LG Elections: Onuk, Imoh, setting the pace

                                          Barr Etetim Onuk
By Dopse Eberefiak 

The history of the creation of local government administration in Nigeria may remain incomplete until the proximity to the people is mentioned. Though, the processes, through which the idea of local government creation has passed through decades and successive administrations before the advent of democracy in 1999, it is pertinent to mentioned that local government administration has suffered several setbacks, especially in the area of incompetency of administrators, poor staffing, etc.

                                                Elder Imoh Okon 

Though, It would be noted that the last local government reform in 1976 which repositioned local government administration in Nigeria and enshrined in the 1979 constitution, helped to kill political apathy, hitherto exhibited by prominent and experienced persons who would have made great impacts in local government administrations, to be interested in the affairs of local government councils.
However, between December 5th, 1998, when the first local government elections was conducted to the present political arrangement, two chairmanship candidates in the state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -Elder Imoh Okon and Barr. Etetim Onuk of Uyo and Itu Local Government Areas respectively, seems to reflect the picture of leaders with prerequisite qualifications to transformed their local government areas into a destination haven.
According to American Philosopher William Teddy, who said, "No meaningful development can ever be experienced by a city, or any city except men of proven integrity are ready to sacrifice their time, energy and resources to ensure that the city works". Obviously, this short aphorism appears to be the basis through which the two chairmanship candidates have drawn their inspirations from.
Moreover, an objective examination of the leadership and political credentials of Barr. Etetim Onuk, the PDP chairmanship candidate for Itu local government area, cuts a picture of a man that has been divinely package for a time like this. Of course, to the philosophically minded persons, "there is no mistake in creation as He (God) has prepared the world to work according to seasons."
Onuk, an indigene of Ikot Annie Itam in Itu local government area has not only offered himself to provide a dynamic but a purposeful leadership in Itu in the capacity of an Executive Chairman. His mien, which exposes him as a revered gentleman, shows deeply of his readiness and unquenchable desire to take his people to the 'promise land'.
Good to note, that prior to his entrance into the turbulence waters of Nigerian politics, Onuk was into private legal practice, providing consultancy services on security matters to Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Akwa Ibom State owned hospitals, government agencies, individuals, co-operate organizations, etc.
In the area of community services, it is on record that he has done remarkably for his people, especially in the building and donation of a full and functional bus stop at Enen Atai Itam Junction for the use of the entire East Itam Northern Community, provision of pipe borne water to Ikot Annie Itam, floating of scholarship to over forty indigent students, etc.
Quite frankly, unlike other political gladiators, he has promised to attract people's centered projects to the area, initiate empowerment programmes, provide the basic amenities, alongside changing the psychology of the youth towards being self reliance if voted into power.
Amongst other things in his blue print includes urbanization & expansion of local government headquarters, creation of cottage industries, tourism sites, motivational policies for administrative staff, central cool room, reinvigoration of dakkada philosophy, etc.
With his antecedents in private life, especially when taking a cursory look at his intellectual and managerial prowess especially, what he has been able to achieved, one is convinced that he can do better if voted into power as Chairman of Itu Local Government Area.
Closely pictured in the mold of Barr Etetim Onuk is conspicuously written the name Elder Imoh Okon, the PDP chairmanship candidate for Uyo Local Government Area. Elder Imoh Okon, the immediate past state Vice Chairman of PDP, Uyo Senatorial District, and a native of Nung Ukim Ikono in Uyo, is said to have been raised and groomed as a reformer and truth seeker.
Today, at every fora, his name echoes as one man who has recorded tremendous impact in the political atmosphere of Uyo Local Government Area in the past few years. Within his tenure as state Vice Chairman of PDP, he demystified the act of representation, and added value to the party.
His impeccable performances drew commendations from all quarters. Up till now, hats have continued to doff for him. His antecedents and pedigree has left no one in doubt as to his ability to take the people of Uyo Local Government Area to an enviable height in the nearest possible time, if elected into office.
Apart from the provision of basic amenities which falls under the statutory responsibility of an elected chairman, he has promised robust empowerment & rural development, improved IGR for wealth creation, social welfare, and renewed partnership in governance.
Nevertheless, away from their blue prints, which is basically people's centred, the way and manner the two PDP candidates are going about their campaigns & consultations without infringing on other candidate's fundamental human rights, has made them a model to be followed, or emulated by others, unlike politicians who see violence as the greatest means of winning elections.
The duo have invoked conventional approach to winning elections which includes, mobilization, sensitization, and of course, educating the electorates on the need to support their candidature in the forthcoming local government elections.
The duo has proven beyond doubts the saying of American Philosopher, N. William, who said, " The best general is a soldier who wins in a battle without a gun shot."
Without being immodest, while am convinced that the people of Itu and Uyo respectively will not fail in their wisdom in electing these two 'vessels' whose footprints shows they will invest in building bridges, not walls; books, not weapons; morality, not corruption, Intellectualism and wisdom, not ignorance; peace, not chaos; love, not hate; transparency, not secrecy, etc, I urged other candidates in all political parties contesting in the forthcoming local government elections to take a leap from the duo in invoking a peaceful political atmosphere for the local government elections in Akwa Ibom State.