Gowon's broadcast to the nation - May 27, 1967.

Gowon's Broadcast to the Nation, dividing Nigeria into Twelve States

Dear Country men:

As you are all aware Nigeria has been immersed in an extremely grave
crisis for almost eighteen months. We have now reached a most
critical phase where what is at stake is the very survival of Nigeria
as one political and economic unit. We must rise to the challenge
and what we do in the next few days will be decisive.

The whole world is witness to the continued defiance of Federal
Authority by the Government of Eastern Region, the disruption of the
Railway, the Coal Corporation, the normal operations of the Nigerian
Ports Authority, the interference with the flight schedules of the
Nigeria Airways and other illegal acts by the Eastern Region
Government culminating in the edicts promulgated last month by that
Government purporting to seize all Federal Statutory Corporations and
Federal revenues collected in the East.

The consequence of these illegal sets has been the increasing
deterioration of the Nigerian economy. It has also produced
uncertainty and insecurity generally and pushed the country with
increasing tempo towards total disintegration and possible civil war
and bloodshed on massive scale.

It has also led to increasing loss of foreign confidence in the
ability of Nigerians to resolve the present problems. This has been
reflected in the stoppage of the inflow of much badly needed
additional foreign investment, it has put a brake on economic
development so essential to the well-being of the common man and the
ordinary citizen whose only desire is for peace and stability to
carry on his daily work.

In the face of all these, I have shown great restraint, hoping that
through peaceful negotiations a solution acceptable to all sections
of the country can be found. Unfortunately, the hopes of myself and
my other colleagues on the Supreme Military council have been
disappointed by the ever increasing campaign of hate by the Governor
of the Eastern Region. Lt. Col Ojukwu has continuously increased his
demands as soon as some are met in order to perpetuate the crisis and
lead the Eastern Region out of Nigeria. We know very well the tragic
consequences of such a misguided step. Not only will the regions
themselves disintegrate further, but before then, pushed by foreign
powers and mercenaries who will interfere, this dear country will be
turned into a bloody stage for chaotic and wasteful civil war.

When the tragic events of 15th January, 1966 occurred, the country
acquiesced in the installation of a Military Regime only because it
desired that order and discipline should be restored in he conduct of
the affairs of this country, that swift reforms will be introduced to
produce just and honest Government, to usher in stability and ensure
fair treatment of all citizens in every part of the country. The
citizens of this country have not given the Military Regime any
mandate to divide up the country into sovereign states and to plunge
them into bloody disaster.

As I have warned before, my duty is clear--faced with this final
choice between action to save Nigeria and acquiescence in secession
and disintegration. I am therefore proclaiming a State of Emergency
throughout Nigeria with immediate effect. I have assumed full powers
as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Head of the Federal
Military Government for the short period necessary to carry through
the measures which are now urgently required.

In this period of emergency, no political statements in the Press,
on the Radio and Television and all publicity media or any other
political activity, will be tolerated. The Military and Police are
empowered to deal summarily with any offenders. Newspaper editors
are particularly urged to co-operate with the authorities to ensure
the success of these measures.

I have referred earlier to some illegal acts of the Eastern Region
Government. You all know that about one third of the entire falling
stock of the Nigerian Railways, including 115 oil-tankers, have been
detained and that the services on the Eastern District of the
Nigerian railways have been completely disrupted for many months.
You are also aware of the fact that they have disrupted the direct
movement of oil products from the refinery near Port Harcourt to the
Northern Region. They have hindered the transit of goods to
neighbouring countries and have even seized goods belonging to
foreign countries. These acts have flagrantly violated normal
international practice and disturbed friendly relations with our
neighbours. That refinery is owned jointly by the Federal Government
and Regional governments. Illegally, since last year, the
Authorities at Enugu have interfered with the flight routes of the
Nigeria Airways. Only recently they committed the barbaric crime of
hi-jacking a plane bound for Lagos from Benin. They have placed a
ban o the residence of non-Easterners in the Eastern Region--an
action which is against the Constitution and the fundamental
provisions of our laws. They have continuously on the Press and
radio incited the people of eastern Region to hatred of other
Nigerian peoples and they have indulged in the crudest abuse of
members of the Supreme Military Council, especially myself.

Despite all these, I have spared no effort to conciliate the East in
recognition of their understandable grievances and fears since the
tragic incidents of 1966. To this end I agreed with my other
colleagues on the Supreme Military Council to the promulgation of the
Decree No. 8 which completely decentralized the government of this
country and even went further than the Republican Constitution as it
existed before 15th January, 1966. But what has been the response of
the Eastern Region Government? Complete rejection of Decree No. 8
and insistence on its separate existence as a sovereign unit.

