FOR THE RECORDS AS WE HEAD UP TO 2015 : The promise of death in Akwa Ibom – 1 & 2 ... VanguardNews

By Dele Sobowale

“Those who want to take power through the back door will die and the PDP will continue.” Governor Godswill Akpabio, quoted in PUNCH, Thursday, July 17, 2014, p 19.

“Either one respects due process of law and the right of every citizen to a trial, or we live in a lawless jungle where one of us might be the victim of a mad executive…In a civilized society, you do not kill a man because you think him..to be a bad man.” John Marshall, 1755-1835, Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, 1801-1835.

I had prepared, for publication, another article titled OPEN SEASON ON AKPABIO IN AKWA IBOM on account of the avalanche of attacks aimed at the Governor of Akwa Ibom State – incidentally, by people, who a few months ago, were full of praises for the same man. How times have changed!

I expected a response from Akpabio. But, threat of death for those he described as “politicians seeking power through backdoor”, whatever that means, was not one of them. I had also hoped that Akpabio through his spokespersons or directly to the public would disclaim the statement credited to him. “I was misquoted” has, after all become the standard cry of politicians who realize that they have said something better left unsaid. But, three days had passed and there had been no denial. Are we then supposed to understand that a governor in the democratic Federal Republic of Nigeria is declaring death on people who have not been tried for any crime warranting a death sentence?

Certainly, “seeking power through the back door” is a strange sort of crime and totally alien to Nigeria. Governor Akpabio,  a lawyer, should be the first to know that. So, this is not a case of ignorance of the law but hubris of the worst kind. This statement, unless amended or withdrawn, had taken impunity to another level unknown in Nigerian history. A Governor, at inauguration, swears to uphold the constitution of Nigeria, chief among which is the protection of lives – without which other rights are meaningless. Strictly speaking, that statement amounts to Governor Akpabio openly threatening to violate the constitution which he swore to uphold. Surely, no governor, in any state in the United States, whose constitution we copied, would dare announce such a threat to his people generally and remain in office for long.

As it turned out, most of those publishing advertorials had accused Akpabio of being implicated or master-minding several murders which had occurred in the state since 2009. Granted, most of the accusations were based on circumstantial evidence, instead of proof beyond reasonable doubt. But, a person accused of violent crimes does not help his own case by threatening fire and brimstone on those who behave in ways he does not like.  Perhaps, the place to start is to ask Akpabio what he considers the “back door” to seeking political power which deserves the death sentence, obviously without a trial. Then, he should also tell us, who determined which is the “front door” and when and where was the announcement made for all politicians to know where such “doors” are located in the political space.

*Akpabio

As things stand, right now, Akpabio has opened himself to intended and unintended consequences of his unfortunate utterances. Let us examine the unfortunate and unintended consequences first. But, before we do, it must be pointed out to Akpabio that a Chief Security Officer who threatens people with death has invited those who feel threatened to resort to self-help. Where are they supposed to obtain justice when the would be killer controls the judiciary and the police? He would be making the greatest mistake of his life if he thinks that potential victims will willingly and passively wait to be slaughtered without putting up a fight. Nobody, in Nigeria today, can claim a monopoly of violence – unless others don’t want to arm themselves. The United Nations Organisation agency on firearms estimates that there are about 10 million illegal firearms in private hands in the ECOWAS region; 60% of them are suspected to be in Nigeria. That is 6 million arms; clearly, anybody or group wanting to obtain arms desperately can get them. So can Akpabio’s intended victims. He should take this into consideration before he starts a war in Akwa Ibom – if war is not what he intended with that declaration. But, that is what he will likely get.

Lastly, at least for now, let me remind the governor that, he can get the war started any time he chooses. But, once the victims take up arms to protect themselves, he cannot determine when and how it will end. And, if the murders are perceived to assume ethnic cleansing in nature, then, “the only battle that counts is the last battle.” (Richard Neustadt, in POWER AND PRESIDENTS). That last battle might take years to end. A word is sufficient for the wise on that one…

NO ROADS IN ABIA STATE? THEN READ THIS
“Some of the roads constructed by the present government in Abia South Senatorial zone since 2007 include Timber Market International Road, Uratta, Aba/Owerri, Aba/Portharcourt, Faulks Road, Brass Road…Azikiwe Road, Milverton Avenue… Also completed in Ukwa East Council area are Umuibe-Ohandu Road, Ohanso-Obunku Road, ..Eti-Onanku Road, DFRI Road…Roads that have been constructed and rehabilitated in Abia Central Zone include Ntiga-Mbawsi Road, ..Isieke-Okwuta-Ahiaeke Road..and Osoro-Obowo Street.
Courtesy: Dr Romanus Uwa, living in Aba, VANGUARD, July 4, 2014.

