There is apparent cheap talk going on in Akwa Ibom State that some of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s appointees employed to be spin doctors for the governor are doing excellent works as saboteurs for the extended family of the immediate past Governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio. For sure, the Akpabios have a dynasty status and constitute the current establishment in the state, having produced the current administration led by Emmanuel.
The story, which is mostly on social media and some Uyo-based tabloids, may be dismissed with a wave of hand as mere cheap talk for cheap popularity; but it would be more costly on the part of the governor to sleep with his two eyes closed while the story is trending. After all, it is not farther from the truth and since “truth is an open wound” it would be festering as long as the governor’s aides continue to work as informants for the establishment instead of working as information managers for the established institution, which was what they were employed and have been remunerated for.
One of the actions of Emmanuel for which he has not been spared criticism by critics is the fact that a chunk of his appointees were in the former administration. That is not uncommon. It has happened sometimes elsewhere in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, including the United States, the poster country of democracy and presidential system of government. In neighbouring Cross River, for instance, Christian Ita, who worked with Liyel Imoke for eight years as Chief Press Secretary, has been retained by Governor Ben Ayade, and he remains at his professional best that he has been known for over the years.
The practice promotes continuity and sustenance of government policies. It ensures efficiency and effectiveness in that experienced hands are used. Those are some of the high points of civil service, which has continuity of tenure as one of its characteristics. But Akwa Ibom State is one of the prominent constituents of Nigeria, and in Nigeria, everywhere in Nigeria, things stubbornly refuse to work the way it should and has worked elsewhere.
In Nigeria institutions are powerless while certain individuals are more powerful. Loyalty is to a person rather than institution and the nation. Institutions do not function without people; after all they are made for the good of the people and for institution to serve its usefulness to the people personal interest must be purged for the overall interest of the people. Institutions are symbolized by persons through whom the people reap the palatable fruits of existence of institutions, which is why the person symbolizing a given institution enjoys in pari passu the accrued loyalty.
One factor influencing frequent fights between a kingmaker and a reigning king revolves around the former insisting on calling the shot under the surrogacy of the supposed king of the moment. That has hardly worked too.
The 50-year old governor is not just a Nigerian; he is an Akwa Ibomite. He was borne and bred in Akwa Ibom. He only left the state in his adult for further studies at the University of Lagos. Even while living and working in Lagos he dealt more with Akwa Ibomites in many aspects, notwithstanding his cosmopolitan outlook and perceived international connectivity. He is also thoroughly educated and exposed. In that wise, he is knowledgeable enough about Akwa Ibom and the Nigerian terrain. Besides, before becoming a governor he had worked in Akwa Ibom under Akpabio for over a year as secretary to the state government. He is, therefore, well positioned to know Akpabio better. Perhaps, that is why he has not been given a thumb up by many for retaining a number of Akpabio’s boys in his administration.
Akpabio is not in the ilk of Donald Duke and Imoke who, though, contributed substantially to the emergence of their respective successors has faith that the legacies of their leadership as two-term governors is enough fountain of goodwill to sustain them outside power, hence resisting inherent impulses of interfering, let alone poke nosing, in their successor’s administration. Akpabio is, either, not like Peter Obi, a personification of simplicity and humility, who is advertising that one’s popularity has not much to do with political power.
Akpabio does not toy with power. Of course, power makes him who is today. He is a typical Nigerian politician that has no second address, as Olusegun Obasanjo is wont to say. The address that has been taken him to places remains the office of the governor of Akwa Ibom, which he occupied for eight years. The Emmanuel-led administration was conceived with conspiracy and chicanery, delivered with impunity, put on a deceitful bed and breastfed with treacherous milk by the Akpabio establishment but even so, the legitimacy of the government has been affirmed by the highest and appropriate authority in Nigeria. Circumstances of one’s birth may lead to stunted growth but hardly acceptable by posterity as excuse for not laying a better foundation for the future.
In the recent past in Akwa Ibom many were uplifted from nowhere to somewhere not by dint of hard work or performance but through opportunism and sheer luck dished out by a man of the moment who held the yam and the knife at a time the doctrine of philosophy of faith that reigned supreme in many minds were “Let God’s will be done” and “Good luck to you”. So far, Emmanuel’s content of character as reflected in most of his actions is not agreeable to his benefactor.
Leaving one’s image in the hands of those who owe someone else credit for their job is anybody’s guess, as far as loyalty is concerned, particularly when there is inkling that the interest of the appointer is not in sync with the facilitator of the appointment. If Emmanuel keep allowing dissidents free reign within the administration his true loyalists would, in no distant time, have no option than despising and deserting him, leaving him wallowing like an orphan that has living parents and relatives.
. Ekanem writes from nsikak4media@gmail.com.
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