I laughed yesterday when some people celebrated on the social media that Pst. Umo Eno's name is replaced with that of Babantan as the authentic governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom state. I laughed because it was so premature to conclude. It was not necessary.

A good student of history should understand that what is currently happening in the state is a bout between darkness and light; falsehood and truth; unrighteousness and righteousness. As it stands, there has never been a time when darkness prevailed over light. Light must always comprehend darkness, and that is what will happen.

A cursory look at the list of all the governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom state shows that a greater percentage have ulterior motives and dubious intentions for the state. Some, not all, want the governorship position by all means as an escape route from prosecution and incarceration. Bassey Albert falls into this category. He is after the resources of the state, after amassing wealth for himself as a finance commissioner for 7 years, and as a senator for 8 years. If he has anything to offer, 15 solid years in government would have been enough to impact as much lives as possible. But greed won't allow him rest.

Also, Akan Udofia through the instrumentality of Godswill Akpabio went to court to secure midnight judgement, as the authentic governorship candidate of the APC. Everyone knows Akpabio's pattern of politicking. He is simply attempting to return as a de facto governor. It is glaringly clear that Akan Udofia does not know anything about governance. Akpabio is the one speaking on his behalf, as Udofia is only acting as a political robot, waiting for Akpabio's command at every point in time. It would be very risky to hand over the destiny of over 7 million inhabitants of the state to someone who does not understand the nitty gritty of governance.

On the other hand, James Udoedeghe, although not so popular again, is a household name when it comes to governorship contest in the state. But everyone knows that he is a political business man. All he wants is compensation and reward. He does not care much about his supporters. In 2011, it could be recalled that he led many youths to their early graves as a result of his ambition. What was he really looking for? He wanted to buy the Oku Iboku paper mill, but his greedy move was blocked by Godswill Akpabio. So Udoedeghe decided to fight back, by using the blood of the innocent youths who lost their lives while struggling to fight for him. Did Udoedeghe do anything for the families of these youths? The answer is capital NO. He is fond of using and dumping people. That is his stock in trade.

However, Akpabio still compensated him, as he negotiated with Akpabio to constructed the road(Afaha Offot) leading to his house. The blood of the people was exchanged with a road construction contract that was not up to a kilometer. What a waste of destiny.

Today, he is out again to mislead the people. He is planning to use the office of the governor to buy government properties, including the paper mill using a third party. He would use such position to enrich himself. God forbid.

Another unworthy servant is Babantan who came up with his own fraudulent sense to become the governor of Akwa Ibom state. This is laughable. Beyond the eye of the law, in natural sense, Babantan did not participate in the governorship primary of the PDP. Rather, he hired people to act as INEC officials and party delegates/agents, and conducted what he termed as governorship primary in his house. This has never happened before.

He then forged signatures of INEC officials and party officers, and misled the court to declare him the authentic governorship candidate of the PDP. Although, the case is still in court, it is worth noting that such a dubious fellow at the helm of affairs of the state would spell doom for the over 7 million people living in the state.

It is quite funny that people are clapping him, calling it a smart move. It's not. It is simply a fraudulently nonsensical exercise that will land him in jail. There is no sense at all in what he is doing. It is not even logical. There is a proverb that says when God wants to punish a rich man, He gives him the job of taking care of cows. Babantan's cup will soon be full, and the end of this drama will come.

If the judgment he surreptitiously gotten from the court stands(God forbid), a very bad precedence would be set. Anybody can wake up and approach the court, present forged documents and get what he wants. It is not healthy for posterity. This error must be corrected for the sake of generation unborn.

It is quite embarrassing that this fraud is done by one who claims to be a federal lawmaker. What legacy is he leaving for his constituents?

What is happening now is that these dubious fellows who feel that the Hill Top mansion should be their retirement benefit are ganging up against the only man that has good intentions for Akwa Ibom people.

But with the support of the people, and in the spirit justice and fairness, Pst. Umo Eno will be sworn in as Governor of Akwa Ibom state come May 29. I am 100 per cent sure of this truth.

This will give him the opportunity to advance his plans for the people of Akwa Ibom state. Farmers in the state will be empowered to ensure that there is food sufficiency in the state. Pst. Umo Eno's dream for rural development will be achieved, and his agenda for the youths and women will be actualized.

His all-inclusive Arise Agenda will see the light of the day. The infrastructural development and maintenance enshrined in the economic blueprint of Pst Umo Eno will manifest, and those who are scared that he will do too much won't have where to hide.

Let it be made known that darkness will not comprehend the light in Akwa Ibom. No matter the gang up which did not start today, Pst. Umo Eno will prevail. The enemy will scatter for the sake of Pst. Umo Eno, and Akwa Ibom state will continue to excel in all ramifications.

Finally, Akwa Ibom state is safe in Pst. Umo Eno's hand, and since this is the will of the people of Akwa Ibom state, it shall come to pass. Nothing will stop it, not even the court.

By: Richard Peters