Gov. Umo Eno.
By Osondu Ahirika
Exodus. I’m not referring to the historical departure of the Israeli Israelites from Egypt.
But the common parlance. Emigration of people usually in droves from one place to another.
Akwa Ibom State is caught in this Passover bug. Birds migrate too.
Massively moving away from one environment to another for two primary reasons. Search for food and nesting locations.
It’s about the survivalist instinct that inspires living creatures to seek out greener pastures.
In his book Arrow of God, Professor Chinua Achebe(peace on his ashes) told us of the scheme of Ezeulu – the embattled Priest of Ulu.
Faced with the threat of the white man’s religion truncating the traditional way Ezeulu, tasked his son Oduche to migrate.
“‘The world is changing,’ he had told him. ‘I do not like it. But I am like the bird eneke-nti-oba. When his friends asked him why he was always on the wing he replied: “Men of today have learnt to shoot without missing and so I have learnt to fly without perching.” I want one of my sons to join these people and be my eye there.
Ezeulu further stated:
“If there is nothing in it you will come back. But if there is something there you will bring home my share.
The world is like a Mask dancing. If you want to see it well you do not stand in one place. My spirit tells me that those who do not befriend the white man today will be saying had we known tomorrow.”
Folks, that is the philosophy of defection.
Governor Umo Eno is in a vantage position to weigh the options in charting the way forward for Akwa Ibom.
A political future is the delicate decision he has to make.
Having decided to align with the All Progressives Congress, APC, he has crossed the Rubicon.
The exodus in Akwa Ibom from the Peoples Democratic Party which is said to be a religion in Akwa Ibom is imminent and inevitable.
Those going to APC today with Governor Umo Eno, do so because the APC is like the ‘white man’ who must be befriended to avoid regret tomorrow.
We are hopeful Akwa Ibom State will get ‘Her Fair Share’ from this alignment going forward.
I never believed this day would come when I would say, ‘Yes’ to the APC.
This Exodus from PDP to APC has reinforced a life lesson – ‘Never say never.’
I recall that ahead of Chelsea’s League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur in 2015, then Chelsea Coach, Jose Mourinho, in a pre-match Press Conference vowed, “I’ll NEVER coach Tottenham. I love Chelsea’s fans too much.”
We believed him. Moreso because Spurs earlier approached him in 2007 as well, but the Portuguese said, “No!”
Four years down the line after the famous ‘NEVER!’ rant, Mauricio Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur.
On November 20, 2019, the then Clubless, two-time Chelsea boss, Mourinho, jumped straight into the hot seat at the Blues’ bitter rivals.
He walked back on the promise to Chelsea fans that he would NEVER take charge of their London rivals.
In between his Chelsea spells, Mourinho coached at Inter and Real Madrid.
His second term at Stamford Bridge didn’t end well and his love affair with the Blues fans turned sour because he joined their big competitors, Manchester United after his departure on May 27, 2016.
That Mourinho coached Manchester United was an injury to Chelsea. Tottenham Hotspur was adding salt to the injury. However, that’s football’s way of reinforcing the adage, “Never say Never!”
So, folks, I will on this note chant a slogan I resisted largely because of my aversion to President Muhammadu Buhari’s deficiencies.
APC! …. Change!
Jesus told his disciples. “let us cross over to the other side” recorded in Mark 4:35.
Today with Governor Umo Eno leading, the exodus is in progress.
Ahirika is Head of Media and Advocacy Unit, EARCOM, Akwa Ibom State.
