BY DOMINIC UBONG ESSIEN
I’m Dominic Ubong Essien, fondly called DUE, a member of the Labour Party and the current Chairman of LP candidates’ forum of the progressive LP in Akwa Ibom State.
In the last few weeks, debates on political leadership have been trending in our LGA. Although this appears to be a partisan selection approach to who leads PDP in Mkpat Enin. However, as a critical stakeholder in the politics of Mkpat Enin and a former key stakeholder of the PDP, it is important that we extend this debate for posterity sake and to enable our youths embrace reasoning other than political interest of divide and rule.
As many would have observed, our style of politics is to speak truth to power no matter whose ox is gored by bringing to the fore critical issues for determination.
The ragging battle has been to choose between Senator Ekong Sampson (Senator Representing Akwa Ibom South) or Prof. Eno Ibanga, the newly appointed Commissioner for Works.
What is political leadership? According to David Wineroither, “Political leadership, in a parsimonious definition, refers to the impact on decision-making and political outcomes that result from action by the holder of political office. Thus, it is connected with leadership style and may be rooted in certain character traits of the leader’s personality.”
Leadership is central to democratic governance. Without some form of leadership, the attainment of political goals remains farfetched. This is where who wears such a hat in a political dispensation comes in.
To understand this better, we must first agree that this is a political dispensation, a democracy.
In a democracy, the will of the people matters. This will is usually freely or fraudulently given during elections.
In a political dispensation, elected officers are ranked higher than any appointee of government. These elected officials are considered in the overall interest of the people with defined terms in office.
If in doubt, check the state government protocol list for further guidance.
In Mkpat Enin and against this background, I lend support to Senator Ekong Sampson, as undoubtedly, the political leader of PDP Mkpat Enin.
He is the most senior elected officer in the LGA. To stretch these discussions further, Senator Ekong Sampson can be described as PDP Senatorial District political leader covering the 12 LGAs and supported by the chosen leaders in each LGA.
The only elected political officer holder ahead of Ekong is the deputy governor who ran on a joint ticket with the current governor of Akwa Ibom State.
This position automatically makes him the leader in the LGA he hails from. If Senator Sampson decides to donate such a political leadership role, it will be his prerogative to delegate, and he can advance several reasons for it. If Mkpat Enin people voted overwhelmingly for Senator Ekong Sampson, they should also continue to trust his leadership.
Some of the most pointed reasons for his choice during the last elections were his competence, experience, and outstanding contributions to the PDP in Akwa Ibom and Mkpat Enin in particular.
He rose from Personal Assistant to Senator Udoma, to chairman of Council, to State House of Assembly member, commissioner, special adviser, then commissioner again.
This wealth of experience cannot and should not be swept away for mere paper qualifications and political adventure of a few years.
Knowing Prof Eno Ibanga, this is not the typical battle that befits a Professor of Metaphysics and former Vice Chancellor of a University.
His background of excellence, experience, and capacity are rated ahead of political witch-hunting models. Anyone pushing the esteemed Professor to political oblivion should back off and let the man breathe. However, if this is the ambition or decision of our Prof, then it is laughable.
Let us remember that a mere commissioner, no matter what portfolio he or she wears, can be sacked before the end of an elected political officer’s tenure.
In such a vein, it can throw up yet another vacuum to begin a new search. If the plans of Senator Sampson’s former supporters and now political enemies were to wrestle leadership from him after voting him into the red Chambers, it must be one of the most unfounded and senseless reasoning in political history.
Please let us dump this parochial debate into the canal of history, as I urge PDP members to queue behind Senator Ekong Sampson’s “sterling” leadership qualities which were celebrated even by our highly esteemed Professor and many political gladiators in the LGA.
Ekong, as we know, is the popular ONOMKPOINMA of Mkpat Enin. He could never have been conferred such a dignified title by his “Mkpat Enin” people, if they didn’t see value- driven leadership in the past 20 years. No complaints, please.
To some political watchers, it is very surprising that Senator Ekong is being challenged with the AKEM NDIEN mantra.
This is a little too late. When this author and Chief Martyns Udo Inyang contested for Senate against Senator Ekong Sampson, Mkpat Enin people were unanimous about the choice of Ekong, thereby frustrating the extremely poignant and popular slogan – AKEM NDIEN. Our people rightfully or wrongfully opted for experience and value driven leadership.
It is preposterous for a few selfish people, in less than 100 days in office, to attempt to move against the collective decision of Mkpat Enin people at the last election.
Let us not mislead a new generation of youths watching and reading the various positions that have been advanced for selfish reasons.
How can a few gladiators be so blind not to celebrate having a Senator and Works Commissioner to the envy of other local governments, but instead begin to battle for selfish prominence?
It is time to sheathe your swords and seize this opportunity to effectively draw democratic dividends for the good of the impoverished people in the LGA.
Let our revered Prof Eno Ibanga breathe. Senator Ekong Sampson, take a bow. It is your leadership.
Yak Isong adut Ukana! DUE Usung Nka’an, Ata Minya.
Essien is the Founder/CEO of Seed Media Limited. He wrote from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
