Influence of masses, media in inciting political crises among leaders

By Emmanuel Nicholas

Throughout history, the general populace’s media has frequently acted as a catalyst for political crises among leaders, often exacerbating tensions through misguided criticism and incendiary commentary.

In numerous instances, these manifestations of dissatisfaction are disseminated through social media platforms, broadcast stations, and print media, whereby they swiftly garner widespread attention.

Such commentaries may be deliberately sponsored by vested interests, rooted in ethnocentri@c prejudices, or strategically crafted to sow discord and foster dissatisfaction between political figures.

This phenomenon underscores the profound influence that public opinion, whether informed or manipulated, can exert on the dynamics of leadership relationships.

A pertinent illustration of this dynamic can be observed in Akwa Ibom State, where political tensions between prominent leaders have been significantly influenced by the reactions of their supporters and detractors.

Tracing back to the era of Obong Victor Attah and Senator Godswill Akpabio, the succession of Akpabio as a loyal successor marked the commencement of the dualization of Aka Nung Udoe Road, a major infrastructural project.

However, this development quickly became a flashpoint for public criticism and ethnicized political discourse.

Critics from the masses accused Obong Victor Attah of neglecting to construct a major thoroughfare leading to his hometown, thereby questioning his commitment to the development of Ibesikpo Asutan.

Conversely, supporters and opponents of Akpabio launched attacks against him, alleging that his prioritization of the Aka Nung Udoe Road was a deliberate attempt to overshadow or humiliate his predecessor.

Some commentators argued that Akpabio should have focused on other infrastructural projects deemed more urgent, rather than this particular road.

Ethnic undertones permeated these criticisms, with many attributing Akpabio’s choice of project to a calculated effort to embarrass an Ibibio son, thereby inflaming ethnic sensitivities.

This wave of condemnation significantly heightened political tensions between Akpabio and Attah, engendering a climate of bitterness and mistrust.

The escalating acrimony was frequently spotlighted in indigenous newspapers, where headlines sensationalized the conflict, often amplifying minor disagreements into protracted political feuds.

The resultant atmosphere of hostility not only polarized public opinion but also entrenched divisions that persisted for decades, illustrating how the interplay of mass opinion, ethnic biases, and media misrepresentation can intensify political acrimony between leaders.

During the tenure of Deacon Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswill Akpabio as predecessors, significant infrastructural developments were initiated, notably the completion of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road.

Senator Akpabio had commenced this ambitious project and successfully commissioned its first phase. Subsequently, His Excellency Deacon Udom Emmanuel assumed office and took over the continuation of the road construction.

However, this transition sparked considerable ethnic and political tensions. Certain groups vociferously urged that Deacon Udom Emmanuel should refrain from claiming any credit for the road’s construction, asserting that the previous administration had already disbursed the full contract sum.

These groups contended that Senator Akpabio had completed more than half of the road, leaving only approximately two kilometers to Ikot Ekpene unfinished, a factually inaccurate claim.

Some critics accused Deacon Udom Emmanuel of attempting to embarrass Senator Akpabio, who hails from the Annang ethnic nationality, primarily because Emmanuel is not from the Ibibio tribe.

This ethnic undertone exacerbated the situation, leading to the institution of over thirty court cases aimed at obstructing the completion of the project under Emmanuel’s administration.

I distinctly recall that Julius Berger, the construction company responsible for the project, was compelled to issue a public statement clarifying the payment status and progress of the road to dispel the mounting allegations against Deacon Udom Emmanuel.

Unfortunately, this intervention only intensified the controversy, as opponents responded by circulating numerous communiqués accusing the government of colluding with the construction firm to insult the Senate President.

This dispute, along with controversies surrounding other developmental projects, significantly undermined the previously existing cordial relationship between the predecessor and successor administrations, thereby fostering political enmity.

Such episodes exemplify how public discord and ethnic tensions can be manipulated to create divisions among political leaders.

More recently, a new wave of public unrest has emerged, this time concerning Governor Umo Eno’s initiative to develop a comprehensive medical corridor along the Uyo-Ibiono-Ikono-Ikot Ekpene axis.

