LORD! Give Me A Politician's Heart by Osundu Ahirika

Create in me a Politician's heart oh Lord and renew in me a right spirit. That's my recent prayer, and folks', never for a second mistake that for a sacrilegious plea. Life has taught me that, the politician, who manages to string the most electoral successes, and manages to personify the proverbial cat with nine lives  notion, is the one who knows how to effortlessly relate with his so called enemy and sit at ease, in the conclave of opponents.

In Akwa Ibom, check out the likes of Rt. Hon. Usenobong Akpabio, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Effiong Bob, Rt Hon. Ekong Sampson, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk etc, you will see this virtue in them. How do they manage this? I have since realized their secret. They are so flexible that, they know how to, not only embrace yesterdays foe and make friends with him today, but also, learn to use the so called enemy as an ally for tomorrows agenda.

As Senator Effiong Bob, who, back in 2011, was treated as a political leper for seeking an audacious third term berth in the National Assembly, works himself to becoming a de facto beautiful bride of the 2015 Governorship battle, one thing strikes you. His easy fence mending with powerful rivals of yore, who have paid homage, to consult him on their ambitions, cannot but, confound you.

I have come to conclude that, if you want to know a greenhorn in politics, his trademark is simple. Look out for that politician who sorts people around him into two camps of supporters and enemies. Such a politician moves to crush all those perceived, suspected or proven to belong to the latter camp.

He banishes them from his countenance and treats them as nuisance. Isantim Kenneth Okon, the Etinan Local Government Council boss it was, who told me, only a non career politician will commit the ambition stifling error of keeping a black book for supposed enemies. A true politician he says, has an elastic shock absorber that enables him tolerate all classes of people: The good, The bad, The ugly. According to him, even the lousy associate of the politician has his day for reckoning, where his nuisance value will be needed.

Same for the sycophants, cynics, thugs, intellectuals and what have you. Everyman around the politician he opined, must be given his space and not castaway. Those you segregate against and dismiss from your camp, Isantim Okon says, turn around to hurt you the most.

It is the same lesson I learnt from erstwhile Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere. His almost condescending demeanour, simplicity and general affability, is prudently cultivated second nature. His free spirit is so robust that, the man hardly has a room for grudge, hate, beef or vendetta in his being.

When I questioned his rare ability as a top mixer with, not only other top governorship contenders, but even those who are decidedly opposed to his dream of governing Akwa Ibom, his simple retort was, "only the weak in politics dreads opponents. The strong needs and even works harmoniously with them. That is the only key that can sustain and take you far in politics", Ekere opined. I chose to believe him.

Who would have thought that, Senator Bola Tinubu, Gen. Mauhammadu Buhari, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Nuhu Ribadu, Rotimi Amaechi and Olusegun Obasanjo etc, can cohabit the same room and laugh it out? The notion of strange bedfellows is easy and possible, particularly, in politics, because, politicians have such a large heart, with inherently automated delete button inside of them, that erases past dirty bickering and quickly harmonizes current interests where they gel. I want that heart of give and take. Win some, lose some. A heart to be a good negotiator and when I can, make concessions for progress and peace to be made.

A politicians heart is what I crave, so I can find it easy to say, 'I'm sorry' and not see it as a weakness. Picture the ebullient Obong Umana Okon Umana, set aside his intimidating persona and profile to humbly apologize to Senator Bob. The same thing, immediate past Finance Commissioner, Bassey Albert Akpan did during his visit to the Senator recently. Has former Vee Pee, Atiku Abubakar not said, 'I'm sorry', to his erstwhile boss, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Many in the world are too proud to alight from their high horse and be the first to say sorry. Only, the great can do this and I elect greatness above false pompousity. I want the simplicity of heart politicians bear, which makes haste to show remorse, penance, penitence and restitution where, and when necessary.  

I have also discovered, it takes the never say die heart of a Politician to remain an incurable optimist. In religion, we call it FAITH. They have faith in themselves, in their God and their dreams no matter the odds. Indeed, only a politicians mind set will convince him to row his political boat against the tide. Even when his political pursuit is akin to making a river flow uphill, the politician will stick to his objective, and too many times, they get it done. They don't quit even when common sense dictates so. Else, why will Engr. Frank Okon remain in Court up until date, still seeking to invalidate Governor Godswill Akpabio's victory in the 2011 PDP Governorship Primaries and subsequent Governorship Election, when the entire State has since moved on, and are locked in the hurricane of who succeeds Governor Akpabio with barely a year left to end his second term in office. Only a politician has such sense of tenacity, persistence and self belief.

I want a politicians heart so that I can take several blows with a smile, or at most, a wink. Like American President, Barack Obama, has stated, a Politician must grow very thick skin as the game is not for the faint hearted. President Goodluck Jonathan has described himself as the most vilified Nigerian President ever. Truly, he has endured the most harrowing, humiliating and harassing criticisms ever mounted against any leader in this country. Yet, he still holds out and will not press the panic button of resorting to ruthless crackdown on critics.

 Each passing day, under the duress of scathing recriminations from opponents, detractors, social activists, human rights crusaders, warts and all, Mr President still relays a near boyish mien, that makes him look more sinned against than the sinner. What a heart to brave the darts and arrows and still top it all with equanimity and surreal calm.

