Akwa Ibom Guber 2023: Don’t Write-Off Onofiok Luke

I’ve seen many people make diverse permutations prior to the 2023 gubernatorial race in Akwa Ibom State, and who would eventually pick the Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket.

In their individual analysis, virtually all of them have placed their priority on one of the richest aspirants emerging as governor by 2023. They’ve unanimously written off the former Akwa Ibom House Assembly Speaker, Barr. Onofiok Luke with a reason that he do not have the financial capability of hijacking the PDP’s ticket from the top billionaire aspirants.

Maybe it’s true that the one time: University of Uyo Students Union President, National Association of Nigerian Students Senator, National Youth Parliament Speaker, Personal Assistant to the then governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio two term House of Assembly Member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Speaker, presently the National President of the University of Uyo Alumni, also Federal House Member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, Chairman House Committee on Federal Judiciary, and member of other House Standing Committees, is the least when financial strength is considered. But one thing that has eluded their thinking is that, the popular Onofiok Luke has what so many other aspirants may not have; he’s a carrier of grace.

Onofiok Luke has proven to be a carrier of God’s Great grace from his days at college. As a student of the prestigious University of Uyo, and one who stood up for everything right, he was massively elected as the Students Union President.

After his election as SUG president, his inauguration was delayed for six months because his popularity was a threat to the Authorities. He was later inaugurated into office as SUG president in August, and by September, he was removed from office. Onofiok has remained the shortest serving SUG president in the history of Students Unionism in Nigeria.

History has it that his disagreement with the authority over an unprecedented increase in tuition fee, and unacceptance to the arrangement which he was to be endowed a certain percentage from this hike in tuition fee, there was a conspiracy which saw his immediate removal as the student’s leader. He made sure that irrespective of all the juicy offers tabled before him, he organized a protest against the authorities because of the rise in school fee. His priority was to protect the interest of Nigeria students which were his subjects, and he staked his academics toward achieving it.

He was subsequently expelled from school. When recalled, it became a challenge for him to be graduated with his merited first class, but because of the grace he carries, his merit was awarded him.

In 2015 when Onofiok stood a reelection for the State House seat, the then governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Akpabio had a face-off with him. Efforts were made to stop his ambition, but with all the money pumped into this course, the connections, influence and securities, he won Akpabio’s candidate flawlessly that the later did not have even a vote during the party primaries.

At the cause of the inauguration of the 7th Assembly, Onofiok Luke was in the right position to have been made Speaker, but the reverse was the case. After his emergence as Speaker in three consecutive nominations, he was deprived of the position, and a first timer was announced Speaker. Onofiok never still left his party, neither did he venture into a combat with the government of the day. His loyalty and proactive nature were still intact: something so many people wouldn’t have been able to do.

Few months later, the Appellate Court annulled the election of Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, the first timer that was made speaker. This created a void in the 7th Assembly, and it became a necessity for the vacant position to be filled in order to stimulate effective legislative business. All members of the State Assembly unanimously nominated Rt. Hon. (Barr) Onofiok Luke as their new speaker. This was a juncture where it was outrightly proven and accepted that Onofiok Luke is a grace carrier. This alone has distinguished him from others, and can never be underestimated.

In 2019 when he aspired to represent his Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, to some people, it was a mission impossible because the party hierarchy was okay with the then Federal Lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon, who was aspiring to return for a second term.

Because one with God’s grace is considered not ordinary, the extraordinary event occured: Onofiok was cleared as the sole candidate for Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency at the dying minute. Few days to the general elections, the Federal House Candidate of the All Progressives Congress declined contesting the election. According to him, he wasn’t interested in the position any longer.

In all elections, the extraordinary and incredible Onofiok has always used “Amazing grace” as his campaign slogan. This factor has come to his rescue all these years.

From inception, Onofiok Luke has never won an election at platter of gold: forces and people that regard themselves as mini-gods have always stood up against his ambitions. It’s always as if there’s noway he would succeed, but at the end, God always prove Himself as the only true God. The amazing grace factor always sees him through.

In almost all of his elections, Barr. Luke is always the least in every ramification. But how the least has always become the first is one reason people shouldn’t write him off ahead of the 2023 governorship race in Akwa Ibom State.

Onofiok Luke might not have the financial strength like others, but from his history, he has what many others may not have. Addition to this grace factor is his age, popularity, involvement in grassroot politics, openness, sincerity, philanthropic and social lifestyle, interest in youth development, and dreams for his State, have put him in the most advantaged position over others.

While some people in the state are clamouring to have an home based politician as governor, so many people are hoping to have a governor that is younger than the incumbent governor. So writing off Onofiok Luke in an election he’s so much interested in winning, is entirely suicidal. I’ve followed this man for years and I can attest to the fact that God is with him.