Only recently, a group of distinguished citizens formed themselves
into the National Conciliation Committee. They submitted
recommendations aimed at reducing tension. These included the
reciprocal abrogation of economic measures taken by the Federal
Military government and the seizure of Federal Statutory Corporations
and Federal revenue by the Eastern Government. These reciprocal
actions were to be taken within one week that is by 25th May, 1967.
It is on record that I accepted the recommendations and issued
instructions effective from Tuesday, May 23. Indeed I now understand
that certain vehicles of the Posts and Telegraphs Department which
went to the East in resumption of services have been illegally
detained in the Region. The response of the east has been completely
negative and they have continued their propaganda and stage-managed
demonstrations for "independence."

Fellow citizens, I recognize however that the problem of Nigeria
extends beyond the present misguided actions of the Eastern Region
Government. My duty is to all citizens. I propose to treat all
sections of the country with equality. The main obstacle to future
stability in this country is the present structural imbalance in the
Nigerian Federation.

Even Decree No. 8 or Confederation or Loose Association will never
survive if any one section of the country is in a position to hold
the others to ransom.

This is why the item in the Political and Administrative Programme
adopted by the Supreme Military Council last month is the creation of
states as a basis for stability. This must be done first so as to
remove the fear of domination. Representatives drawn from the new
states will be more able to work out the future constitution for this
country which can contain provisions to protect the powers of the
states to the fullest extent desired by the Nigerian people. As soon
as these states are established, a new Revenue Allocation Commission
consisting of international experts will be appointed to recommend an
equitable formula for revenue allocation taking into account the
desires of the states.

I propose to act faithfully within the Political and Administrative
Programme adopted by the Supreme Military Council and published last
month. The world will recognize in these proposals our desire for
justice and fair play for all sections of this country and to
accommodate all genuine aspirations of the diverse people of this
great country.

I have ordered the reimposition of the economic measures designed to
safeguard federal interests until such a time as the Eastern Military
Government abrogates its illegal edicts on revenue collection and the
administration of the Federal Statutory Corporations based in the
East.

The country has a long history of well articulated demands for
states. The fears of minorities were explained in great detail and
set out in the report of the Willink Commission appointed by the
British in 1958. More recently there has been extensive discussion
in Regional Consultative Committees and Leaders-of-Thought
Conferences. Resolutions have been adopted demanding the creation of
states in the North and in Lagos. Petitions from minority areas in
the East which have been subjected to violent intimidation by the
Eastern Military Government have been widely publicized. While the
present circumstances regrettably do not allow for consultations
through plebiscites, I am satisfied that the creation of new states
as the only possible basis for stability and equality is the
overwhelming desire of vast majority of Nigerians. To ensure justice,
these states are being created simultaneously.

To this end, therefore, I am promulgating a Decree which will divide
the Federal republic into Twelve States. The twelve states will be
six in the present Northern Region, three in the present Eastern
Region, the Mid-West will remain as it is, the Colony Province of the
Western Region and Lagos will form a new Lagos State and the Western
Region will otherwise remain as it is.

I must emphasize at once that the Decree will provide for a States
Delimitation Commission which will ensure that any divisions or towns
not satisfied with the states in which they are initially grouped
will obtain redress. But in this moment of serious National
Emergency the co-operation of all concerned is absolutely essential
in order to avoid any unpleasant consequences.

I wish also to emphasize that an Administrative Council will be
established at the capitals of the existing regions, which will be
available to the new states to ensure the smoothest possible
administrative transition in he establishment of the new states. The
twelve new states, subject to marginal boundary adjustments, will
therefore be as follows:

North-Western State comprising Sokoto and Niger Provinces.
North-Central State comprising Katsina and Zaria.
Kano State comprising the present Kano Province.
North-Eastern State comprising Bornu, Adamawa, Sarduana and Bauchi
Provinces.
Benue/Plateau State comprising Benue and Plateau Provinces.
Lagos State comprising the Colony Province and the Federal Territory
of Lagos.
Western State comprising the present Western Region but excluding
the Colony Province.
Mid-Western State comprising the present Mid-Western State.
East-Central State comprising the present Eastern Region excluding
Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers Provinces.
South-Eastern State comprising Calabar and Ogoja Provinces.
Rivers State comprising Ahoada, Brass, Degema, Ogoni and Port
Harcout Divisions

The states will be free to adopt any particular names they choose in
the future. The immediate administrative arrangements of the new
states have been planned and the names of the Military Governors
appointed to the new states will be gazetted shortly. The allocation
of federally collected revenue to the new states on an interim basis
for the first few months has also been planned. The successor states
in each former region will share the revenue until a more permanent
formula is recommended by the new Revenue Allocation Commission.
Suitable arrangements have been made to minimize any disruption in
the normal functioning of services in the areas of the new states.

