₦airaland Forum

Thursday 21st March, 2019

The Attorney General of the Federation
Federal Ministry of Justice
FCT, Abuja.

Sir,

Attempt to Perpetuate Electoral Fraud in Akwa Ibom State

We want to place on record and bring to your attention the very obvious and noticeable attempt by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, in collusion with agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Akwa Ibom State Government to perpetuate electoral fraud by destroying electoral materials needed to substantiate the election petitions of candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.

We observe with deep regrets that since Mr. Mike Igini superintended over the worst general elections ever conducted in Akwa Ibom State, that was fraught with manifest irregularities and wide spread electoral infractions, the REC is now unveiling a grand scheme to thwart and create a chaotic environment to pave way for the pervasion of justice.

We have been reliably informed that the REC is now intimidating electoral officers who participated in the just concluded general elections in the State, particularly, Collation Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs), handing over their phone numbers to hired assassins and PDP killer squad to forcefully coerce them to concoct and fabricate false reports of violence, ballot paper snatching, all in a bid to justify the clandestine activities of Mr. Mike Igini days after the purported declaration of results, seeing that unit results will expressly show that candidates of the All Progressives Congress clearly won the elections by the votes directly delivered at the polling units across the state.

This latest action by the leadership of INEC in Akwa Ibom State has vindicated our stand expressed in various foras before the general elections that Mr. Mike Igini is a biased umpire, heavily compromised by the Akwa Ibom State Government to truncate the smooth conduct of a free and fair elections. We therefore reiterate in unambiguous terms, that INEC under Mr. Mike Igini cannot guarantee credibility and the ethos of fair play as demonstrated with this plot hatched to frustrate the electoral process.

Consequent to these, we hereby demand as follows:

1. The immediate relocation of the elections tribunal to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to forestall breakdown of law and order that this show of impunity might incite if not forestalled.

2. That we reiterate our call for the immediate redeployment of Mr. Mike Igini to pave way for a level-playing field for all parties that partook in the elections.

3. that any report that originates from any electoral officer in Akwa Ibom State remains an afterthought and should be completely disregarded forthwith.

4. That we call on security agencies to provide adequate security to all ad-hoc staffs of INEC in the state and properly investigate and bring to book, thugs paid by the PDP to intimidate or coerce non-yielding election officials.

5. We urge international agencies to pay particular interest to the continuing efforts of Mr. Mike Igini to perpetuate electoral fraud in Akwa Ibom State.

We have taken time to chronicle the unfolding complicity of Mr. Mike Igini in collaboration with the State Government and PDP to rob our party of our impending victory at the tribunal.

Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.


Obong Ini Okopido
APC State Chairman

cc:
HE The President
Federal Republic of Nigeria

The National Security Adviser

National Chairman
All Progressives Congress

The Chairman
Independent National Electoral Commission

The Inspector General of Police
DG, Department of State Security Service
DG, National Intelligence Agency

We will retrieve our Mandate at Tribunal- Essien Udim APC Assures

...Insists Akpabio is innocent of allegations over election malpractice, violence

The Leaders and Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Essien Udim Local Government Area have described the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 9th March 2019 election as a pyrrhic victory which will overturn in their favour at the election tribunal.

The APC chieftains stated this on Thursday during a press conference held at NUJ Press Centre, Uyo.

In his address on behalf of the party, a Chieftain of APC, Arc Ubok-utom Nya noted that the 9th March 2019 election will go down in history as "

the biggest, most elaborate fraud executed by the Akwa Ibom State Government."

They alleged that election malpractice was carried out by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel in collusion with Akwa Ibom State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and superintended over by Mr. Mike Igini, the Resident Electoral Commissioner whom they insisted has been compromised.

The party noted that Akwa Ibom people, foreign and domestic observers will be interested to witness how Akwa Ibom State Government and INEC will defend what they described as electoral heist and day light robbery at the tribunal.

The APC reported that recently one of INEC trucks conveying ballot papers earlier voted in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were being transported to a location near INEC office in Uyo for destruction and subsequent replacement with ballot papers fraudulently thumb printed in attempt which they said is to cover tracks against inspection by the tribunal panelists.

They said that in the process, one of the vehicles got involved in an accident in Abak spilling and exposing the thousands of the ballots voted by Akwa Ibom people in favour of the APC.

