OBONG VICTOR ATTAH: INDEED, AN IBIBIO ELDER STATESMAN

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OBONG VICTOR ATTAH: INDEED, AN IBIBIO ELDER STATESMAN
By TOROBONG EKPO
Despite being a native of the fourth largest village in Etinan Local Government Area, I never wanted an Ibibio indigene to emerge as a successor to the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio. I obviously, via my articles, hated, rejected and opposed the quest for Ibibio Governor, because, I knew, such demand will thwart the long existing, divine and peaceful zoning arrangement that has united all the six tribes in the state.
Also, after an empirical study of the character of Ibibio tribe, I knew there was no where an Ibibio son could emerge as a governor, without his co-brother or sister challenging his mandate in a competent court of law. So far, Obong Umana Okon Umana, Sam Akpan and Helen Esuene (Ibibio Children) have challenged the election of their brother, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. I may not know, if Udom’s mandate was stolen however, records show that, this is the very first time; two members of a single tribe (Ibibio) are in Tribunal, washing their dirty linen, yet the elders, who ought to have settled their grievances indoor, are taking sides, as a result of peanuts and crumbs.
I wouldn’t blame Ibibio elders for their inability to proffer lasting solution to the shame; after all, even the house of the so called leaders has been divided into Uyio Ikpaisong and Ifim Ibibio, while the political elders have segmented themselves to APC and PDP folds. Truth is, you can’t give what you don’t have, thus, the reason why the monarchs can’t broker peace, because they themselves are in dire need of peace. If this trend continues, Ibibio will end up being a warring race.
I tend to ask, why the stool of Ifim Ibibio scattered Ibibio monarchs, because, if the stool was intact, at least, these royal fathers would have delved in and curb this embarrassment, we are experiencing in Abuja on daily basis. If His Royal Majesty, Nsobom Ekpo Ekpo was buried on time, do you think Ibibio leaders would have split? This is the question I was soliloquy before I was reminded that, Late Nsobom Ekpo Ekpo died when an Ibibio man was the governor, but was buried when Senator Godswill Akpabio (An Annang man) was the state Chief Executive. I may not know why the Ibibio governor didn’t bury his brother, I guess it wasn’t as a result of Ibibio adage, “Ibibio isi mbaha mfon” meaning, Ibibios are haters of good things.
While I was trying to preach the gospel of zoning to the nooks and crannies of the state, some segment of Ibibio Elders invaded the office of then Governor Godswill Akpabio and reminded him of the utterance and promise he made at Asan Ibibio, a melting point of olden days ‘advisory politicians’. I wouldn’t know how the agreement was reached such that Akpabio agreed to hand-over power to Ibibio nation, I only hope, it was not under duress.
Jittery Akpabio, rumoured to have earlier promised to relinquish power to Mr. Effiong Abia, Mr. Ekpenyong Ntekim and other Oro sons changed his mind immediately, embarked on Town Hall meeting and decided to choose a successor from ONNA Local Government Area, without mentioning where his deputy will hail from.
Those who ignored and enjoyed the antics of the Devil jubilated over Akpabio’s decision; I knew it was a display of People Deceive People. He, in collaboration with those Channels TV Hustlers dribbled PDP aspirants on December 9th 2014 primaries and such anomaly led to the emergence of G22, a child of circumstance.
With all his antics, the then governor, never inform the Asan Ibibio High Chiefs that the Deputy Governor will be in their mould and that; he will hail from Annang extraction. He allowed them to play his card, thereafter, one Pa Moses Ekpo, an aged father of a 46 year old man, was announced as the running mate to Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. As soon as I heard the announcement, I was optimistic that Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa may one day serve as a Deputy Governor of the state, if not a minister of FRN.
It is a welcome development to notice that, even when the Ibibio monarchs didn’t ask for a slot, the then governor, in his uncommon magnanimity allocated one for them. I may not know the real age of Pa Moses Ekpo, but it is speculated that, he may be older then Obong Victor Attah. So if Obong Attah is now an elder statesman, when will Pa. Moses Ekpo retire from partisan politics? Anywhere, the future will tell.
Immediately Pa Ekpo was announced the running mate to Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, it marked the end of zoning law as entrenched in section 7 of Peoples’ Democratic Party. The law went oblivion that led to the emergence of a governor and a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the same tribe and same Senatorial District. Now, the quest for Governor from Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency in 2023 is surreal.
I wouldn’t say, it is a bad omen for Senator Udoma Udo Udoma to be named as the Minister, however, I think, since, Eket Senatorial District has five tribes namely; Ekid, Ibeno, Ibibio, Obolo and Oro. Someone, ought to have informed Mr. President that, at least, for an Ibibio man to have been the governor, another tribe ought to have produced a minister. Maybe, the president may not have been aware, as he is busy trying to meet his deadline of eradicating Boko Haram- A checkmating force on Niger Delta Militants.
