Governance, Loyalty, Steadfastness, and the Real Politics at Play

Governance, Loyalty, Steadfastness, and the Real Politics at Play

By Ubon Marcus

The recent press release titled “Woe to Pharaoh Umo Eno for Persecuting Akwa Ibom State PDP Members,” issued by Barr. Ewa Okpo, Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Akwa Ibom State, is not only misleading in its intent but also disturbingly detached from the realities of governance, party discipline, and ethical political alignment.

While it is not unusual for political parties to hurl verbal missiles at one another in our clime, such political engagements must be anchored on truth and situated in the right context. Barr. Okpo’s press release falls short on both counts.

First, the claim that Governor Umo Eno is hypocritical for preaching unity while expecting political alignment from his appointees is deeply flawed. A governor’s team must reflect his political direction, values, and ideology. It is a global standard in political administration.

Therefore, to expect a government to retain in its employ, the aspirations of individuals who openly identify with an opposing political party is not only politically imprudent but also detrimental to constructive governance.

Governor Umo Eno’s call for unity has never been a call for political nonchalance. Rather, it is a call for shared purpose in development, inclusivity in state affairs, and cohesion in strategic goals, not a blank cheque for partisan disloyalty within government ranks.

When the State Chief Executive moved to APC he did not compel anyone to defect with him. Rather, what happened was a rational expectation for those who retain executive positions in the administration to align with the governor’s political reality to avoid conflict of interest and purposes, which is anti-development.

You cannot claim loyalty to a party opposed to the ideological posture of government and still hold office under the same government. That is a conflict of loyalty, and any serious government would consider such contradictions intolerable.
Governor Umo Eno is not the first Governor to frown at this. His predecessor did the same in 2018. You can read it here (https://guardian.ng/news/akwa-ibom-governor-sacks-commissioners-for-welcoming-akpabio/)

Hence Barr. Ewa Okpo’s portrayal of the ongoing restructuring of Government, as explained by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, as persecution of Messers Joe Ikpak and Felix Ekuri, is not true. Public service positions are anchored on trust and loyalty. When individuals holding positions in the government openly fraternise with an opposition movement, it raises questions about their institutional allegiance. To treat this as a human rights issue, as the press release oddly suggests, is to mistake political consequence for persecution.

On the charge of “political captivity” and labelling Governor Umo Eno a modern-day Pharaoh, one is left to wonder whether the PDP spokesperson has forgotten the recent past. The present administration, unlike previous dispensations, has not used state machinery to harass, intimidate, or blackmail political rivals. There have been no political arrests, no witch-hunts, no media gagging. If insisting that members of a government align with their boss’s political direction is captivity, then what does one call the era of enforced political loyalty and blackmail which characterised our recent past?

It is also important to note the irony in invoking biblical admonitions while conveniently ignoring the scriptural admonition of loyalty and order. Public servants cannot serve two masters at a time; this has been a consistent principle across faiths and political customs. Even the Holy Bible that he quoted warns against this in Matthew 6:24, KJV thus:

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Okpo’s use of scripture in his statement was an intentional ploy to sway the emotions of the reading public, but devoid of context and substance.

Governor Umo Eno has shown nothing but maturity, tolerance, and administrative clarity in his handling of the political realignment in Akwa Ibom State. His philosophy of “Akwa Ibom United” has not changed. However, unity must be built on shared goals, not divided loyalties. True unity requires that political actors who choose other allegiances step aside honourably so that those aligned with the government’s vision can take the reins.

Akwa Ibom people deserve a politics of development, not drama. Governor Umo Eno remains committed to steering the state forward and distractions such as this will not deter him.

On Akwa Ibom United we stand!!!!