Contrary to some misconceptions, Governor Umo Eno has not abandoned the ongoing development and enhancement of the Ibom Specialty Hospital. Rather, his vision encompasses the establishment of a fully integrated health corridor, which necessitates the completion and coordination of multiple healthcare components.

Governor Umo Eno is strategically leveraging existing healthcare infrastructure, including the Ibom Specialty Hospital, the elderly people’s home with its extensive clinic facilities, the General Hospital in Ikono, and the General Hospital in Ikot Ekpene, which boasts a well-equipped dialysis center and a recently upgraded emergency center.

However, to realize a truly functional and comprehensive medical corridor, it is imperative to establish a larger referral hospital capable of managing complex and sensitive medical cases requiring advanced professional equipment.

This hospital will not only serve as a treatment center but also as a training ground for core medical professionals, thereby enhancing the overall quality of healthcare education and services in the region.

In addition to the Ibom International Hospital, Governor Umo Eno is also spearheading the development of a medical village designed to accommodate healthcare staff, thereby addressing the critical need for adequate housing for medical personnel.

Unfortunately, many individuals who seek to foment discord misunderstand or deliberately misrepresent the concept of a medical corridor, failing to grasp the Governor’s visionary plan.

To clarify, a medical corridor refers to a designated geographic zone specifically developed to concentrate healthcare-related facilities, services, research institutions, educational entities, and associated businesses.

The primary objective of such a corridor is to create a collaborative hub that fosters innovation, enhances the efficiency of medical care delivery, and promotes advanced healthcare education.

These corridors often become centers for medical tourism, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and cutting-edge research.

The essential components of a medical corridor include general hospitals, specialist hospitals, and specialty centers such as cancer and cardiac care facilities. It also encompasses clinics, outpatient care centers, and rehabilitation centers.

Beyond clinical services, the corridor must incorporate research institutions, including biomedical research laboratories, clinical trial centers, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical research outlets.

Educational institutions form another critical pillar, comprising medical schools, nursing and allied health colleges, and training centers for healthcare professionals.

Supporting services and infrastructure are equally vital, including diagnostic laboratories, imaging centers, medical equipment suppliers and manufacturers, pharmacies, drug stores, as well as health information technology and telemedicine services.

Furthermore, the corridor integrates business and commercial entities such as health startups, incubators, health insurance companies, and medical device manufacturers.

Accommodation and hospitality facilities, including hotels and lodging for patients and their families, particularly important for medical tourism, along with cafes, restaurants, and other amenities, complete the ecosystem.

The public needs to recognize that every leader brings a unique vision to governance. Governor Umo Eno’s medical corridor initiative builds upon the robust healthcare infrastructure established during Senator Akpabio’s administration, including the Ibom Specialty Hospital, the General Hospitals, and the Four Points by Sheraton hotel.

Therefore, the hostile rhetoric aired on radio stations, where callers insult the Governor, allege neglect of the Specialty Hospital, and stoke ethnic tensions, is a harmful and divisive attempt to incite political crises between Governor Umo Eno and Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The peace and unity that currently exist between these two leaders are unwelcome to certain factions who thrive on political acrimony.

I can authoritatively assert that in Akwa Ibom State, political discord among leaders is rarely the result of personal or ideological differences alone; rather, it is profoundly influenced by the actions and reactions of their supporters and detractors.

The masses, through their criticisms, whether sincere or manipulative, can inadvertently or deliberately deepen divisions, perpetuating cycles of conflict that undermine political stability and effective governance.

Understanding this dynamic is essential for fostering more constructive political discourse and preventing unnecessary crises among leadership.

Governor Umo Eno harbours no intention of humiliating Senator Akpabio, contrary to the insinuations made by many callers on radio programmes and social media platforms.

Instead, he is building a medical corridor from the infrastructure made available by Akpabio; these people must understand that the medical corridor represents an integrated ecosystem designed to unite various stakeholders in the healthcare sector to improve medical services, foster innovation, and promote economic growth related to health and medicine.

In conclusion, all parties must set aside ethnic sentiments and political bitterness to appreciate and support Governor Umo Eno’s visionary medical corridor project, which promises to significantly enhance healthcare delivery and economic development in Akwa Ibom State.