Akwa Ibom 2019: Politicians, Delegates and "Mbiam" (Juju) (A MUST READ)

Akwa Ibom 2019:  Politicians, Delegates and "Mbiam" (Juju) (A MUST READ)

These are uncertain times. As it is, politicking is gathering momentum in all aspects as it concerns 2019 general election. Our Nigerian politicians are becoming masters of intrigues as events continue to unfold. Defection, scheming, blackmail, tongue lashing, and all what not, seems to be the most preferred political measures adopted to survive this uneasy road to 2019.

Of course, what is politics in Nigeria, if these factors don't play out. Even, it is now, almost seen as normal, that for one to get into the corridors of power, whatever means must be used, with no regards to the consequences. Sad. Politics in Nigeria has been stripped of all features that makes it desirous in other climes, and reduced to a deadly, sleazy and better imagine than told game.

In Akwa Ibom state, the story remains the same and getting worst by the day. Politicians from hell have gone spiritual and fetish, especially, as they strive to emerge candidates in their various political parties in view of the general election.

They have allegedly began to administer "mbiam" (traditional oath of loyalty) to delegates. And little do the latter know that "mbiam" is deadly, and not what to joke with. It has the potency to wipe their entire household and affect generations unborn.

I remember vividly. During the build up to 2011 general election. I had on a Saturday night defiled a heavy downpour to visit an elderly friend in his home. He was a delegate as at then. We sat in his living room. All was not well. His body language had long betrayed him. He was a troubled soul. So I enquired and he opened up.

According to him, he was lured to a political meeting, where he was given a huge sum of money and forced to take mbiam by a certain politician who was seeking his party's ticket. Today the Ibiono Ibom man is no more. He left mother earth shortly after the 2011 election. Whether he voted the certain politician who gave him money and mbiam to swear, one cannot tell. Whether it was the mbiam that killed him, one cannot really ascertain. But he died a mysterious dead. And the vulgarity of the sad commentary is that, his only son joined him one year later in a mysterious circumstance.

However, the question is, how did mbiam find its way into Akwa Ibom politics? Some have argued it was a time a certain Annang man was governor of this state.
Some had outrightly accused the former governor and now Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. Godswill Akpabio of being the one who opened the floodgate of this alien political culture.

And one of those who form the long list is a former Minister and present All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant, Sen. James Akpan Udoedeghe. Sen. Udoedeghe had on various occasions in a radio interview made case for Sen. Akpabio. He accused Akpabio of being the one who gave mbiam to Akwa Ibom sons and daughters during 2011 election. He had no water in his mouth when he made the revelation.

And Akpabio, who is now in the same party (the All Progessives Congress - APC) with Udoedeghe, has never for one day debunked this wild claims ( at least not to  the knowledge of this writer).

He seems to throw deaf ears, forgetting that evil deeds in history are often more easily remembered than the good ones. That is why William Shakespeare posited that "the evil that men do lives after them...". If we are to take Udoedeghe's words to the bank, Akpabio should bear in mind, history shall remember him, as that Annang born politician who gave Akwa Ibom sons and daughters mbiam as it concerned his political  interest.

Meanwhile, the incumbent lawmaker representing Ikono State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Udofia has been recently accused of such diabolic practice.

According to the story which found its way to the social media, Udofia contracted a Royal Father (his uncle) to administer "mbiam" to some Ikono/Ini delegates in a bid to win the House of Representative seat for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency in the forthcoming primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

The devilish act is said to have gone down at the private residence of the Royal Father in Uyo off Abak road after the State Secretariat complex, where few delegates escaped and later leaked the story.

Again, whether this is true or not, one cannot ascertain. Though, Udofia is one man rumoured to be capable of many things. But one of his supporter had dismissed the claims as a witchhunt.

Nonetheless, this should be a wake-up call to delegates as it concerns their political party primaries. Delegates should be conscious of the various night meetings they attend in a politician's house, to avoid been forced into the devilish traditional oath taking (mbiam).

Also, politicians and traditional rulers involved in this diabolic practice should understand this is not the way to go.

Traditional rulers should be on the know that ‘juju (mbiam) is a crime punishable under section 211 of the criminal code according to a one time Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk.

Moreover, I am of the opinion that every aspirant to every elective position should work hard, and learn to understand that, it is only an effective applicability of sagacity, candor, perseverance that incubates grace, and not mbiam.

By Dopse Eberefiak