OBA-AGORAPHOBIA: The Fear of OBA’s Crowds By the Opposition
“Courage combined with integrity is the foundation of character” – Brain Tracy, Canadian-American writer and author: “The Power of Self-Confidence”.
At the background of a mammoth crowd at one of OBA’s recent putings, I had out of curiosity taken a timeout to interact with some supporters on the sidelines. My aim was to know why they are always so excited to turn up, en mass, at every of his functions.
My interest was prompted by what I’ve observed as common scene and attitude over time – people of different backgrounds and demography from the 31 local government areas of the State and beyond always eager to attend Obong Bassey Albert’s functions, no matter the distance and weather condition.
Using random selection method, I started off my inquiries with three of the ever-present groups, the okadas, keke and bus operators. My chat with some of them at different locations revealed a basic reason that can neither be doubted nor contested.
Speaking the minds of those around him during the inauguration of YPP chapter office in Okobo local government area, one of the okada riders, Monday Etuk, who said they drove down all the way from Ibesit Okpokoro in Oruk Anam, joyfully told me:
“Anything OBA, we can suspend everything and go any distance. All we need is advanced information so that we can tax and mobilize ourselves on our own to attend such events even without his knowledge”.
But why would they take such pains on their own not minding the distance and expenses? Earlier in the year, Effiong Idok, a keke rider from Ini local government area, who had conveyed three of his friends to the Eket youth rally in honour of OBA, provided the answer:
“We know that when OBA becomes the governor he will not forget us. He already has demonstrated this in many ways even when he is not yet a governor. He has given us what to eat by empowering us.
Apart from many under his scholarship scheme, most of the keke, buses and cars you see at this rally were given free by him. OBA is our man. He knows us and we want him”, the chap had said.
It was quite interesting that everyone I selected for interview, including Stella Dominic, a strike-stricken University of Port Harcourt student and some market women from different villages, all shared peculiar testimonies – OBA has done this or that for them or their communities.
It was touching indeed to hear the stories and the way they all have resolved to reciprocate that gesture in the hope that the benefactor will do more when elected.
Truly, in big and small ways that cannot be forgotten, OBA has touched lives. These battalions follow him wherever he goes and already have taken a firm stand to be part of the Ballot Revolution in 2023.
I then realised why his opponents would worry over the originality and thickness of his crowds, instigating conspiracy theories, and insinuating that the people must have been “rented”. Call this fear “Oba-agorophobia”.
In the unfolding circumstances, there is always something overwhelming and instructive beyond politics about crowds at every public events organized by OBA. It cannot be an impulsive mass response or mere grandstanding, but an accumulation of solidarity made thicker and thicker by the day.
Put plainly, the enduring trust, unwavering goodwill and growing acceptability OBA has enjoyed from the masses can, essentially, be traced to his down-to-earth personality, people-oriented ideologies, and the place he constantly holds in people’s hearts in the discourse of public service.
This is why wherever he goes, he stands tall and attracts superior advantage over others in the 2023 contest. Until one has won unsolicited public trust and goodwill from the masses the way OBA has, one will always find it hard, and even impossible, to stand a chance in any contest OBA is involved, no matter the depth of one’s war chest and maneuvers by wielders of power.
The way things are going, it can be predicted that when campaigns starts in September, OBA can safely choose to use that period for his vacation in any country of choice. His personality, charisma, benevolence, and past and present scorecard of public stewardship have already campaigned and will continue to campaign for him.
Like the American Congressman Alan Mollohan, OBA can say with dare and pride, “I have never, not for once, violated my public trust”.
Those who doubt or undermine OBA’s crowds and echoes of victory songs do so at their own risk! They should just learn the truth early from the l way the masses are now waving the leaves, the symbol of YPP, at every corner!
By Destiny Akaiso