Aside from destabilizing the zoning formulae, my instinct had whispered to me that, an emergence of Ibibio Governor after Akpabio will bring war of words, sides-taking, disunity and court cases between two Ibibio sons. Ibibio great grand fathers, after sojourning for millennium on this planet, left an indelible message for us to ponder. The message was short, witty and remarkable. It says, “Ibibio imaha idem”, meaning that, Ibibio people do not like one another. I don’t know what motivated our forebears to come to such logical conclusion, however, I am sure it was not said in isolation, it was as a result of an empirical and careful study of the mindset of Ibibio people.
Today, it is only in Ibibio nation, that a single insignificant tool-Ifim Ibibio, could split peoples grandfathers and cause them to wantonly trade war of words. These are monarchs who ought to have hold and unite these Ibibio sons who are in tribunal. It is on records that, this is the first time that, two people from the same tribe in Akwa Ibom State are filing court cases with each other, yet there is no elder to call and unite the two parties.
At present, we have Pro Udom Elders, which consist of Senator Anietie Okon, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, and Senator Effiong Bob to mention only three. We also have Pro. Umana Okon Umana Ibibio Elders Namely; Obong Sunny Jackson, Obong Rita Akpan and Obong Maurice Ebong to also mention only three. Initially, I had reasoned that, Obong Victor Attah was from the Umana Okon Umana faction, but he has technically denied that in his last press briefing, and insisted that, he is now an elder statesman, thus, resign from partisan politics. What a great task, at least, being an elder statesman, I guess he will collaborate with Ibibio elders from ‘Asan’ extraction and find out what they really want.
I wouldn’t know if it is a curse, but it is sympathetic to observe that, Ibibios are the cause of their problems. They take delight in casting mud on one another so as to become relevant in the system. I am sure, if Umana Okon Umana didn’t fall out with Godswill Akpabio, the likes of Sam Edem and Senator Effiong Bob would not have been closer to the government, such that, the later had to singlehandedly produce the Transition Chairman, while the former allegedly handpick a member of the committee.
Unfortunately, some of these Ibibio ‘saints’, while in government didn’t bother to face reality. They ignore the lamentations of the people and sometimes take sides with the government of the day, to wantonly punish their fathers, fellow brothers and sisters. I could recall when Obong Attah gave an advice to Akpabio regarding the location of the Ibom Tropicana, it was an Ibibio then political office holder, who sponsored a rejoinder entitled “What does Obong Attah really want?” on National and Local dailies. When there was controversy regarding Amakpe Refinery, it was an Ibibio man, who convened a Press Briefing and indirectly cajoled Obong Attah. I wouldn’t like to discuss an Ibibio Deputy Governor who was nearly impeached, following the advice of an Ibibio political office holder, who saw the governorship ambition of the erstwhile deputy governor as a threat to his.
It is unfortunate that, we choose to carpet these Pull-Him-Down attribute of Ibibio culture, by castigating undue blame on Innocent Godswill Akpabio, who came into power and provided good road network to his people and went ahead to appoint his predecessor’s brother, Essien Attah as a commissioner, as well as tar the road to Obong Attah’s village.
Obong Attah is said to have done marvelously well, within his eight years in power, pundits believe that, his administration would have been superb, if he had constructed road to his village as well as bury his brother, Nsobom Ekpo Ekpo, so as to unite the Ibibio. However, every human are bound to make mistakes, I am of the opinion that, if Udoma Bob Ekarika had taken over power from his father in-law, Attah, there wouldn’t have been ready-made political factions in the state.
Obong Attah needs to work very hard in his new elder statesman portfolio. Yea, he should brace up for that onerous task. Before he ventures into the task, I wish the ex governor should go on a fact finding mission and find out peoples position, when he was at loggerhead with his former commissioner, who is now the minority leader of the Senate. I am sure Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, was not in the limelight when the Tropicana letter was written, he should verify and find out from the writer of WHAT DOES OBONG ATTAH REALLY WANT, the person that sponsored the piece. The writer is alive, a former media aide to the ex-governor. He should look inward and verify because the backer of that letter is not far from Ibibio enclave.
I rather choose to salute and honour Thomas Thomas, who gave an apt response to the article when it was published on Nation Newspaper. I will rather commend Senator John James Udoedehe who stood by Obong Attah when the today’s loyalists of the ex-governor were wining and dining with Godswill Akpabio.
Unfortunately, I am yet to experience when two Annang people fight over governorship position, I have seen several times when Ibibio people live like cat and dogs for mere earthly treasures. Hon. Mike Sebastine was called names by his fellow brother simply because Ikot Abasi people reacted to a newspaper publication. I wouldn’t like to delve into OBA and Ignatius Edet tussle, what of Udoedehe and UOU and the later with Udom Gabriel Emmanuel at the tribunal and impending appellate court? You may wish to name other instances, it should be seen that, the Ibibio problem is not Akpabio as speculated in some quarters, it is about Ibibio and its inhabitant.
It is only in Ibibio that, a governor will emerge without tarring a road to his village nor bury his brother who died as Ifim Ibibio the second. It is pertinent to suggest that, if Late Nsobom Ekpoekpo was buried as at when due, there wouldn’t have been the division of Ifim Ibibio Stool. So, who should be blame for the division of Ibibio monarchs? Akpabio? Udom?
