By Odo Ogenyi/Victor Umana
From the ward tour of Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem senatorial campaign across Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, which started on Thursday, November 24, 2022 and ended on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 the court of public opinion has already delivered judgement in his favour.
Arising from the verdicts of 108 ward chairmen, eminent persons, opinion leaders, moulders and stakeholders consisting women, men, youths, and students who served as jury, handed down the unanimous judgement that it was the turn of Abak/Etim Ekpo Federal constituency to produce the next senator for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district in the interest of fairness, equity, justice. Hence, the “yes” have it.
Undoubtedly, their ruling is based on empirical evidence which shows that the area has not produced a representative in the history of democracy in Nigeria, despite being blessed with men of proven competence and capacity.
In view of the need for a robust representation at the red chamber, the choice of Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem was considered as a result of his meticulous, uncompromising character, commitment, loyalty, resilience and zeal to bring development to the people through human capacity building, empowerment, and infrastructural renaissance.
At the PDP ward campaign in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area precisely ward 7, the political leader, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien said the support for Enoidem who is from Abak Federal constituency is not only based on equity and justice but also on merit, integrity and a track record of accomplishments.
Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem’s burgeoning performance profile over the years in politics has attracted comments and opinions from various personalities of impeccable character across the senatorial district. The verdicts and opinions are as invaluable and as impeccable as the personalities.
Drawing an inference from the Bible, that out of the mouth of two or more witnesses, every word would be established, the approval from lawmakers, local government chairmen, opinion leaders as well as critical stakeholders within and outside the senatorial district are a testimonial of a man who have defined governance with a difference.
From ward one in Essien Udim to Obot Akara, Ini, Ikono, Ikot Ekpene, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, Abak, Ika, to ward ten in Etim Ekpo LGA, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem has justified the decision of the people to put all ‘their eggs in his basket’, by voting for him for the senate seat at the election.
To say the least, his endorsement across Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district has provided an auspicious opportunity for public appraisal of his enigmatic personality. His level of political intelligence, intellectual frankness, leadership, social engineering and progressive grit gives credence to his acceptability among the people.
When an American physician, philosopher, poet-seer, and author, Debasish Mridha postulated that, “life is not given to us for consumption, but for contribution”, he must have had Enoidem in mind as he has been actively involved in supporting and contributing to every successive government in Akwa Ibom for over 25 years.
In fact, Enoidem’s growing profile makes him favoured in the dock of public opinion, and fortunately, he has never been found wanting. Though perceptions about Enoidem are favourably varied, all 108 voices coalesce into one unadulterated verdict – Abak Federal constituency.
The Latin maxim, ‘vox populi, vox del’, meaning the voice of the people is the voice of God clearly indicates that the people’s approval of Enoidem is the same as God’s.