The APC added "

The truck driver on interrogation confessed that that was the sixth trip that day shuttling to different PDP stalwart houses in different locations in the state to convey APC voted ballot papers for destruction.

" The occupants of the ill-fated truck have confessed to the brazen robbery perpetrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the supervision of Mr. Mike Igini. The accidented truck with some of the contents is still parked at the Police Station in Abak. We have it on good authority that spirited attempts are being made by the PDP administration in Akwa Ibom State in collusion with INEC to destroy the evidence of the electoral fraud."

The party insisted that unlike reports making the round that chieftains of the APC in Essien Udim especially Senator Gods will Akpabio had perpetuated electoral malpractice and violence, chieftains of the PDP were the real culprits.

They mentioned those involved to include, one Anthony Luke (alias Aluko), an aide of Governor Udom Emmanuel, Barrister Imowo Okpokpo, a PDP stalwart, Prince Ukpong Akpabio (Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Akwa Ibom State), Chief Michael Afangideh, Mr. SunyiekekereInokon (Deputy State Chairman, PDP, Akwa Ibom State), Solomon Inokon, Engr. Oliver Ebong, Elder Raphael Isobara (Chairman, Essien Udim) and Barr. Esse Umoh, (PDP House of Assembly candidate).

APC added "

Together with a gang of thugs, they snatched Okon Ward materials at gun point and kidnapped the INEC staff with materials. Surprisingly, they turned up at the collation centre at INEC office in Essien Udim with results from Okon Ward all in favour of their party, the PDP.

"It was when the collation officer insisted on collating the forged result that the APC agent raised an alarm and phoned Senator Akpabio and other APC leaders. Senator Akpabio immediately went to the Electoral Officer to lodge a written complaint against the collation of Okon Ward. The abducted INEC staff and Corps members confessed to the rigging before the Electoral Officer in charge of Essien Udim Local Government Area.

" At the Electoral Officer’s office, Senator Akpabio spoke to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini through the telephone of the Electoral Officer to lodge the same complaint and thereafter left the premises. When the results were collated and announced, Senator Akpabio was no where near the INEC office. So how come these so-called Elders could fabricate lies from the pit of hell in an attempt to malign the good name of Senator Godswill Akpabio, their own illustrious son?

"

It is instructive that Senator Akpabio never had any soldier attached to him. Throughout the election, he visited only his polling unit and INEC office to lodge a complaint. It is on record that the Divisional Police Officer of Essien Udim Local Government Area arrested some PDP stalwarts at the collation centre for intimidating and harassing Corps members and electoral officials and attempting to change Unit results in favour of the PDP that lost woefully in the entire Local Government."

The All Progressives Congress Elders and stakeholders while condemning Senator Bassey Albert over his petition against Senator Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the Senate called on him to withdraw it and apologize to Akpabio insisting that Akpabio is innocent.

They added "

We must commend Senator Akpabio for his peaceful disposition and insistence on following the due process of the law. APC members should remain calm and law abiding while pursuing their legitimate claims at the courts. Finally, we advise these carrion feeders never to gloat over this stolen mandate. Their so-called gubernatorial victory can only be pyrrhic. Very soon those attempting to denigrate their benefactor shall soon see that Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians have no regards for ingrates."

POLITICAL JOBBERS ON THE PROWL

Being the text of the press conference by Leaders and Stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) Essien Udim Local Government Area on the aftermath of the general elections and attempts by hired political merchants to demonize Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Gentlemen of the Press,

We are constrained by recent developments in the polity especially the rash of press briefings by hired political mercenaries and carrion feeders, all in attempts to diminish the person of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, one of whom was a National Youth Corps Member in his office, but today takes delight in disparaging him through wild, fictitious and unsubstantiated allegations.

They can gloat over the pyrrhic victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 9th March 2019 election - an election that will go down in history as the biggest, most elaborate fraud executed by the Akwa Ibom State Government headed by Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel in collusion with a compromised Akwa Ibom State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), superintended over by Mr. Mike Igini, the Resident Electoral Commissioner. However, Akwa Ibom people, foreign and domestic observers will be interested to witness how they will defend this electoral heist and day light robbery.

We have been of the conviction that since Governor Udom Emmanuel was running for a second term, his first term achievements should have formed the fulcrum of his campaign for re-election. His first term accomplishments should have been the basis for seeking re-election, which is the standard the world over. Unfortunately, his campaign was based on divisiveness, character assassination, industrialization propaganda, ethnic bigotry, monetary inducement, and 2015 campaign/first year endorsement by Senator Godswill Akpabio pronouncing eight years for a government he thought was going to perform.

