Boom

CELEBRATING TOTAL CHAIR AT 70

Dear Chief Otu Ita Toyo,

Today, I am joining your family, friends, associates, and well-wishers to celebrate your 70th birthday. I celebrate the amazing grace of god upon your life. I celebrate your intelligence, dexterity, capacity, and humility.

Given the significance of turning 70, it is essential to contextualize why I am celebrating you today. I recall how you navigated the internal wrangling of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Akwa Ibom State-2006/2007 era. Your emergence as the State Chairman of the party did not sit well with some powerful persons, political brokers, and youth leaders in the state including myself, all of which were loyal to HE Arc. Victor Attah, as against your perceived (real or imaginary ) loyalty to abuja front. Hence, the stiff opposition against your emergence.

As events unfolded we came to appreciate your emergence because of the style,panache and dexterity you deployed in managing the complexities of the party at the time. Most importantly you stood firm to defend the victory of Chief Godswill Akpabio at the Party primaries in 2007. Despite the powers that be prevailing on you to deny and scuttle that victory, your strength of character, straight-forwardness, and integrity did not cause you to shift your stance. You defended that victory and the victory of the youths’ struggle in our state which the victory of Chief Akpabio represented. This greatly endeared me to you. Your unwavering stance despite huge financial inducement, betrayals, and attacks by some members of the State Working Committee of our Party further showed your strength and integrity.

When the dust settled, and Chief Akpabio’s government was formed, you were offered a critical appointment, but you turned it down, preferring to contest for a national position in our party. However, when it was time for our Party’s National Convention, I noticed that by political intrigues and schemings you were not favored to be presented as the candidate from the state for the position of the National Vice Chairman of the Party (South South). I was very bitter by what i saw and was emboldened by your contribution and sacrifice for the emergence of Chief Akpabio’s government and your insistence on justice and equity, to approach my then boss and mentor (Chief Godswill Akpabio) and requested him to have a conversation with you about your aspiration instead of behind your back schemings. Thank God my effort atleast led to a private meeting,the rest is history.

Since our paths crossed, I have seen firsthand your display of political dexterity, sagacity, and deep knowledge of political issues. You often discuss political events with accuracy, including dates, time, names of actors and characters, plots, and counter-plots. Your excellent command of language is legendary.

During my bid for the governorship of our dear State, you were readily available to offer me advice whenever I called on you. You have always treated me with kindness and cordiality, irrespective of our age difference. This is a testament to your humility and non-discriminatory attitude.

The story of my life will not be complete without you. Your contribution in the emergence of Chief Akpabio as Governor, which you stood your ground to defend, gave me a platform to serve in the public for a period spanning 16 years and still counting.

Your strengths, convictions, courage especially in adversity, your belief in the success of all generations most especially the younger generation, your readiness to impact knowledge, your easy-going life, your oratory prowess, your level of contentment, and many more are the reasons I celebrate you as you turn 70.

I pray God to grant you many more years and strength as our country in times like this needs men like you with decency in political communication. May your voice never dim.

Happy 70th birthday, my Total Chair.

Hon. Onofiok Akpan Luke,
Member Representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency