By Edifon Abasi-Obot
Events playing out in Ekiti prior to the State’s elections, have been described as assault on democracy, good judgement, the sensibilities of the people and a sad way to market Nigeria.
Special Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Political/Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Barrister Ekong Sampson gave the position in a Planet FM (101.1) live radio programme, Politics Today.
Sampson expressed sore disappointment that with an August visitor, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, in the country such scenario that no one would ever wish to showcase played out. Such, he lamented, raises question about Nigeria’s image to the outside world and her commitment to human right.
He reiterated his position that Ekiti elections presents a metaphor for Nigeria’s democracy and redefines the meaning attached to June 12.
In his words, “when on the one hand we talk so much about June 12, give awards to Chief MKO Abiola, and on the other hand indulge in practices that totally subvert the value that we would naturally attach to June 12, I think the Ekiti case is a sad way to market Nigeria”, Sampson moaned.
Furthermore, “where you put a state government under siege, show desperation to grab power, market Nigeria negatively to the outside world, I don’t think this is a right way to drive democracy”, Ekong Sampson said, maintaining that Nigeria will be a much better place if we appreciate the texture and practice of human.
The Political Affairs guru however, reassured that there are much wiser and enlightened Nigerians who are committed to protecting democracy.
He said bringing thousands of security personnel to make a statement is not the ideal. The statement is that Nigerians are prepared to defend democracy and that the PDP offers hope to Nigerians.
Ekong Sampson said what has been unleashed on Ekiti has made the PDP even stronger. Even those who might never have wanted to participate will turn out to vote for the PDP, considering the huge current of opinion that what has played out in Ekiti state was totally uncalled for.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Udoh, also speaking on radio, expressed grave shock, describing as traumatizing, for a sitting Governor and his people to be so dehumanized by security personnel who were meant to maintain order and protect the people.
According to Charles Udoh, in 2015 a lot of people voted beyond party lines. That, he said, was a signature that Nigeria’s democracy was progressing, but regretted that stories emanating from Ekiti State is taking the nation years backwards.
The Commissioner decried that Nigeria’s democracy is clearly threatened and is witnessing one of the toughest test one could ever find. He therefore called on Nigerians to forget personal sentiments and rise to the defense the democracy that they struggled, prayed and wished for.
“It will be a sad commentary in the history for our generation and for our children, if we can’t stand up for once to say what is not good is not good”, Udoh stated.