We recall with pride and a huge sense of fulfillment, the verifiable accomplishments of His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio in his first term as Governor, which included the construction of a brand new Governor’s Lodge; reconstruction of over 300 urban roads (49 in Eket, 23 in Ikot Abasi, 33 in Ikot Ekpene, 34 in Oron, and over 70 in Uyo and 15 in Abak etc. The dualization of Idoro -Itu Federal Highway with bridge; construction of three flyovers; dualization of Ikot Ekpene-Abakroad; completion of Nwaniba road to Uruan; completion of the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel with standard golf course; completion of dualization of Oron Road to Ibom Airport; construction of Akwa Ibom International airport which he met at 10 percent work level; obtaining permission to close the Oron road and thereby constructing 3.6km runway complete with modern lighting system/navigational aids; initiation/construction of brand new e-library; construction of banquet hall with two floors underground and modernization of the entire Government House complex with guest chalets; modernization of Akpan Andem Market with 900 market stalls and 300 open stalls complete with toilet facilities, fire system, warehouses; massive renovation and construction of classroom blocks across the state; introduction of free and compulsory education to all Nigerian children resident in Akwa Ibom with payment of subvention to school heads; completion of the ongoing Ibom Power Plant at Ikot Abasi thereby adding over 140 megawatts of electricity to the national grid; partnering with Seven Energy to build the first gas processing plant at Esit Eket thereby giving a life line of gas supply to Aluminium Smelter Company in Ikot Abasi and the Independent Power Project; construction of the 44km Enen Nsit road with four bridges; raising electricity coverage from 37 percent to over 70 percent in his first term; construction of cottage hospitals across the state from Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, Ika, to Essien Udim; massive empowerment of Akwa Ibom people across the state; dualization of Aka Nung- Udoe-Ibesikpo road, construction and dualization of a brand new boulevard adjoining the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium which he initiated and completed among other laudable projects.

However, having failed woefully in the past four years to execute any meaningful project, Governor Udom Emmanuel resorted to investing heavily in propaganda to pull wool over the eyes of unsuspecting Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians. Most projects the administration claim to have executed, like the fertilizer blending plant, the rice mill, and the ranch with 2000 Mexican cows, International Worship Centre etc can be found on billboards strewn all over the State. Suddenly an administration which had hitherto claimed there was no money in the state to execute any meaningful project invaded the state vault, threw it open just to purchase victory at the polls on March 9, 2019.

Never in the history of elections in Akwa Ibom State, nay Nigeria have we witnessed such a heist and electoral robbery aided by a compromised umpire, Mr Mike Igini, the Resident Electoral Commissioner like the last general elections. As we speak, just yesterday, one of the INEC trucks conveying ballot papers earlier voted in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were being transported to a location near INEC office in Uyo for destruction and subsequent replacement with ballot papers fraudulently thumb printed all in attempt to cover their tracks and prepare for inspection by the tribunal panelists. In the process one of the vehicles got involved in an accident in Abak spilling and exposing the thousands of the ballots voted by Akwa Ibom people in favour of the APC. The truck driver on interrogation confessed that that was the sixth trip that day shuttling to different PDP stalwart houses in different locations in the state to convey APC voted ballot papers for destruction.

The occupants of the ill-fated truck have confessed to the brazen robbery perpetrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the supervision of Mr. Mike Igini. The accidented truck with some of the contents is still parked at the Police Station in Abak. We have it on good authority that spirited attempts are being made by the PDP administration in Akwa Ibom State in collusion with INEC to destroy the evidence of the electoral fraud. We hereby call on the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State and other security agencies to take safe custody of the truck and its contents and investigate the matter with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