Altogether Dr Uwa listed at least 60 roads completed since 2007 in that article sent to VANGUARD. What can one do with unrepentant liars?

I know for a fact that it is impossible for even a blind man to stay in Aba for two months without passing through Milverton or Faulks or Azikiwe Road.

“History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.” Edward Gibbon, 1734-1794. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 92).

Crimes have been committed in Akwa Ibom State – murders, kidnappings, arson, abduction, extortion – most of which had not been solved by the Nigeria Police or the SSS till today. By 2009, according to the Annual Report of the Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom, hitherto low on the league table of states for crimes had risen to the number one position. It was definitely not the sort of “trophy” any state governor would like to keep on his shelf.

In that fateful year, 2009 that is, 177 murders were committed in a state which never recorded up to sixty a few years back. By 2010 the crime rate had exploded such as to erase the record of 2009. Some would recall that on February 14, 2010, the Governor was reported by the DAILY INDEPENDENT as asking his supporters to “crush all opposition to government.”

A few days after that declaration, one Engineer who had relocated from the Far East  in 2011, barely escaped assassination. He was hastily flown out of Nigeria for treatment to save his life. His aged mother was not so fortunate. After being kidnapped, and a ransom paid, the poor old woman, about 80 years old, was still murdered and the body dumped on the road. Several cases of murder and kidnapping were recorded in quick succession and Akwa Ibom State which up to 2007, was one of the safest states in Nigeria, leapt to the first position for crime nationwide. Until the 2011 elections were conducted the state was gripped by fear; few people could be seen  out after 7 o clock at night and even home was not safe.

*Akpabio

While the opposition pointed accusing fingers at the state government, the Police and the SSS failed to solve a single one of these crimes. Akpabio was stoutly defended by his appointees – some of them have since turned coat. The truth might never be known until one of the murderers and kidnappers choose to confess and provide evidence.

However, guilty or not, Akpabio needs to understand that there has been a significant change in his situation with respect to power. In 2009, he still had six more years to spend in the Government House – more than sufficient time to deal with the opposition. Now, he has ten months left in power and must hand over the levers of power to a successor. A lame duck governor, seeking to go to the Senate and deliver his state to the President embarking on a quest for the second term, is so distracted as not to constitute such a formidable foe. And, from May 29, 2015, he will be on his own….Creating mortal foes should not be one of his most pressing problems.
One obvious unintended consequence of his utterances, quoted in PUNCH, July 17, 2014, needs to be pointed out to the governor before we turn the page, for now, on this matter. From now until the 2015 election for governor in Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio has opened himself up to unintended consequences of his statement on how to deal with opposition in the state – whether or not he was responsible. His immunity from prosecution ends on May 29, 2015. He will be well-advised to remember the fate of former Governor Mbadiniju of Anambra State….

“WHERE ARE THE CHIBOK FATHERS?” – Lisk-Carew
Captain Abiodun Lisk-Carew, retired Air Force officer, and a former Chairman of the Lagos Island Local Government Council, last week exploded in anger when he read another story about the Chibok girls and their mothers in the papers. In a call to our columnist Dele Sobowale, the former Council Chief and a father to several kids voiced his disappointment at the passive role the fathers and brothers of the Chibok girls are playing in the entire episode.

“Where are the fathers and brothers of these girls? he asked, visibly angry. “Are we expected to believe that some Nigerian men are so irresponsible or gutless as to leave the search for their daughters and sisters to the women alone?” He went on to say that,  “Everybody in Nigeria should hold these men, without “balls”, responsible for not doing enough to bring their own girls back instead of leaving the task to the Federal Government alone as if it does not concern them”, he concluded.

P.S. I was informed that some of the fathers had been actively involved in the struggle to return the girls. But, the print media had made it appear as if it was an all-female affair.