He is originally from the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, South South region of Nigeria. He resides in the United Kingdom with his wife, a Bulgarian and family. His name is DR MIKE UYI, a social critic and good governance advocate who heads the UK-based Global Peace Movement International. In this interview with JUST LIBERATION NEWS, he talks about why he believes current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio remains his role model when it comes to delivering democracy dividends to the people. He looks back at Akpabio's almost impeccable records as governor of Akwa Ibom State and says they are unmatchable and worth emulating. Excerpts....
SIR, YOU ARE KNOWN TO BE AN UNAPOLOGETIC SUPPORTER OF GODSWILL AKPABIO FOR WHAT YOU TERM HIS EXEMPLARY RECORDS IN PUBLIC SERVICE. TELL US WHY HE MERITS SUCH SUPPORT?
Like I said at my introduction, one of the tenets my organisation the GLOBAL PEACE MOVEMENT INTERNATIONAL (UK) upholds is, good governance and democratic values and dividends.
In 2013, the governance watch of the state in Nigeria showed that Akwa Ibom was well ahead of every other state, in terms of human capacity development index, standard of living, institutional and infrastructural development.
A delegation was sent from the head office in the UK to come for inspection and verification, after the then Governor, Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio [CON] was nominated for the prestigious International Peace Award for Uncommon Transformation of the state.
The discovery was incredible -- massive road network, housing, industries, e-learning and library facility, ultra modern recreational, cinema and shopping complex, a state of the arts stadium then regarded as the best in Africa, ultra modern multi specialist hospital, also seen as first of its kind in West Africa, the relocation and modernisation of the Ikot Ekpene Prisons, a 4-Star luxury hotel in Ikot Ekpene, modernisation of schools and health centres and so on.
The interesting thing is his Guinness World record of the largest choir, making primary and secondary education free and compulsory and he had a mechanism in place to prosecute parents who rather engaged their children in trade or housekeeping activities than sending them to school.
The development was evenly spread to all the local governments, making no clear distinction from the capital to any other places.
And as a result, Nigerians and the world realised and acknowledged that Akwa Ibom was different from Cross River.
This earned him the award and ever since, we have monitored and supported his giants strides in government and the good governance he brings to bear while as senator, minister and now, Senate President.
I choose to promote the person and achievements of Senator Godswill Akpabio, so other politicians can learn from his sterling qualities and accomplishments, not his party nor leaders of his party, just him as an extra ordinary and super human.
And this fact has been attested to by highly respected leaders globally and nationally.
Having laid this foundation, it is pertinent to clarify that Senator Akpabio's case at the Supreme has no resemblance or correlation with that of Senator Ahmed Lawan.
This is not a technical ground but according to the electoral guidelines.
Where as Senator Akpabio obtained nomination form, participate in the primary and general elections as the Senator for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, which he won overwhelmingly, as I was on ground at Akwa Ibom for election monitoring, and the issues that played out, such cannot be said as to how Senator Lawan emerged.
So, it's only the ignorant or mischief makers that will for their own ulterior motives will malicious want to disparage and deform the sterling qualities of the man the world has come to recognize and honour as the uncommon transformer.
In view of the above, I wish to state categorically without any fear of contradiction that, there are no disputes and or miscarriage of justice in the judgement of his emergence as senator nor is there any form of connection between the judgement of Senator Akpabio and any other person.
YOU STILL SPEAK OF HIM IN GLOWING TERMS EVEN NOW HE IS NO LONGER A GOVERNOR. ARE YOU SURE HE HAS BEEN AS EFFICIENT IN OTHER AREAS OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AS HE WAS AS A GOVERNOR?
Yes. I am sure that he has been as distinguished in rendering service to the Nigerian people in other areas as he was as a governor.
The man Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio is an enigma. He's a man specially blessed of God amongst men. His is vision personified, a passionate, compassionate, and charismatic persona. He is a simple, unassuming, humble, forthright, creative, innovative, dynamic, radical, down to individual.
He's a philanthropist, a game changer, a go-getter, quite benevolent, accommodating and very hospitable.
Senator Akpabio has been tenacious, persistent and consistent in every cause he believes in.
He is endowed with so much wisdom, rich in patience, deep in understanding and extravagant with love.
HIS TRACK RECORD OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE MUST HAVE CONVINCED YOU TO BE PART OF THE PROJECT TO MAKE HIM THE COUNTRY'S SENATE PRESIDENT. ARE YOU PLEASED ABOUT THE OUTCOME?
