THE FUTURE BECKONS: A CALL FOR BALANCE IN THE WAKE OF POLITICAL REALIGNMENT
Your Excellency,
I bring warm and respectful greetings—writing not merely as a loyal party man, but as a committed democrat, political analyst, and one who has been deeply involved in the trenches of our democratic journey in Akwa Ibom State since 2016 as APC Ward Secretary in Ikpa Nnung Assang Ward 1.
I write neither to flatter nor to find fault, but as one who genuinely cares about the direction our state’s politics is taking under your leadership—a path laden with promise, yet fraught with delicate expectations.
On 11th July 2025, the Senate President, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, in what history may yet describe as an act of strategic statesmanship, entrusted the APC structure in Akwa Ibom State to you.
That symbolic moment, held at the Government House Banquet Hall, was not merely a ceremony—it was a covenant, a transfer of responsibility, and a solemn invitation to lead not only in governance but in shaping a new political order.
It is on this historic foundation that I pen this letter—with due humility and a keen sense of history.
You have consistently declared that this is a realignment, not an acquisition. That, Your Excellency, is a noble philosophy. Yet philosophy must be translated into action.
Political realignment should not only be declared; it must be demonstrably evident in the distribution of power, in appointments, in consultations, and in the inclusiveness of key decisions at every level.
Permit me to speak frankly.
If this delicate process of integration is not managed with strategic balance, ideological clarity, and emotional intelligence, it may trigger internal tensions that could fracture the APC and imperil your second-term ambition in 2027.
The APC structure that the Senate President handed over is by no means hollow. It comprises individuals—seasoned political actors—who bore the brunt of the 2023 elections without the advantage of incumbency. Many endured persecution, yet held firm. They built the very platform upon which this new realignment now stands. They are not outsiders. They are the heartbeat of the party.
These men and women deserve recognition, respect, and a rightful place at the table—not as an afterthought, but as principal stakeholders. To ignore or marginalise them in favour of newcomers motivated by convenience rather than commitment is to sow discord in a house you have only just begun to renovate.
Your Excellency, many of those now flocking around you are yet to renounce their allegiances elsewhere. Their lips speak loyalty, but their hearts still whisper to the PDP or drift towards the ADC. These are political opportunists—actors, not apostles. They seek relevance, not responsibility.
Do not be misled into thinking that aligning with the APC is a favour extended to the party. The reality is that both the party and your political future are interdependent.
As Edmund Burke once observed, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Silence or inaction at such a pivotal moment could enable betrayal and incite rebellion from within.
You must lead this process with courage and equity. The original APC stakeholders—those who flew the party’s flag in 2023—must not be relegated to mere spectators in a structure they worked tirelessly to sustain. Their loyalty is proven. Their value is manifest. Their involvement is indispensable.
In this regard, I commend the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, whose leadership of the Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF) has been instrumental in sustaining the APC. His role in galvanising the Senate President towards this historic realignment is worthy of note. He understands that unity without fairness is not peace, but a fragile truce and I guess he has mentioned that to you.
Therefore, I respectfully urge you to consider the following:
- AVOID BLANKET RETURN TICKETS FOR INCUMBENTS.
Let merit, public approval, and strategic party interest determine who returns in 2027—not sentiment or incumbency alone. - ENGAGE APC 2023 FLAGBEARERS MEANINGFULLY.
They should be integrally involved in appointments, policy consultations, and party-building efforts. Full integration cannot occur through assimilation alone. - UPHOLD INTERNAL DEMOCRACY.
Candidate selection must be transparent and participatory. Hand-picking loyalists may secure short-term control, but it undermines long-term credibility. - BE VIGILANT AGAINST POLITICAL DOUBLE AGENTS.
Surround yourself with individuals of conviction—not those who stand with you by day but conspire elsewhere by night. Exercise discernment.
History has shown that most political parties do not collapse due to external opposition, but as a result of internal disaffection and broken trust. Even Senator Akpabio’s 2023 presidential bid suffered sabotage—not from rivals, but from within. Let this instruct your leadership.
Akwa Ibom is at a decisive political crossroads. The choices you make now will determine whether you will be remembered as the leader who united a fractured house or as one who, in the name of expediency, allowed the cracks to deepen.
This is not a rebuke, but a call—a solemn call to build wisely, to lead justly, and to act boldly.
May wisdom guide your decisions. May you possess the humility to listen, and the fortitude to do what is right—even when applause tempts otherwise.
Yours in political faith,
(C) Uko Callistus
Writes from Ikot Abasi LGA
17th July, 2025
