HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABANG

PAUL A. OBI pays tribute to  Soni Abang, former Nigerian envoy to Mali

“You can use a biography to examine political power, but only if you pick the right guy.”

–          Robert Caro,

American Journalist and Biographer of President Lyndon Johnson

In a political environment where the political life circle of politicians is for the most part brutish and short; those who survive the thorny paths and unchartered waters of politicking have the tendency to teleguide the political arena in times of great crisis. It is not just in crisis times that their experiences enlighten the rest of society, but also in their own existence and being. In the many ways and means they set out to navigate society, their mien, relationships, their survival instincts all culminate to set them apart among their many equals and coevals. In the book, Logic of Political Survival, four American scholars Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, Alastair Smith, James D. Murrow, and Randolph M. Siverson talked about the propensity of surviving politically among politicians, painting a diffused picture and fluidity of the political life circle of the political class. To survive politically and last long is to chase and face life in its raw form, overcoming the many snares and traps, even those set up by self inadvertently.

For Chief Soni Obache Abang, his sojourn to the political arena since 1999 has come with some unpredictable fortunes and layback bestowed on him by his creator. As chairman of Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Abang showed some remarkable leadership skills that set him apart among most of his colleagues at the time. His stellar qualities of leadership; resoluteness, responsiveness, alertness and empathy for the downtrodden became his greatest assets within that era. He comes across as private, but wields lethal force in delivery and execution of political assignment and negotiation. In many ways and means, he embraces political mentorship even to his own disadvantage for the most part. For there are clear examples and cases, where those he has deliberately and single-handedly expanded their political fortunes turn round to burn the bridge or trigger a political coup within the palace.

That said, the dynamics of Abang’s political expedition will dramatically change for the better when former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke would headhunt him for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman of the state. With his ascension to the helm of affairs of the PDP in the state, there was command of not only power and authority; but also cohesion and party stability. During the reign of the Boki- born political maestro as chair of the State PDP, he became a figure that deployed political power in a sense that leveraged the urgency of inclusiveness and togetherness. By 2003 when Abang took the helm of affairs of the PDP, then All Peoples Party (APP) was even more dominant than the PDP, producing the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Gabriel Edi, with about five seats in the Federal House of Representatives. However, in the 2003 general elections, Chief Soni Abang turned the tide, sweeping away APP from the state, as PDP consolidated power across the political spectrum.

These instinctive leadership qualities would later win Amb. Abang laurels and some recognition as a political fixer, not just within Cross River State, but across the top echelon of the PDP at Wadata Plaza in Abuja and across Nigeria. To that effect, Abang was consequential in conducting smooth primaries for the PDP and other critical party activities, even those sanctioned by then President Olusegun Obasanjo. At the turn of a new era at the PDP National Headquarters, and with zoning of the Office of the National Publicity Secretary to Cross River, the baton fell on Abang to catapult himself to the national limelight. With such golden opportunity, Abang would yield the position to his buddy and compatriot, former Minister of Information, late Mr John Odey. At the 2007 ministerial nomination; Odey and Abang would make the cut for Cross River. The late former minister was picked by the then President Umaru Yar’Adua; while Abang was appointed as Nigerian Ambassador to Mali. In Bamako, as a diplomat, the former PDP Chairman rejuvenated diplomatic relations between Mali and Nigeria; and went ahead to enhance trade relations and balance of trade between the two West African nations.

During his diplomatic adventure in Mali, many observers predicted woefully that that was the end of Abang’s political life. His quiet and private life was taken as political Siberia and abyss. His choice of avoiding public gyrations, attention seeking avenues and fruitless display of power were also misconstrued. Within this period between 2015 and 2023, Abang chaired and coordinated the gubernatorial campaigns in the state that culminated in resounding victories at the polls. However, in 2025, the political calculus took a spherical turn for good for the Iso Bendeghe – Boki born politician. First, he was appointed as the Executive Director of Finance for the newly established regional agency, the South South Development Commission (SSDC). At the inauguration in Abuja, dignitaries include Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, former Governors Donald Duke, Sen. Liyel Imoke, former Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, CON, Chairman of Ochibe Bokyi (the highest socio-political organization in Boki); Major General Moses B. Obi (rtd), Victor Abang (Mature), Chris Eta, Dr George Ekpungu among other personalities that graced the epoch gathering. Added to that, it was also in 2025 that the Boki people led by HRM Otu Fredaline Akandu crowned Chief Soni Abang as the Otu Agriyan II. A traditional title of the Boki nation that symbolizes and projects him as a generalissimo or field marshal. A title Abang shares only with the late sage and First Republic minister, late Chief M. T. Mbu, a nationalist and illustrious Boki son.  

As a maestro and with a political life like a cat with nine lives, Abang is not without blemish or political opponents. They abound and vary. Even as he celebrates his birthday today; there is ongoing protest across Boki, Ikom, Etung, Obudu over the dilapidated road network, particularly, the Ikom – Obudu Road, that citizens within that axis have declared a week long protest tagged, No Road, No Elections. Citizens’ angst against political leaders in that zone, where Abang comes from, is intense and real. Their request is for leaders like Abang to seize the opportunity and deploy agencies like the South South Development Commission to intervene. Beyond that, today is a day for reflection for the former PDP chair to ponder, thanking God and his stars for the exceeding grace and success of life.

Obi is a lecturer, journalist and researcher based in Abuja