GOVERNOR OKOWA: APC DELTA STATE AND THE POLITICS OF STOMACH INFRASTRUCTURE

At intervals, I always enjoy having interesting chats with several friends online. But in random thoughts, I took a second look at those who are most vociferous against the current administration in the State and discovered that they are all immediate past members of PDP who moved over to APC after the general elections in 2015. It was also most funny and interesting to note that none of the original members of the APC in the State go online to haul attacks and invectives at the present administration.

After analyzing the underlining motives for the exasperation of the former members of the PDP, I came to seriously agree with the concept of stomach infrastructure.  And I wept for the future of Nigeria.  There may be no hope for any better future.  Why?          

I have always held Karl Marx in high esteem as one of the most realistic social scientists of all time.  Marx postulated that the economy is the foundation upon which every other sphere of life is built.  Be it a state (here meaning country), society or family.

When you reduce the concept of economy to the family or individual level, you will discover that an economy begins with food, i.e. stomach.  The Bible tells us that man cannot live by bread alone.  But it is a fundamental fact that without bread or food, man cannot live at all.

These former members of PDP who were yesterday in NDDC, DESOPADEC, Legislature, State exco and personal aides of Governors among others, understand this whole theory very well.  As my friend Jahswill Asaba has noted, they cannot afford to be out of office for too long. So, it is time to really get busy concocting all kinds of idle stories to satisfy their whimsical fancies. They must survive, and to do so, they must be vociferous, creating an illusion of being activists and fighters.  A visual one of course! That way, they can be recognized and have bread on their table.

But it is unfortunate that development is not on their agenda or in their character.  These visual politicians are only out to be noticed, so that bread could be on their table. Take note of their weekly itinerary – it is from Ughelli/Warri to Abuja and Ughelli/Warri to Port Harcourt.  If the young man at NDDC look in between the line, he would notice that the former PDP members are the more prominent people around him. They are smarter, because they understand the game. 

However, it should always be noted that the entire objective of these online activism and attack against the current administration in Delta State is only to provoke bread from either the APC structure at the federal level or bend the hands of the Governor to bring them on board. None of them is thinking about the development of their immediate communities.

It is on record that at intervals, the State government publishes various projects under construction or rehabilitation across the three senatorial districts. Anyone is free to make a photocopy of the list and go around the State to see what is going on. All projects awarded by this administration have either been completed or nearing completion. This administration is not operating in the propaganda world. It is on ground.

Governor Okowa is too focused, meticulous, responsible and an organized family man to be involved in all this shenanigan. He does not have enemies to fight as he does not see opposition as enmity.

Governor Okowa is a leader with an uncommon vision and determination to make a difference in leadership and restore the confidence of Deltans in government. With the current economic recession, things may be difficult but he has the superior knowledge to carry the State forward and he is being doing just that, having refused to be distracted by hungry, publicity seeking mischief makers. 

The State government is not under the illusion that there are no forces against the worthy intentions of the Governor, the basic reality, however, is that the Governor remains undeterred. 

This State needs an all integrative development. It is therefore necessary for all its citizens to be involved in constructive engagement. The mischief makers should desist from deliberately crying wolf.

History is always lenient on people with good intentions, while nature has a way of dealing with those who are out to thwart the efforts of God-ordained leaders.