It is often said that everyone has a right to their opinion but I think everyone should have a right to the “correct” opinion.
As a torrent of poorly reasoned narratives attempts to poison the public discourse and political hemisphere in Akwa Ibom State, particularly across social media platforms, it is compelling to do more than simply ignore them. We as a people are saddled with the responsibility of dissecting and obliterate this misinformation before it fatally deforms the informed political consciousness of the Akwa Ibom people.
I recently encountered a venomous “Press Release” penned by my brother Comr. Ewa Okpo, bearing the grossly misleading title: “WOE TO PHARAOH UMO ENO FOR PERSECUTING AKWA IBOM STATE PDP MEMBERS.” While we might acknowledge Barr. Okpo’s usual verbal dexterity, this specific document is a deplorable, malicious, and entirely unwarranted political assault on the character and focused administration of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State. It is a tissue of lies, employing reckless, hyperbolic, and inflammatory rhetoric that utterly fails to grasp the sacred principles of effective governance and the non-negotiable requirement of loyalty in a purposeful executive team.
The central accusation of persecution and hypocrisy against Governor Umo Eno is baseless and misleading. I recall vividly that all appointees of the Governor were given the privilege to resign, some took the honorable route and resigned with their political integrity intact, but the press release by Barr. Okpo surreptitiously omits this crucial and honourable point. Appointees who were unwilling or uncomfortable with aligning with the Governor’s vision and political direction were afforded the privilege of voluntarily resigning, this is rationally the opposite of persecution. It was an act of uncorrupted grace that allowed individuals, due to their conscience or political affiliation, to transition out of the administration without rancour. No one was locked in, and no one was arbitrarily sacked for their mere membership in a political party.
Governor Eno administration’s focus is the delivery of the ARISE Agenda, the cardinal responsibility and covenant with the people of Akwa Ibom State. It is worthy of note to elucidate that appointees in government are not merely party members; they are executives entrusted with public office. Their primary duty is to demonstrate unwavering loyalty and undivided focus on the Governor’s mandate. Their appointments were made to facilitate governance, not to serve as an internal political opposition base.
Truth they say is bitter, but we must deal with it that way, the disengagement of Mr. Joe Ikpak and Comr. Felix Ekuri was explicitly framed in the Secretary to the State Government’s memo as part of a restructuring effort to align the machinery of government toward the success of the Renewed Hope and the ARISE Agenda. The attendance of a rival party’s convention by key personnel in an executive capacity clearly demonstrates a detachment from the primary mandate and an open declaration of belligerent political escapades. These are activities that are fundamentally incompatible with their executive roles.
Governance is not a game for the faint of heart; it demands a cohesive and united front. An executive team must share a common purpose and political direction to effectively and efficiently serve the populace. The imperative of team unity and unyielding loyalty CANNOT be compromised.
A house divided is an apt analogy that clearly defines the scenario. A team divided is a team poised to fail. The presence of individuals who act as fifth columnists, actively engaging in or supporting activities contrary to the Head of Government’s core agenda and political interest is inherently detrimental to the effective existence and function of the government. The people of Akwa Ibom State will not effectively benefit from the dividends of democracy when their state executives are politically split.
While Barr Ewa Okpo attempts to desecrate scripture for petty political mudslinging, the Governor’s administrative stance is perfectly encapsulated by the truly relevant, piercing question from the Book of Amos: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” – Amos 3:3. It is a political impossibility for an appointee to effectively walk with and execute the vision of an administration while simultaneously and publicly pledging fealty to a political platform that stands in opposition to the government’s leadership. Agreement, Alignment, and Loyalty are not optional perks; they are the non-negotiable prerequisites for shared governance!
Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to “Akwa Ibom United” is a call for unity in development, peace, and progress, It must not be perverted into a weak endorsement of internal political sabotage that compromises service delivery. His actions demonstrate a firm resolve to staff his administration with individuals whose loyalty is undivided and whose focus is singularly on the ARISE Agenda.
The claim of persecution is a cheap attempt to distract from the necessary and justifiable measures taken to ensure the efficiency and political integrity of the executive branch. The Governor is focused on delivering on the mandate given to him by the people, and he reserves the right to demand unalloyed alignment from those entrusted with helping him achieve that goal.
The nauseating hypocrisy lies in expecting to retain an executive appointment while openly and actively engaging in partisan activities that undermine the very leadership one is supposed to be serving.
The truth will first hurt you before it heals you.
Patrick Edeke, ANIPR, is
Special Assistant (Electronic Media) to the Governor of A’Ibom State