I want the heart of a Politician. That I can endure heart rending betrayals and still hold my head high. As I take a dozzier on the Politics of Prince Enobong Uwah, I came off with the disbelief of a man's capacity to sidestep and overlook wanton betrayal. The day he hosted his people after he lost the Uyo State Constituency election in 2011,  I was left speechless. How can you thank a people for losing elections?

Even for many others that he brought to political relevance, who have stabbed him behind, I shudder at how admirably, he has looked ahead and contained the strain and the pain. Only politicians can live this way and not suffer hypertension, or relapse into Political autism, or political down syndrome, if you get the devastating debilitation of those diseases in medical sciences. I pray for the heart of a politician, even if it is trickery as many think.

I want the cheerful heart of benevolence that gives and gives and gives, without counting the cost. In that wise, I try to deconstruct the large heartedness of Governor Akpabio, whose generousity marked a new era of empowerment politics taken beyond the ordinary. The uncommon spirit of giving he transmitted to his proteges, such as, Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke, Prince Enobong Uwah, Obong Bassey Albert, Obong Kufre Etuk, Mr Don Etim and Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem is a dream I pray to live. The same way, Obong Umana Okon Umana, and Obong Nsima Ekere, have single handedly turned so many boys to men. It is such a willing spirit to be of help that I crave.

 I want a Politicians heart, so that, I can be stout hearted like Governor Godswill Akpabio. His demonstration of political will for implementing his ideas is unprecedented and peculiar. He knows how to fight. Plans his game well ahead from end to beginning  and beginning to end, with Plans A-Z in case any plan fails and he doesn't get stuck in a fox hole. Like he confessed, I want to move like a lion whenever I do, always conscious of my stock. I need, not a timid mind of fear, but a bold and courageous one.

The summary is that, great Politicians possess the heart of a child, but act and live like adults. Guided by the childish enthusiasm, they look up to the brighter side of life and remain positive. Little wonder, the great Rabbai, Jesus Christ taught, "except one becomes like a little child, he cannot make the kingdom of God.

They say Politics is a dirty game, but I think differently. It is a game of hearts.

AKS 2015: Who is your candidate?

GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN AKWA IBOM STATE

It is very unfortunate that so many people are afraid to choose who they will vote for the governorship position in Akwa Ibom State come 2015 while others are audacious to declare their stand even at the market place.
Now, who is your candidate among the list below and why your choice?

1. Barr. Assam Assam, SAN
2. Obong Nsima Ekere
3. Barr. Effiong Abia
4. Sen. Helen Esuene
5. Mr. Udom Emmanuel
6. Obong Umana Okon Umana
7. Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh
8. Prof. Richard King
9. Hon. Justice Nya Ebito (Rtd)
10. Dr. Samuel Udonsek
11. Sen. Etang Umoeyo
12. Barr. Asuquo Okpo
13. Bishop Sam Akpan, PhD
14. Arch. Otu Ita Toyo
15. Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan
16. Sen. Effiong Bob
17. Dr. Effiong Edunam
18. Mr. Larry Esin
19. Mr. Okon Iyanam
20. Mr. Owoidighe Adiakpan
21. Engr. Patrick Ekpotu
22. Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma
23. Effiong Assam Ntekim (PhD)

2006 race recorded the highest with over 50 contenders. We need more people to express interest and Affirmative Action for women and youth is not shown here. Why? Again, two Federal Constituency of Eket and Oron are taking the lead of contenders.

Where are the remaining?

Please help me comb the state for other contenders.

Credits: Ubong David

2015: Akpabio Insists on Eket Senatorial District

Says opposition spends an estimated N4m on campaigns daily...

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio says the next Governor of the state must come from Eket Senatorial district. Chief Akpabio made the disclosure during the 2014 Solemn Assembly of the state held yesterday in Uyo.

Dr. Akpabio said Akwa Ibom indigenes from any zone are qualified to vie for the Governorship seat, but assured the people that the next Governor will be an Ibibio man of Eket Senatorial District extraction.


He also said less than Four million naira is being spent by opposition on a daily basis to sponsor campaigns of calumny against him and his family through text messages and advertorials and advised the people to shun ethnicity and continue praying for the development of the state and nation at large.

Chief Akpabio who is from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district was elected Governor of the state in 2007 after Oblong Victor Attah from Uyo Senatorial District had served two terms from 1999 to 2007.

Feelers from some quarters in Uyo Senatorial district are demanding for a return of power to the majority in 2015, a situation that has witnessed huge criticism and resistance withing and outside the state.

The 2015 elections which is less than twelve months away will witness a stiff battle between Governor Akpabio and power brokers from Uyo Senatorial district, who are determined to wrestle power back to their fold.

Akwa Ibom International Stadium To Be Completed, 2014

Stadium to boast Akwa United FC's continental hopes...

The 30,000 capacity Akwa Ibom International Stadium is to be commissioned before the end of the year, 2014. Governor of the state, Chief Godswill Akpabio made the disclosure in Uyo recently.

Dr. Akpabio said the multi-billion naira project will play host to the 2014 edition of the carol of 9999 singers, which is to be modified to 20,000.

The stadium constructed by Julius Berger, a German construction firm is a replica of The Allianz Arena, home turf of Bundesliga and European Champions, Bayern Munich.

The new stadium when completed is also expected to be named home ground for Nigeria Premier League side, Akwa United FC of Uyo and will also play host to some International fixtures of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Akwa United currently plays its home game at the Uyo Township Stadium.

Some supporters of the Uyo based side are of the opinion that the massive capacity stadium will motivate the team seek continental football from 2015.