Assan Ibibio Rally: Greedy elders, why?

By Gideon Ekere

Call them hungry elders or deceivers. You're on a right path. Because their existence is becoming unfruitful,
annoying.

Today they're elders. Tomorrow, they're crazy political stalwarts. Endorsing selfish politicians at their own will.

Causing divisions, creating enmities. Forgetting that they're supposed elders. Who should dedicate their entire life to only one idea.

Which is the unity of their
subjects. Before it's too late. Its better we let them know. That we also know what they know. And those ones they think
we don't know. Not that they're too wise. But because of their ticklish lifestyle. Falling preys to these modern politicians even with grey hairs. What annoys us most.

Is the way and manner they go about deceiving desperate politicians. All in the name endorsement, blessing or rally.

Or you could call it 'reception.' But it's actually a deception move. But greedy elders, why? We remember what happened in September 5, 2009.

Where the same few greedy Ibibio elders gathered at Assan Ibibio. I mean to endorsed Godswill Akpabio for a second term in office as governor.

Many prominent elders dissociated themselves. Just a fraction of hungry elders showed up at the event.

The rest was history. But then, it must be noted that Akpabio's winning in 2011 was not as a result of that endorsement. If so, why did they rig, killed and burnt houses? Threatened electoral officers.
Just to secure winning. Meaning that majority were not on their side.

But I would love to ask. What happened after the endorsement? There are records in history.

Disgusting records for that matter. Or have we forgotten that after the said rally at Assan Ibibio, Senator John Udoedehe who championed Akpabio's election in 2007 was sent to prison? Bishop Samuel Akpan who initiated AKPF, a socio political group that floated Akpabio's campaigns in 2007 was disgraced.

Ambassador Sam Edem was disgraced from NDDC as Chairman, courtesy of Akpabio.

Late Apostle Uwah, Ubong Obot (Ubotex), Gen. Edet Akpan, Obong Okon Mkpong, Prof. Imo Ukpong, Rev.
Ntia Ntia, Mrs. Comfort Ewang, Mike Eduok, John Nta (Treasure Island) and many other Ibibios were all kidnapped with ransom well paid. The money they
collected from the uncommon man. Was returned in a funny way.

What also followed the endorsement at Assan Ibibio were the killings of the Ekpenyong brothers, Barr. Benjamin
Udoekpo, Mrs. Maria Ikpe, Mrs.Philomina Udonwa,
Anthony Akpanobong, mr. Daniel John Ekanem, Mr. Mathew Inyang (Driver of Mrs. Tom bush) Dr. Akpanudo, Mbosowo Andrew, kidnapped (Ransom paid and murdered) Late Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium, Edidem Robert James Obot and many others.

And none of our elders could make any statement. They're were seemingly quiet, even when their subjects were slaughtered like animals.

Disgraced at random. We never
bargained for this. But greedy elders, why? Let us not also forget that after that same endorsement, persons were incarcerated without trial by the state
government under Akpabio's watch. Or don't we remember that Hon. Fabian Ekpenyong (only surviving Ekpenyong brothers) was incarcerated for refusing to testify falsely for the government; Dr. Chris Ekong, accused of killing the Ekpenyong brothers. (Record shows
he was in South Africa when the murder took place) Mr. Davidson Uboh substituted for the real killers of
Ekpenyong brothers who were released from jail on government orders. Mr. Otu Ekong substituted for the real killers of Ekpenyong brothers. Mr. Itoro William
substituted for the real killers of the Ekpenyong brothers. Dr. Chris Nyong charged with treason and later released on bail. Amb. Sam Edem falsely accused of stealing and charming the governor- acquitted by a judge.

They were all Ibibios. Suffering in the hands of one man who was being celebrated by Ibibio elders. It was
immediately after the 2009 Assan Ibibio endorsement of Akpabio for a second term.

Let our elders don't forget in earnest. That most of their actions in time past always landed us in tears and sorrows.

Maybe they were carried away by the giving nature of Akpabio.

And they forgot. That when no power
is vested in a turbulent man. He probably behaves sorrowfully like a nearly killed Christmas goat.

But when fully endorsed by few greedy groups of people. Without considering his level of insanity and evil gestures.

The same man cuts everyone in the society into pieces. And that's what we got after the 2009 Assan Ibibio rally.
Not that we were ignorant.

But because few greedy elders claimed superiority over others. And their
carelessness caused us penury and hardship.

Which is also evident in the nature of the same Assan Ibibio. After much millions of naira.

No proper structure has been erected. Still a glorified farmland. Maybe it should be turned into a grazing land for herdsmen. But elders, why?
And today again. Another unlucky governor has also been deceived by the same elders.

Even though there's nothing
wrong with holding a rally, receiving or deceiving any politician at Assan Ibibio.

But it shouldn't be taken too far. Endorsement should be the last option. Because Ibibio nation is greater than Assan Ibibio.

And greater than these greedy elders. Assan should be a rallying point for Ibibio indigenes. Not an endorsement joint. And this so called elders should be able to balance action and romance.

Humour and hot sensuality for money. Even as there're angels and demons, vampires and lycans.

Who are all set to benefit from the intriguing story of the event. Because the genesis of the rally was to put food
on the table of few elders. And not for the betterment of Akwa Ibom people.

But elders, why? But before I'm misquoted. Just like others. We would
love to know.

The primary significance of the rally. And what comes after the rally. Is it that our elders are happy with the way Udom Emmanuel is running this government? Or are they not aware that civil servants
are no more collecting promotion arrears and gratuities? Pensioners die in numbers even without receiving their
pensions.

Is it that our elders are happy with the way and manner our allocation is missing every month? Is it that they are happy with the level of abandoned projects?
Is it that they're happy that this government is yet to fulfil its campaign promises by citing one functional
industry in Akwa Ibom? Is it that they're happy how Ibibio sons and daughters are being attacked by this government? What's the essence of the rally?
Groundbreaking everywhere. After that, sites are overgrown with weeds. Are the elders happy to hear that? Nda Nsit road commissioned on the governor's
birthday with less than 70% completion. I'm just asking again.

We pray that their family be consumed by the aftermath of the rally. Because we know.

The effect is always negative. Even as we also know. That whether Udom Emmanuel is endorsed for second term or not. It’s the will of God that will prevail in 2019.

God bless our land!