Far it be amongst us. That strangers occupy our noble space. That’s what greediness could guarantee. Whether from afar. Or within. It’s a known logic. Besides, the end product of the ongoing governorship tribunal in Akwa Ibom will be like the canine in the cage. It will not only intrigue the least men of the bench. But lawyers as well. That’s the philosophy I gasped from the last sitting. And while in court. The lyrics of the late reggae star, Lucky Dube flipped through my mind. I never understood the dilemma behind ‘big boys don’t cry.’ Not even its basis.

While on stage, Late Lucky Dube forwarded, “And it is not because of the pains I feel inside. And it’s not because of the hurt I feel inside. But I cry.” To his dynasty. Cry was a remedy. Not in matters of the heart. Not for the abstract wounds. Rather, the troubles within. Though he started by hinting. ‘Big boys don’t cry.’ So, if he had cried. The big paradox here is that he wasn’t a big boy.

While at the edge. My heart was on a high speed. As bags of evidences were brought into the court room. They were abruptly labelled local government by local government. With my counting. They were from twenty four local government areas. In total for the day. No fewer than 1209 evidences were tabled before the three man panel. Courtesy of Obong Nsima Ekere and the All Progressives Congress, APC. To the simple hearted. 2019 elections was a clear case of fraud execution. A case of man swindling man. A case of inhumane. My eyes twinkle for seconds. Just to confirm that I wasn’t in the dream state. But I staggered. Not minding the epileptic nature of power supply in the court.

The 2019 general elections was a fierce battle. So deadly than ever. There were faces against powers of the day. Within the jurisdiction of INEC. No one was safe, except those with umbrellas. They created a wing of safety around them. With windows to rig at ease. Areas where APC won, they quickly called for cancellation. Just to perfect their plans horribly. We would have expected the unusual. But factors within the INEC revealed the opposite. With the volumes of proofs tabled before the court. Obong Nsima Ekere knew he had been betrayed. Seriously. Not only from gangsters. But also from his brothers and well-wishers. With all these. There was no sign of weeping. He feign a smile. And moved on.

The INEC man in Uyo suddenly became impractical. He averred that any election under his watch has never been cancelled. But he ought to have waited for the court before saying that. That was an insincere action. He should have been more subtle. If he wanted to hide his love for Udom Emmanuel and PDP. He would have done like the other person did. He could not. With that. He has played the wrong side of the game.

Running to the tribunal wasn’t an outdated idea. It shows his loyalty to the law. And his readiness to follow due process. He knew Akwa Ibom people voted en-mass for him. After being stabbed at both sides. He would have chosen the rough angle. After all, he has all the experiences. But he chooses the side of the people. Just to stabilize the political frequency. Not that Obong Nsima Ekere lost. But because he contested against sterilized guns and bullets.

Four months after. Those who took part in the parade are in for a regret. They now feel unsafe in the empire they co-built. It’s now a clear view to them. That Udom Emmanuel is running a lackluster government. Turning the state into a robot theatre. Using banking logic to appeal state funds to himself. After four years, the dreams of industries are still in the pipeline. No tangible project to his credit. He probably wants us to align with his hollow ideas. That everything is possible with nothing. Not now.

Obong Nsima Ekere came with a defined dream. He listed Local Government Areas as his target. And professed a financial autonomy for the grassroots governance. He did that with a clear conscience. Just to end the financial fury of the commoners. He was ready and still prepared. But after the drama called elections. Udom Emmanuel who promised water from desert still thinks Akwa Ibomites are robots. Rather, he’s making sure that no drop of water is found in the same desert. He’s currently in a deadly battle with local government chairmen. He wants their funds. He wants to be in charge of their fortunes. He wants everything. But nothing sensible.

Judging from their personalities. Without spectacles or energizer. There’s an evidence to work on. Those plans Obong Nsima Ekere prayed for. Which were boldly defined in his manifestoes. Those credentials were not lifted from another source. He incubated them. And was ready for a new-birth. With readiness for actualization. Which are what could keep Akwa Ibom state in a balance. Udom Emmanuel is a governor by proxy. His ideas are always plagiarized. Nothing about him seems realistic. With the current rhythm. The people will stand firm on their choice when the tribunal calls for a rerun.

Nigeria Deserves the Best!!!!

Gideon Ekere