It is my fervent hope that the existing regional Authorities will co-
operate fully to ensure the smoothest possible establishment of the
new states. It is also my hope that the need to use force to support
any new state will not arise. I am; however, ready to protect any
citizens of this country who are subject to intimidation or violence
in the course of establishment of these new states.

My dear countrymen, the struggle ahead is for the well-being of the
present and future generations of Nigerians. If it were possible for
us to avoid chaos and civil war merely by drifting apart as some
people claim that easy choice may have been taken. But we know that
to take such a course will quickly lead to the disintegration of the
existing regions in condition of chaos and to disastrous foreign
interference. We now have to adopt the courageous course of facing
the fundamental problem that has plagued this country since the early
50s. There should be no recrimination. We must all resolve to work
together. It is my hope that those who disagreed in the past with
the Federal Military Government through genuine misunderstanding and
mistrust will now be convinced of our purpose and be willing to come
back and let us plan and work together for the realization of the
Political and Administrative programmed of the Supreme Military
Council, and for the early restoration of full civilian rule in
circumstances which would enhance just and honest and patriotic
government. I appeal to the general public to continue to give their
co-operation to the Federal Military Government; to go about their
normal business peacefully; to maintain harmony with all communities
wherever they live; to respect all the directives of the Government
including directives restricting the movements of people while the
emergency remains. Such directives are for their own protection and
in their own interest.

Let us therefore, march manfully together to alter the course of
this nation once again for all and to place it on the path of
progress, unity and equality. Let us so act that future generations
of Nigerians will praise us for our resolution and courage in this
critical stage of our country's history. Long live the Federal
Republic of Nigeria

OJUKWU AND THE DECLARATION OF BIAFRA - part I

The First Military Coup

The devastation that is witnessed today in Nigeria , almost forty years after independence, is an antithesis to the promise of January 15, 1966 . On that day, Major Kaduna Chukwuma Nzeogwu and his army boys staged the first coup operation dubbed "Damisa", meaning leopard in Hausa language. The promise then was that a new Nigeria was to be built from the ashes of the First Republic . Even the success of that coup foreshadowed the attractive danger the military was luring itself into. The coup was swift, brutal and merciless. When it ended, northern Nigerian leaders such as the Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; Ahmadu Bello, the Saduana of Sokoto and a powerful premier of the north; Festus Okotie-Eboh of the Midwest, a federal minister of finance; and Ladoke Akintola, the self acclaimed premier of the west were all killed. But no leader in the Ibo's East was killed. Because Nzeogwu himself was a Midwestern Ibo from Asaba, hence the coup took ethnic undertone.

Taking to the airwaves, Nzeogwu said, "The aim of the Revolutionary Council is to establish a strong united and prosperous nation, free from corruption and internal strife. My dear countrymen, no citizen should have anything to fear so long as that citizen is law abiding. Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand ten percent, those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs, at least the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big before the international circles; those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds. Like good soldiers, we are not promising anything miraculous or spectacular. But what we do promise every law-abiding citizen is freedom from fear and all forms of oppression, freedom from general inefficiency and freedom to live and strive in every field of human endeavor, both nationally and internationally. We promise that you will no more be ashamed to say that you are Nigerians.

"You are hereby warned that looting, arson, rape, embezzlement, bribery or corruption, obstructing the revolution, sabotage, subversion, false alarms and assistance to foreign invaders, are all offenses punishable by the death sentence. Illegal possession or carrying of firearms, smuggling or trying to escape with documents, valuables including money, or other assets vital to the running of any establishment will be punished by death sentence. Tearing down an order of the day or proclamation, or other notices will be penalized by death." (Extract from Beyond the Execution)

To Be Continued

Sincerely,

Dr. Tom Mbeke-Ekanem, REA
Moderator
Author, Beyond the Execution -

Understanding The Ethnic and Military Politics in Nigeria

Jonathan and the burden of history

WRITTEN BY

Ubong Essien

SIR: Since he came to power in 2009, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan has cut the image of a humble and humane leader, not the desperate breed that we have been accustomed to. That perception, made it possible for him to secure a pan-Nigerian mandate against all odds in the last presidential elections.

However, it turns out that President Jonathan may not be so sincere after all. In the run-up to and during the last elections, it became clear that the President was more interested in politics than governance as he covertly tilled the political playing field in favour of PDP candidates across country. And after the elections he has been doing much more to sustain the PDP’s dubious victories across the country, even as he emphasized his desire for a free and fair elections based on a one man, one vote.

