By OTOBONG sampson
Despite the suffocation of public space, particularly the social media space with political exercise preparatory to the main event by opposition figures and their subalterns, the 2019 governorship election in Akwa Ibom might just turn out to be an anti-climax. The incumbent, Governor Udom Emmanuel is likely to enjoy an easy ride back to government house. These factors will play more than just considerable roles in swinging the gubernatorial pendulum to the side of the Peoples Democratic Party.
*Political Inclusiveness*
John Dryden, University of Melbourne, writing in American Political Science Review in the 1960s had asserted: ‘If democracy is a good thing, then more democracy should presumably be an even better thing’.
Democratization of governance is largely, though not only, the progressive inclusion of various groups and categories of people in political life. Since he came aboard as governor of the state in May 2015, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has left little doubt of his genuine intention to patch ethnic crevices and mend the cracks of brotherhood. He has sustained a conscious effort to improve group relations. Assimilation of diverse interests into governance process and encouraging broader participation of stakeholders in the task of state-building have been most visible and undeniable.
The governor, while working to ensure inclusive political participation has ensured that no voice is left unheard, no one is left behind and no group is subjected to any form exclusionary rhetoric. This is in knowledge that the exclusion of marginalized groups and minorities from political decision-making is a key factor in both political unrest and instability which in turn hinders accelerated growth and consolidation of development.
Democracy is dependent on the participation and representation of all groups in democratic institutions and processes. Underpinning this is political inclusion. It is vital to sustainable democracy.
*Political Tolerance*
This is a critical element of a democratic political culture. It encourages independent thoughts and drives critical perspectives from citizens without fear of intimidation or exclusion.
Mr. Emmanuel, though barely three years on the saddle has had his share of harsh, but unfair criticisms. While majority of the people appreciate his good performance, particularly his efforts at changing the narrative of the state with special emphasis on opening up hitherto dormant economic opportunities and commercial potentials of Akwa Ibom, a handful or persons, with largely sponsored antithetical political views have consistently hurled unfair criticisms at him.
While some may rightly argue that this is a fundamental right of citizens, it is pertinent they also ponder on a recent event in Kaduna State where a governor of the ruling All Progressive Congress reduced to rubble a building that belonged to his fellow party man and serving senator over political disagreement. There is also Kogi State, still controlled by the APC where the Governor seems to have subordinated governance for political vindictiveness and vendetta against anyone who opposes his style.
At the centre, the presumed fight against corruption has been overwhelmingly selective against opposition figures who have spoken against the failings of the current APC government. But in Akwa Ibom, the governor has refused to engage in silly pursuits and unlawful hunting of critics who disagree with both his approach and style, not necessarily on ideology but mainly on political sentiments.
*Friendly Environment for the press*
Press freedom is rightly regarded as an indispensable element of democracy. The watchful and untiring media, gifted with investigative abilities and duty-bound to be majorly informative, amongst others, owe the society the duty of being their watchdog at all times.
However, there should be some balance in discharging this noble and honourable duty. Or at least, visible efforts should be seen at striving to observe this critical balance. Despite this noticeably missing balance, the press community has operated unhindered, un-gagged, and without any form of intimidation or harassment directly linked to the governor himself. He has extended his culture of political tolerance to include total absorption of press criticism. It doesn’t matter whether such criticisms are just or not.
HIS EFFORTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
*Agriculture*
The agricultural sector is of strategic importance in the process of economic development of a country. Already, it has made a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of advanced nations and its role in the economic advancement of developing economies is of critical importance.
Mindful of this, Governor Emmanuel didn’t delay in the advocacy and implementation of programmes and actions that will ensure sufficiency and security of food in Akwa Ibom. He is working to transform the economy of the state from a petro-dollar one to one that will be driven mainly by agriculture.
These efforts can be seen in the refurbishment and upgrade of cassava processing factories in the three senatorial districts; cultivation of seed multiplication cassava farms to provide healthy stems to farmers; Distribution of improved cocoa and oil palm seedlings to farmers; technical advisory services to about 400 fish farms. Under the FADAMA IIl-plus project which the state government is co-financing, 300 hectares of cassava farmland is being cultivated.
There is also the training of farmers and youths for better cocoa cultivation through the Special Cocoa Maintenance Scheme. Government has imported 1000 bags of special cocoa fertilizers from Ghana for optimal yield. Of significance is the signing of MOU with Sand Carlos of Mexico to develop 1000 hectares of cocoa farms and cocoa nursery in the state.
*Commerce and Investment*
Understanding the major drivers of investment is critical to designing appropriate strategies for catalyzing and stimulating investment in a country or region. Similarly, large scale production is impossible without modern commerce. The contribution of commerce over many decades to the economic development of societies and to quality of life of people has been staggering.
In this sector, the governor has recorded easily noticeable strides which have drawn commendation both locally and nationally. From assisting and developing MSMEs, training of budding entrepreneurs, capacity building and skill acquisition for youths and women through bodies such as IDC and SMEDAN, government has inaugurated Akwa Ibom State Council on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises to collaborate with the National Council on MSMEs in the implementation of MSMEs policy in the state.
It has also partnered with CFC/UNIDO/FGN on the establishment of a 2-ton per hour nut cracker and a 500kg per hour kernel press in Essien Udim.
Resting entrepreneurship on the socioeconomic pillar would lead to the emergence of an entrepreneurial society that will have transformative effects in Akwa Ibom. This is the vision of the governor.
[This series is sponsored by the Office of the Chairman, Ibom Power Company]
