Posers from IBB’s Book show that there’s no sane substitute to democracy, says Senator Ekong Sampson

…Uyo Book Club honours jurist-writer

By Samuel Udoma

Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South in the Nigerian Senate, has reiterated his firm position that there is no sane substitute to democracy as a system of government. Senator Sampson however, noted that democracy should not be seen as an isolated model.

Senator Sampson stated this while commenting on the backdrop of a range of posers emanating from the recent public presentation of the book, ‘A Journey in Service’, written by former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.

General Ibrahim Babangida, widely known as ‘IBB’, ruled Nigeria from 1985-1993. One of the most contentious memories of his regime was his annulment of the June 12, 1993 democratic elections, widely believed to have been won by late Chief Moshood Abiola. IBB himself, acknowledged the victory in his new book. Many believe the 1993 elections, had it not been annulled, would have marked a watershed for the country. More than three decades later, the commentaries have continued to rage on.

Senator Ekong Sampson, well renowned for his deep insights, offered his perspectives over the weekend, during a special reading session by Uyo Book Club held at the William Shakespeare Hall, Watbridge Hotels, Uyo in honour of Honourable Justice Ita Mbaba, recently retired Justice of the Court of Appeal. Sampson is patron of the book club.

The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin, in his goodwill message delivered by Dr. Martin Akpan, a notable medic-writer, said:

”Some of the major contradictions which the book has raised reinforce the view that there is no sane substitute to democracy. Those who are still jubilating over events in Nigér and some other countries in the West African sub-region, will sooner than later, realize that they have been scammed, politically.”

Going further, Senator Sampson noted:

“Democracy would have tolerated the views of Ken Saro-Wiwa, and I wouldn’t have had to frame the lamentation in _The Medalist,_- one of my poems, in tribute to the writer-environmentalist. Even the apartheid regime, as nasty as it was, managed to preserve Mandela, while post-colonial military dictatorship in Nigeria wasted Ken, students, Rewane, Kudirat, Giwa, Funmilayo, Yar’Adua and many others.”

Senator Ekong Sampson however, cautioned that democracy must not be seen as an isolated model, but one that must exist alongside good governance, including free and fair elections, to have, in his words, ‘valid, productive political security.’

Senator Sampson paid tribute to Justice Ita Mbaba, saying that he has exited the Bench with his head held high. Sampson, himself a lawyer, hailed the contributions of Justice Mbaba to law, jurisprudence and literature. He said, despite Mbaba’s heights and accomplishments, the eminent jurist has always stood out for his depth, simplicity and humility. ‘Justice Mbaba is an asset to Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria,’ Sampson added.

Two of Senator Ekong Sampson’s poems ‘The Verdict’ and ‘A Broken Bridge’ were read at the session in honour of Justice Mbaba. The well attended session was graced by Justices of the Court of Appeal, High Court Judges, Lawyers, Law students, journalists and members of the book club. The session featured a review of the book, ‘Burden of a Judge’, written by Justice Mbaba and other presentations in honour of the top jurist.