It is, to our utter disappointment that the President has been dissipating so much energy trying to fix the PDP rather thanNigeria. Of course, many cannot forget in a hurry the ignoble role he played then as Vice President in the EkitiState electoral fiasco where his party hierarchy led by him engineered the rigging of elections in favour the PDP only to have that victory quashed by the court.

In retrospect, it seems the only honest man ever produced by the PDP is late President Umaru Yar’Adua who had reportedly refused to be part of that show of shame.

Ever since he came into office, I am not aware of any efforts by the President to promote good governance in the states, where some of the governors rule like emperors.

After all, he cannot feign ignorance about the records of some governors. A typical example is Akwa Ibom where Governor Godswill Akpabio rules like an absolute tyrant. In the last three years, the presidency has been inundated with numerous petitions about the activities of the governor but the President has simply turned a deaf hear thus allowing the governor to successfully enthrone arbitrary rule and culture of impunity. President Jonathan came with a promise of fresh air and rule of law. Instead, what we are seeing is a continuation of Obasanjo-era anti-democratic machinations. Against this backdrop, it is pertinent to say that it is not enough for the President to make a good impression of himself and his government, he must live up to it because neither him nor his government can project an image very long that is a false representation. When the image is only a surface effect meant for public consumption, the true values of both will inevitably reveal themselves.

The president has taken off on a wrong feet. He is acting more like the President of the PDP than the President of Nigeria. And I may conclude that the hopes and expectations of a new dawn with him in the saddle may have been misplaced after all.

VIA THE NATION

Judgement soon on Dean Faculty of Law’s N.100 Billion Law Suit against Police

An Uyo High Court presided over by Justice Andrew Okon of Court 5, is set to deliver judgement in the N100m suit filed by the Dean Faculty of Law University of Uyo, Professor Nsogurua Udombana, against the Commissioner of police, Akwa Ibom state command and one Corporal Martins, a Mobile police officer, for acts of brutality, illegal detention, assault, and infringement of his fundamental human rights. Professor Udombana is asking the court to order the police to pay him N100 million as damages for unjustifiable torture inflicted on him by the second respondent, Corporal Martins.
In a 19-paragraph affidavit in support of his application for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights, the professor of law averred that he was brutally attacked by a Mobile police officer on duty at CCC junction Uyo in the evening of February 19, 2011. He stated that the officer had flagged him down at the police checkpoint at the junction and while still trying to park properly, the officer had pointed his riffle menacingly at him, prompting him to politely ask the police officer not to point his weapon at him as he was not a criminal.
Udombana, further pointed out that he was at this point dragged from his car and slapped several times by the police officer. He stated that his introduction of himself as a lawyer and a University lecturer did not help matters as the officer continued beating him and hurling abuses at him.
“The second respondent ordered me to sit on the ground but I refused and this infuriated him the more. He continued to torture me as he liked and I was detained for over two hours at the checkpoint. All pleadings by persons who knew me and concerned members of the public who saw my plight fell on deaf ears of the second respondent”, Prof Udombana said. He added that “second respondent threatened to kill me, according to him, he ‘can waste me’ and nothing would happen. That was when I became afraid and managed to call several persons to come to my rescue, since it was getting dark and anything could have happened to me as the second respondent was dead serious”
The Dean law faculty, went to narrate how he had to call the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof Comfort Ekpo, the ASUU Uniuyo chapter chairman, Dr Ashong Ashong, as well as the Chief Security Officer of Uniuyo, Col. Nyong. It was through the entreaty of the VC to the state government that a senior police officer was sent to rescue him from his jailer.
“I have never been so badly tortured, slapped, beaten, assaulted, detained, humiliated, embarrassed and deprived of my fundamental rights in this country, in that manner before, not even under the military era that such treatment was rampant.
“That this unwarranted and unjustifiable torture, beating and slapping was done in the full glare of the public and in the presence of several students of the University, who were either returning or going back to school”.
The former University of Lagos lecturer, is praying the court to “Restrain the respondents, its officers, agents, servants from further arresting, detaining, harassing and intimidating the applicant or in any manner breaching his fundamental rights except in accordance with procedure permitted by law”. He is also asking for, “N100, 000, 000 only as damages against the respondents for the unjustifiable torture and the breach” of his fundamental rights.
The parties have so far adopted their oral and written addresses and the court has fixed judgement on the matter to January 16, 2012.

