Chris Okorie's Resignation .....PDP, Has The Periwinkle War Began?

By: Abasiama Etukakpan

Just yesterday, it was the most shocking news in recent times as a Special Assistant to Governor. Udom Emmanuel on Electoral Matters (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District ), Barr. Chris Okorie resigned his appointment for reasons he gave, as not being comfortable, with his portfolio which he was not given an office and specifications for his role and duties as an Aide to the Governor.
Having known the political weight the former council chairman of Etim Ekpo holds in his area and indeed Annang nation, i was so shocked and amazed that indeed what i call periwinkle was has just begun.
I can remember vividly that some week ago, my good friend and big brother, Idorenyin Umana had written openly to the Governor on the state of activities in the state, and how things were not going on well, afterwards many of the people in Government started attacking the outspoken gentleman, calling him names and tagging him an APC man, of course i was not surprised because such is the way we play our state politics, one that says the truth is seen as an enemy and against the Government, of course, what Mr Umana said sometime ago has come to pass today, please we should listen to advise from ourselves and even people we perceive as not being important and hold water in the system, am sure those aides of the Governor that held several meetings against Umana can stand today in their villages, wards to win election for our great party, of course i can bet many of them. Most of them cannot even stand to have just one vote in their family, yes it is true and the facts, who among the aides that see themselves as perfect can promote this Government or even have good records and goodwill to convince a die hard supporter of Party B to support the party, i can say its not up to 2 out of 50 assuming. well, today is not a day for the aides but to dwell on issues bothering this government and our dear party, yes dear party because, being without sounding sentimental, i will keep supporting the administration of Gov. Emmanuel even till the last minute, if not for anything but for my beloved sister, even though i am not well treated, after all i was there supporting this Government from day 1 tagging it as my In-laws Government, yes we shall ensure our dear Governor completes his statutory tenure of 2 terms by God's grace, and this shall come to pass in Jesus name. Amen.
Away from that, i had to put up a call to Mr Okorie after i read the shocking news and he confirmed to me with all authority and confidence that he has left the Government of the day, i asked him why, he could not tell me, then i knew that all is not well at all in the state and he also informed me that he will decide his next political move today, am still expecting something from the political tycoon soon.
I know that sure and very sure youths, elders shall come out to say that Mr Okorie's resignation does not hold water, and hence won't cause any qualms, if I see such statement, then i will be forced to think otherwise about our leaders and our fate come 2019, hence we should not underrate any man or woman, as i keep saying, one man has about ten followers that can either make or mar any election in this state, let's encourage this people because the periwinkle war is about to start.
On Barr.Okorie's resignation, i will like to quickly say that it was very bad for a man of such caliber to be treated in such a way, one may ask if staying at home to receive salary was not okay for him, yes but to me, Mr Okorie saw his appointment as what he will use to render service to his people once again after leaving office as one of the best performing chairmen in Etim Ekpo, hence after assuming office and he could not see half of what he planned to have, one has to find an alternative means of meeting his demands and what can pay his bills comfortably, hence what has happened today has happened.
The Government should know that Barr. Okorie has what it takes to do and undo in Etim Ekpo if he decides to move to the APC, if he does, then I will be so fearful of the fate of PDP in 2019, oh periwinkle war, has it started?
I am writing this so we can make corrections openly and see how this cannot happen again, am afraid, if care is not taken another hit will happen and the whole state will go amog, when has it happened that someone in Government will resign, many are asking if Mr Okorie's salary is half of what he used to have from common meetings with political leaders, one will ask if he was not treated fairly, this has made the opposition to conclude that Lagos returnees has taken over the state and the real politicians are forgotten, a statement i never believe and see as tantrum throwing, what do we mean by Lagos returnees, can't our sons and daughters go to search for greener pastures again? of course they have to and why should someone call his or her brother a returnee, well that is story for another day and i will dwell more on it.
But in all, i will humbly advise that Mr Okorie's resignation should be treated with seriousness and proactiveness so we can forestall a future occurrence of such resignation among those that should even make the Government to be seen as perfect to outsiders.
Twenty nineteen is getting closer and we should wake up and work day and night to ensure that we deliver our dear Governor, for me, i will do my best when the Government shall also look at Street boys like us that has the charisma to bring back aggrieved people to the Government and make the system flow well and everyone is very happy.
Lastly, the so called aides to the Governor should wake up and work, it is time for us to work and chop, it shall not be an easy war, the periwinkle war has began, the aides should project the image of their principal not that of a Commissioner, a commissioner should have his media aide not the aides to the Governor jumping form one Commissioners house to the other so we can have money to eat and eat and eat and still complain of lack of money in this particular system, also, it is not everyone that should run a Government program, let it not be that Mr A has done his for years and succeeded and we feel that Mr B and C Can also do same, we all have what we are good at, it might be print, electronic or online, don't long to be a jack of all trade, government is a continuum.
Please forgive me for talking too much, i am your brother, but i will humbly ask and plead that we should take this advise seriously.
See you when i see another thing that is wrong, until then i pray for no more defection in our Government and please has the periwinkle war began?