by Otob
ong Sampson
Sam rang my line late that night to advance reasons he hadn’t been able to keep to the appointments on the two instances he had scheduled so we could talk.
‘It’s been a very busy period for me, shuttling between Abuja and Akwa Ibom to engage my constituents, oversight duties across Nigeria and attending to legislative functions outside Nigeria. I am giving out all my best on the job and it is for the benefits of the people of Etinan Federal Constituency…,’ he tried to explain.
I chuckled and muttered some words beneath my breathe. He eventually made out time days later for an opportunity to listen to him – his honest explanations for his actions of the past, his reasons for seeking another term, his dreams for Etinan Federal Constituency. He also spoke about his fears. Genuine fears, maybe.
Anytime, Sam is an enormously intelligent man. Like or despise him, this is a compliment no one can deny him. Intellectually savvy, he is gifted with enough understanding to realize at the right times the shift in the dynamics and mechanics of politics at the turn of every political process.
Irrespective of whatever concerns may have existed about his hitherto pattern of representation, Mr. Ikon is ever a class act within the expansive context of legislative business. For anyone to attempt to deny the man his due would be most unkind and quite unfair to him.
Even so, such concerns today, unless on the basis of leadership idealism which of course is unattainable by any human even in the most sophisticated of societies, have been eclipsed by his great outing in the House of Representatives. He is repaying in stages the debt of gratitude he owes his people. This is a distinguishing characteristic of sensitive leadership.
Remarkably, Sam has refused to be confined to a restricted space that had seem to stereotype him. He has stepped out in awesome blossoming to become a high flyer. From caring for his constituents with meaningful empowerment and human development initiatives on a consistent basis to regular, interactive town-halls, he is now regarded as a serial performer.
Fully conversant with the demands of his office and the expectations of his mandate owners, the lawmaker has entered into splendid social contract with his people, affected by growing enlightenment in both political process and participation. This is a firm testament to Ikon’s renewed determination to make a difference.
Not unaware of factors that ensure the preservation of trust between a leader and the led, the former speaker has discarded the delegate model of representation to embrace the professional model of representative democracy as proposed by Tim Harding. In this model, a political representative acts in the long term best interests of his/her constituents – in a similar ethical obligation to the clients of a lawyer or doctor, even if this might be contrary to the expressed preferences of those constituents.
This is evident in the over 18 critical bills he has to his credit in the House. I have always thought those who occupy public office should be judged basically on their representational performance.
Ikon says his ultimate vision for Etinan Federal Constituency is extensive for even progress. His, he declared, is a vision in which ambition is encouraged, industriousness is recompensed and innovative ideas are celebrated.
With a vision driven on the optimistic lane, it seems the vehicle transporting the goals is without reverse gear. At the end, what counts is what works!
‘Ability’, asserted N. Bonaparte ‘is of little account without opportunity’. Sam has had his moments and has shown capacity. Now, he and his constituents are ‘caught in an inescapable network of mutuality’.
Otobong Sampson is Head Consultant, O’al-Kachi Media and PR