Frank Okon, Udoedehe: Akpabio on heat, cancels enlarged Exco meet, visits

The recent supreme court of Nigeria decision to return the case involving Se. JJ Akpanudoedehe to be tried on merit against the earlier alleged corruption ridden technicalities that struck out the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN’S) petition against Akpabio and his ruling Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) is said to be placing the Governor on heat, forcing him to be elusive, reclusive necessitating the cancellation of the enlarge Executive meeting on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011 Insight can authoritatively report.
The enlarge Exco meeting is usually the last meeting for the year and it involves all the players in the system but the one scheduled for last Monday could not hold due to the confusion said to be very visible in the camp of chief Akpabio, according to a reliable government source who pleaded for anonymity.
Weekend Insight reliably gathered that two features: senator JJ Udoedehe and Engr.Frank Okon cases had propelled the cancellation of the enlarge Exco meeting and other visits as the source said the Governor chief Godswill Akpabio was dully troubled by the supreme court decision to order a retrial of the case on merit hence, to avoid unnecessary destructions by those who would come to see him.
The source told this reporter that the cancellations were necessary because, they afforded His Excellency and his inner circle members the occasion to crack their brain on how to tackle the monster rearing its ugly head in the form of a retrial.
He told us that the Engineer Frank Okon’s case has been on the jugular of the Governor and that Udoedehe’s case thought to have been dispensed with is now placing the Governor on the defensive given the sensitive nature of the case.
He said that “given the political situation in Bayelsa state which the incumbent Mr. Trimipre Sylva lost out and the presidency did nothing; it was imperative for the Akwa Ibom State man to be worried because as it stands anything can happen”, he said
He stressed that the case involving Senator Akpanudoedehe might be considered as high but on its merit, the burden of proofs and other related incidents that will be deployed in form of evidence are indeed witty.
Again, the source said “the case involving Frank (Okon) comes up in less than a month’s time. This is one case that has troubled even the PDP national takless of the Governor.
“I understand that there’re people who go about deceiving His Excellency that the case is a light one but he’s not so easily deceived.
“You may not know how troubled, confused and discreet he has become lately because he doesn’t want people to notice his frustration” and adding that the seeming frustration informed partly “the cancellation of the enlarge Exco meeting and so many other visits the governor had approved for Monday through Tuesday before he jetted out to Abuja where he was billed to be conferred with an Award by the federal college of Technology, Yabba, Lagos, Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ministries, Departments and Agencies continue to groan in abject lack as almost all the ministries, Departments and Agencies approached by this paper complained of lack of funds to execute projects embarked upon by them.
Last Week, the State took delivery of N21.9 billion :its share of the federal allocation to state/ 13 percent derivative fund and question are being ask as to what has happened to such huge sum just days after it was released.
In another development, civil servants have vowed to frustrate the Governor if there were to be a cancellation of the election and a rerun ordered by the court.
Although most believe the Governor might still win, majority argued that “even if the governor in desperation approves N22, 000 as minimum wage, “we will take it because it’s our money, because it’s our statutory right but we won’t vote him because the lies are much and we have learned greatly our lesson though belatedly”, they said.

Non-recogniition of Oro Nation as oil bearing community: Joint House Committees in Uyo, settle for business

BY EPHRAIM IKPE

The Joint House Committees of the National Assembly arrived the Ibom International Airport on Thursday November 24, 2011 on a mission to carry out investigations as well as conduct a public hearing to ascertain the veracity of the position of the Motion before the Green Chamber by a member of the House, representing Oron Federal Constituency, Hon. Robinson Uwak, seeking for recognition of his Federal Constituency as an Oil and Gas bearing region of the South-South zone.
Speaking to Journalists at the Airport soon on arrival with other members of the Joint House Committees, the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Hon. Ajibola said that they were in Akwa Ibom to find out the truth about the prevalence of Oil and Gas in Oro nation’s Communities and they would do all they could to establish that fact to ensure that justice was done to the people of Oro nation.
Hon. Ajibola observed that Oro nation was believed to be an Oil bearing community within Akwa Ibom and Nigeria and that it was not difficult to prove that position as where oil exploration was taking place would not be hidden as they would go round. He assured that once they establish that Oil was present in Oro nation they, in the House of Reps would do everything they would be able to pass a resolution on the matter.
Corroborating the position of Hon. Ajibola, Hon. Uche Ekunife from Anambra State, Chairman, House Committee on Environment added that they were in Akwa Ibom State to prove the claims made by one of their members, Hon. Robinson Uwak through a Motion to the House of Reps. that his Federal Constituency was an Oil and Gas producing Community and same had been abandoned for so many years by the Federal Government, having not been recognized as such.
Asked on how they intended to make their findings, she said after going round they would take the views, memoranda and presentations of the members of the Community, the Oil Companies and other stakeholders, analyze such contributions and come up with a position to ensure that the communities in Oro nation benefit from the oil and gas taken from their land.
In his response to a question as to how he made his way into the hearts of his colleagues in the House of Reps to see his Motion given such rapt attention and whether he just started the struggle or took off from where a former legislator ended, the representative of Oron Federal Constituency has this to say, “I want to say that this people were not given the best. It is said that a tiger produces its kind, and not a dog. Governor Godswill Akpabio is an emerging tiger and out of his state I have emerged. We are approaching transformation through good legislation with the spirit of the emerging tiger. That is what we are doing…”
Hon. Ekunife had told reporters that about twenty of them from five House Committees would be arriving, since they had to come in two flights at 2.00pm and 4.00pm. They House members were treated to a colourful Airport reception made up of women and cultural groups. Some of those present at the Airport reception grounds were the President General of Oro Union, Barr. O. A. Okon; the Transition Committee Chairman of Udung Ukoh LGA, leaders of thoughts, political elders, Hon. Uwak’s Coordinators for the five local government areas of Oro nation, Personal Assistants, the people of Oro nation and friends.
The team moved from the Airport for a Courtesy call to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State as scheduled. The Joint Committees would make findings by air, water and land as well as conduct public hearing on Saturday November 26, 2011 to ascertain whether Hon. Uwak’s motion should be positively followed for the benefit of Oro people.
Weekend Insight gathered that the State Governor was also billed to come into the State later that day as the Aircraft that carried the House members also conveyed some Aides of Governor Godswill Akpabio. As at press time, a text message put across to an aide of the Commissioner for information in the state to confirm that position yielded no result.

