By: Israel Umoh
The inter-denominational Thanksgiving service held at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital on Sunday, with Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a preacher was expected to be solemn.
The service was part of the activities that commemorated Akwa Ibom’s 32nd statehood.
Yet, the arrival of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and his wife, Unoma popularly known as eka esit mbom by her admirers, turned the supposed solemn assembly to a carnival of sort as the joyous crowd fell on themselves to catch a glimpse of the man who many popularly daub as an ‘uncommon transformer.’
Akpabio who served as Akwa Ibom State governor from 2007 to 2015 turned around the political, economic and infrastructure fortunes of the state for better.
From there, he represented Akwa Ibom North West as a Senator in the National Assembly from 2015 to 2019.
Akpabio had arrived earlier at the grounds for the thanksgiving service billed for 10 a.m. and the congregation went wild in celebration.
Since Akpabio defected from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to All Progressives Congress, APC, he never showed up in any public function with state governor Udom Emmanuel except a thanksgiving service organized by Uyo Diocese of Catholic Church.
Though the excuse has always been that the senator is not always invited to such functions by the state government due to perceived ‘political reasons,’ his appearance at the service elicited hilarious cheers and excitements from the expectant crowd.
Not long, Governor Emmanuel accompanied by Osinbajo breezed into the charged arena and the service began in earnest.
Akpabio together with Nsima Ekere, the immediate past APC governorship candidate for Akwa Ibom who later gave Osinbajo a private reception on Saturday attended the Sunday’s service as a mark of honour to the Number two citizen.
As soon as the service ended, teeming crowd wearing different uniforms and carrying political party’s emblems thronged the people’s Senator from the Ibom Hall ground to his residence in Ewet Housing Estate, F-Line, Uyo.
The Niger Delta Minister gallantly trekked unmindful of some security infractions joined by the jubilant crowd for more than three kilometres to his residence. The people sang and showered praises on one-time governor whom they claimed to have ‘missed over the years.’
Nsikak Eduok Avenue and other adjoining streets in Uyo the state capital were closed to traffic as the crowd sang, beat drums and hailed the minister.
One would have thought Akpabio’s popularity had waned sharply since his inability to clinch a second term as a Senator to represent Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
Yet, the public showing and herald proved to the acerbic critics and cynics that he is still one of the most popular politicians in Akwa Ibom.
As a addict giver, Akpabio directed that each person be given N2,000 transport fare on the spot and the crowd went up in thunder.
Seen as ‘stomach infrastructure,’ some hailed the gesture as a way of assuaging increasing hunger in the land while others kicked against it as a means of encouraging laziness and idleness among the vibrant youths.
However, UdemeAbasi Udofa, a journalist, speaking on Akpabio’s march with masses to his house, said “Akpabio’s is still one of the most popular politicians in the state owing to his good deeds. He was celebrated like a king on Sunday. Can you imagine people trekking with for a long a distance and the roads were closed to traffic?”
“Akpabio is always home with his people and he is able to connect with them. That is why he still seen a big crowd puller and he is loved.”
Anthonia Udoh a politician from Eket local government area said “We love Akpabio because he loves people and gives freely.”
Mr. Hilary Akpan from Ikot Ekpene thanked God for giving Akpabio to Akwa Ibom. Forget about certain insinuations about him. He is a man of the people. He is loved by many, though they are others who do not like him. Do you expect everybody to love him? Did everybody love Jesus?”
Sunday, September 22 was the day Akpabio and jubilant crowd trekked more than three kilometres. It was a day the people proved that they are with him in spirit and in body. The people proved that Akpabio is being courted and a popular brand even in the streets.
