By Joe Iniodu
Memories of the PDP local government rallies have continued to linger especially in the manner each local government tried to outdo the other in attendance, support groups, quality of support, speeches, planning and mobilization. Abak Local Government Area being home to a notable opposition element proved that it had since been liberated from the servitude politics of yester years in which one man considered himself the imperial overlord armed with the franchise to dictate the collective destiny of the people of that geographical space. On February 7, 2015, the people of Abak, renewed in spirit and faith came out in their teeming numbers to re-enact the point that they are now the masters of their own destiny.
As early as 10a.m, the Abak Township Stadium located on Ikot-Ekpene road which was already wearing a carnival look had begun to receive its guest. Canopies of different shapes and sizes were erected to give vantage view to the podium which walk-way was draped in red carpet. The seats under the canopies were covered with the areas assigned to VIPs that accompanied Her Excellency, Mrs. Ekaete Unoma Akpabio who represented the husband and the PDP candidate, Deacon Udom Emmanuel receiving more attention and emphasis in the decoration. The podium was well elevated to ease visibility from any part of the field. As the human traffic flooded into the arena, many of the seats were taken up with a mass of people without seats reduced to standing.
By noon the atmosphere of the arena was evocative of a carnival spree. Support groups adorned in resplendent uniform filled the arena. While some of the groups had musical equipment to do their special songs, others danced to songs that were wafting out from the multiple large speakers that were placed at strategic places within the stadium. Cultural groups were also on hand to add verve to the fever laden atmosphere. The people who had been mobilized from 98 villages classified into eleven wards with 120 units wore bright faces to underscore their excitement and willingness to vote Udom/Moses ticket for governor and deputy governor respectively as well as vote other PDP candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
The rally took the political caveat that it deserved from the beginning. Even the opening prayer did not lose sight of the political demands. Dr. Clement Ekpo, a highly rated American based engineer who offered the opening prayer beseeched God to give PDP leads in the elections. Dr. Ekpo thanked God for the marvelous things He has as used Governor Akpabio to do for Abak and appealed to Him to do even more through Udom Emmanuel. In a private conversation with yours truly at the arena of the rally, Dr. Ekpo expressed appreciation to Akpabio and PDP stakeholders for choosing Moses Ekpo as running mate to Udom asserting that the system would benefit from his enormous experience gathered from the media, public administration and diplomatic service.
The tone set with the political prayer of Dr. Clement Ekpo, the business of the day started in earnest. The Chapter Chairman of PDP, Obong Udobong Mbeje stated with a note of finality that Abak is for Udom and other PDP candidates. He asserted that nobody can take Abak to another party noting that Abak is a traditional PDP stronghold. He lauded the Commissioner for Information whom he referred to as a competent administrator submitting that his approach to work underpins the loyal trait of the people of Abak. Obong Mbeje’s remarks also conveyed the debt of gratitude of the people to PDP and other stakeholders for finding Abak worthy of the office of deputy governor. The general opinion is that germane to this act is the people’s determination to shut its doors against any other party as they are not likely, to be in a position to accord Abak people such recognition and expected gains.
The Council Chairman, Honourable Joseph Ikpaisong who obviously shared the aforestated sentiments gleefully noted that the campaign train of Udom/Moses was not in Abak to campaign but to celebrate victory arising from the achievements of Akpabio administration and the donation of deputy governor to Abak. He pledged that Abak people would continue to identify with the uncommon transformation stating that in appreciation, Abak would not vote for any other party than PDP. He assured all that as a Chief Security officer in Abak, that promise would come to pass. It would be recalled that Hon. Joseph Ikpaisong had vied for ticket to represent Abak State Constituency in the State House of Assembly. His remarks therefore are indicative of exhaustive reconciliation and suspension of individual ambition in the interest of the party. The obvious burying of hatchets shows a party that is set to go into the elections as a winner.
Youths the say, are the future leaders. They constitute the largest voting segment of the population. It is interesting to note that youths of today have developed an acute wave of awareness. In Akwa Ibom, they have been made an integral part of governance by the Akpabio administration. The intention, according to a chieftain of government is to make youths realize that they can be part of government as partners, not as thugs whose lives are often imperiled by the inordinate ambition of politicians. It was in the light of such acknowledgement that the youth leader in Abak assured the campaign train that Abak youth would vote massively for PDP since youths have been part of PDP government.
Speaking on behalf of women, Deaconess Christy Obot toed similar vein as she stated that Abak women would vote PDP in appreciation of the participation the Akpabio administration has accorded women. In Akwa Ibom State, women hold important political offices like deputy governor, Chief Judge, Head of Service ad several commissionership portfolios. Women in the State have always applauded the Akpabio administration for integrating them so generously into governance. This is perhaps when the women would reciprocate the gesture. It was the sentiments Deaconess Christy Obot echoed.
