Godswill Akpabio: The great conspirator in the 21st-century Political history

By Abasiama Etukakpan, Uyo.

One name that has stood out in the political history of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large is Chief Godswill Akpabio, a man who served Akwa Ibom State between 2007-2015 as the Executive Governor of the state named after God. His tenure as the State Chief Executive brought about what many christened the Uncommon Transformation to the only state named after God. Whether, his political opponents like it or yes, his leadership sagacity was celebrated across the whole world for he was able to do what Napoleon could not do.

His government focused on infrastructural renaissance and this sector witnessed a total revolution and at least a single road was constructed in a first class style in all the local government area in the State. Many would say that there was money in his days, but I beg to differ that there has always been money In any government and it is only the head of the government that will always set his priorities straight and achieve them no matter what is involved. A leader that has something to offer will always bring it for his people to see if you like give him a peanut, he will know how to make judicious use of the money accruable to him and ensure dividends of democracy is evenly distributed across his domain. This was predominantly experienced during the era of Governor Godswill Akpabio which the entire state was given a new look such that even visitors sometimes believed that they were in Dubai(Akpabio,2012)

After a rewarding tenure as the State Chief Executive of Akwa Ibom State, his people of Akwa Ibom North West(Ikot) Ekpene Senatorial District never wanted him to delay or waste his leadership omen and political know-how, hence the call for his representation of his people in the upper chamber of the National Assembly(Senate).After his inauguration into the eight Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio was elected among his colleagues as the Minority Leader of the Senate. An unprecedented position he held even as a first timer, first of its kind un-marching record in the political history of Nigeria.No wonder, he is called an Uncommon man with uncommon leadership style. This uncommon gesture gave him the position he enjoyed until his resignation in the year 2018.

Three years of his representation so far in the Senate,Chief Godswill Akpabio who has always believed that his state should not be an opposition to the government at the center and after his foresight as a leader,he put in his resignation as the Minority Leader of the Senate and defected to the All Progressives Congress(APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

His defection caused a minor political brouhaha, with commendation and condemnation from several quarters, but truth be told, that is politics and everyone must not applaud your next move. hence, the case of Senator Godswill Akpabio is not a different one. Many have a different belief about the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio but it is said that the only mother knows the father of his child. Hence,it is only Senator Godswill Akpabio that knows the reason for his defection.

In his words, he will prefer to be called a Conspirator, who conspires to bring development to his people and to stop the killings across the country.This reason has made me call this Uncommon man, “A Great Conspirator of the 21st-century Political History”.

Yes, this name a Conspirator has made me remember a certain young man that I met on my way to Calabar, Cross River State, some months ago before the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio.On our way, the road which is usually bad blocked and we stayed on the road for over 5hours. This young man lamented that the road is in this state because there is no one from Akwa Ibom State, at least a voice in the All Progressives Congress(APC) that will complain the state of this road to President Muhammadu Buhari and he takes immediate action on the road construction.

This statement was made a few months before the Uncommon defection. To me, I had a rethink about this statement and it sounded true. Yes, for whatever achievement that a state has acquired, they need a voice to speak for the interest of his people at all times. This can clearly be seen in Imo State and other eastern states were we have the likes of Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha,Former Governor Orji Ujo Kalu from Imo and Abia States respectively who are ardent supporters of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, hence the development we see experiencing today in the eastern part of Nigeria,to me,that is national politics and what we are lacking in our dear state of Akwa Ibom and what Senator Godswill Akpabio is embracing for the interest of all,hence should be embraced rather than condemned by the same us that if we have this national presence being felt in Akwa Ibom State form today, both members of the PDP and APC shall work in that same road.

After the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio to the All Progressives Congress(APC), the belief that Akwa Ibom State shall be linked with the center was further demonstrated a few days ago when Senator Godswill Akpabio led Stakeholders from Akwa Ibom State on a solidarity visit to Mr. President.

This is the first time, this has happened since the emergence of President Buhari. With the caliber of men that were at the villa from Akwa Ibom State, I am optimistic that the interest of Akwa Ibom State shall be brought on the front burner of issues regarding national concern to Mr. President and discussed especially the Calabar, Odukpani Road, The Aba Ikot Ekpene road among others. Of course, the road has been of concern to every Nigerian, but with the assurance of Senator Godswill Akpabio that the federal government shall come to help Nigerians and Akwa Ibomites concerning that road, there is a certainty that Akwa Ibom State has been linked to the center.

The killings across the state and country shall also be a thing of the past through the intervention of the Uncommon man, Senator Godswill Akpabio and his positioning at the National for the protection of Akwa Ibom interest.

While many are criticising the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio,I am of the opinion that since this political move shall help in the development of Akwa Ibom State,the development of South-South,the linking of Akwa Ibom State to the center,the end of incessant killings in Benue,Taraba,Ukanafun,Etim Ekpo and others,Please I will humbly suggest and plead that Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio should continue to be a Conspirator that shall be remembered from time immemorial by generations yet unborn.

Your Excellency, please continue to CONSPIRE for the betterment of our state and Nigeria at large.

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