Donald Duke: A Thief In The Dark Or A Super Achiever?

By

W. Ernest Etim-Bassey

william_etim-bassey@canada.com

 

 

Introduction

 

Barely one year out of office and accusations of corruption and a sharp critique of his 8yr tenure threaten to destroy Donald Duke’s legacy in Cross River state. Unflattering stories that question his fiscal sincerity are threatening to unload a tell-all of his tenures dirt. So where does this leave Cross River state? In a very precarious position.

 

Even in the heat of political arguments or disagreements, ratting out on your associates because of personal discontent isn’t a cool thing to do; If you do, you lose the one thing that political collaborators hold sacred – trust.

 

Yet whether the accusations are genuine or manufactured, it has provided shocking evidence and lively moments in our normally sedate political landscape. Accordingly, I explore some issues in the broader context of Dukes tenure and the run up to the 2007 elections in Cross River state, and conclude that Donald Duke was a super achiever in reality. One essential theme shapes the structure of my position; Dukes total transformation of Cross River state.

 

The issue of politics

 

Even in defeat, in what was a valiant performance before being vanquished by a series of smart yet controversial political trade-offs during the PDP’s presidential convention; Duke emerged relatively unscathed. So what’s gone wrong? Duke ran a “transformational” government that ultimately positioned Cross River state as Nigeria’s tourism hub and a major political player in our nation’s affairs.  

 

In the aftermath of the 2007 gubernatorial elections in Cross River it seems the opposition was in a rush to blame Donald Duke for every perceived political short-coming in the state, which is natural.

 

In the game of politics when an opponent loses, it is usually the victor that gets “thrown under the bus”. And Duke, who like most socio-political leaders in the 3rd world is prone to self-aggrandizement which makes him an easy and convenient target, wasn’t helped by the disunity and weak strategy of the opposition party Cross River state.

 

While many neutral observers’ regard the 2007 gubernatorial elections in Cross River state as a relatively fluid one, some critics and members of the political opposition paint a grim picture of mass rigging and incompetence by election officials. Then again survival is the mantra in politics.

 

Regardless of what the bottom line is, there is substantial evidence that Duke went against the traditional principles of what a “Calabar” state Governor was supposed to be by working to his strengths, reinventing the state, being comparatively more forward thinking, and being the party man - and nobody played into these images more than he did. There is no 'sweet science' about these facts.

 

In an age of political favors to the detriment of the people and state he held steadfast to his ideals and dreams of building a vibrant and geopolitically relevant state.

 

Don't believe me? Just look at what other state governors with larger monthly derivative subventions than Cross River state in the South East of the country have achieved; yeah, Orji Kalu – He won Eyimba of Aba the African Champions league yet left the state totally underdeveloped and the people poorer. Ibori, Alam’s, Odili? Please.

 

No, Duke isn't the next coming of Awolowo or Aminu Kano, but he's far above 'the Saminu Turaki Line'. Maybe, just maybe, Duke is not quite as bad as his detractors want us to believe.

 

In the spirit of thanks giving

 

There are many positive achievements to be thankful for from the Duke years, for all they’re worth.

 

Say what you will, but Dukes total transformation of Cross River is quite a feat. Years ago I would never have thought of Calabar as an ideal vacation destination for my family, in reality. I now look forward to Christmas in Calabar when I can afford one.

 

The morbid years of the former city of “darkness and witchcraft” is no more as carnivals and fun are now associated with Calabar. Gosh, many major financial institutions now have branches in Calabar and the indigenous people are no longer murdering each in petty strife but collaborating over emerging entrepreneurial startups.

 

The roads are clean and the air is fresh. From Calabar South to Odukpani and Northern Cross River, the roads are decent and there is developmental evidence in contrast to Port Harcourt and many other states in Nigeria. 

 

Some, particularly from Calabar South argue that Duke did nothing for them; they insist he didn’t “empower” the Efiks in general and Cross Riverians in particular. That accusation is a little parochial and there’s more to it than you realize. Besides, a little embellishment to make a story more entertaining is acceptable. I might even argue that embellishment for drama or comedy's sake may not hurt much?

 

Conclusion

 

Like it or leave it Dukes name and legacies will remain in our consciousness and he will always keep a sizable and loyal political and fan base.

 

Much like the die hard supporters of the once great Calabar Rovers, win or lose, they will ride or die with their man. Besides, Duke will always resonate with a certain percentage of casual observers, including my good self, who are just appreciative of where we are in 2007 in comparison to where we were in 1999.

 

It is a political axiom that when leaders and rulers slow down or step-aside, they are more prone to getting “hit”. If that's the case, then I guess it’s needless to write in defense of Duke because of his indisputable legacy in Cross River state.

 

To his band of critics and ex-associates now in the opposition; if your point is to prove that you deserve “more” – or to prove you do not deserve to be overlooked – you can do that only by keeping your mouth shut.

 

Calabar November 4th 2007

 

W. Ernest Etim-Bassey writes from Calabar, Cross River state.