By Uwemedimoh Umanah
As the 2019 gubernatorial elections draws near in Akwa Ibom, there is an urgent need to take a look at the flag bearers of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Governor Udom and the Action Congress of Nigeria, Nsima Ekere.
Security is one area Udom Emmanuel stands taller than his APC counterpart, Nsima Ekere.
Security refers to freedom from, or resilience against, potential harm (or other unwanted coercive change) from external forces.
The Udom Emmanuel administration has demonstrated zero tolerance for insecurity which bedeviled the state during the immediate past administration of Godswill Akpabio.
During the administration, in which Nsima Ekere served as deputy, over 3,000 Akwa Ibom were directly or indirectly murdered in cold blood. The brutal murder of Albert Ukpanah, Okon Uwah, former Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, and Charles Umana, a former Chairman of UCCDA, among others, readily comes to mind.
While some of the deaths were system- induced, others were not. But the government lacked a robust security architecture to tackle the menace.
From May 2015, the administration of Udom Emmanuel has evolved an Integrated Security Management Strategy which addresses insecurity from the human development perspective. Job creation, wealth creation, youths enterprises promotion/ grants and interest- free loans and functional collaboration with security agencies. These efforts have drastically reduced insecurity in the state.
This was aptly captured by the Inspector -General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, during a security summit in Uyo: “Akwa Ibom is one of the very few states we have in this country where you can see that security is taken as a very serious issue.... Your Excellency, this is an issue we believe other states can take a cue from. We are obviously here to appreciate your commitment to peace, to appreciate your commitment to good governance”.
Peace, security and unity have tremendous impact on investment and sustainable development. Udom Emmanuel, if re-elected in 2019 would sustain the security momentum currently enjoyed in the state. Akwa Ibom people would continue to do their businesses without fear of being murdered, sleep with both eyes closed in their homes and ultimately enjoy their right to association and speech.
On the other hand, it’s widely believed that Dr. Nsima Ekere would deepen insecurity which was prevalent during his days as a deputy Governor. During the APC gubernatorial primaries which Ekere emerged, many Akwa Ibom people were murdered.
Ekere’s security policy can be best summarized by his chief campaigner, Senator Godswill Akpabio, that “Warsaw will see war...”, implying a return to the inglorious years...
Never again will our beloved state be a slaughterhouse. Only Udom can guarantee that!
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