It has also been revealed that Mr. Mike Igini’s INEC in the last few days after the election has been working tirelessly to destroy the original ballot papers and the photocopied unit registers and result sheets which he used for the two elections and replace them with original result sheets to cover up the massive electoral fraud of 23rd February and 9th March 2019. Those who have stolen the peoples mandate have been unable to sleep with their two eyes closed after the elections. We have implicit confidence in the judiciary to do justice to our people and restore their right to freely choose their leaders without manipulation as carried out by a compromised INEC under Mr. Mike Igini.
The so-called press conference by Essien Udim political contractors is even more laughable. They may deceive their pay master in Uyo to extort more money from him, but they cannot bury the truth. The truth as corroborated by independent election observers is that on election day cases of ballot box snatching, hijack of electoral materials and abduction of electoral officials by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party were reported and distress calls made by helpless APC agents. These were reported to security agencies for necessary action. Some of the culprits include, one Anthony Luke (alias Aluko), an aide of Governor Udom Emmanuel, Barrister Imowo Okpokpo, a PDP stalwart, Prince Ukpong Akpabio (Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Akwa Ibom State), Chief Michael Afangideh, Mr. SunyiekekereInokon (Deputy State Chairman, PDP, Akwa Ibom State), Solomon Inokon, Engr. Oliver Ebong, Elder Raphael Isobara (Chairman, Essien Udim) and Barr. Esse Umoh, (PDP House of Assembly candidate.)

Together with a gang of thugs, they snatched Okon Ward materials at gun point and kidnapped the INEC staff with materials. Surprisingly, they turned up at the collation centre at INEC office in Essien Udim with results from Okon Ward all in favour of their party, the PDP. It was when the collation officer insisted on collating the forged result that the APC agent raised an alarm and phoned Senator Akpabio and other APC leaders. Senator Akpabio immediately went to the Electoral Officer to lodge a written complaint against the collation of Okon Ward. The abducted INEC staff and Corps members confessed to the rigging before the Electoral Officer in charge of Essien Udim Local Government Area.

At the Electoral Officer’s office, Senator Akpabio spoke to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini through the telephone of the Electoral Officer to lodge the same complaint and thereafter left the premises. When the results were collated and announced, Senator Akpabio was no where near the INEC office. So how come these so-called Elders could fabricate lies from the pit of hell in an attempt to malign the good name of Senator Godswill Akpabio, their own illustrious son? It is instructive that Senator Akpabio never had any soldier attached to him. Throughout the election, he visited only his polling unit and INEC office to lodge a complaint.

It is on record that the Divisional Police Officer of Essien Udim Local Government Area arrested some PDP stalwarts at the collation centre for intimidating and harassing Corps members and electoral officials and attempting to change Unit results in favour of the PDP that lost woefully in the entire Local Government. We noted that even in our local Government Area as it happened throughout the state, that majority of the collation officers were members of the PDP who engaged in massive cancellation of APC votes under the guise of Card Reader differentials, the only LGA in Akwa Ibom State that the Card Reader was applied hence in the National Assembly election, Senator Akpabio’s votes were reduced from 75,000 to 61,500 and in the governorship election, the votes of our gubernatorial candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere were reduced from 73,000 to 46,000. Even in the House of Assembly election, our Member-elect, Hon Nse Ntuen had his votes slashed from over 70,000 to 47,000. Nigerians should take particular interest in the Akwa Ibom State election tribunal as these collated votes of Senator Akpabio of 61,500 in the final analysis re-collated in INEC office in Uyo further reduced to 5,000 and that of the governorship candidate was further reduced in the re-collated office by Mr. Mike Igini to 6,000.

Please note that Essien Udim Local Government is the local Government with the second highest voting strength in Akwa Ibom Stateafter Uyo. According to INEC over 105,000 permanent voters’ cards were collected from Essien Udim LGA and yet Eastern Obolo with less than 15,000 voting strength, collected 10,000 pvcs and they voted for Udom Emmanuel and Mr Mike Igini collated and announced such result!

Senator Akpabio represents 10 LGAs. Units, Wards and LG results of nine LGAs were collated and announced at the Senatorial headquarters. A phone call to the Senatorial Collation Center sent the collation officer scampering for over five hours. Shockingly, at Mr. Mike Igini’s office in Uyo we heard that he had re-collated the re-collated votes and reduced the votes of Senator Akpabio from various Local Government Areas already announced, including reducing the result from Essien Udim to 5,000 which led to his purported announcement of somebody else as the winner of the election.

All Progressives Congress Elders and stakeholders strongly condemn the antics of Senator Bassey Albert a former Commissioner for Finance in Senator Godswill Akpabio’s administration for submitting a false petition against the person of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the Senate. If anybody should be questioned on electoral infraction, it is Senator Bassey Albert that ordered his band of thugs to kill three APC members in his home Local Government Area, Ibiono, a matter still under investigation by the Police. We hereby caution him to use his head while struggling for cheap political relevance. Senator Akpabio remains a pride to Essien Udim LGA and a priced property of Akwa Ibom State. He should immediately withdraw his sponsored petition against Senator Akpabio and apologize to his former boss/benefactor.

