Ata Ikiddeh and the Burden of Irresponsibility

By Bassey Nkanga

With the advent of the all-comers social media, good writers who know their onions have many and better ways to create a trademark presence on their social media handles than indulge in campaigns of calumny and delusive insinuations to gratify their imbecility. Checks have shown that this is the stock-in-trade of one Ata Ikiddeh.

He constantly reminds readers of “the courage to do nonsense”, one of the memorable artistic inventions attributable to Ray Ekpu, a renowned Journalist and one of the greatest literati Nigeria has ever produced.

The veteran Journalist argued in one of his essays in the 90s that some persons don’t only have a tendency but the passion and habit of acting without common sense, without regards to their age and status. Judged by his patent idiosyncracy, Ita Ikiddeh deservedly and notoriously belongs in this group of incorrigible reprobates.

Although he now washes plates and bedsheets in hotels in the Phillipines while boasting to be overseas, he has been a social media miscreant and constant nuisance to decency, abusing elders and royalties with levity. There are manifest symptoms that he ultimately soon may go completely mad on the dangerous lane he has chosen to walk, ignoring every piece of advice and omens in his present state of psychosis.

Interestingly, in showcasing his imbecility and cognitive biases, he doesn’t bother about likely consequences. Maybe, as a deterrent, Ikiddeh should be subjected to investigative hypnosis, to be able to review his past and see the damage he has done to himself over the years, and most recently.

A typical instance of his depravity can be seen in the impudence and reckless dare he has been attacking some great personalities within and without Akwa Ibom State, rubbishing himself in the illusion that he is writing to please his sponsors. He should bury his face in ashy shame.

His trademark indulgence in character characterization even against those whose shoe lace he is not qualified to touch, let alone loose, is highly condemnable. His claimed exposure ought to have transformed him by now, but he, instead, is zealously advancing from bad to worse, seeking elusive relevance on the social media.

Having in the fantasy arrogated to himself the task of adviser to the government, I have carefully followed different pieces churned out by him in recent times to conclude that Ikiddeh must be suffering from schizophrenia, and therefore needs emergency assistance before the situation aggravates.

Of particular interest are his series of posts against leaders in Akwa Ibom State, past and present, which he syndicates with illicit fun. As a concerned citizen of the State who knows the value of statesmanship, I have had the misfortune of helplessly stumbling upon some of his vituperations in the name articles. And I ask: Of all there was to write about in the domains of growth and development of Akwa Ibom State or advancing the cause of humanity, why must insults and acidic innuendoes be Ikiddeh’s principal attraction and preoccupation?

The amount of time Ikiddeh has invested in discrediting or talking down on high-worth personalities in the State who have earned their reputation by sheer dint of hard work, integrity, achievements and professionalism that has benefited the people and laundered the face of the State on national and global pedestal is worrisome.

While I am yet to ascertain Ata Ikiddeh’s true age, whether he is older or younger than those he is wont to disparage, it is hard to point at one thing of altruistic benefit he is known for in Akwa Ibom State. Or, could he mention any noteworthy thing with his signature that would give him the brazen audacity to call his leaders names without a second thought? Only bastards and vagabonds of no destination act this way. Ikkideh must be a miserable ingrate for biting the fingers that have the capability of feeding him.

Some curious persons are of the opinion that Ikiddeh is a mere jobber, a mercenary at the whims and caprices of his sponsors, to go on rampage against political enemies, with assurances of guaranteed protection. While this remains a matter of debate, one cannot but question the effrontery, frequency, and recklessness with which Ikiddeh launches his media attacks on his select victims.

As a meddlesome interloper, he also takes delight in imputing motives and putting words in the mouth of respectable leaders of the State. A crude example is his recent misguided article where he claimed to know certain things about the newly international wing of the Victor Attah International Airport more than those who rightly should know, and should make public statements, if they really mattered. Having turned himself into a victim of crab syndrome, Ikiddeh needs nothing more now than deliverance, to possibly mitigate his nuisance value on the society.

One dictionary defines “crab syndrome” as a toxic behavioral pattern where people attempt to drag down anyone who achieves success. It is driven by envy, insecurity, or a belief in elusive benefits. That’s Ikiddeh’s abiding misgiving.

But assuming Ata Ikiddeh is sponsored by faceless politicians, they should do themselves a great deal of good to study the archetype in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, where a creator of a monster became a victim of his own creation.

What exactly would Ikiddeh gain from his sponsors for this campaign of character assassination than a few packets of peanut? As a persona non grata, he is not fit for any formal engagement. I guess if Ata is busy with something reasonable at hand in his present location overseas, he would not have time to spew senseless pieces. But because he is jobless, he becomes ready errand boy for Satan and his agents.

The bottom line is that Ata Ikiddeh should fine something else decent to do rather than offer up himself as a guinea pig for inconsequential adventures.

His wanton attitude matters to me: Stalking or cyber- bullying our leaders, past or present, is demarketing them and Akwa Ibom State that I’m proud to be a citizen.

Ata Ikiddeh, enough is enough! By your fruits, we have known you!

• Nkanga writes from Nsit Ibom local government area.