DRY GIN VERSUS OLIVE OIL

By Ak Kingslay

"Whether you like it or not, I will force development
to your doorstep." - Godswill Akpabio

The above quote by the then governor of Akwa Ibom State, resounds most in my mind as I shake my head looking at these photos. The scenario here reminds me of how our ancestors preferred
thatch, stinking shrine, to well built church, just to show opposition to the white colonisers. So, the state government decides to remodel Eket
with intention to turn the area into a befitting city for many good purposes and then, some traditional
rulers emerge to demand that government should see to the sacrifice of seven cows to a certain deity before the project can be pursued.

The government refuses to oblige and the best decision these very
respectable royal fathers deem fit, is not just placing traditional injunction at the construction site, but pouring libations with dry gin hoping to
frustrate the project. Enter Gov Udom Emmanuel, a believing Christian - storms the site and orally counters whatever "good thing" the "development loving royal fathers" did to thwart the government's goodwill. Clearly, it is now a case of the royal fathers' dry gin versus the
governor's olive oil. Like the biblical Elijah and the prophets of Baal, the real God will have to answer
(by fire, in whatever form) for the case to settle.

Further, and away from the seeming spiritual tug of war, the lyrics of a certain Ibibio folk song says, "otongoke do, ameting ono akpan uka ke iya inwana mbok" (as you've started, have you informed your brother that we shall wrestle?),
implying a warning to a trouble shooter.

In this light, I ask, now that these traditional rulers are begging for a bout with the government, have they
informed their kins how they have deliberately attempted to scare away development from their
area? Have they told the world that they prefer broken and dirty roads to well constructed roads and nice landscape? Just like the child who refuses to eat because he is angry and suffers serious stomach upset, I pray that all parties involved in this rejection spree, learn fast lest someone suffers for it, today or in
the future. In any case, Akpabio was right. Forceful development is allowed.

Meanwhile, let us leave
dry gin and olive oil to slug it out.

God bless Akwa Ibom State!