HAS THE BEAUTY OF DEMOCRACY EVER BEEN BEAUTIFUL?

Omini Oden

The only definition of beauty I agree with, I don’t know about you, is the one that alludes that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” or the big question, “What is in a man’s mind eye”

Only the beholder sees it all when it comes to appreciation of beauty. You that is imagining so many things and scenarios of what would have led to the relationship, in this case between the man and woman penultimate man and wife will be in disbelief for most part of your life. Only the fellows in the relationship can figure out what led to and cemented the union.

The beauty of democracy is a different kettle of fish looking at it from all fronts depending on which direction you are viewing it from or which interests or faction you belong, after all politics is about permanent interests but no permanent enemies. What is playing out in the political space in Cross River State demands caution and tact. For now, the pendulum is still oscillating, no one knows where the pendulum will stop at the end of the oscillation. Depending on which direction or position, six can appear as nine and nine can appear as six?

All the platforms, parties and interests groups must be careful. Those who have taken sides either way, those playing double standard and those who are neither here nor there must thread with care or will ultimately be caught in the web. Experience reveals that when political interests is at cross roads, also when political heavy weights are conflicting, there comes a time when they shift grounds, agree and settle, it has never been cast in stone no matter how vicious or long the crisis last. In the end, all those identified as taking sides, playing double standard and staying aloof suffer or get sacrificed.

Cross River State as it stands now, is enveloped in full blown political conflict and clash of interest among like minds and strange bed fellows. Nobody for now can tell where it will end, how it will end, who will be sacrificed and how the gladiators will settle. A quick check from months leading to 1999 election to date reveals that among some prominent politicians in the state, it has been a dance and journey of disconnections to connect and connections to disconnect. Let me not bore you with details but I guess rightly that you understand where am heading.

If we have a good sense of history, the Joseph Wayas-Clement Isong-Donald Etiebet “roforofo” during the NPN and UPN days readily comes to mind. Clement Ebri-Wilfred Ina tussle still hangs there. Take a critical look at the political gladiators in the state, between 1999 to date some no doubt have remained consistent, others have played from one political party to the other depending on which interests dominates them at the time.

Donald Duke-John Okpa episode also readily comes to mind. The clash of interests between Duke and John was very pitiable yet they took off governing Cross River State on a most friendly and seamless standpoint. Donald will hardly complete a speech without saying “John and I” but what happened in the end? I can go on and on. Step down to the state legislature, recall Orok Duke”s PDP-APP runs and at the local government level, same played out. What was the picture in the end?

Towards the end of Donald Duke’s reign, activities that played up ahead of the party primaries left much to desire. It was crystal clear that despite the much talk about the trio of Mr. Donald Duke, Senator Liyel Imoke and Senator Gershom Bassey, there were misgivings that almost scuttled the plan. Candidates from nowhere emerged (Walter Eneji and Julius Okputu) challenging Liyel Imoke within the PDP yet heavens did not fall. It ended in praise for Liyel Imoke since he emerged victorious even at that he still opened his arms and brought in players from other platforms to serve in his administration. Some key players during Liyel Imoke’s tenure came from APP later ANPP. They were originally not PDP members.

That Ben Ayade, incumbent Governor of Cross River State dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the governing All Progressives Congress is in itself the beauty of democracy, you or others might call it a mild drama but how mild? I then ask, is the beauty of democracy ever beautiful? Most often it comes with thorns and migraine that only bending backwards, strategizing and reflecting deeply will bring about resolutions and solutions.

Belonging to either of the divide is okay but what electoral and political value do you have? How relevant are you in your political ward? You can send countless post on social media, are you relevant politically? That’s what counts and matters for now.

The end result ultimately will be either battle of the titans or a walkover at the polls and by and large a winner will emerge and alignments and realignments will surface. No matter which divide you are playing from, Cross River State is ours to keep, develop and promote. The noise out there recently has been too loud for the wrong reasons ultimately.
Let’s play it calm and collected.

Omini Oden (ACPA, FCAI), is a media Practitioner and writes from Abuja.