Traducers, Even Without Offences
Of recent, it has become uncommonly fashionable for some individuals, who perhaps, in the quest for political favour or justification of loyalty to our beloved Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, to do so by trading on the name and reputation of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), who represents the good people of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District nay Akwa Ibom State in general.
Such pursuits are gory, mindless and amount to duplicitous politicking. It can only be a product of low esteem and outright deceptions to always jump at any write-up(s) in the media space or even from private conversations anywhere, and hastily link it to Sen. OBA.
It is amusing therefore that negative opinion(s) aired or expressed even when such do not emanate, either directly or indirectly from him, are held against him but the positive ones are ignored. Are we no longer in a democracy which thrives on plurality of voices? If someone, who is above 18 years of age and is an eligible voter; such an individual enjoys a legal status, to wit, civic rights, to express his opinion in conformity with democratic norms. Why then link every opinion which may be considered unsavoury to Senator Albert Akpan (OBA).
Such barefaced and stupendous bickering gives credence to the words of former American First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt who opined that “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” We must jettison such ill merchandise in our clime as constant debasing of others before the Governor to gain favor under false pretext amounts to sanctimonious hypocrisy.
As a matter of fact, OBA is not desperate for power because he is convinced that power comes from God and he gives it to whosoever He wishes, and therefore has not mandated anyone in the media to speak ill of anyone or on matters concerning the politics of 2023 in Akwa Ibom State and beyond. His opinions or statements are usually done through certified source(s). In the light of this, purveyors of political ill-wind should always decipher personal opinion(s) and avoid categorizing such as official statements.
Senator Akpan holds Governor Udom Emmanuel in very high esteem and has been fully supportive of his administration demonstratively. Needless to remind these traducers of the sacrifices made by Senator Akpan in the emergence of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2015 and his re-election in 2019. While they may claim to love the Governor by using deceitful and selfish tongues, Senator Akpan does so through tangible support.
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As a cerebral Senator and Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), his performance speaks volume in the National Assembly, such that Nigeria has continued to count the gains of his landmark contributions. Under him as the Leader, Akwa Ibom State Caucus in the National Assembly, Abuja, there has never been any known subterfuge or altercation between the legislators and the State administration. Rather, he has constantly related and participated in State activities with visibly demonstrated loyalty to the Governor.
The traducers’ attempt to create rifts between him and Governor Udom Emmanuel cannot therefore work. That he aired his views forthrightly on the operation of Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) during its inauguration in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area cannot be given naïve interpretations.
It is the vibe in politics for party men and women to be conversational; hold opinion and freely canvass their aspirations. Democracy remains ideal because it is participatory, unifying and enduring. As a faithful member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Akpan has over the years shown commitment, as witnessed when despair raged in the build-up to the 2019 elections.
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As known, he remains very committed in sustaining his good work in the Senate as well as empowering his constituents and indigenes of Akwa Ibom State in general, through multi-dimensional life-touching programmes and should therefore not be distracted as championed by traducers.
Let me assure all that the destiny of every child of God remains absolutely in the hands of the Almighty and All-knowing God, who rewards in due season.
Obong Daniel Udoh
Chairman, Liaison Office Management & Political Adviser to Senator Bassey Albert Akpan
