By the analysis, calculations, permutations and projections of informed analysts in the state, the 2019 gubernatorial race in the state would be a straight fight between the incumbent governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) , ,Obong Nsima Ekere. While the governor is not hiding his second term ambition despite his poor performance, the MD of the NDDC is focusing on delivering on the core mandate of his office.
But between the two political gladiators, the choice or preference of the people of the state is very clear. Obong Nsima Ekere has, by his superlative performance as the helmsman of the NDDC, won the hearts of Akwa Ibom people and he stands a clear chance of flooring the incumbent governor should he hearken to the clarion by well-meaning people of the state on him to consider running for the governorship of the state come 2019. The governor's dwindling political fortunes is not helped by his ineptitude, arrogance and poor performance.
The government's much hyped projects like the 17 bridges, over 700km of roads, the second runway of the airport, over 350 rural development projects can't be empirically proven. They can only be found on billboards mounted by the state government at some strategic locations across the state. It's a classic case of a government deceiving the very people it was purportedly elected to serve.
As a result, the governor has lost all credibility and goodwill of the people. As it is, there is nothing the governor can do to redeem himself and his party between now and the next polls. What that means is that the governor has failed irreedemably.
While Governor Udom Emmanuel has failed to use his office to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state despite the huge funds accrued to the state in the forms of allocations from the Federation Account, IGR, Paris funds refunds, Bailouts by the federal government and Ecological funds, Obong Nsima Ekere is using his present position as the MD of the NDDC to attract life touching projects to the state.
Unfortunately and sadly, the governor is resorting to attacking and antagonising the NDDC MD for using his office to bring development to the state. For bringing development to the state, NDDC is being viewed by the Akwa Ibom state government as an opposition party. The governor is afraid that if NDDC is allowed to bring projects to the state, Nsima Ekere would dwarf and outclass him. But that is rather too petty. It shows that the governor is anti-people and anti-development.
Arguably, Nsima Ekere is the most trending political brand in the state today. He's the most courted and preferred person for the 2019 gubernatorial race in the state. As the MD of the NDDC, he has demonstrated passion and zeal for the development of the state. He has demonstrated capacity and excellence.
Akwa Ibom state can't afford another four years of inept, clueless and rudderless government of Udom Emmanuel and surely, he wouldn't be rigged back to office come 2019.
Obong Nsima Ekere remains the man after the hearts of Akwa Ibom people. He has remained the main issue in the politics of the state.
OBONG INIOBONG JOHN,
CHAIRMAN, AKWA IBOM APC YOUTH CAUCUS,
DG, ONE FRONTIERS
0 comments: