“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another” – Nelson Mandela
By Destiny Akaiso
If the ultimate target was that by forcing OBA out of the scene by open conspiracy, he will be crestfallen and crushed in spirit, such that he will denounce his dreams and back out like a coward; that his flock will scatter and wander about in despair; or that the enemy camp will swell in numbers and march on straight to victory, they all have failed.
Approximately three weeks later, it is obvious, nothing has happened the way they thought, or wished. They are rather the ones struggling in futility to keep pace with unfolding realities.
Even in the absence of OBA, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) has lost neither steam nor focus. The drumbeats are getting louder, and the tenor of victory songs resonating across near and distant borders. The bonded and joyous congregation is growing in leaps and bounds, breaking more barriers and making inroads as it relentlessly traverses the remotest and most distant parts of Akwa Ibom State with the message of hope and liberation.
OBA’s spirit in illegal detention is even stronger than what it ever was – inspiring, energizing, fortifying and providing all that was necessary for the campaigns to go on as scheduled. Indeed, those entrusted with responsibilities have done even more than was expected of them in the unquenchable flame of faith and shared hopes that no man can alter the will of God for Akwa Ibom people. Don’t ever think what is happening in OBA’s life and the force YPP has become are ordinary! It cannot be. There is a force behind it that is superior to mere mortals.
I agree with Joseph Addison, an English essayist, novelist, playwright and politician that, “No oppression is so heavy and lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority”. Following the conviction of OBA by that infamous conspiracy of December 1, 2022, one would have expected those who wrote the scripts and masterminded the plots to have peace of mind or have better chances in their thinking that the biggest and strongest obstacle on their way has been removed.
But that hasn’t been the case. So, seeing no difference between OBA’s absence and what’s going on; being in constant worry of imminent outcomes as momentum continues to gather towards 2023, they are certainly worried about what will happen next.
To the leadership and ever growing YPP’s linear and hybrid family, OBA is on compulsory vacation, to garner strength and reemerge stronger and more daring than before. That perhaps explains why, even in OBA’s absence, YPP runs the most colourful, most impactful, most rewarding, most realistic, most systematic, most strategic, and the most hope-inspiring campaigns with the heaviest crowds. So, there was no reason activities would have stopped at where the principal left them.
But that is not the situation in the other camp. Investigations have revealed that for them to organize a single campaign for its ever uncertain and openly rejected gubernatorial candidate, it has to be done at the expense of recycled public funds. Directly or indirectly, persons are taxed with cash targets for the grandstand outings. One recent “classified” letter addressed to those referred to as Our Distinguished Honourables read:
“I am directed by the State hierarchy of the PDP Campaign Council to convey the levies/contributions for every political office holder in the council for the hosting of the PDP State Campaign Team in Mkpat Enin on the 22nd December, 2023 as follows: *Executive Chairman 200k; *Vice Chairman 100k; *All Councilors 50k; *Secretary 50k. *Supervisors and Special Advisers 50k…This money can be paid twice (divided into 2 installments) first before Monday 12th December 2022). This contribution is separate from council’s contribution as a local government. Please ensure compliance as this a State Campaign Matter applicable too in other local government. God bless you”.
That is in sharp contrast to the electrifying zeal and sustained tempo sweeping across the undaunted and multiple camps of the Young Progressives Party. Even in the absence of OBA, it never went borrowing or force people into compliance. The shared spirit of common purpose and destination drives and intoxicates members to positive actions. What’s more? Having seen the handwriting on the wall, Akwa Ibom people have unanimously taken a stand that is irrevocable: To reclaim their collective destiny in 2023 with Senator Bassey Albert as a catalyst and hero of the cause.
How many have left the YPP since OBA’s stage-managed conviction? How many have stopped joining the campaign trains for lack of steam no matter the distance, except in very rare instances they cannot help? Or how many have lost hope that God’s purpose will prevail upon Akwa Ibom State in the fullness of time? To any and all the questions, the answer is – none!
The OBA experience therefore reminds us of Phoenix. Even if you were to crush or burn him, he surely will rise from the ashes of persecution to fulfill God’s commission for a people in dire need of liberation.
Therein lies the fundamental lesson: Those fighting against OBA are fighting against legions of invisible angels. It were better they realized this before it was too late!
Vote OBA! Vote YPP!! Vote the fresh leaves!!