FRANK OKON: EMERGING PHENOMENON

BY EKANEM MOSES. 08027272651

“Don’t Remove the Kinks from Your Hair, Remove them from Your Brain”
Marcus Garvey
Ever since Frank Okon dragged Governor Akpabio to Federal High Court for infringing his right of participating in the last Governorship election in the state, the first time Akwa Ibom State broadcasting corporation (Radio) service gave a balanced analysis of what transpired at the Federal High Court, Abuja was on 11th November, 2011.
• Everybody was dump founded on the surprising turn of event. In a society where everything is politicized, there are shenanigans that could deter even the most patriotic of citizens from contributing to the betterment of his society. It is the Administration antithesis to good governance that made many surprised how the Radio service arm of the AKBC was allowed to perform function agreeing with the laid down norms and ethics of the profession.
• There are many regarded as red herring by forces accustomed to backwardness to those in pursuit of light. The new or rebranded AKBC notwithstanding is an indication that the state is getting reform for better. The other way round, it goes to show how rapidly Engr. Frank Okon is getting popular. In earnest his reputation is soaring high. It is not by his doing but by virtue of his over whelming acceptance by the masses, the afflicted, the tortured etc.
• This is premised on his doggedness, ability to challenge the incumbent demanding justice. And he so does it without compromising his mandate, despite all the mounted pressure from seen and unseen forces. It is one of the cases that political analysis consider as dangerous as well as dicey, and they certainly posit that even the Governor knows the legal implication of what Frank Okon is targeting.
• It is seen as an albatross that hang on the Governor’s neck. The case against him goes beyond the mere bragging of no cause for alarm. An alarm is not necessary only for the noise it makes, but its principal function is for the noise to get one alert, which ultimately remind one of something. Failure to keep to the alert one is bound to blame self for whatever consequences that follows. Whosoever says there is no cause for alarm is living in a fool’s paradise.
• This is not the best of time, infact not conducive enough for the state’s helmsman. Despite their brilliant negative smartness, somehow he might regret his action for giving out himself to be dragged into the murky water of politics. The splash of this water is coming out from different quarters all attacking the number one man in the state.
• Another unexpected occurrence also took place within the calculated period. Some media houses reputed and noted for schism had no alternative as they had to eat the humble pie by calling a spade a spade by also reporting a veritable legal goal scored by Senator Udoedehe as his case also took a dramatic twist recently. Still against our Excellency. Instructively this time to be heard on merit, no more the ‘K’ leg technicalities manufactured by the politicians for the politicians.
• What these mean is that a complete and total democracy is being applauded. We regard it a plus to a non-violent approach so far employ by Frank Okon to effect change and orientation instill on people to sustain our nascent democracy. By the lesson of LYNDON JOHNSON “We should attack these condition not because we are frightened by conflict, but because we are fired by conscience”
• We should realize that success is in a student not in the university; greatness is in the individual, not in the library; power is in man not in his crutches. A great man will make opportunity, even out of the commonest situation. What about that? We all cherish power for nothing is as sweet as power. By power you gain in road, bulldoze, dig in, dig out, cover and uncover, perpetuate evil and good.
• But what is bad about it is when it goes to extreme, it becomes absolute, and immediately it becomes automy, there it establishes a tendency for obduracy. At this point one becomes a handy dictator whether in democracy or military dispensation. When dictatorial administration is being dispensed, notoriety is available to compliment it.
• As might be expected, at this level, it takes a different person to challenge the monster. It is very dangerous to toil with it as it is ready to kill, destroy whosoever crosses its path. As such challenging an object as dangerous as this requires an extraordinary being. A man with a determined heart, and unshakeable will power to give the all imposing giant a good battle.
• Certainly, the Bible has given us a good reference where we can draw example concerning these types of men, and also an instance of how what they consider minute, always reduce them to shred. David had nothing in common with Goliath in whatever ramification, but with just a sling, he stooped to conquer Goliath.
• The metamorphosis’s of this feat is perhaps resuscitating in Akwa Ibom State. For avoidance of doubt, if you never came across Frank Okon, for your information, he has no imposing feature or physique, or bulky as you could imagine, but he has the brawn, the brain and daring disposition. That is the more reason he has stood firm to challenge the Governor by pushing to extreme in the march on obtaining justice.
