By Kanjal Awam
In the language of computing, default is the original Software programming settings by the manufacturer. It is also a selection made in the absence of an alternative.
By extension, understanding the political machinery of Cross River North you have to delve into the actors who have changed the political game the way it was played in the past.
Politics is not insulated from events and political dynamics, the return of democracy in 1999, our elected representatives of Cross River North came in with little or no experience about the business of legislation, poor vision and lack of political will to represent their people, abysmal performance, lack of needs assessment which translates to no visible constituency projects. The irony of it was that the era witnessed huge budgetary expenses on legislators, a stable economy and poor representation of our people.
Before December, 2020 not much was heard about Cross River North at the Red Chamber, Sen Stephen Odey’s entrance into the 9th legislative Assembly reverbrated quality bills and motions and built confidence with his constituents. Although he views politics not as it was played in the past, but how it ought to be played. He was fast becoming THE VOICE OF THE MASSES before his mandate was stolen at the courts. The Senate Order Paper captured 5 of his bills and motions in 7 months. This is unprecedented.
Distinguished Senator Stephen Odey Ph D has set the benchmark for representation in Cross River North, if you must aspire to represent our people in 2023, you must surpass his achievements or fit into his enviable political shoes. A man who exudes confidence and capacity has changed the face of representation. Both students of history and politics will have to contend with writing political discourses that will outlive the next generation.
Sen. Odey’s endearing legacies which most of his followers have imbibed is that politics simple when you know how to play it. Popularly referred to as “THE LION OF YACHE POLITICS”. Not many understand this coinage, he has been able to galvanize grassroot support for candidates. He believes politics is local, you must play it local. This is evident in different elections he has overseen in the past decade, by simplifying politics he has thought his followers to make friend with the owner of the canoe in dry season not rainy season. Making friend with the electorates before election makes winning a work over, not making friend with the electorates on the eve of an election. This was seen in the recently concluded HoR bye-election, where massive votes where raked in from YACHE.
Steve Jobs in his assertion “the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the people who do”. In altering the political dynamics of Cross River North, he believes public life revolves around public trust and communal living.
