Political Notes.
By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor
God’s Will is right in Akwa Ibom
The Tuesday declaration for the governorship by erstwhile secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel at the Uyo Township Stadium was by every dimension, a remarkable gathering. Though the outgoing governor of the state, Obong Godswill Akpabio was conspicuously absent, his spirit was overwhelmingly present throughout the ceremony.
*Akpabio
Mr. Emmanuel left his job last year as an executive director in Zenith Bank to take up the job of SSG in the state. His rapid transformation from the conservative geared banker to a populist mobiliser of the masses was so obvious that one had to ask if Emmanuel had ever been a banker.
Besides, if there was any doubt as to the inclination of the governor, the presence of his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio as the head of the cheer leaders that day quickly removed any such doubt.
The crowd was not just massive and intimidating, but also very passionate in their vociferous chant of Udom is Right at the ceremony.
The adoption of the Arsenal FC loving former banker is Governor Akpabio’s own human response to what the people of Eket Senatorial District in the state say is the history of injustice to their people in the production of governors for the state. For that reason and for those who agree on the choice of Emmanuel, God’s will is always right on such issues.
Pursuing Fayemi’s shadow in Ekiti
The move by the new administration in Ekiti State to discredit Comrade Kayode Fayemi’s legacy of populist activism with revelations of allegedly ostentatious furniture and fittings in the new Government House has raised debate among the citizenry within and outside the state.
While some have expressed concern over the alleged purchases whose prices have yet to be independently confirmed, others are of the opinion that the new administration may simply derail itself with the pursuit of Dr. Fayemi’s shadow.
Some recall when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu first took the mantle in Lagos and took more than usual interest in the affairs of his military predecessor, Gen. Buba Marwa. It reportedly took the intervention of some concerned eminent Lagosians to refocus him and help him realise what turned out to be his legacy.
Is it the end of the road?
For many contemporary political office holders in the country, the fear of their governors has always been the primary source of wisdom. But not necessarily for some with moral and political fibre. One of the later would be Rep. Bitrus Kaze representing Jos South, Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State. Against the desire of some from his constituency and associates of Governor Jonah Jang, Kaze had championed the agenda of power shift away from his own senatorial district to Plateau South senatorial district on the basis of what he termed equity.
Against advice from secret and open admirers not to offend the political sensibilities of the governor, Kaze was strident saying fair is fair. It was no surprise that Kaze is not in the line up of possible candidates drawn up by the powers that be on the plateau for PDP tickets. In fact, his present seat has been earmarked for a former bureaucrat in the Government House who has just resigned.
But that is not the end of the road for the legislator. Apparently a reflection of his own political reach, on Thursday he was listed in the committee to prepare grounds for President Jonathan’s formal declaration for a second term, a position that could prepare him for higher prospects in the near future.
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