Robinson Uwak's Diatribes
Little was known about Robinson Uwak, a member representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives before 2010. In Peoples Democratic Party in which he is a member now, he was not known. In Okobo Local Government Area where he comes from, he was not heard or recognized at least by the political class. In the politics of Oro nation, he never contested for any political position nor tasted the political waters until the time of PDP primaries.
But like tsunami, he swept away political heavyweights in the area gunning for the House of Representatives aside. Notable among his victims was Peter Linus Umoh, the then incumbent member who represented the federal constituency and was seeking re-election. Another victim was Dr. Asuquo Anwana, a one-time Chairman of Udung Uko Local Government Area. The rest he defeated are still nursing wounds and are still in doubt that the way and manner the young man had floored them mercilessly.
Mr. Uwak went ahead and won the election convincingly. In the House, he is making political waves by contributing to debates. Occasionally, he comes home to address his constituents on what is known as constituency briefing. This has earned him admiration and respect of some of his people.
Unfortunately, his recent facebook post entitled 'Robinson Uwak Lampoons Akpabio' has earned him infamy and condemnations. In the said post, he descried Governor Akpabio as an uncommon transformer of Annang land. By this uncouth statement, Uwak is economical with truth and is ignorant of development spread in Akwa Ibom State. Apart, he sounded arrogant and clannish. Though Akpabio hails from Annang land, he rarely remembers his tribe in the execution of development projects. The Governor sees every clan, area, village as his and he is commonly referred to as apostle of unity.
The Governor has evenly spread social amenities among the three Senatorial Districts without discrimination or favour. Even Uyo Senatorial Distrcict which is purely Ibibio boasts of such projects as Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, Ibom Specialist Hospital, flyovers and good road network, among others.
Eket Senatorial District in which Oron is a component has Akwa Ibom InternationalAirport, Ibaka Deep Seaport, urban road network and Akwa Ibom State University, among others. Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District where Akpabio comes from has a four-star hotel, Mobile Police Base, Police Secondary School and good road network in some local government areas. These projects were executed and completed by Akpabio administration. Who are the beneficiaries of the projects?
For him to have made such a hasty generalization and invidious, inciting statement is mischievous and unbecoming of a member in the Green House, Abuja. Perhaps, his mission is to whip tribal sentiment and sow hate seed against the Governor to curry him a second term. He should not easily forgotten the timeless maxim of Uthman Dan Fodio 'Truth is an open wound, which time can heal'.
Again, Uwak posted on the facebook the discussion he had with Governor Akpabio. What a kindergarten attitude! He has clearly shown to people that he is never a person to be trusted or taken into confidence. How could he have posted a discussion he had with the State Chief Executive on the facebook? It smacks of his irresponsibility, disrespect and juvenility. How would he have felt if his wife were to post their pillow talk on the facebook? Does this " courage" portray him as a sane leader? He should not forget that one day his dubious actions, acerbic criticisms and unguarded statements would find him out.
Not done with his gaffes, Uwak called the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, a slave. Does he understand the meaning of a slave? Is a public office holder in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in this modern age a slave? As a representative of Oro people in the House of Representatives, is he their slave? This ignorant statement has belied his education and status as a knowledgeable and exposed man.
Does he know that slavery is a punishable offence and a crime against humanity as enshrined in the United Nations charter? This portrays him as a saucy person who has no respect for his elders and duly constituted authority. He should not betray his emotion to becloud his sense of reasoning.
Respect, it is often said, is reciprocal. He should learn to respect persons and offices instead of being garrulous like a market woman or behaving like a bedlam in a Chinese shop. His diatribes against public office holders (as he is one) are not based on truth but on transfer aggression, fear and suspicion. Let him not forget the legalese 'He who goes to equity must go with clean hands'. He has many foibles. Let him embark on self-cleansing mission instead of passing the buck.