Are They Afraid Of Akpabio?

By UbongAbasi Ise

“Shadows fell on them like predators as the light went out.” ― China Miéville, Perdido Street Station

Let’s say Akwa Ibom politicians in the camp of the PDP, their cronies, and their sympathizers are sending unfortunate message which could be interpreted that they are still rattled and unsettled by Senator Godswill Akpabio’s recent switch over to the APC. I have never seen a political trend in Akwa Ibom State being overtaken by bizarre acts of desperation and inanities as manifested since the Senator jilted his long time relationship with his first love, the PDP. Couldn’t anyone observe that a state-owned AKBC TV station is now beaming the visuals of Akpabio eulogizing Governor Udom Emmanuel, lifting up his right hand in solidarity for his second term ambition? If this was a deliberate order from the PDP government in the state, then the party is just like a woman that got rejected by her much cherished lover and then couldn’t stand the trauma associating with the break-up. She now become so devastated and broken in a way that she would be watching the photographs of her estranged lover when the going was good and would not help holding back tears each time she looks at those pictures. The PDP might never know that the pre-Akpabio’s platitudes on TV have been overtaken by events and no longer matter now. Even if it is a ploy to puzzle the electorates or to rebuild the glorious past of PDP around the shadows of Akpabio, the reality will still be there, and the delusionary atmosphere will still give way for pellucid certainty.

                If the PDP government was intending to use the past TV clips to interrogate the integrity and moral rectitude of Senator Akpabio by bringing back to life all his past promises, and to show the world how treacherous and disloyal he is to his Great Student, Mr. Udom Emmanel, then it becomes a show of hypocrisy that stinks to the high heavens. A government that fails in its campaign promises on all sides deserves no continued support of the citizenry, even from Senator Godswill Akpabio. It is not surprising that a man like Akpabio, who was besotted with PDP, could leave the party with debility in enforcing good governance because he is known for setting standard. He is a man so inclined in nature in favour with good performance and therefore it is unthinkable that he would continue to support the government of a man that reduce the number one office in the state to the service and profit of the vulgar.  

                For a man like Senator Godswill Akpabio to carry broom, the PDP really knows what that means because the man will probably sweep everything with brute vigour - if you know, you know. His popularity is ever increasing just like the smear campaigns and calumny against him increases in frequency. In the recent turn of event, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and co seems to be laboring to destroy the overbearing image of Senator Akpabio. Lies upon lies have been spewed out of desperation to kill and bury his name.   When Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was given a PDP ticket to run in next year’s presidential election, falsehood from the pit of hell was fabricated to ‘judasize’ Akpabio once more. It was funny that the Senator who defected to APC two months ago could return to the PDP just to jostle for the Vice Presidential nomination. And they peddle this lie and figment of febrile imagination without any speck of conscience.

One thing to know is that politics is fluid in nature; it keeps on changing with interest. The acuity in mastering the changing tides makes a politician relevant in the system. Senator Godswill Akpabio enjoys all the liberties in the world to choose any political platform that could help make his aspiration realizable. Yours truly might not have been his supporter during his pre-defection period, because to me, it was unthinkable that a man that perform fairly well in his days as a state governor could still support and condone inept, clueless and mediocre state government under Mr. Udom Emmanuel. But today, without fear of contradiction, I admire Akpabio’s flare in politics; his adaptability and keenness to reconcile with his past is quite impressive. I remember at the event of his defection in Ikot Ekpene in August how the senator apologized to those he wronged in the past in an emotionally-laden voice but added that those actions were in the interest of the state. Who could have thought that Akpabio would stand on the same stage with the likes of Obong Nsima Ekere, Senator Ita Enang, Senator John James Akpanudohedehe, Obong Umana Okon Umana, and a handful of others in a bid to take Akwa Ibom State to the centre of the national politics? I know Senator Godswill Akpabio may have become Alexander the Goldsmith to some politicians, but his readiness to change his clenched fist to handshake proves he can make followers out of vast number of foes and could one day become a cult figure for the southern region of this great country.

The fear of Akpabio, unarguable, is the beginning of political wisdom. His defection has brought certain changes in the governance of the state. Job opportunities have been laid bare for Akwa Ibom graduates in the state civil service at the eve of 2019 general elections - I hope this is not another political gambit. Just recently, posh vehicles were donated to all the 31 local government council chairmen, some spectacle for the media, and a way to boost up the chairmen’s loyalty level as election draws near. The Four Point by Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene is receiving its fare share of attention- employment to hotel can take place anytime; pensioners and workers may soon smile to the bank; all thanks to uncommon defector.

Yes! I am UbongAbasi Ise. For comment please send SMS to 08189914609 | ubongabasiise@gmail.com

©The Sensor Newspaper 

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