Asking if it was a project is an understatement because he is the project. While monitoring activities leading to the General Election, the EU monitoring group approached me to ask why people were crying, I told them it was tears of joy as the people where rejoicing that what they lost in the last 4 years as a result of Senator Akpabio's stolen mandate, had been recovered.
For me, the election of Senator Akpabio representing the good people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District was the important election in the 2023 General Elections, because as far as I'm concerned it was a sure bet, a win win for all.
DO YOU SEE THE SENATE UNDER AKPABIO'S LEADERSHIP COOPERATING MORE WITH THE EXECUTIVE TO DELIVER GOOD GOVERNANCE TO THE PEOPLE?
Let me correct this misconception of Nigerians that the National Assembly is supposed to fight or be at loggerheads with the executive, as a means of gaining acceptance or scoring cheap political points, while in the actual sense, they are supposed, according to the constitution carry out oversight function, complementing and helping the executive succeed in delivering their social contract and mandate to the people.
I can confidently declare that Nigeria is now on the path of recovery and progress because the man Senator Akpabio, is synonymous with excellence and a catalyst for positive change.
THE ROLE OF A SENATE PRESIDENT IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF A GOVERNOR. DO YOU SEE THIS AS A LIMITING FACTOR TO WHAT HE COULD ACHIEVE IN RELATION TO THE EXPECTATIONS FROM HIS PRIMARY CONSTITUENCY?
Point of correction, Senator Akpabio has never been associated with failure and neither will it start now, even if all the dark forces from his state chooses to work against him, the light in him will thwart that cause and he will step on them to victory.
Seeking a reaction will come naturally with Senator Akpabio, because he will deliver uncommon impact and transformation, which doubtlessly better the lots of the greater majority of the citizenry.
Mark my words, I don't know when or how, but I'm fully persuaded that one day, Senator Godswill Akpabio will lead this nation as the President, because he's a man who at all times, has the love of the people and country is at the core of his heart and this has been the driving force behind his undertakings.
Let me assert that Senator Akpabio's re-election is non-negotiable and a done deal, sealed, signed and delivered.
SIR, WHAT MUST BE DONE TO AMELIORATE THE SUFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE NOW THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO COPE WITH THE ADDED HARDSHIP OCCASIONED BY THE RECENT FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL?
Nigerians have gone through excruciating pains in the last eight years, inflicted by the previous administration.
Unfortunately, this administration took off on the wrong footing, by the removal fuel subsidy from day one, without any strategic plan of cushioning it's effect, thus further heightening the suffering of the citizenry, leaving them famished, battered, disgruntled disenfranchised, conquered in their own country.
In view of the above, Nigerians are eagerly expecting this government to come up with policies, programmes and projects that will immediately take them out of this pit of sorrow on short, mid and long term basis.
These should be targeted at hinging the naira against the dollar to peg it's free fall. Fix the problem of epileptic power supply which is a key driver of the economy. They should fix the 4 refineries and build new modular refineries to improve supply at quite affordable prices. This government must as a matter of urgency fix our roads. I am happy my brother Senator Dave Umahi, the new minister of works is taking the challenge head-on. The spate of insecurity in the nation must be brought under control, so that people can go about their legitimate hustles without let nor hindrances. The government should set up the framework to harness our solid mineral resources to shore up the nation's revenue base. They should also strive to harness our natural gas resources.
This nation is greatly endowed with human and material resources, which if properly managed, should ensure that every citizen of this nation should live a decent life, but successive leadership and trust deficit has reduced the citizens to nothing, giving rise to the japa syndrome causing huge brain drain on our national asset.
Nigerians must be given a new democratic experience, sense of belonging and inclusion, to raise the patriotic consciousness of the citizens and a nation to live and die for.
SIR, WOULD YOU CONSIDER THROWING YOUR HAT IN THE RING TO CONTEST THE EDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP POSITION NOW OR IN THE FUTURE?
Your question is already dead on arrival, as I have made it abundantly clear that I am not a politician and neither am I partisan in politics, so the question of joining the race should not arise.
However, it is not to say that I am not keenly monitoring the unfolding political development in my state, being a politically conscious and volatile state.
My challenge with the politics of Edo State is that the contestation to wrestle power is not about the people but for individuals and parties and I would have preferred where a people's candidate who will work for the betterment of the people and state will emerge as an independent candidate to defeat these self and party serving politicians.
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