..As Emmanuel Enoidem Becomes PDP National Legal Adviser Today

By Tom FredFish

All is now set for the PDP National Convention today at the eagles square, Abuja. The convention has been described as a time bomb that will pull the former ruling party together and forge it on strong contention to take over power from the ruling APC in 2019 or continue to pull it back and leave the confused APC at the centre beyond 2019.

But pessimistic observers notes that the PDP knows what is at stake and will do everything to make the convention successful - coming out stronger and united. They opined that today's elective convention is the last opportunity for the PDP to put her house in order if they must muscle power from the APC come 2019, else they would spoil the goodwill and readiness of Nigerians to embrace them as alternative platform in their attempt, eagerness and willingness to discard the already disappointing ruling party, APC.

The bone of contention today is not only who becomes the PDP Chairman but whose zone should produce the Chairman. While some governors especially from the south South who are seen to wedge big influence on the PDP wants the position, the South West argued that the position should naturally be given to them base in the fact that their zone commands electoral value (number) and as the zone with the highest population after the North, they should produce the chairman and use his influence to put the West in tune and proper perspective for PDP come back. This did not sell within the South South governors and some powerful senators of the PDP. The die is cast.

However, other positions seems to be readily and contestively available for aspirants to occupy. One position that has attracted attention is the position of the PDP National Legal Adviser.

As a unit of organization, crisis within party stalwarts is inevitable, hence lie the critical importance of the office which should be manned by an experienced, dependable, and astute legal luminary.

One person who fits this description perfectly is barrister Emmanuel Enoidem. A man who can be trusted to deliver on any given assignment and at any given time.

What makes Enoidem thick for the position? As a budding Lawyer in the Chambers of the Late Dr. Akwaowo Essien from 1991 to 1993 and down to the University of Uyo where he held sway as a Lecturer at the Law Department, Barrister Enoidem had exhibited exceptional character and respect for his superiors and work schedule. He was always seen as the homely one at any place of work and would hardly speaks whenever he finds himself in the gathering of his superiors except he was asked to do so. For him, how to deliver on the job matters more than loud voices.

As a young executive Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area in 1997, Enoidem never allowed the position get into his head. He was said to have driven himself all through the period of his tenure as he once told few colleagues who were worried about deflating the flamboyance of the office that, being driven about won't get the job done but commitment and sincerity of purpose delivers in public service. Barrister Enoidem is not only humble but humane.

His sojourn into politics exposed his modest nature and drew him to the heart of former governor Godswill Akpabio who took him as a confidant and relied on him when making critical policies during his titillating tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State.

It was for that singular reason, one of, selflessness and service that drew the attention of Governor Udom Emmanuel to Enoidem who now earned his trust and returned him as a Commissioner in 2015.

His appointment and subsequent swearing-in came as shock to detractors and political jobbers who had thought that service to one’s State for Barrister Enoidem was self aggrandizement and had advocated for his early political retirement. Unfortunately for these self seeking people, Governor Udom who always reiterates that his administration will not sacrifice merit and competence, for political expedition, saw Enoiden as a tool for achieving his desire to fulfill his campaign promises of industrializing the state as well as create wealth and put food on the table of Akwa Ibom people.

Plagued with an intractable crisis in 2016 that begs for quality professionals to take over and redeem the PDP at the centre, governor Udom first choice for the sensitive position of the PDP national Legal Adviser was no other person than Enoidem hence he urged and encouraged him to contest the position due to the fact that Enoidem's experience both as a lawyer and public servant is an attestation that whatever, he sets in, gets better, if not immediately, with time.

There is no doubt that a man whose ovation continues to drum loud is definitely susceptible to attacks especially by political hecklers and those who seems bent on making the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel and the PDP come back unsuccessful hence the protracted sponsored attacked on the person of Barrister Enoidem.

But Enoidem is not detracted, he's seen it all that the moment of trial, contestation are no moment of sobriety but one of reflections and focus. He once drew my attention to a quote which noted that "a saint was asked what is anger, and he gave a beautiful answer that it is the punishment we give our self, for some body else's mistake." What a take!

As barrister Emmanuel Enoidem clings the position of the PDP National Legal Adviser today, it is without doubt that the PDP at the centre will today register in their folds one of the most strategic sought-after asset in Nigeria who may be the signpost for the turn around of PDP fortunes come 2019. I join thousands of Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians to wish barrister Emmanuel Enoidem the best today.

Congratulations in advance.

Comrade Tom FredFish is a youth activist, policy analyst and media consultant

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