By UbongAbasi Ise
Let me begin with a roll call: Mr. Udom Inoyo, Senator Bassey Albert
Akpan, Senator John James Akpanudoedeghe, Mr. Akan Okon, Barr. Onofiok
Luke, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Effiong Bob, Mr. Mike Enyong, Obong
Paul Ekpo, Mr. Idongesit Ituen, Obong Umana Okon Umana, Senator
Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Udom Emmanuel. Some legislators in the Akwa
Ibom State House of Assembly, Federal House of Representatives and the
Senate are part of this list. The above are some of the key names
rumoured to be aspiring for political offices, while others are expected
to play critical roles in the 2023 electioneering if Covid-19 virus
gnawing at all of us would allow humanity to return to normal life.
The prospective contenders for power in 2023 should be reminded of one
fundamental concept that every tragedy comes with the advantage of
shifting the paradigm to favour the unexpected class of people. For
instance, the influenza pandemic which took over the killing of mankind
from where the First World War stopped in 1918 had decimated the
estimate of 17 to 50 million of the world’s population. The outcome
favoured suffragette movement as women in the Western world were allowed
to vote and to take up men-only jobs because of the shortage in males’
population. The Second World War tragedy which consumed millions of
humans punctured colonialism and the thitherto conquered peoples
regained their independence. In the like manner, this Covid-19 tragedy
ravaging the world today would not disappear without resetting the
system. In Akwa Ibom, if it is not going to change anything, it would
definitely lessen or reduce to the barest minimum the kind of politics
imbued with paroxysm of hates and sustained through ferocious partisan
politicking. The prevailing tragedy may reintroduce into politics the
doctrine of humanism. Manifestoes and political parties may not matter
much; all that is expected to count is politicians’ personal sacrifice
for the sustenance of humanity in this era of hunger spread to the
common people by coronavirus. It could still be otherwise; it depends on
the unforeseen.
As the only proven antidote to this pandemic,
governments at various levels have ordered people to stay at home till
the evil virus vanishes away. Even the Akwa Ibom State government, after
a period of aloofness, gave a directive to its workers on Thursday 26th
March, 2020 to sit-at-home for one week, while closing down the state’s
borders against interstate movements. These containment measures taken
in-extremis are not without the adverse effect because whether
Coronavirus spread to Akwa Ibom or not it would still bring inescapable
starvation to the majority. It is like a case of running away from the
virus outside and be running into the arms of hunger inside our homes.
Lockdown policy births tedium, rendering struggling people helpless.
There may not be any confirmed case of Covid-19 in Akwa Ibom State at
the moment, but issuance of stay at home order, closing down of
transport system, banning of mass gathering, and shutting down of
non-essential markets within and outside the state have altered familiar
commercial patterns thus resulting in eventual economic slump. The
prices of foodstuffs have skyrocketed beyond the reach of the common
citizens. Most shops are running out of stocks and how to restock them
is now a near impossibility because of lockdown taking place in other
parts of the country and the world.
Containment policy against
the spread of Covid-19 has strong economic implication as noted above.
People are desperately in need of reliefs that could enable them stay at
home throughout this period. While the public workers may not feel much
pain because their entitlements are guaranteed, Akwa Ibom State
government has not announced any palliative for the private to prevent
the employers from disengaging their workers. Others are those that
could not eat if they are not going out to work. Those suffering most
are the self-employed. In this case, there is no better time people need
philanthropists than now.
It is time for the 2023 hopefuls to
reach out to the people rendered vulnerable by the horror of this
pandemic. Just like the candidates of the 2019 general elections went
around with wads of Naira, bags of rice, drinks and other items,
distributing them and begging the electorates for supports and votes to
help them grab power, those nurturing ambition to vie for the
presidency, governorship, and legislative seats at various levels should
reenact the 2019 generosity.
Who will vote in 2023? They will
be the livings that would survive this desperate time. Let the press and
pundits keep munificence records of the politicians that may be
aspiring for offices in 2023. This would help us evaluate contenders
that are humane and selfless enough to merit our votes. This is the time
for politicians to show that streak of populism and to be cultivating
and growing base of loyal supporters ahead of the elections. They should
not wait to be goaded. If they don’t think about the people now, there
will never think about the plight of the people when they get to power.
It is time to start keeping records for their campaigns. This writer is
aware of Inoyo Toro and Ini Emembong Foundations reportedly owned by a
politician and a would-be politician to provide kits, masks and
sanitizers in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the state. This
is commendable. But attention should also be paid to the area of
economic needs of the people created by the pandemic.
Yes! I am UbongAbasi Ise. For comment, please send SMS to 08189914609 | email: ubongabasiise@gmail.com
©The Sensor Newspaper
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