Abang Ogon|18 October 2017
Preamble
Going by the new INEC innovations political parties are to conduct their primaries between April – May of 2018 for the 2019 general elections, this innovation is strange to me, in fact, it's an indirect way of reducing political tenures to 3 years wasting one full year for political activities.
I pray the institutions in our dear state can work as supposed, else I wonder what will become of our state when 75% of His Excellency's commissioners abandon their duty post to seek political positions by 2019; I pray they find the civility of stepping aside to allow governance flow smoothly, else their search for greener pasture may create an administrative vacuum and a misplacement of priority is inevitable.
In the Central:
I'm one of those who have refused to undermine the capacity of Sen Owan-Enoh and his ability to spring surprises, but I also understand the politics of battling with state machineries in a state like ours where the governor is the political power broker; Sen Owan-Enoh benefitted from a similar process where Sen Liyel Imoke (The Political Avatar) came for Sen Ndoma Egba, the then majority leader couldn't withstand it, Sen Owan-Enoh is also not sleeping, he now visits his senatorial district every weekend attending”Funerals, Weddings, Child Dedications, Name Ceremonies, Birthday parties, aged grade/women meetings and all whatnot; I understand the politics of endearing himself to his people but I also understand The political terrain of our State.
There are existing structures and leadership in almost all political wards, in fact, even if you relocate to a ward, the political deciders of the ward will appear on the eve to the elections and call the shot, no matter how you gallivant around a place there's a man who decides who wins what in almost every polling unit, this is not to spit at the Senator's new strategy but to remind him that he has a fight with the muster he contributed in building, Sen Owan-Enoh should also consider a scenario of the possible return of the dinosaur (Sen Liyel Imoke) coming for the senate seat by 2019, in another development rumours are that Sen Imoke is making up with Ntufam Sandy Onor (another Caterpillar) and his former Chief of Staff, Dr Alex Egbonna, if this relationship comes alive again Sen Imoke will possibly be with Chief Egbonna or Dr Eko Atu for the representatives seat (given that Sen Imoke himself is not interested in the Senate seat).
Whether Prince Godswill Edward (Prince 7) can use his Abuja connection to get representatives ticket, or whether Rt Hon John Gaul Lebo's loyalty can earn him a promotion to the green chambers is left for 2019 to unfold, if this pulls through, it will be between Rt Hon Bassey Eko Ewa, Hon Goddy Ettah and Mr Chris Egara to warm up to enter the ring with Sen Owan-Enoh; but wait a minute, Sen Owan-Enoh will have to contend with Pastor Usani Uguru Usani and Chief Obono-Obla for the Senate ticket, the PDP family in the central must top their game else Sen-Owan takes them unaware, he has a record of getting whatever he wants whenever he wants it, he is a “NO NONSENSE BOXER”. But no matter what comes around 2019 will still be 2019, heaven won't fall on anybody's head, eras have come and gone, eras will sure depart for activation of new eras.
In the South
I wonder what 2019 holds for Rt Hon Daniel Asuquo (Dansuki of Akamkpa), remember the guns in the South are also shooting at 2023, Whoever has interest for governorship in 2023 can not afford to be out of power from 2019-2023, you know what that means for Dansuki and the Biase agitations; I also wonder what becomes of Rt Hon Essien Ayi after a fourth term in the green chambers, he doesn't seem giving up or ready to step aside, remember how he won his last election? Rev Essien Ayi's ticket is always like a twin ticket, Sen Gershom cannot return without Rev Essien, but, I have heard from reliable sources that Isantim is retiring from the green chambers.
Wait a minute,… Rt Hon Joseph Bassey the Deputy Speaker of the 8th CRSHA is coming for Representatives ticket, if either of Dansuki or Rt Hon Essien don't regain their ticket, chances are they will defect to APC to sink Sen Gershom Bassey in a battle 2023, whatever comes around 2019 will still be 2019, heaven won't fall on anybody's head.
In the North
2023 Senate ambition will go a long way in determining who gets what, power brokers will return Sen Rose Oko as security and insurance to occupy the seat till they come, like Christ told us to occupy the earth till he comes; if this plays through, all first term members will automatically get their ticket, there will be no changing of the rules in the middle of the game, but Sen Rose Oko will have the APC to contend with,
Things will totally fall apart in the northern senatorial district by 2023, there will be alignment and realignment, men shall rise against men, boys against their masters, friends against friends, beneficiaries against benefactors, ambition against ambitions, what will speak for everybody by 2023 is —what you have to bring to the table, because by 2023 nobody will own a personal table.
To be continued.
Abang Ogon
Is a Social Commentator