In the beginning, Akwa Ibom State governor was seen and categorised as one megalomaniac governor whose sole delight was to be seen beaming with smiles on the cover pages of newspapers, and for perhaps, the wrong reason(s.) That was the picture knowingly or unknowingly cut of him by his then media managers.
But with time mid way through his first term in office, the governor that today passes as one of the few most performing state chief executives in the country began to work his electoral manifesto in Akwa Ibom State. And before long, Akpabio’s Akwa Ibom began to work.
His strategy was simple, deliberate and indeed reasonable. At least, that was and still is the way many Akpabio watchers saw it. He set off by taking on uncompleted capital projects in the state and did justice to them, not minding the real or assumed differences he was said to be having with his predecessor, Architect Victor Atta. After all, like one of his aides told journalists in Lagos in 2010, “The state belongs to us all. If one started a project and could not complete it, it behoves on the next person to take it up so long as it is in the overall interest of the state and its people.”
Thus, that Akwa Ibom remains one model state whose speedy infrastructural and related development is unrivaled in the country is courtesy of the doggedness of the state governor.
He was to attract the attention of federal authorities on the foregoing score when alongside fellow members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including President Goodluck Jonathan, the governor hosted countless state visits by top PDP members and non-party men to behold the transformation ala Akpabio in Uyo. Aniete Umana, his information commissioner, calls it “uncommon transformation.”
Then before long, as it is with every good work, the governor’s developmental strides opened doors for him to render service to the country beyond his native Akwa Ibom State.
Today, his testimonial includes being a very close confidant of Jonathan and PDP leadership as well as being the arrow head of governors on the party’s platform.
That is the price of loyalty! But then it comes with its own cross.
Little wonder that today, all manner of latter day politicians in Akwa Ibom State cast so much aspersions on the governor that of recent observers say he has learnt to employ the powerful tool of silence to set confusion in the thoughts, words and deeds of his adversaries.
Especially, in the countdown to 2015, there is no better time in the calculation of Akpabio’s adversaries to unsettle the governor than now that he has been endorsed to run for Senate. They are also up in arms against him as to who should succeed him.
But while all these rage on, the state’s chief executive is getting to cope with the knotty issue of which zone in the politically conscious state would produce his successor.
From my fair knowledge of the state, there are three zones comprising Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket senatorial districts. Of the three, the first produced governors like Attah, Akpan Isemin among others. Akpabio himself is from the Ikot Ekpene zone. As for Eket, the zone is yet to produce a state governor.
Though Eket district and Ikot Ekpene share the large Ibibio-speaking tribe, their differences when it comes to the issue of who succeeds are well known.
But without attempting to pretend to be a thorough analyst of political events inside Akwa Ibom State, I must state that the weightier side of the cross Akpabio carries ahead of 2015 today has to do with resolving the puzzle of who succeeds him and from what zone.
The thinking, according those close to the governor, is that “he would not disappoint Eket people. He believes in equity; and he respects the popular view that power should rotate. But he must not be blackmailed to deliver on this note,” retorted a state PDP leader in Abuja Wednesday afternoon.
Methinks that the governor who has remained faithful to his campaign manifesto since 2007 and loyal to his people and party without reservation would not allow those fine qualities vapourise at the twilight of his governorship of the state. He remains an example in loyalty to all and should carry it through as an enduring legacy for Akwa Ibom State.
Suswam loyalty pays
Youthful Benue State governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam may be soft-spoken, a man of few words that presents the picture of a politically naïve personality. But that does not remove from the fact that he remains one state governor with a steel resolve and solid strategies in taking on issues head-on.
For instance, there are high wire fallouts of the 2007 governorship poll that gave him power in the state as well as its second phase in 2011, coupled with the series of court cases that ensued. But despite his triumphs, the opposition just would not let him have peace.
However, being a seeming master of the game in his own right, Suswam continues to ride the tide even as he records significant strides in terms of infrastructure and well being of his state and people.
For instance, Benue State happens to be one state that Jonathan has visited in record number of times than others. He did not just visit for the sake of it, but to commission projects. Even amidst crises between Fulani cattle herdsmen and farmers in sections of the state, Suswam’s loyalty to his people remains intact.
His efforts in negotiations and yet remaining committed to the greater objective of sustained relationship has since earned him accolades and commendations from the presidency. Such accolades only come from such a highly political office after being tried and tested for one’s loyalty.
Today, he heads a federal government team that is dialoguing with vexed lecturers on how fast the lingering strike called by members of the Academic Staff Unions of Universities, ASUU could be resolved.
Thus, by tomorrow when striking lecturers return to classes, Suswam’s loyalty would have been upped by another notch. But he is faced with one likely crisis back home which many pray he could resolve fast and in the interest of good old Benue State.
Only days ago, his deputy, Stephen Lawani who hails from the Idoma-speaking area of the state declared to succeed. Also, Suswam no doubt plans to represent his constituency in the Senate come 2015.
Just how far can his legendary loyally to his people, state and party enable Suswam to resolve these knotty matters? Can he? Surely, he can.