By ETIM ETIM
Senate President Godswill Akpabio arrived Uyo Sunday afternoon and in the evening, Gov. Eno, accompanied by the two senators and 10 House of Reps members, went to see him. Party officials were not invited. As I understand, the meeting lasted till 2am. I did not even hear of this until around 9am the following day (Monday) when folks started calling me from across the state, informing me of the meeting and what they thought were discussed. Others asked if I knew of what was discussed.
I spent Sunday evening watching the Chelsea-Leeds match; after which I went to see a friend and later we went to eat Isi-ewu. I went to bed around 10pm. I am a Chelsea fan, and I love a good isi-ewu, so I had reasons not to hear what was going on in the inner recesses of our leaders’ homes.
But according to the callers, Senator Akpabio and Gov. Eno had agreed that all the three senators would return to the senate and all but one House of Reps members would also return. The odd man out is Oppolumpm Ette who would not return. I quickly called Dr. Ita Udosen, the South-South Zonal Secretary, whom I had met earlier in the morning during our early morning 6-kilometer walk. He told me that he did not even hear of the meeting as well; that he had also received some calls about it and that he does not have an idea of what was discussed. Dr. Udosen told me that he had also called another party chief who was also not at the meeting. I became more and more curious.
But what does a good journalist do in such a situation? Report the rumours or get to the bottom and report the authentic information? I have been in this trade for 38 years; I should know what to do. So, I sent Gov. Eno a Whatsaap message, informing him of the rumours spreading across the state; the frantic phone calls from party members and the need to speak promptly and accurately to party members.
Pronto, he responded. ‘’No, my brother, that is not true’’, the governor said, debunking the story that they had already selected the candidates. ‘’We went to formally consult the Senate President on our intentions to run for reelection, in my own case, for second term. You know, I had consulted far and wide in the state, but I had not yet consulted our leader, the Senate President. So, as he came in on Sunday, we went to consult him. I went with the senators and House of Reps members. In terms of people seeking to contest, I maintain my earlier statement that those who have interest in seeking nomination should also consult party members. They should go to the field and work. I am not the one to choose. Party members will choose their candidates in a free and fair primaries. As for me, I am going to Abuja now to get my nomination forms’’.
‘’Thank you Sir’’. The conversation ended.
My comment: The list of potential contestants is growing rapidly. The Primaries would certainly be quite competitive I wish our leaders and party chiefs success as they manage the delicate situation. There are varying interests. Some persons believe that they had laboured for so long for APC and that they deserve the ticket. But the incumbents think that they had performed so well that they deserve to return.
However, Politics is all about managing contending interests.
The window for decamping has closed. Last week was the last day for parties to submit their electronic members’ registers to INEC. In that case, those who fail in the primaries may not jump to other parties.
Look before you leap.
