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Is it not surprising that the season of endorsement has come sooner than expected for Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State despite the next general election being more than one year ahead? In fact, the political atmosphere in the state appeared already charged following the successful conduct of the local government election that ended recently.
Even before the national convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which held recently in Abuja in which Akwa Ibom State had a strong delegation led by Governor Udom Emmanuel who was elected on the ticket of the PDP, many groups had turned the period to a season of endorsement. They are throwing their weight behind Governor Udom Emmanuel asking him to throw his hat into the ring for a second term in office.
To outsiders, this might appear startling but for those who have been following events in Akwa Ibom State for a long time, it would not be difficult to understand that Akwa Ibom State has gradually become a destination of choice for investors. More than two factories have so far been commissioned; the Governor seems set to live up to his nickname, Mr. Industrialist.
Does he deserve this endorsement which cuts across the body of clergy, women groups and youths in the state? Depending on those being asked however, majority of the people would readily say he richly deserves it. Of course, with members of the opposition, it is a different ball game.
For the Christian community and a group called Fathers of Faith, comprising leading top church shots including the prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Sunday Mbang and the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akwa Ibom State chapter, Ndueso Ekwere, the governor’s sincerity, frankness and obvious fear of God in dealing with the Akwa Ibom project and the future of the state should not be ignored. According to the 81-year-old Mbang, who moved a motion for the adoption of Emmanuel for a second term in 2019, the governor is the candidate for 2019.
“We have adopted Udom as our governor for 2019. Udom is the Christian candidate for 2019. We would talk about Udom and governance from the pulpits. He is fighting cult members, kidnappers and criminals without relenting. He is developing and transforming our state. I want this man to come back and continue his good works. Whether they like it or not, Udom will be re-elected come 2019,” Mbang said.
Another member of the Fathers of Faith association and the immediate past Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akwa Ibom State chapter, Cletus Bassey while addressing the gathering noted that Governor Udom Emmanuel is set to take the state to the Promised Land.
“This is one man who is unafraid of leading us. We have seen glimpses of the Promised Land and we shall ensure he takes us there. With him, we have witnessed unprecedented development and advancement. We have left Egypt. We have moved closer and closer to the land of God.”
Perhaps, Bassey put it more succinctly when he said that Udom’s election in 2015 was like crossing major hurdles and getting to the final destination.
“In 2015, we crossed the Red Sea. As 2019 beckons, we stand before the River Jordan. We have the confidence that He who started with us will perfect it; we will not allow you to walk alone. Your success is the success of the state. We see in you a tool in the hands of God. You have done well as a governor. Though your paths may be dark, there is always light at the end of the tunnel,’’ he said.
Also, Uma Ukpai, a notable religious leader and founder of Uma Ukpai Evangelical Mission, described the governor as a true Christian, saying he literally came to wipe away tears.
“It’s not every day you get a Christian as a politician. He has come to wipe your tears. I am not only asking that we adopt, but also pray that God should anoint him more. He came not to repeat, but he is sent by God to redeem us. We have overstayed in Horeb. Our own Moses has come. We owe him a prayer support. It is a debt we must pay,’’ he said.
But if the endorsement was by the religious leaders came as a surprise given that they should be concerned about things of the spirit and not mundane issues like politics and who is elected into political offices, the endorsement by women groups in the state became more gripping and profound.
The ‘Akwa Ibom women declare for Udom’ ceremony which attracted a large number of women groups in the state came on the heels of the endorsement by the Fathers of faith.
According to them, the governor has done well in many sectors maintaining that in education, the introduction of free education has taken the burden of school fees payment off their shoulders.
“In education sector, we are celebrating free and compulsory education, subventions to schools, payment of NECO/WAEC examination fees to students. We are celebrating infrastructure in College of Education and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (AkwaPoly).
“In the area of agriculture, the Governor is carrying on with the Women Agro Entrepreneurship Development programme, where women are given soft loans to grow their businesses. We are also celebrating cassava, rice and vegetable development projects to improve food sufficiency in the state.
“In terms of infrastructure, we are thanking God for the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road construction, airport-Okopedi road, Etinan-Ndon Eyo road, internal roads in Uyo, Eket, Oron and several other road constructions across the state. The free healthcare delivery for pregnant women, aged people and children in the state also calls for celebration,” the group said.
As if the two endorsements were not enough, youths from Eket senatorial district where the Governor comes from staged the great solidarity march to Hilltop mansion, the residence of the governor to “further encourage him to seek a second term in office.”
According to the convener, Victor Antai who is also the commissioner for culture and tourism, he is motivated by the fact that Eket senatorial district youths are satisfied with the outstanding performance of the Governor in just two-and-half years in office, adding “we are out to tell him thank you for being a good leader and to encourage him to proceed beyond 2019.”
So far, the three groups that have endorsed the governor ahead of the 2019 general elections seemed to have sent a clear message to the people that they would sink and swim with Governor Udom Emmanuel ahead of 2019.
Though Governor Udom Emmanuel has, according to his admirers, performed well beyond expectations in spite of the paucity of funds and the recession, the state government has been able to keep to its contractual obligations like the payment of workers’ salaries and the construction of roads as well as the payment of contractors.
His critics would say that this is nothing to celebrate though in many states of the federation, salaries are being owed for several months.
As elections are decided by the majority of the votes cast, with the voters given an important role to play, the idea of an endorsement can only be seen as a prelude and not the decider, some observers say.
In Nigeria, though attempts have been made in the past to allow governors and the president run for a single term of six years, this has not been successful. It is common knowledge that governors and the president do come under intense pressure to continue in office for a second term for them “to complete their laudable projects,’’ and this explains the endorsements by various interest groups.
While many may find it too early, Governor Udom on his part finds it somehow unbelievable given that he has always seen himself not as a professional politician but as a professional in politics.
“I just cannot believe that this is happening and I feel so humbled and overwhelmed. I have nothing to add than to say; once the Fathers of Faith have spoken, I have no choice but to accept the challenge. This calls for a high level of responsibility and I know you will help me ask God to help me through,’’ the governor said.
Interestingly, democracy in our country comes with many variations. It brings along with it, conventions and norms including the idea of groups endorsing an incumbent ahead of the next election. It helps to keep the tempo of politics high and makes the people engaged in politicking until general elections. Anything wrong with that?
Indeed, the endorsements coming few weeks before the local government elections in which the PDP swept all the 31 seats contested for could have been a tonic that added pep to the campaigns and brought out the best in the elections. Who knows it could be a harbinger of better things ahead.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo
