|
I did try in my last two
piece to x-ray the dos and don'ts of the in-coming third
tier administration in Akwa Ibom State. Though the two
write-ups may not have been limited or exhaustive, there is
every need to see the structures put in place by the digital
Governor as the best option in the face of all consensus.
There may have been some frayed nerves here and there as
well as pockets of protest and displeasures among the
contending groups, the godfathers, party elders, youths
bodies and even the by-standers, but methinks all
differences should see progress, peace and political
stability as the ultimate goals for all of us and even those
who a lurid and complacent to the political goings.
Besides, one soothing balm that could easily assuage the
raging minds is the ability and magnanimity of the new
Council's administrators to fertilize the olive branches,
extend longer the hands of fellowship and above all, in
equitable management, spread the “nyom nyom”, to the
satisfaction of the aggrieved parties, if only to show them
that, “the winner has not taken all after all”.
Similarly, the discontentment syndrome must, of necessity
die down in order to enable the Council's helmsmen chart and
implement the way forward that will tell even the doubting
Thomases that service to the developmental cause of the down
trodden actually propelled their aspirations to rule.
There is this axiom that sins exist not in lawless state.
Its second stanza however says people became culpable and
punishable the day state adopts regulatory measures, through
which activities (in this case -political way forwards) are
governmentally regulated, and by which good and bad citizens
are detected and known. I don't know how plausible that
believe becomes practicable and applicable, but I do know
that when some popular and people oriented decisions are
taken; certainly, some toes may be smashed while some minds
are destined to gloom.
But viewed from perception of give and take, harmony,
peaceful co-existence, dialogues and common-goal race, some
mountains could be reduced to smaller hills, thereby making
accessibility a bit possible.
May be that is why Socrates, the great philosopher intoned
that “absolute trust in the ass called Law may turn out to
be a fluke”, since, in my own estimation, no law was ever
made in the interest of the masses, rather, they were
promulgated by the elites, in high places and transferred
through elitist interpretation down the line.
All the same, I hold the view that most crises in political
bickering are never generated by the masses through popular
protest or resentments, rather it is usually via
disagreement in high places. And most often than not, the
differences stem from failure by the opportunists to keep
their own sides of the bargain, thereby irking the sponsors
and godfathers to the point of planning “impeachments”.
My over three decades of experience in media practice has
revealed that series of political rancour and acrimony which
overtime blows into open confrontations have their roots in
vendetta the revenge missions- at least to teach the stooge
some political lessons in a very bitter and excruciating
manner. It is always not hard to find the jilted political
godfathers, the sponsors, and those who helped to install
the authorities that the actions of the surrogates were
becoming undemocratic and anti-party misdemeanor at least to
justify stiffer measures of sanctions, reprimands and
penalties to be meted out to the recalcitrant godson.
In situations like that, it is not uncommon to find
contending parties trading blames while the wheel of
progress come into close association with the spanner at
works which often than not leaves the political office
holder on whose party elders' back he rode to fame, as a
“weeping boy”.
This analysis given does not however pre conclude that the
“weeping boys” are always right. You see, in a situation
where “I scratch your back and you pinch my nose”, I am
bound to react, and the reaction which comes with a bigger,
mightier and heavier hand must surely be devastatingly
disastrous.
Now, you may ask contentiously, “What is the way out”.
Multiple Phases can hazard a guess albeit, not conclusively
but in a way that erring and selfish politicians stop
viewing aspiration for political office as the surest way to
quick wealth amassment, attainment of political fame and
usurpation of power.
If the law, equity, masses acceptability and excellent
followership were anything to go by in transparent
democracy, it is the masses that must throw up any aspirant
before the powers-that-be validate the candidacy, but then
the grassroots intrigues itself constantly leaves sour
tastes in the mouth of genuine political navigators even
right from the Ward level.
But then, all hope are not lost, as the people themselves
deserve adequate orientation which will in away give them
the wherewithal to face the political masters in the urban
cities head-on and tell them straight to the face that no
amount of raw cash or intimidation should make them part
with their franchise in abracadabra manner.
That is that. But right now, and in the interim, we need
peace and the best way to achieve this harmony now is join
hands with new Council's helmsmen and give them utmost
support, solidarity and encouragement.
In-between properly structured pressure groups can seek
audience with the Council's heads via the Ward leaders and
Councilors with a view to streamline one or two contending
and nagging issues with the sole purpose of ensuring that
the grassrooters feel the positive impact of democratic
largesse.
Constant town-hall meeting right from the unit level can go
along way to generate and enliven the spirit of belonging to
the extent that even the sworn political enemies with
Tribunal litigations could make U-turn.
CONGRAT GENTLEMEN!: Lest I forget, let me express my
heart-felt felicitations to my brothers and friends in Oron
and Udung Uko Local Government Councils, for emerging the
light bearers.
Mostly the two guys Hon. Prince Victor Ini Okon (whom I came
in very close contact with since the early 1990's, right
into the family level) and my own brother and in-law, Dr.
(Barr.) Asukwo Anwana, they are dependable materials with
deep sense of benevolence.
I have their antecedents in my beck and call, and as such I
can vouch for them even in Oron Stadium and Ibom Plaza, that
they will perform above average to the satisfaction of those
who gave them the mandate and depend on their democratic
magnanimity.
Gently have the people at the back of your planning, while
of course you don't have to forget those who toiled and
assisted you to victory. Cheers!  |
