By Joe Iniodu
Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State a fortnight ago trod the familiar path of public disparagement as his enemies orchestrated a good intention into stormy tornadoe to the detriment of the unsuspecting public and the State. The governor had considered a ceiling to the annual medical expenses of former governors and former deputy governors to curtail impunity and abuse of privilege as well as save the State from being fleeced. But his enemies saw that differently. They quickly did some voodoo mathematics and arrived at mind-boggling figures which they credited to the governor as a devious plot to cream-off the State along side others till death do them part. With the media agog with deliberate and sponsored negative press against the governor, and the governor’s enemies not wiling to allow facts to interface with their conclusions, heaven knew no fury as public space was buffetted with misinformation and disinformation about the reviewed former Governors and former deputy governors Pension Law. Even radical changes in the amended law which allowed medical bills to be paid directly to hospitals instead of the old practice of crediting the accounts of beneficiaries and the other amendment which stipulated that the approved expenditure for domestics be remitted directly to domestic staff failed to impress the public who were already prejudiced.
Well, as a listening governor, he buckled to public outcry despite the good intentions of the law. And so the newly promulgated law which came into force on June 1, 2014 was again repealed barely less than a fortnight later to the detriment of the State. The Governor had sent a bill again to the State House of Assembly requesting that the provision which pegged a ceiling on the medical expenses of former governors and former deputy governors be expunged with the provision reverting to status quo ante. The governor had before then explained very justifiably the reason for capping a limit on the medical expenses. He had narrated a case where he had to pay about N41 million naira in one swoop followed by other payments pointing out that if such trend was not checked, there was a likelihood of abuse. But the people who were already prejudiced by the politicization of the law rejected all explanations without regard to its cogency.
His enemies may view themselves as winners in what was wrongly construed as a stand-off between government and a desperate and mischievous group that claims to be the opposition. But in the so called war they deemed to have won, would the masses of the people be counted as beneficiaries? Was their position altruistic? In which position of that law was the interest of the people better served? Did Governor Akpabio mean well for the State when he forwarded the bill and signed same into law after the House of Assembly conducted due legislation on the bill? Answers to the questions are in one accord if we make any attempt to be sincere. But sincerity and politics appear to be diametrically opposed with the latter giving way to shenanigan. One is tempted to ask, at what cost and at whose loss and gain? Certainly not Godswiill Akpabio. Certainly the people.
The governor’s position in reversing himself is underpinned in nobility, the type that is rare with leaders in Africa. Those who saw it as cowardice missed the point. Governor Akpabio procured the mandate of the people with a pledge to do their wish in compliance with the maxim that the voice of the people is supreme and has to be respected. The governor has by his action shown willingness to listen, engage and abide by the wishes of the people who elected him into office. Men of power don’t often surrender to the wishes of the people. They use fiat and the weight of their office to push for anything that connotes their interest. And such paraphernalia of office is often too formidable to fail in such contending situations.
There is also the bloated ego of leaders which gives them a sense of infallibility. Such leaders see themselves as incapable of any wrong and expect society to see them as so. There is a story that happened during the reign of late General Murtala Mohammed which is instructive. The late Head of State had requested for names of two people to be appointed as general manager of the rested Daily Times and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Of the two people that were nominated for the appointments, one was a finance expert while the other was a historian. The finance expert was to be the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria while the historian was to serve as the managing director of Daily Times. During the announcement, General Murtala Mohammed erroneously announced the finance expert as the managing director of Daily Times and the historian as the governor of Central Bank. When his attention was drawn to it with expectation that the General would quickly correct the mistake, he responded: “Let them go and work. A general does not make mistakes”. That is how Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, a historian became the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria in 1976.
But Governor Akpabio whose wealth of insight and sincerity convinced him that he had not made any mistake still allowed the people’s opinion to prevail. He refused to act like other leaders whose words and desires translate to laws only suitable for them and forced down on others. He dared to show a difference in leadership style and to prove that allowing other views or opinions to thrive does not constitute weakness but the promotion of democratic culture. Governor Akpabio has proved that he is a democrat in words and deeds and a modern day avatar of democracy.
Governor Akpabio has weathered the barrage of criticism and unbridled falsehood arrayed at him with stoic equanimity. Since his coming to power in 2007, it has been one blackmail to the other, one criticism to the other. Strangely, all of these have not distracted him from the business of governance. He has remained focus in the pursuit of development items that bear relationship with the people. He has remained even tempered, detribalized, accountable and committed. He seems to accept this as the price he must pay as the leader of a people whose well known bond is being threatened by ethnicity and mediocrity. Yes, politics is a game of interest but must we allow it to destroy our sense of community, our camaderie spirit and our well known adherence to the maxim of being our brothers’ keepers.
Interestingly, despite these distractions, the Akpabio administration is still recording mileage and milestones in developments and achievements. Recently, what Governor Akpabio described as loyalty to Mr. President yielded fruit as the federal government gave approval for the siting of a new Federal Polytechnic in Ukana. The minister of Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike who presented the approval letter stated that the Federal Government saw the commitment of the State Government in the area of development and found the need to establish a federal polytechnic. The minister further stated that the federal government appreciates the State Government for the capital development of the State. Governor Akpabio announced that the federal government has provided a take-off grant of N1 billion from Education Trust Fund (ETF) pledging the co-operation of the State Government.
And so even as many people from the State insist that we are still in a state of inertia, visitors including foreigners and people of good conscience declare eloquently that Akwa Ibom is not the same again. Outsiders who throng the State eulogise the achievements of the administration. The Federal Government acknowledges the development strides and states that it is the reason for bringing a federal institution which would bring forth a quantum leap in development. Why are we so blessed yet so cursed by our attitudes? Why don’t we learn to celebrate our own? Why don’t we bless God for giving us a phase of development that would serve as a standard for others to follow and perhaps up the ante? The only way we can encourage other leaders is to ensure that our criticisms guide and not gag development.
Joe Iniodu is a public affairs commentator.