Former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arc.Victor Attah, has identified the issuance of automatic tickets to some political office holders for a reelection as the beginning of the problems in the electoral process as well as democracy.
He added that such would not give members of the party the opportunity to select other candidates of their choice.
Attah stated this on Friday at Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort in Uyo at his eightieth birthday symposium which had the theme, ’Leadership for sustainable Democratic culture in Africa.’
According to him, “The fundamental problem of democracy is the method of selection we are witnessing today. The process of selection is where the problem of democracy starts. Today, the investors or people who bring the money to run the parties will sit down somewhere and tell you that there is something called automatic ticket.
‘’For goodness sake how can you have ‘automatic ticket’ and claim you are running democracy? Are people not expected to select those who will represent and rule over them? When did we get to this sorry state? He queried.
The former governor maintained that unless parties are funded by the people and run by the people, democracy and electoral process would still remain at risk.
He also advised office holders to exhibit the qualities of a leader and not to see themselve as gods while in office.
‘’while you are in office, also be a leader. If you can combine the qualities of leaders and have an authority in the office, believe me you will do well and you might be lucky you will not inherit those things Bishop Kukah termed as ‘inheriting enemies,’ he said.
He, however, thanked governor Emmanuel for celebrating him in a grand style, noting that this wouldn’t have been possible in the previous administration.
His words, “I am lucky to have someone like Udom Emmanuel as my governor, there were times this could not have been possible. Even though some one may have suggested it, it would have been stopped.”
In his remarks, Gov. Emmanuel said he was privileged to have sat on the same seat that former Governor Attah sat, describing him as a selfless leader who fought tirelessly for the people of Akwa Ibom state and laid a proper foundation for economic growth and development in the state.
“It is said that all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. All former governors are equal but some former governors are more equal than others. I count myself privileged to sit in the same seat that victor Attah we are celebrating today sat.
“I see a leader (Attah) who genuinely love, fought, stood for his people and worked tirelessly for his people. You played politics without name calling
“Politics will come and politics will go, but the Akwa Ibom project will remain,” Gov. Emmanuel said.
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