Oh! Godswill Akpabio (2)

Those who showed love or claimed to have loved Godswill Obot Akpabio are leading a war. They've culled a section of wisdom to defend their action. They now wear new garments. Quite different from the past. And different from what they told us. So full of defense, just to sustain the tempo of political enchantments. They are up in arms against the uncommon man for committing a moral wrong.  Yes, to them, Godswill Akpabio played god, not until now. When they suddenly realized themselves. What then happens to the former political guidelines? Now is the time for biased differentiation.   

Within this period, Godswill Akpabio might have returned to the drawing board. But will he still find anything written there? Because, his friends or enemies might have played a fast one on him. Whatever happens should teach him that everything goes, everything comes back. Eternally rolls the wheel of being. Everything dies, everything blossoms again. Eternally runs the year of being. Everything breaks, everything is joined anew; eternally the same house of being is built. Everything parts, everything greets every other thing again; eternally the ring of being remains faithful to itself. In every now, being begins; round every here rolls the sphere there. The center is everywhere. Bent is the path of eternity. He should read in between lines to figure out other meanings. Because these people are simply happy that the man forgot. Undoubtedly, his mnemonic slip has conferred a bonus to many. 

I feel like laughing, but tears is taking whole of me. How can a man full of life be dribbled in such a satirical manner? Who then will defend him in times like this? Making us begin to ask questions. Where are the i-eleven? Where are the Friends of Godswill Akpan in Nigeria, FOGAN? Where are the Youth Caucus? Where is Enoidems? Where is Bassey Albert Akpan? Where is Etido Inyang? Where is Isantim Kenneth Okon, Wayas? Where is Onofiok Luke? Where are all those local government chairmen? Where are all those political appointees during Godswill Akpabio era? They were the hit men. The men of the inner circle. They were the foot soldiers that kept Akpabio going. He believed so much on them. But today, they have a new song. Such that daggers the existence of the Uncommon man. This life is indeed a mystery. 

The former governor is currently being designed with many funny pictures. And he has refused to give in to their ignorance. His recent letter has proven that his belief is unchanged. His stance on issue has not gotten a different brand. His only sin is that he jumped ship. He left his former political party for a new one. According to him, to link his state to the center. Funny enough. The same Akpabio, before now attacked everyone who toed the same line. His concentration was that Akwa Ibom does not need to be connected to the center for survival. He likened it to Lagos state. Who has always being in opposition till 2015. But today, he dived into the same ocean he warned others. That's the main reason his woes increased. A lesson that must be learnt in a million way. 

Posterity isn't fair with Godswill. During his tenure as governor. He never prepared for a time like this. He ran a flamboyance government. Where more money was used to penetrate places where money could not. He had no feeling for other peoples' failure. As a governor, he could anoint ten aspirants for one position. Whatever happens thereafter, makes no meaning to him. People were grudged. Groups were abandoned. Perceived enemies were attacked at random. Once he absorbed your supporters, he's done with you. And then leaves you go down in peace. He was feared, not through insignia. But for the fear of unknown. Godswill Akpabio was a governor with different definition. A governor of terror and trembling. A governor with special features. Not until now, that he became defenseless. 

Let's be bold in telling the truth. Yes, there were killings during Godswill Akpabio's era. According to the online reports, about sixteen people were assassinated. That's a little figure above a dozen. But then, Udom Emmanuel has come to show us that what happened then was a child's play. Under Udom's watch, Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas have recorded times three of what took place during Akpabio. The Reigners church incidence claimed over a thousand life. Over hundred corpses of innocent children were dumped in a shallow grave. Yet, people refused to talk about it. Is it because church was used as a cover up? If not, why has the government refused to implement the report of the panel of enquiry? Akpabio wasn't a saint. But the worst is taking place under Udom Emmanuel. Undoubtedly, the greatest destroyer of peace is the incumbent. 

What took place on March 23 this year was more than politics. It was man's ingratitude to man. Its reaction will be sharper than a serpent's tooth. Funny enough Udom Emmanuel has gone to church thank God. Forgetting that the Almighty God is a God of gratitude. He forgot so soon how he came into power. The same man who stood against all odds to give him a name. The same man who created enemies for himself by abandoning twenty eight other aspirants to lift him high. Udom Emmanuel would have concentrated on his re-election. Leaving Akpabio to his fate. Making him lose his re-election into the senate will not propel Udom's career. Rather making his political journal black. Allowing Akpabio back to senate would have sent a 'thank you' signal to him. Where was Chris Ekpenyong when Akpabio flown you up against others? Where was Chris Ekpenyong when Akpabio fought the battle alone? No voter's card. Not known by anyone. But you were made a governor. Ingratitude is poison to the soul. Ingratitude makes man an animal. Even worse, for some animals do have a way of saying thank you when you do them a favor; take a dog for instance. Udom should be careful. Because those around him today were the same faces around Akpabio in the past. 

Udom Emmanuel never reasons so much. And I fear for his future. Because his happiness will only last, but for a while. He shouldn't rejoice, because the worst is about to happen. Suicidal glory is the luxury of the irresponsible. It has been said that the sin of ingratitude is more serious than the sin of revenge. With revenge, we return evil for evil, but with ingratitude, we return evil for good. Godswill Akpabio is not down. He's only passing through a political lab. No guts, no glory. His later glory will definitely supersede that of the former. I'm not a prophet, but Godswill Akpabio's political journey is yet to begin. Very soon, his name will be announced for good.  

My name is Gideon Ekere

Akwa Ibom Deserves the Best!