“Most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask, “What else could this mean?” -Shannon L. Alder
There is no gainsaying that Covid-19 pandemic has claimed thousands of life globally and has virtually destabilized global economy thereby inflicting untold hardship and fear of the unknown on the people.
Proportionately, the recent political happenings in our country today have once again washed ashore many sentiments mainly based on fallacies as regards the year 2023.
In a quest to position themselves and/or reposition others, many have once again in their usual manner resorted to blackmail and slanderous allegations as a tool to climb the political ladder.
It is pertinent that we pause and ask ourselves, pertinent questions before jumping into the fray of mudslingers, who attack without rationalization those they are afraid of in their quest for some political offices. And some bystanders easily fall to the antics without daring to cross the “t” and dot the “i” without carefully analysing the facts.
One gentleman who is often hurled with tantrums without any justification is Senator Bassey Albert, the senator, representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District. It is unfortunate that those who have come together to snipe at him through proxies and from the shadows know his knowledge and vision are but divinely inspired hence his towering and very influential resume which has redefined the standard. Are they afraid of the new normal?
Thus, they know that they cannot match his achievements, so they have to do that which they do best: engage in ignobility. What a dishonourable way to play politics!
They have come together for one reason; they seek to destroy a man blessed by God, who has in one way or another helped them during their times of need. Though they flourish in their new found profession, it is only for a short term as stated in Psalms 37:38. It reads “…but the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.”
These people are so scared of Senator OBA’s towering achievements that they constantly attack him even when he is yet to declare his interest in the 2023 gubernatorial race. Therefore such political permutation is only imaginary. Senator OBA has so far shown that he is committed to delivering on the mandate freely given to him by the people of Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District.
It is also evidential that he has been seen on the floor of the Red Chambers on various occasions agitating for the collective interest of his constituents and the Nigerian people at large. He is therefore too busy with discharging his duties as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as the Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).
One therefore would wonder why many would rather occupy themselves with what might happen in three years’ from now instead of focusing on the many challenges facing us as a people today vis-à-vis the ravaging effects of corona virus on the people and the economy, the killings by bandits and terrorists, the deplorable state of our roads, the poor infrastructures especially in the health sector and many more.
Indeed, it is orchestrated to distract him but he is a focused and goal oriented person, who will rather than engage in cheap talk and political bickering with detractors is bent on proffering solutions to the many problems facing us today while handing out palliatives aimed at cushioning the effects of this pandemic on his constituents.
It is on Nigeria’s public record that Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) brokered a deal for Nigeria: The multi billion dollars NNPC/Chevron EGTL Project. Senator OBA’s role in the settlement of the Escravos Gas to Liquids dispute which had plagued the Oil and Gas Sector for over a decade is legendary.
That historic and outstanding contribution of Senator OBA to the growth of the Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria earned him an award of excellence and of course lots of encomiums from key players in the industry, notably from the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kyari and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva.
Recently, OBA advocated for the inclusion of the Obong Victor Attah International Airport among the Airports to resume flight operations after the halt occasioned by the global pandemic. Today, we are enjoying that singular show of commitment and pragmatic representation.
As a true, loyal and committed party man, Senator OBA had in the last general elections demonstrated capacity. The 2019 elections saw him stood firmly as the only PDP Senator from Akwa Ibom State among the three that represented the party and the State in the Senate. Besides, his support for all PDP candidates contributed greatly to the electoral victory of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State. We have to live as a people with conscience. We have to reflect on the past, on the very turbulent times that PDP in Akwa Ibom State had to be practically challenged with federal might and the threat of “Warsaw saw war and war saw Warsaw!
Yet with such devotion and selflessness, that should be celebrated, his morally blinded assailants have instead matching his contributions, have taken to their stock in trade being blackmail. This is indeed disheartening but that’s all they have and it is a true reflection of their selfish ambition and lack of will to change the narrative. They are willing to sacrifice anything and everything just to satisfy their unending and devilish quest for power.
Are they blind to the truth? They have made themselves ‘political’ prophets who can see into the future. Very ludicrous! Paddling lies to deceive the gullible public. They have in their vain pursuit for power questioned his loyalty to his party and attempting to plant a seed of discord amongst brethren. Such massive ignorance is but laughable. They have made themselves gods over the affairs of men. Failure surely awaits them in the end. They shall grow and flourish in their falsehood but their destruction shall serve as a lesson to many generations. Only the truth shall set them free.
It is only obvious that those who have taken it upon themselves to paint a strange picture of 2023 are doing it solely to achieve their ambition by causing disunity to gain control only to enrich themselves. Yes, they have been consumed by their ambitions.
The recent misgivings further strengthen the position of the ancient proverb wrongly attributed to Euripides… “Those the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad“.
– Umoh Ekanem is a public affairs analyst and lives in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
