutionize the economy, banish pedestrian economy for ever, and make Akwa Ibom that economic destination the citizens crave for.

APC-controlled Niger-Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has also brought succour to the state in terms of infrastructural and manpower development.  According to statistics as at September 2017, the NDDC under Obong Nsima Ekere was handling 890 projects and 62 emergency repair works across Akwa Ibom State while also implementing human capacity development programmes in the area of employment, women and youth empowerments, vocational trainings, investment in agriculture including free medical care to indigenes of the state.

There would still be enough to write about APC when a trunk road traversing Cross River and Akwa Ibom as were as coastal railway projects are completed by Buhari’s government.

For about 16 years when PDP was luxuriating in power, all Akwa Ibom had was trifling presence at the centre. But today, APC has made Akwa Ibom know that she deserve the federal presence more than a mere presence of the policemen in the streets as a PDP linchpin, Senator Godswill Akpabio, would jocularly say. Today President Muhammadu Buhari despite being branded clannish and bigot by bitter political rivals, has intensified the federal presence in the state.  Recently Mr. Patty Etete has been appointed into the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board; Mr. Emma Bassey appointed Chairman the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency.

Other appointments include Dr. Maurice Ebong ( National Atomic Energy Commission.); Obong Rita Akpan ( National Boundary Commission); Mr. Emma Ekpenyong ( Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research, Benin.); Mr. Dan Akpan ( National Animal Product Research Institute, Zaria); Engr Perry Ntuk (Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan); Senator J. J. Akpanudoedehe (Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency);Dr. John Harry ( National Inland Waterways Authority); Mr. Abom Tony Esu ( Chairman Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization); Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika ( the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano);Mrs. Alice Ekpenyong (FMC, Yenagoa); Mr. Eseme Eyibo (Chairman Cross River Basin Development Authority); Keppy Ekpenyong ( Film and Video Censor Board); Dr Emem Wills (Umuahia Federal Medical Institute); Mr. Bernard Udo ( Museum Commission); Chief Edet Mkpubre (National Civil Aviation Authority).

Akwa Ibom  can boast at the federal level of Senator Udo Udoma, Minister, Budget and National Planning; Obong Nsima Ekere, the Managing Director of Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Obong Umana Okon Umana; Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone; Senator Ita Ennang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters; Engr. Ita Awak, Director, Air-Worthiness Standard.

If APC could favour Akwa Ibom State this way, is it going to be out of place for the people of the state to show gratitude to the ruling party come 2019?  Will the state breakup with PDP for a more caring lover? Let’s watch out.

Yes! I am UbongAbasi Ise. For Comment, send SMS to 08189914609 | ubongabasiise@gmai.com

Source: The Sensor Newspaper