Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice, ADV appeared in the political arena of Akwa Ibom State like a storm from an already charged cloudy political weather. Eyes were blinked, browses raised and the protagonists scrutinized every inch on the way. But just like any new organization in a politically aware environment like Akwa Ibom, its founders and members knew they had one task, it is to continue explaining what the organization stood for, win more members and become a group to be reckoned with.
In the interview with Editor, Henry Nkom, the National Chairman of Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice, Prince Nsikak David Benjamin says ADV is not in a contest with any other political group. Rather the organization has a mission to strengthen democracy globally.

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Can you shed some light on the vision and mission of ADV
Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice, ADV is poised to ensure that democracy is protected and good government is in place, not only in Akwa Ibom State but in Nigeria and the world at large. When we talk of democracy, its basic ingredient is good governance. Good governance, as it were, is something the whole world is looking for. The recent victory of Barack Obama at the United States Presidential poll can be attributed to the strength of democratic practice in America. You would agree with me that the people of America at a certain point were looking for people to salvage them. They wanted somebody to promote good governance. They wanted somebody who could salvage their economy which was collapsing on a daily basis. America wanted to be delivered from the warlike disposition of the Republican Party which had contributed a great deal to the economic problems of the country. Therefore, for there to be consistent good governance in a state like Akwa Ibom, then there is need for those in power and those of us who have decided to be responsible stakeholders to want to improve on the socio-political and economic fronts. So, good governance is what we will continue to propagate for the good of all Akwa Ibom people. I must also add quickly that we are not out to operate in Akwa Ibom alone. We have Nigeria and the entire world as our areas of jurisdiction. We believe that in no distant time we will take ADV to the entire world.
Agreed, you intend to go all over the world with Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice, but let us talk about the place you have started from, Akwa Ibom. What are some of the challenges you have been facing?
One of the things we consider a challenge, is of course the level of democratic practice, not only in Akwa Ibom, but Nigeria as a whole. It is not more than nine years since we have practised democracy, out of the over 48 years of our independence. What this invariable means is that we are at the learning stage of democracy. So while we continue to preach the message of true democratic practice, we are not ignorant of the fact that most people who had lived through the day of military rule are still finding it difficult to go completely on the path of democracy. You remember very well, how this country was ruled by military dictators and these military men did not to give the impression that democracy could be practised; this of course should be understood in the light of their orientation. We remember how many time they came up with ideas on democratic transition, yet they were the same people that prematurely aborted the babies they told the world they were giving to birth. If you remember very well between 1990 and 1997, this nation was like one sitting on a keg of gun power, anything could have happened then but God in his mercies just continues to save us. This nation and all its states were at a point of collapse until God decided to salvage the country through the hands of Gen. Abdulsallami Abubakar (rtd) who now decided to hand over power to the civilian. So you see how far we've come. It was only in 1999 that we had a fresh start in democracy and then we could make demands on our leaders provide good governance. You will agree with me that 9 ½ years is a short time to deeply root democracy to the extent that we make demands on our leaders and get them expressly. So one uphill task we see everybody is that of educating our people on how true democracy can be practised and what good governance exactly stands for. As a follow up to the already started problem of educating our people on what democracy and good governance really are, we also contend with the issue of helping our people see the true value of democracy and good governance.
In other words, if you go to developed democracies, like USA and Britain to propagate a democratic ideal it is very easy to got the kind of response you desire, but it is an entire different thing in a setting like ours where almost everything is being learnt. In our own setting where democratic practice has just started, it definitely will take more time and energy. So for us, we have prepared our minds that we need time, more energy and strength in order to take this message of good governance to every nook and cranny of the world. We intend to strategize and move from door to door, street to street, from one village to another, until we cover the entire globe making sure that the message of democracy and good governance reaches all part of the world.
You know as I do that, a lot of the time in Nigeria, when good governance is mentioned, people think it is very far away from the present time, but looking at Akwa Ibom State do you think the present administration has been able to make good governance real?