Politicians who are actually the wheelers of the process of politics were not left out in the effusive speeches that celebrated PDP, Governor Akpabio, Udom and his deputy Moses as well as Martha Udom Emmanuel, the wife of the PDP gubernatorial candidate. Barrister Patrick Udomfang, a one time commissioner in the Ministry of Local government rued over the fact that Governor Akpabio was unable to be at the event owing to a national exigency but assured the wife, Her Excellency, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio that the campaign train can only come to Abak to celebrate and not to campaign. He said that Abak is the cradle of Annang noting that Annang is one. He assured the wife of the governor that all of Annang would vote for the husband as senator. The former commissioner thanked the governor for making a good choice for Abak referring to Obong Moses Ekpo. He reiterated that Jonathan is not negotiable as South-South is taking its legitimate second term. The former secretary of Abak LGA lauded Akpabio for making an Annang man and indeed an Akwa Ibom person proud. He further thanked him for giving Abak people what he called a bridge of history referring to the newly constructed bridge noting that he only saw a similar bridge in Texas.
The Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aniekan Umanah in his remarks described the rally as home-coming for the governor, the incoming governor and his deputy. He said that Abak is PDP and would deliver all the 67,000 votes to PDP. The commissioner charged the people to vote for all the PDP candidates citing the roads, the underground drainage, the spectacular bridge and other numerous projects as reasons. He chided those accusing Akpabio of not doing anything in Abak as mischievous and urged them to stop misleading the people. In what seemed as semantic mathematics, Umanah submitted an analysis that would provide the answer to the next election. He said that Goodluck Jonathan, Godswill Akpabio, Udom Emmanuel and other PDP candidates are products of providence.
Honourable Imo Ibokette, Engineer Ephraim Udo and General Godwin Afangideh also spoke at the rally. Hon. Ibokette noted that never in the history of Abak politics has the Local Government been pampered with an office before the commencement of voting noting that Abak has no reason not to vote massively for PDP in appreciation of the office of deputy governor that has been given to her even before elections. Engineer Ephraim Udo, a one time State Chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP thanked God for giving Abak a man that would hear the discussions of government. He charged the people of Abak to remain loyal members of PDP and go out en-masse on election days to cast their votes for the party. General Afangideh in his remarks said that everyone is in agreement that Goodluck Jonathan should be re-elected as President and that Akpabio should go to the senate while Udom will take over as the new governor. He charged all those that would be elected to remember the people when they ascend those offices.
The candidates from the zone also took their turn to speak. Honourable Friday Iwok, the candidate for Abak State Constituency who is bidding for a second term said: “We did it in 2007 when we had somebody who contested for the office of deputy governor”, pointing out that Abak is PDP and as usual would vote massively for PDP candidates. The House Member, however, called for circumspection during next appointments noting that those previously appointed are using the money they made from PDP government to fight PDP. Honourable Emmanuel Ekon, member representing Abak/Etim-Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency thanked Her Excellency, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio who represented the governor for coming to Abak stating that on the day of elections, Abak would do the needful.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Akpabio apologized for Governor Akpabio’s unavoidable absence saying he had to respond to an urgent call from Mr. President. The wife of the governor made reference to the achievements of the husband in Abak stating that Akpabio can not campaign as those things would campaign for him. She called on the people to reject APC describing the party and its players as expired. Her Excellency further hinted that in Nsit Ubium where the APC governorship candidate comes from, he has been rejected as according to her, his own people deem him not credible.
Students from Abak demonstrating uncommon political sagacity presented a ticket of endorsement to Udom/Moses reiterating that they would always support PDP, the party that has promoted free and compulsory education in the State. It would be recalled that in 2008 the Akpabio administration enunciated free and compulsory education to all children resident in the State. The policy extends to secondary schools with subventions for logistics always paid to the headmasters and principals.
The elated Udom Emmanuel who seemed enthused by the carnival reception that was accorded him said that his stop-overs in Annang land are not for campaigns but to celebrate. He thanked the people for the love they have extended to him as an inlaw, their daughter and their son referring to his wife and Obong Moses Ekpo, his running mate. He promised to construct roads turn Government Trade School into an entrepreneurial development centre and establish an ammonia plant that would produce fertilizer.
The PDP rally was symptomatic of what would happen during the elections. The rally proved beyond any realm of doubt that Abak is a stronghold of PDP. Dr. Aniefiok Idiong, popularly known as Animex who flew in from Lagos to be part of the event had this to say: “Who are the opposition people that say they have captured Abak? If we have this kind of turn-out, who are the people left at home to constitute opposition”. Dr. Idiong who runs a group called Akpabio Mutual Alliance, AMA which sends regular complimentary text blast to support the activities of government noted that Akpabio as a senator would be an asset to the State and Nation. Many support groups which thronged the arena also expressed unalloyed support for PDP. Ibom Frontiers leader, Elder Godwin Dan said that Abak people are anxious to go and elect Udom, Akpabio and other PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections. According to him it is the only way to express gratitude to PDP, Akpabio and Udom for integrating them in the government that is to come through the choice of their son, Obong Moses Ekpo as deputy governor.