NOW THAT ORO UNION HAS MISFIRED

Obong Nsima Ekere

By Ofonime Honesty

Dear readers, something curious is brewing in the polity! Vitriolic discordant tunes are wafting in a region in Akwa Ibom State labeled as ‘Oro Nation.’ The tunes which started as mere whispers have now snowballed into a full blown call to arms vainly discredited by few dissenting treatises.

Using Oro Union (a socio-cultural group) as a launch-pad, the rabble rousers are shedding unceasing tears as if their lachrymal glands have burst. They are busy telling anyone who cares to listen that they are fighting against marginalization. The latest onslaught commenced in full swing when the President-General of Oro Union, Dr. Effiong Edunam declared that, “…all bondsmen must themselves strike the blow for their own freedom. If you are for Oro and you support existence with dignity, take your place in the trench. The struggle is on.” The “activists” –as they now prefer to be labeled- are hellbent in their mission. They don’t worry about whose ox is gored. To them, Oro must be “redeemed”. The end shall justify the means, they reason.

Nothing is wrong in agitating against marginalization. Oro Nation being a major oil producing entity deserves not to be sidelined in terms of development, appointments and other considerations. But in seeking appeasement, a wrong strategy can beget devastating consequences. War has no eyes!

Age-wise, Dr. Effiong Edunam belongs to the league of elder statesmen. Ace columnist Uche Ezechukwu once penned that, “the elders are often noted for restraint in their statements and actions because experience should have tutored them on the disastrous effects and outcomes of reckless words and deeds.” Dear readers, when an elder becomes renowned for spitting not-well-chewed utterances, something is wrong somewhere. Since coming on board as the President General of the Oro Union, his kinsmen and by extension, Akwa Ibom people have learned how to condone his outbursts.

In recent memory, one could recall how Dr. Edunam demonized Mr. Ita Awak and other Oro sons and daughters for pitching their political tent with an Ibibio son, Obong Umana Okon Umana, who sought governorship on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). He recommended that Ita Awak and co. be “given Essien Udim treatment.” Interestingly, he (Edunam) later joined Umana’s campaign team.

While we battled to unravel the meaning of the phrase “Essien Udim treatment”, our saving grace came a couple of weeks ago when a former National Assembly member, Dr. Esio Oquong Udoh, in a piece captioned, “Beating a Drumbeat of War- A Call for Caution”, explained thus: “given Essien Udim treatment apparently meaning that they should be butchered or cut into pieces just as Essien Udim people did to the late Effiong Peter Ebere (EPISCO).”

 Dear readers, Dr. Edunam does not mince words. He is always in the thick of action.

And now he and his Oron Union have upped the ante. Their reputation has gone national.

When an Esit Eket son, Dr. Bassey Dan Abia was shoved out of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Akwa Ibom people rose in unison to condemn the unceremonious exit. To confirm the belief that Ibim Semintari, who served Buhari's ally, Rotimi Amaechi as Information Commissioner when the later was Rivers State Governor was promptly brought in. The president was accused of doing Amaechi's bidding.

After several months of sane agitation and negotiation, President Muhammadu Buhari bowed to popular demand and nominated erstwhile Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere and Frank Samuel George as Managing Director-Designate and Commissioner-Designate representing Akwa Ibom State on the Board of the Commission.

While the rest of Akwa Ibom are rejoicing over the appointment, Dr. Edunam and his Oro Union are against it. In clear terms, they want Buhari to reverse his decision and instead appoint an Oro son as NDDC boss. To show seriousness, they have filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an injunction to restrain the Senate from confirming the nomination of the duo.

Dr. Effiong Edunam

Methinks this is a joke taken too far by Oro Union. Before the Oros blame every Tom, Dick and Harry for their predicament, they should first of all conduct self appraisal. If Oro is marginalized, they should partly blame their sons and daughters who surrendered themselves to be used as tools in the hands of traitors. They sold their birthright for thick wads of cash. Nsima Ekere is a wrong target.

In this war waged by Oro Union, Nsima Ekere should not be the first major casualty because he is not responsible for the plight of Oro. The funny suit filed at the Abuja High Court should be condemned by all Akwa Ibomites. Nsima Ekere has been nominated to fill in the slot which was reserved for Akwa Ibom State and it behooves on all and sundry to support him. It is high time we stopped washing our dirty linen in the public.

If Oros had shown concrete interest and negotiate before now, maybe the outcome could have been different. But presently, there is no point crying over spilled milk.

However, crying wolf at this hour is hypocritical. The suit is misfired missile. The act is fratricidal. How shall it profit Oro Union if Obong Nsima Ekere is not cleared to resume work? Remember, when brothers fight to death, a stranger inherits their father's hut.

Oro Union, sheath thy sword! Thy action is straining the bond of unity in Akwa Ibom State. Or are we still haunted by the tag of being an atomistic society perpetually at war with itself?

(Ofonime Honesty is a journalist and general affairs analyst. He writes in from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. 08025286082 honestyofonime@yahoo.com)