Sometimes, it is extremely difficult to say the truth, but for purpose of posterity, let us manage to say a bit here. Ibibio natives take delight in crises, simply because, that is where they earn their living. If Umana Okon Umana didn’t fall out from Akpabio’s favour, I doubt if Sam Edem and Senator Effiong Bob would have been seen as faces of Akpabio in Nsit Ubium. Today, the Ibibio from other angle are clustering around Obong Attah, maybe because, they want to obtain favour. They forget to tell Obong Attah the role they played while his tussle with Senator Akpabio lasted. Who talked to press regarding Amakpe Refinery? Very soon, I will expose some of these wolfs in sheep clothing to the public, because I intends to serve Attah from being used as gab-stop by some of these Ibibio snake elders.
I am not a fan of Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, neither that of Obong Umana Okon Umana, however, it is silly to see the same people who couple of years ago were neglecting Obong Attah even to a point of refusing to attend his wife burial, but today, they are keeping ‘holier than thou’ faces just to pretend and be relevant to the system. Let’s face reality, if Obong Attah had died during those neglected years, where would these crops of politicians run to.
Nkem Owo once sang, “Know me when I am poor, not when I am rich…claim relationship.” It behooves on Obong Attah to acknowledge the fact that, his true loyalists are people who stood by him when the going was down. The likes of Mr. Udeme Nnana, Thomas Thomas, Udoma Bob Ekarika etcetera could be recognized as loyalists, because they were there under rain and shine. I wouldn’t shy away from the fact that, Akwa Ibom problems are heavier than Akwa Ibom people to solve. Yea, maybe, that was why PDP had to send an emissary to beg Obong Attah when he had misunderstanding with Akpabio. There is no need casting mud on Osondu Ahirika simply because he bares his mind on issues. We all know that, if we leave Ibibio crises to Ibibios to solve, even the so called elders will split and take sides on the course of solving the menace.
If we must be sincere to ourselves, who made Akpabio led administration to allegedly clamp down on Ibibio tribe and tarnish the race. Who wanted to stall Hon. Ephraim Akpan from emerging as the Chairman of Mkpat Enin, was it an Annang man, or Ibibio man from another Local Government Area? Who sent Uwem Ita Etuk out from leadership of PDP in the state? Who spearheaded the impeachment and subsequent resignation of Obong Ignatius Edet as the then Speaker of the State House of Assembly? Who brought out Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice (ADV) to fight and subdue the powers of Akwa Ibom Peoples Forum (AKPF)? Until we attempt these questions, Ibibio will always be at war with each other.
Ibibio, though my nation needs intercessory prayer, not advice, because we are yet to realize that, we are walloping in hatred, selfishness and satanic attack. I had thought that, by now, someone will approach Udom and Umana and make them see reasons why they should shift the court case aside and embrace each other. Yet, till today, no one has done that. Why do we choose to partner with Annang sons in Frontiers Oil, Seven Energy etcetera? Yet we can’t partner with Ibibio son to move our state forward.
I am sure that, if by tomorrow, Tinubu or Buhari advises Umana to sheath his sword, we will label them peacemakers. Why can’t the Ibibio negotiate and solve this pending problem which is seeping through the pores of healthy body and ravaging it beyond repairs?
Many politicians are happy because their reasoning is that re-run will bring money to their pockets. I wouldn’t join issues in that regard; I wish politicians could go to interior villages and verify from old women which party they will vote for if a re-run emerges in next ninety days. Those women don’t joke with the party that bought them the last wrapper they are tying to the farm. You may wish to find out if the wrapper was bought by “Ufukeyo” or “Ayang”, I believe that, the response will convince an inquisitive interrogator that, politics is far from activism.
I am happy that, Obong Attah is now an elder statesman. Having served as an Executive Governor of the state, though fate didn’t allow him to produce a successor, I am hopeful that, he will in due time see the need to merge the disgruntle elements in Ibibio land and as well tell them the truth regarding the future of Ibibio land.
I know Obong Attah to be a truthful man. I know him to be a man of his words, with his new status, it is incumbent on him to note that the Ibibio have disintegrated and that they are constantly at war with its members. He should know that, both Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and Obong Umana Okon Umana are Ibibio sons, hence, injury for one should be injury for all.
He should use his position to integrate the disintegrated race. As an elder statesman, he should find out why Ifim Ibibio Stool tore Ibibio monarchs apart. As it stance, whether we agree or not, Udom Emmanuel has the support of Ifim Ibibio, via Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, while Umana Okon Umana has the support of Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio. If the both stools can unite together, I guess the political tussle will be a thing of the past. But before the two factions unite, Obong Attah, being an elderstatesman, I guess, will find out the remote and immediate cause for the division.
I join millions of Nigerian in congratulating Obong Attah for quitting politics, I pray, Pa. Moses Ekpo, Senator Anietie Okon, Lady Valerie Ebe, Obong Maurice Ebong and others that are above ‘80 years’ should emulate such virtue.