INTERVIEW: “Never Underestimate The God of Akpabio” -Ita Benedict

Benedict, a former Personal Assistant to former Governor Godswill Akpabio on Local Media, is a journalist, media strategist and Peace & Conflict Scholar. In this interview with Solomon Okpo, the Publisher/Editor-in Chief of the Evangelist Newspaper, the passionate loyalist of the former Governor spoke on the Anglican Church of Nigeria Awards, the ministerial appointment, 2023 and other issues. Read on:

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is honouring the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio and Wife, Unoma with the “Award of Pillar of Compassion and Goodwill and Dorcas Award respectfully as part of the church’s thanksgiving service to round off her 2019 Synod. As his former Aide and a passionate loyalist, what’s your take on this occasion?

Let me thank you most respectfully for seeking my thoughts on the matter concerning a man I love and cherish so much. I have deep respect for your newspaper for its godly disposition, progressive and development journalism. My highest regards too to the publisher, my friend and elder brother (laughs) for your journalistic décor and I must thank you for your dint of hard work.

To your question on my take on the celebrated award to my principal, I think it is most deserving, worthy and an event to behold. That I am thrilled by the award, “Pillar of Compassion and Goodwill” is not an over statement. I think it is divine leading for the church to have settled for Senator Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio is an embodiment of compassion and utmost goodwill. His leadership of the state was propelled by such compassion and that earned him the growing goodwill that has continued to trail him wherever he goes. It was because of his daring exploits as governor of the state, pioneering a new governance brand; This Day Newspaper honoured him as Nigeria’s Emerging Tiger in January, 2010.
The same Anglican Communion had in 2012 honoured him with the Nehemiah Of Our Time Award. As a Jewish refugee captured by the Babylonians, Nehemiah found grace before the king and was granted permission to go back and rebuild the desolate city of Jerusalem. This is very significant, as Akpabio can undisputedly, be credited as the man who undertook the rebuilding of contemporary Akwa Ibom State.
For Her Excellency, her works of kindness and charity is a befitting reference to Dorcas works of compassion as recorded in the Bible. It is an honour well deserved for this wonderful, compassion filled couple.

The battle for Senator Akpabio’s ministerial nomination was a subject of heated controversy within the political circles of APC in Akwa Ibom State. Did his emergence come to you as a surprise?

Senator Akpabio reminds me of David in the Bible, a man after God’s heart despite his human frailties. This is a man who became a victim of the grandest of conspiracy by people he developed and so trusted. Despite David’s failings, God did not abandon him because of his compassion and goodwill. God searches the heart, that’s what the bible tells me.
For me, Akpabio is a man after God’s heart, a man whose compassion and goodwill is immeasurable. When God decides to raise a man, he looks at the heart to see if he will advance His works of humanity. I knew God will never abandon Akpabio, if not for anything else, for his kindness, compassion and genuine love for his people despite all the malice, intrigues and power play.

It was a tearful moment for me to watch him on the floor of the Senate during the ministerial screening. I remembered how he reacted to the humiliating comments by Senator Dino Melaye during the valedictory session to end the 8th Senate.

Don’t forget that the Kogi born Senator and melodramatist had told Senator Akpabio that they will meet on the streets of Abuja. So it was such a solemn occasion when Senator Akpabio thanked President Buhari on the floor of the senate for offering him the rare privilege to serve the country.

It is such an irony that Senator Melaye who taunted Akpabio is likely on his way out of the senate to the streets of Abuja going by the recent Tribunal pronouncement against Dino’s election. Is God not wonderful? We should be mindful of our wishes to people. The God of Senator Akpabio is a God of compassion.

So what exactly in your estimation is Senator Akpabio taking to the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry?
Senator Akpabio is a man of proven record of service. His passion for development is legendary. Even his ardent critics and political opponents will acknowledge the fact that he is such a transformational leader with the needed capacity for development. Like the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), pay off, “you can’t beat the reach”, I dare say, that you can’t beat Senator Akpabio when it comes to development.

To demonstrate Akpabio’s leadership capacity, Senator Chris Ekpenyong who is widely believed to be holding Akpabio’s Senatorial mandate in trust pending the judgment of the election petition tribunal in a widely published congratulatory message described Senator Akpabio’s ministerial appointment as a “celebration of life spent in service to humanity and marks the highest expression of confidence in your sterling qualities and abilities by a watchful nation. It is also noteworthy that your choice …is an indication that your contributions to nation building particularly the Niger-Delta have been stenciled in the tablets of our national conscience”.

Recall also that in his maiden meeting with staff of the Ministry, Senator Akpabio stated clearly that he likes leaving a legacy of service wherever he goes. He added that his utmost duty and responsibility is to help translate Mr. President’s vision in the Niger-Delta and take the region to the next level. So you can deduce for yourself what he is taking to his new office. I dare add that Senator Godswill Akpabio will leave profound imprints when he finally signs out in that ministry.

What is your parting message to Akwa Ibom people?
My message is simple and straight. Akwa Ibom is our collective heritage and we all share in its destiny. God in his infinite mercy has chosen to raise Senator Akpabio as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is not by his personal might, it is God’s grace. So as a people, we must stop fighting such grace. We should rally round him and give him all the needed support. Senator Akpabio’s appointment is a blessing to Akwa Ibom people in particular and the Niger-Delta in general. Enough of the pull him down, it is time to close ranks with this uncommon grace carrier, so that together he can improve the lots of his people to the service of humanity and to the glory of God.

As we look forward to 2023, some schools of thought had argued that Senator Akpabio has lost relevance politically in the state. Can you share your thoughts on these?

2023 is far and heavily pregnant and it is in God’s hands. He gives power to whom He pleases. Do you remember the documentary, 2010, Once in a Life Time? It chronicles the times of the hosting of the 2010 world cup in South Africa. The significance of that documentary is that the generation who lived to see that hosting may not be alive to witness a rebirth of such a magnificent event. Senator Akpabio cuts the picture of a once in a life time politician. People like him are rare. Our generation may not in a life time witness this enigmatic, iconic, puzzling and quintessential figure again. Have you also watched the American drama series, Billions, Season 1? There is this intriguing line that fascinates me, “You can’t convict a popular man”. Let me tell you without equivocation, that whoever underestimates the God of Akpabio does so at his own peril.
Permit me to use this medium to congratulate my leader, boss and mentor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, (GSM) (Laughs) first on his appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the deserved Award of Pillar of Compassion and Goodwill and his dear wife, who has also been honored with the Dorcas Award.
May God continue to bless them.

QUOTE
“Senator Akpabio is a man of proven record of service. His passion for development is legendary. Even his ardent critics and political opponents will acknowledge the fact that he is such a transformational leader with the needed capacity for development. Like the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), pay off, “you can’t beat the reach”, I say clearly that you can’t beat Senator Akpabio when it comes to development”.