UDOM EMMANUEL’S TRADUCERS AND THE STORY OF DANIEL

The drums were loud and the signals were clear. They felt pained that you performed creditably well in your tenure, defying all logics of economics which had plagued our country. That is why they made so much noise, simply because as an honest man that you are, an invitation was honoured. A clear conscience nurses no fear. Like Daniel in the Lion’s den, you saw and you conquered. Those who want to see you shamed, now gnaw their teeth in anguish, and the tears they yearn for you have submerged their saucers. That disgrace, will never come.

You came to our State at a time there was general apathy about governance. At a time people had lost hope on safety and general welfare, because a large chunk of our State had been besieged by terror and insecurity. The plains of Ibesikpo, the coastal communities of Eket, the hills of Uruan, all succumbed to marauders who turned the State into a killing field. My own father, Elder Ekefre Ndueso Etukudo, till date, still bears the pains of three bullets pumped inside his abdomen by those who reigned at the time. If they could succeed over an Army General, a former military governor’s wife and several other political gladiators, with armed guards, then who was a retired civil servant in his quiet country home on that fateful day, April 7,2011.

At the time you came into office; there was no motor-able access into Eket Senatorial District, either through Etinan, Abak or Onna. Oron had been cut into two on the major expressway from Iquita community to Anwana Esin axis of the road. The alternative entry point, via Mainland Avenue became a dead trap. While the coastal corridor through Enwang was cut off due to the lack of political will to link the Etebi – Enwang Bridge. There was no single state government dual carriage way on the entire stretch of the 12 local government areas of Eket Senatorial District. Not even an access road to the seashore where the country has over 40% of its gas reserves.

But that was not all, there was no access road to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, as the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene Road was an eyesore, with while the alternative Uyo – Abak road was marred by a dead trap, known as Ikot Oku Ikono junction. While others were complaining of recession that rocked the country, you preferred to turn water into wine.

No one before you ever constructed a longer stretch of dual carriage ways in the State. 23.7km with three bridges on Eket – Etinan, dual carriage 29.5km from Etinan to Ndon Eyo with two cable bridges, 20km from Ibiono Ibom- Ikot Ekpene, 20km from Uyo to Etinan, the list is endless.

No State Government before you constructed any road to link Akwa Ibom with sister state. You did. Nto Edino – Ekwerazu in Abia State with two bridges, Ikpe Ikot Nkon – Arochukwu in Abia State with two bridges etc.

Just like you built bridges to connect communities, recording 40 of such bridges; you also built bridges of peace in our State. Your main opponents in the 2015 election became your principal partners in State building. You instituted peace and retrieve conquered territories like Ukanafun and Ika back on the path of progress.

None before you left any money spinning business that can compared to Ibom Airline, celebrated as the pride of our State.

Who can stop the Lord’s anointed? You are one propelled by the prayers of the saints all over the State. Those whose deaths were prevented by the 12 remodeled and equipped General Hospitals you scattered around the State.

Above all, you kept your promise to us, that you will exit government peacefully after your tenure, allowing our Governor, the peace and stability with which to drive his laudable vision for our people.

Those beating the drums are right in the bush, closer than one may imagine. But let me assure you, your traducers may bare their fangs, but they will never hurt you. In the Bible it is written that, there were a hundred and twenty men, who grew jealous because the king had chosen Daniel ahead of them. Sponsored blackmail and set him up. We all know their story and how it ended for the sponsors of the blackmails. Just as it is Lamentations 3:37 says, “Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?”

Written by Essien Ekefre Ndueso and published by Akstrending