By Essien Ndueso
This is not the best of times for Senator Nelson Effiong, who appears to have been caught between the proverbial devil and the deep blue sea. Nelson, until recently had been a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the national assembly. Only few people may be surprised by his sudden u-turn, which saw him defecting without any prior warning, to the All Progressives Congress.
As a senator representing the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s senatorial district, he realised he was under pressure to provide the district with effective representation, that needed to be seen both within and outside the red chambers. This was not to be the case as the former two term member of the state House of Assembly found himself missing in action, while the duo of Bassey Albert and Godswill Akpabio took the centre stage of legislative gymnastics despite no previous stints in legislative duties. For a while, it has been a tug of war between the people of Akwa Ibom South(aka Eket) Senatorial District and their senator who appeared to have lost touch with the assignments on his shoulder. This inept posture did not go unnoticed before the preying eyes of media professionals who took turns in castigating Effiong, and a particular media rating in 2016 even awarded him the title of ‘sleeping lawmaker’ of the national assembly.
During the last yuletide, a period all stakeholders, political office holders and lovers of God host and interact with their people, only Senator Effiong in his usual characteristics failed to see the need to meet and brief his people. Apparently aware that his questionable representation so far, would attract queries from his constituent, Effiong expunged the familiar concept of constituency briefing from his lexicon, but found himself attending functions hosted by other people, where he ate and wine until he belched. Most worrisome was the fact that several empowerment schemes berthed in almost all other parts of the state with Senators Akpabio and Albert competing on who can put the most smile on the faces of their people. It was at this point that the other side of Effiong, as a betrayer became visible. Photographs of Effiong visiting APC chieftains in Port Harcourt rented the media space. Of course this further infuriated Eket people who had never seen such an under- performing senator.
“This is a clear sign that Effiong was not ready for the red chambers,” “This man was finished, who brought him here to come and drag us backwards?” People spoke in no hush tones. Yes, they were right to an extent. Nelson had been largely unsuccessful as a businessman, following his tenure as Speaker of the state house of assembly. His transport business, ‘Tabasco’ had collapsed, his night club ‘Millionaires’ and relaxation spot, ‘Kaloharies’ had since been buried. He was everything but a happy man. But respite came when the then Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio called stakeholders in the district and urged them to support an experienced lawmaker from the district to emerge as senator. Effiong presented a good choice, and it was almost like a person who will appreciate his people more, especially when his emergence was less by his own personal effort. A support base earlier nurtured by Victor Antai, was surrendered to the Oron -bprn former Speaker.
But Effiong, a son a late smuggler Chief Ekott, has a very cunny and smart behaviour. He got wind of the impending assemblage of stakeholders in Eket Senatorial district on Friday. He knew that his failure ratings would form the background of debates. He knew he could receive sanctions for poor representation, and knew when best to throw in the towel, and jilt the party that brought him nothing short of succour. He also knows that since the entire district can not boast of a sizeable number of APC faithful,there would not be anyone on hand to probe him on accountability or stewardship. As an APC senator in a PDP enclave, Effiong is now technically a lone opposition figure to over two million people. In jumping ship to APC, Effiong reasoned that he was forced By the leadership ‘crises’ of the party at the national level, to leave the party. But his mandate owners would not want to believe that the leadership ‘crises’ forced him to contribute little or nothing to the value of his people in over one and a half years.
In remembering the name Ichabod, one is forced to recall the incident in the Books of Samuel where Eli’s grandson was named by her mother as Ichabod. The son of Phinehas, he was so named having been born on the day that the Ark of God was taken into Philistine captivity. So will the mandate owners keep quiet and watch Chief Effiong squander and sell off their rights in a manner akin to a recreation of an Ichabod?
0 comments :
Post a Comment