Akpabio's constituency briefing Observation- Joseph Atainyang

an observation Last Thursday was a day the Nigerian history had a date.

A date in history is a day of events. Truly, the Thursday had its turn in accumulating the history of our beloved
nation.

It is on record that the 6th of July had been scheduled for what the social media hype described as "the mother of constituency briefings". Whatever that meant or still portends, belongs in the psyche of its coiners.

But sincerely speaking, it came and went, dropping lingering marks of familiar shapes in the recesses of the memories
of Nigerians.

The event drew people from all walks of life and as an eye witness, I can say that it attracted the high, mighty and the low and weak. Senators across party lines,
members of the House of Representatives, and personalities within and outside the state were present.

The Senate President made his proxy appearance. The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel,
together with his wife, Martha and deputy, Moses Ekpo; former Military Governor, Iongesit Nkanga, former
senators of the state, former members of the national assembly and those of the Akwa Ibom state house of assembly; the Speaker of the State House and his
members and very many others made appearances.

The live streaming photographs perhaps, may have done better in capturing the faces of those prominent figures who made their physical show of solidarity to the former Governor who was then known as an uncommon transformer.

Some of the dignitaries, in that programme which was chaired by the deputy Governor, Uncle Moses Ekpo, had
the opportunity to address the gathering. I personally wish not considering it a business reporting what each of them had said during the programme.

The truth is that the event was an avenue for the Senate Minority Leader
to have himself promoted by those who feel satisfied by his performance at the Nigerian apex legislative chambers.

The full details of the event have already been captured by media reports. Hence, the heart beat of Nigeria who must not be allowed to degenerate to a chronic case of cardiac arrest is well known to us.

The story of how Akpabio must be advised to transfer his membership to APC is also an established knowledge. The praises the former Governor received from all and sundry must not be repeated.

Although that day incidentally
went into the labour room where Akwa Ibom people reaped twin dividends of democracy from two senators of the state, we all seemed basking in the euphorium of that glamorous atmosphere at Ikot Ekpene Stadium.

Of course, we all heard that the Senator, Eket Senatorial District, distinguished Senator Nelson Effiong got the affirmation of his FUMSO bill that day as the bill got read the third time and passed into law. So, while we celebrated the immediately past Governor whose
reelection in 2019 became a major topic, we must remember the fat cow that Nigeria slaughtered for our eternal consumption.

Kudos to Senator Nelson Effiong.
I therefore register my displeasure on the disappointment I got while flipping through the 108 pages programme of
events. In spite of the reality that the planners very meticulously itemized the ingredients of the empowerment, linking items and names of the beneficiaries from different villages in the 10 local
government areas of the senatorial district, they committed an almost unpardonable blunder that could be
seen as a conscious effort to completely wiping out the memories of Nigerians, especially the 'information poor',
on the knowledge of their leaders.

What would be an excuse of the planners for not capturing the portrait of the Nigeria President in that programme?
I was quick to notice it and I asked myself what could possibly have been the rationale behind the omission of the portrait of President Muhammadu Buhari from the programme.

Till tomorrow, I am yet to be convinced that the 'conspirators' of that 'national sabotage' were actually unconscious of the serious omission.

Even if the President was not being captured simply because he was not presently in the country, his Vice, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is live and kicking. His portrait may have assuaged the angers of Nigerians in the said 'advertent oversight'.

Whatever excuse people will give for this costly misrepresentation, it must be noted that Nigerians are furious about it.

We have a President in Nigeria. His
name is General Muhammadu Buhari.
Or, is a defense going to be linked to the fact that Akpabio is of God the PDP while the President is of the APC? Imagin the member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, especially that of my local government, Urue Offong/Oruko, Hon. Asukwo Achibong having an occasion like a constituency briefing
and doing the same to Governor Udom Emmanuel, may be by commencing with the portrait of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Barr. Onofiok Luke, those of other lawmakers, including that of his local government chairman, which is
exactly the picture applicable to that of God'swill Akpabio's programme of events, I hope people will look at it and keep silence.

Yes, Asukwo Achibong got elected
under the platform of the All Progressives Congress,
APC. I hope he will be assumed to be very 'cerebral and fair!
I write this not expecting any reactions whatsoever. I know that history has a way of repeating itself.

But I sure know that our leaders can be more mature, thoughtful and unsentimental than this.

Joseph Atainyang