OPINION.. What is The Offenve of Former APC State Executive  Committee Members

BY Okang MGBE

"Abeg o,I say make I ask my country people for APC, which offence weh some Former members  of the State Executive Committee of the party commit weh dem de share appointments leave dem?"

This is the question that a keen observer raised recently after he did an analysis of the appointments so far made by this administration and the calibre of people who have benefitted.

This question is it that has attracted my concern and has of course, brought about this  piece.

I know some of these folks who have died having laboured selflessly for the party to succeed,and after it's success, their hopes of being beneficiaries dashed. They rather were abandoned in their helpless situations.

Is it Rufus Eiye?or Runyi Kanu? or Romanus Egbonyi? or  Boss Ukpo? or Atim Mgbe? All Former members of the State Executive Committee at a time. They either struggled with lack,poverty and or diseases and gave up in the process.

There are no known compensation for them anywhere nor to their families to assuage for their selfless service to the party. This is so sad!

Those who are still alive today but abandoned too have been facing severe, agonising economic situations. Some of their Colleagues who are in positions of authority cannot even help them. 

Of the 45 Commissioners in the State Executive Council, only about 4 are Former Exco Members. Can these number cater for their growing needs of accommodation,school fees for their wards, feeding and others,when they have not satisfactorily met their own needs?

I recall that in the days of these abandoned ones,the Party was treated as a thrash. 

Themselves were given such prefixes and names as "Boko Haram Party members," " Members of the Hausa/Fulani Party." Some of today's beneficiaries use to mock them with the name tag "APC na outdated drug." Yet,they kept the faith,and hoped that the party will later be in Government and become a reward to them.

 But alas,their expectations and benefits appears to have been shortchanged.

Those days,the Owan Ekpes, the Pastor Bassey Itas, the Offiong Effangas, the Felicia Edemas, the Mary Edoms, the Vodina Enyas, the Victor Ebongs, the John Ochalas, the Val Enejis,the Asu Mgbes, the Stackulus Ikengas, the Mashok Makkpers, the Vivian Eworos, the EyobEgbais,the Affiong Ekpos and many others use to have periodic review of the chances of the party,and come up with a strong resolve not to compromise nor mortgage the party's chances of winning elections at any time,even when they had the opportunity to do so and keep a straight face.

They saw a party that will later become a household name in Cross River State and  Nationally too. It has been so now.But what becomes of their hopes that the party will also become a blessing to them?

During the Ayade days,as the former Governor made his way into the party at the twilight of his administration,they were treated badly and with contempt.The scars of those unruly treatments are still visible.

But what has become of them today,almost two years of the People's First Administration of Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu?

How many of them are Special Advisers? How many head Boards, Agencies and Parastatals of today's Government?
How many are Chairmen,Vice Chairmen or Secretaries of Local Government Councils?
How many are Senior Special Advisers or Senior Special Assistants and so on?

I think that whatever consideration His Excellency would have had for the Legacy members of the party would have first addressed the expectations of the Members of the Former State Executive Committee before anyone or anything else.

They weathered the storms. They slept in the trenches,they denied themselves rest,all in a bid to make sure the party gains. 

They are likened to the proverbial Goose that lays the Golden egg.
Should they be killed or should they not be killed?

Incidentally,there is a warning that has gone forth: "Kill not the Goose that lays the Golden egg."

But if anyone is suggesting that these ones (Goose)should be discarded or allowed to remain in perpetual rejection or abandonment (killed) let me ask again,"What has been their offence?"

We appreciate the People's First Administration for the likes of Effiom Ekaha, Francis Ekpenyong,Edema Irom,Edodi Edodi, Katame Emilia among others on their appointments and elections as the case may be.

However,this is just a small portion in a mighty ocean of challenges facing this crop of leaders.

This calls for the attention of the People First Administration,to make sure these die hard Progressives have a substantial share in the spoils of office through appointments.

 Okang Mgbe Is a former Exco of APC and Wrote from Etung LGA.