• The most interesting aspect is that all is happening within the same PDP. Although, we know that power intoxicates but to what extent or what advantage do one stand to gain by forcefully truncating decency just because you want to remain in power. Struggle alone educates the exploited class, struggle alone reveals to it the measure of its strength, widen it outlook, enhance it abilities clarifies it mind and still the will.
• It is the will that Frank Okon is using as a lesson to teach us that power should be taken with a bit of moderation. Intimidating, harassing and in the cause kill those one governs does not speak well of such personality, as such leadership is derived from the den of devil. Frank Okon by all indication is stooping to conquer through a source of power unknown to many.
• The same source that overran pharaoh and his kingdom and downsized him into Red sea. The same power that rubbished nebuchadnezzar’s throne. Ahab couldn’t fathom where cometh the power that designed his plight. Nor could Herod thought out what maggot wanted in one part of his leg. As you keep naming the ancient leader and present ruler. So we keep knowing how God Almighty destroyed them.
• There are those who always try to run away from the long arm of the law, but eventually run into God’s Law of Karma, popularly known as cosmic law. These dictators should be told that it is not always pleasant for two ends to meet. That is in essence being caught up with God’s punishment and at the sometime with man’s judgment.
• The prevalence of blood is exposing what we do not know. The more lives they destroy, the more awards they get and the more opposition mounts against them. The opposition comes at a right time to pacify the aggrieved the wounded. The people need someone to salvage them out of their dire predicament. And the risky Job is being undertaken by a determined warrior whose case is sending shivering signal into the camp of his opponent.
• His being at Federal High Court has caused serious alarm. If there is no alarm caused, people wouldn’t have been paid to disguise as Frank Okon’s loyalists in order to cause mayhem, to deflate his suit. But God who has never been a partner to injustice sent solutions to that satanic plan. It was promptly nib on the bud.
• If there is no cause for alarm, then why a high ranking Paramount Ruler of Ibibio land and his cohort were sent on a rescue mission. Though fruitless and unsuccessful as the David God anointed to take over from Saul was no where to be found. Although there are and there is evidence of lots of lobby, but the reason those lobbies may not succeed are many.
• One is that there will never be a day he will acknowledge those who made it possible for his pleas to be answered. Pleading, kneeling, prostrating before the Obas, Emirs, Obis, retired and serving Generals is not enough to set the captive free. For a reminder, let those traditional fathers who have accepted to cheapen themselves be warned that their perfidy is getting out of human understanding. Can’t they borrow a leaf from their counter parts elsewhere?
• Why should they be stooping low to do small boy biddings, a boy of their grandson’s age? When will they start having decorum, integrity and dignity attach to their exalted stool? We are tired of being constantly embarrassed by their insatiable urge. If they do not know the rules governing them, and are not able to conduct themselves in an organized, responsible and respectfully manner, then their subjects should be prepared to start sending them into exile.
It is not a new thing that kings have been made to abdicate their throne. Let it be done, right now in Akwa Ibom State. A lot of them are walking free and stirring hornet nest unnecessarily. They should allow the man with innumerable titles and awards know that a tiger always have a price to pay either by protecting its pride or by challenging it challengers squarely, for good or bad.
Tigers do not run to lion, bear or Elephants for whatever assistance when it has preys to target. We never heard of it, and shall never be. The hope of the common people in Akwa Ibom now counts on who leads them justifiably out of the mess. In equally marched anecdote, Frank Okon said the key to greatest happiness lies in giving hope to the hopeless by showing that handwork, truth and determination will always pay off.
What the center holds now is pay back time. What a man sowed is what he reaped, so the Bible says. It is the best of time to ascertain if what each and every one of them had sowed is ripe for harvesting. You see, we should learn to be matured democratically. Now is the time true democracy is about to forcefully change our orientation and mentality.
Most of His Excellency’s supporters have even started expressing doubt about his victory again as they feel the weight of allegations against him are so mounting to contemplate any survival. Their assertion no doubt is real. Exactly as they have started talking from two sides of their lips.
