Where’s Godswill Akpabio?

Where’s Godswill Akpabio?

By Gideon Ekere

Between 2007 and 2015. Godswil was a name. And virtue also. The man who came with his own slangs. Godswill Akpabio became a governor with stakes. His name gulps others. Giving rise to many structures. A street man. A creature of effects and designs. For eight consecutive years. Akwa Ibom had a governor it never knew. An uncommon man. So uncommon in everything.

While in office. Many hated him. They never liked his style of leadership. He was always on front page of newspapers. Funny stories, with crazy captions. All to caution the uncommon governor. To them. Akpabio introduced pride. And more money into the system. To them. He raised perilous groups. And disregarded fortunes. That’s why they wanted his head at all cost. That was the genesis of the 2011 ACN revolution movement.

Till today in history. He remains the only Nigerian governor with three deputies. All his projects were always announced with price tags. But he was always being accused of inflation. Akpabio was a governor with a statue. Who created effects everywhere he went. From Uyo to Ikot Ekpene. And down to Oron. Projects were unevenly distributed. But at least. Every region had their own share. If not for Akpabio, many areas in Annang land wouldn’t have been recognized for years. He became the master-planner. But the minor mistake. Is what is haunting him today.

In his first term. Godswill Akpabio came like an angel. He grouped and regrouped. All those jobless boys became millionaires overnight. Every family had a representative. And no one could complain of ‘no money.’ Akpabio was so generous. So passionate and fanatical. Many groups were blessed. Even though there was a free and compulsory education. Most parents still sent their children to private schools. Because there was more money. Families could feed well. There was no enough jobs. But friends and relatives were always ready to help. Godswill Akpabio did not eat alone. On the table, were different beneficiaries. Governance worked effectively. That’s why he was endorsed by many groups and individuals. But now, where’s Godswill Akpabio?

While closing his chapter. He brought his errand boy. He was so pleased. So gifted. He wanted someone so loyal. Someone who could cover his evidence in perilous times. Akpabio introduced Udom Emmanuel against all odds. He fought shrines and temples. Staked all manners of guts. And finally, Udom was announced as his successor. He fanned himself. Keeping his head so high. It wasn’t easy. At least, he succeeded. But never knew what the future had in stock for him.

Udom Emmanuel started well. Things were flowing at equal proportion. Soon in the later. The paradigm started shifting. The first victim was the same Godswill Akpabio. The same fighter. The same lion who stood in the gap. At first. Akpabio behaved himself. He was so speechless. So shocked. And couldn’t spit a tone of saliva. Knowing too well the heaviness of the shame. But the ‘new’ governor kept pushing. The attacks kept coming. Akpabio couldn’t hold himself anymore. He started shouting. That all was not well. Soon after that. The drama started coming in dozens. Today, the game is changing.

Five years after. Udom Emmanuel’s errors are becoming kiss-and-tell. Complains started filling the air. It is a tragic experience. Many are wounded. And more are counting. It began with groundbreaking. And later became heartbreaking. So pathetic. One week, one groundbreaking. At the end. None materialized. So many abandoned projects. So many sites becoming reckless. And it is becoming obvious. That Akpabio expanded governance. So wide that Udom is resembling failure. Nothing seems to work under Udom. Because Akpabio set an altitude any governor is yet to attain. Now there are regrets. There are lamentations. There are gnashing of teeth. Questions are being asked. Where’s Godswill Akpabio?

So many uncompleted projects. So many frustrated ideas. It has become obvious. That Udom Emmanuel became a governor by chance. His only mistake. Was trying to surpass Akpabio’s records. He started with roads. So substandard and poorly executed. He saw the international stadium in Uyo. And tried duplicating same in Eket. Today, it has been abandoned. He saw many flyovers at Itam. And went to Ekom Iman for his show. Two years after. The project is at the verge of abandonment. Even the idea of industrialization is shaky. Four industries in his local government, Onna. But none is working. Hunger everywhere. Unemployment on the increase. If time could permit. Many people would want Akpabio back. But where’s Godswill Akpabio?

At the burial of the governor’s father last weekend in Onna. Over ten comedians were imported. None could ginger the tickles of the guests. Faces were serious and tight. There was none like the uncommon man. Few minutes on the microphone. Akpabio would have moved guests off their feet. There would have been a man of the moment. Godswill Akpabio alone could have been the center of settlement. A man with his own version of comedy. Not the conventional pattern. And the event ended without a closing remark. But where’s Godswill Akpabio?

Time isn’t friendly. Everyone is affected. No politician under Udom is smiling. Except those from Awa. All those with attractive houses were made by Akpabio. Nobody has been empowered. Instead, he’s tagging them ‘cultists.’ And want them caged. No local government chairman is happy. Before this period. Council chairmen were kings in their own domains. They were independent factors. Decision were reached without the central government. But today, they’re voiceless. Council headquarters isn’t working. Under Akpabio. There were projects, initiated and completed by chairmen. They could stamp their signatures before leaving office. But now. The story has changed. To even survive is history. They now want Akpabio back. Everywhere, anyhow. But where’s Godswill Akpabio?

Honestly, Udom Emmanuel has downgraded governance. He does not want to share money. And don’t want to share jobs as well. He does not want to share pensions and gratuities to owners. Improper fractions everywhere. Peoples’ houses are destroyed without compensation. We now have government without conscience. No one progresses under him. Anyone with functional lifestyle was made by Akpabio. That’s how ugly it is. With just three years remaining. There’s sign that things will return to normal. But with time, another Akpabio will emerge.

Nigeria Deserves The Best!!!!