Well when you talk in terms of doing enough to actualize good governance, you are talking about making the greatest achievements at one point. But you must understand that the whole process of governance is a continuous process. The process of good governance is such that, you will require more time to accomplish so much. And if you were a political office holder say in Akwa Ibom State, believe me, no extended tenure will be enough, for you to achieve all the things you would have wanted to do. After a political office holder leaves office, the entirety of his achievement, if looked at objectively, only sets fresh targets for an in coming regime. In other words, what any previous regime does is to put some things in place, so that a new regime will now come and improve on it. So what the present administration in Akwa Ibom State led by Chief Godswill Akpabio is doing is to set a good pace for continuous development for subsequent administrations in future. Within one and a half years of the present administration, the government has touched so many aspects of life in Akwa Ibom State. If we talk in terms of human empowernmnt, education, employment and contract, I think, that Chief Akpabio is doing very well. The reason I say this is that he has a vision he is following religiously. Firstly the Akpabio administration, want to develop infrastructure and with the development of infrastructure, invest will now come in Akwa Ibom State. If we talk in terms of human empowerment, education, employment and contract, I think, that Chief Akpabio is doing very well. The reason I say this is that he has a vision he is following religiously. Firstly the Akpabio administration, want to develop infrastructure and with the development of infrastructure, invest will now come in. You realize that to woo investors, certain amenities would have to be in place. Investors will look for good roads, water, power and they will also look for good health system. And all the efforts of the present administration is targeted at all of these. It must also be put on record that for the first time massive road construction by the most sought after companies is what this has put on the front burner. Interestingly the road construction companies engaged by the government are able to give the people of Akwa Ibom State some guarantee, of as much as 45 years after construction is unprecedented. It is a good thing that is happening to us. In terms of education, the free education policy of the government is also a great thing. It is some thing we've being hearing of only in the western part of Nigeria. Now it is here with us. I tell you something, what this government has done has raised the stakes for other governments that will come after it. Do you know that if any government comes after Akpabio and says it wants to discontinue with free education, the masses can rise up and stone such leaders and make moves to remove the government. You see every succeeding administration can only do one thing and that is improve on what it met on ground. Every people oriented regime after that of Chief Akpabio, may want to take the free education up to the higher institution. If you look at health, the present regime is also making a lot of impact. The government has even moved up to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital to do a lot of things in order for the people to access qualitative health care. We are all aware that the present government is also hiring consultants and other doctors to boost the capacity of state owned hospitals to deliver qualitative health care to the people of the state.
You are aware of the many interventions by the state government in building roads, supporting University of Uyo and other federal institutions. The government did all of these things even for a federal institution because, it is aware that the greatest beneficiaries of such projects are the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Moreover, the state government intends that other people who visit or reside in Akwa Ibom State should also benefit from the improved social amenities here.
In terms of power the government's commitment to the Independent Power Plant is highly commendable.
As the Chairman of ADV, how would you react to a slogan that has become popular in the state “Akwa Ibom Ado okay”
You see it is a concept and just like any other concept, those behind it have a reason for it. Although we are still on the march towards attaining good governance, but to me the slogan Akwa Ibom “Ado Ok” means that with the present governor of the state, things will be Ok. It means that the governor is committed to service human empowerment, improvement of amenities and he is also committed to turning Akwa Ibom State from a civil service to an industrial area. As I'm talking to you about 60 oil wells are to be returned to Akwa Ibom State this month and that will make this state the number one oil producing state in this country. Most of this oil wells are to be retrieved from Rivers and Cross River State which used their connections to take it away from us. You can agree with us that Akwa Ibom Ado Ok because with a good man in place as the Bible say the people rejoice. The slogan is a way people are trying to say that they are convinced the leadership of this state is Ok. You will also agree with me that the leadership of a state symbolizes the state. So the people with the concept are not wrong.
Mr. Chairman, you had said that your organization is a national one. So in how many LGA's or states have you been able to establish your presence?
Thank you very much. I have said consistently that change does not come overnight, change is no magic but it is a process. And when you talk about a process, you need time. ADV has existed for less than a year now. ADV was born on the 23rd of January, 2008 and by 23rd of January next year, we will become one year but within this roughly 9 months, ADV has been able to reach about 15 states in the country and 8 countries of the world. We have also been able to reach the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. We have reached the 329 wards in Akwa Ibom State. We have also been able to reach all the political units and villages in Akwa Ibom. So far ADV has covered the whole of Akwa Ibom State and sixteen states including Abuja.
What would you say to people who see ADV as an organsation that is working hard to gain the political relevance the Akwa Ibom People Front, AKPF has, so that ADV members could also benefit from the politics of the land?
I don't think there are people who are uncomfortable with us. There is no organization that that uncomfortable with us. Anybody who knows what we stand for cannot be uncomfortable with us. We are sure everybody will be interested in good governance. Also let me quickly add here that we are not thinking of any power play between us and any other organization. But don't forget that the Bible says through their work, you will know them. AKPF is a brother to us and we are working together. There is no way we can disagree. The only difference between what we do is that ADV is seriously focused on establishing good governance the world over. In fact there is as on going plan to change ADV to National Democratic Voice, NDV.
Since you are interested in establishing good governance, are we looking forward to the establishment of an institute for democratic research by the ADV?
Yes of course, ADV is an organization that has so many units. We have a research unit where our people engage on research on how to improve the existing democratic structure. We intend to embark on symposia and other programnmnes to create the required awareness on good governance.