To grease the wheel of justice, the prayers of the Faithfull’s are also elating hope on daily basis. While the wasted souls wait patiently for vengeance, they are imagining if the fountain of justice will ever get dry. The centre of all these hope is the court of law. So weary are the afflicted souls, lean and dry waiting for justice against those who slaughtered them.
The only cause for no alarm people rejoice at is that the court of Justice is getting reformed; at least they are assured that cases are now heard on merit. Nigeria’s Judiciary is standing up to the challenge against their battered image. So nobody will expect less. We do not expect less either- so far so good Nigerian courts have braced up to be and remains the last hope of the common man. All those souls unjustly framed up, chained, incarcerated are now chorusing, and are saying, Heavenly father let those who perpetuate heinous crimes against us do not have respite, never should they go scot fee, never should they have peace. Let tribulation, suffering of unfathomable magnitude befall them, so also do they jointly chorus in unison a big Amen, Am-e-en, Am-e-e-en.
Having been through the cry of the painfully deflated souls, what many do not realize is the desperation they have been searching for Engr. Frank Okon to plead for the reservation of the Hilltop Mansion seat. The truth is that he never reveals these to them, has he ever told them that upon the entire search all have been proved fruitless.
What about those who have been trying to report how Frank Okon has compromised! Have they ever been told that their searchlight has never touched where frank Okon is? The guy Frank Okon is a man with human conscience, he has vow never to betray his followers, loyalists and supporters. Whether they run Zig- Zag with their report or not, the conscientious truth remains unbend.
Even their own conscience might have been pricking about the end of all these things. Definitely there will be an end. They may have been wondering if this man does nothing wrong, why then does he disturb himself. Why is all the unnecessary wastage of our state resources to influence some influential personalities in our society, why were all the Jobbers paid to carry out dirty jobs? Why all the intrigues and counter intrigues, yet unfruitful. Why are they so desperate about this business of governing us?
So clearly that even Awards and honours are gathered with speed, but are developmental indices measured by these. Virtually all Nigerians know Akwa Ibom is flooded with mouth watery monthly allocations’. This is what Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi had to say about us and I quote “I don’t know of any government who has enough funds to work. I am clearly not in the position of Godswill Akpabio who has a revenue base of about N13 billion to N15 billion every month”.
Why should we be the front-liner in Federal Allocation, but not by performance? What our education, health, even social amenities get is not qualitative enough in commensurate with the amount we have been collecting. Why is the minimum wage still a far cry? Why are pensioners not being paid when due.
There are a lot of inadequacies in the state begging for attention, people are aggrieved because their psyche has been bruised and traumatized. Their love ones have been sent to early graves. That is why they have been in vanguard for a total change, a typical, revolutionized change, a radical change, to usher in the needed peace, tranquility transparency in governance. These are the reasons they rise massively in support of the man called Frank Okon.
What government may not have realized is that, what they have been doing, assumed as little as mustard seed could battered the people’s trust and confidences. What they considered little deed has triggered and escalated to the level they never bargained for. May be all of that and more have changed the people’s feeling to rally round Frank Okon.
This is the matter that propelled Frank Okon image, and is making him a recurrent decimal. He is now so popular than every other emerging tiger. His determination and resilient to legally challenge the incumbent has raised dust, and the bar in our developmental stride. He has shown he is not a push over or any thing goes type of politician.
There should be opposition for a government to feel challenged. Gone are the eras of pocket democracy. We now have soaked tension, the atmospheric charge, and the atmospheric height becoming tensed that it so acclimatized to a degree of no return. The Almighty God is on his throne smiling at those who are about to reap what they sowed, God cannot be mocked. God is ready to pacify the souls of the bruised, the wounded, the framed up. We are all at the junctions of our lives about t get what we have been denied which is justice from God and Federal High Court, Abuja.
Certainly we know the Government has not been flippant with those offensive utterances, not any more. If any is credited to him, I can authoritatively defend that they are not coming from his quarters, but from those mischief and overzealous loyalists who want to show how loyal they are. Bu I bet you they all know the truth, it has been a last minute desperation, they want to gain where he lose. There is a total confusion within their camp and a lot to follow. Listen to right sources!