Instead of being worried about the survival of democracy in Nigeria with the likes of Mike Igini, some Akwa Ibom Elders of PDP extraction shamelessly addressed a press conference making false accusations against a leader, a nationalist and a man of peace. This is unfortunate! Regrettably, monetary inducement has blurred the sight of most Akwa Ibom Elders including some from Essien Udim Local Government Area, Essien Udim in the PDP led by Chief Michael Afangideh, Chief E. P. Umanah, Sir Emem Akpabio among others. We must commend Senator Akpabio for his peaceful disposition and insistence on following the due process of the law. APC members should remain calm and law abiding while pursuing their legitimate claims at the courts.

Finally, we advise these carrion feeders never to gloat over this stolen mandate. Their so-called gubernatorial victory can only be pyrrhic. Very soon those attempting to denigrate their benefactor shall soon see that Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians have no regards for ingrates.
We thank the teeming supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC family in Akwa Ibom State for remaining law abiding. We assure them that all stolen mandates ofthe APC will be retrieved.
Long Live the APC!

This SSS personnel with PDP supporters and thugs shootings and carrying electoral materials and personnel away from units 004 and 005 at St. Pete's Lutheran Primary School in Mbierebe Akpawat Ibesikpo Ward 3 in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA on Saturday, March 9, 2019 during the Guber and SHA elections.

VIDEO


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj27xujUlt0

INEC ACCREDITED OBSERVERS CONFIRM GANG UP AGAINST APC
...says, INEC officials compromised, results announced not true position of elections in the field

Accredited INEC observers under the aegis of “Coalition of INEC Accredited Observers” deployed to monitor last Saturday's governorship and state house of assembly elections in Akwa Ibom State have confirmed that some officials of the Independent Electoral Commission compromised with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to turn the results against the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing a Press Conference in Uyo, Tuesday, the Chairman of the Coalition, Mr Lordswill Umani expressed shock that what they witnessed firsthand in the field as observers was different from the verdict of the electoral umpire in the state.

Commenting on the outcome of the elections, Umani, commended INEC for carrying out its constitutional responsibilities but however pointed out the lapses tainted the credibility of the elections.

Disagreeing with INEC's claim of conducting a free, fair and credible elections, Umani said with the “

widespread vote buying across the polling units in the state by a political party called coupled with other underhand deals”,

there was no way such a process could be adjudged credible.

He said aside PDP's reliance on vote buying, 90% of INEC ad-hoc staff were either members of PDP or those sympathetic to their cause and had all been compromised.

“

Ad-hoc staff in Ibesikpo, Onna, Abak and other LGAs were either members of the PDP, sympathizers, or supporters of the PDP. For example, unit 7, Ward 9 Obio Aduang in Asutan Clan of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, ad-hoc staff and some INEC officials were guiding electorate on how to vote a particular party - PDP. This we believe is clearly against the electoral act and dignity of free, fair and credible elections”,

the chairman of Coalition of INEC Accredited Observers submitted.

Reacting to the cancellation of results in APC strongholds, the observers also suspected foul play, arguing that elections were peaceful and devoid of violence in most of the areas cancelled by INEC.

“

In Essien Udim, election was very peaceful and the people voted. For example, at Independence School, Ukana, there was massive turnout and APC candidates were declared winners with 1597 votes and every other polling units within the area. Election took place peacefully but the final announcement by INEC had 9 wards cancelled and only two wards were used to determine winners. As observers, we believe this is against the electoral act”,

the statement reads in part.

The observers further stated that “P. Os, E. Os, R. Os in most LGA were compromised and the results presented does not the true position of elections in the field”.

The observers further stated that they were surprised that even in Ikot Abasi where they observed that the elections were very peaceful and orderly, even after winners were announced at the units, INEC changed the results at the collation centre and maliciously reduced it to less than 17000 votes.

The observers said the same scenario played out in most of the LGAs.

Echoes and Lessons from the Kano and Oyo States’ Spirit…Fighting Corruption through the Electorate

Like we all know with the authentic facts and figures that the ancient city of Ibadan, South-West of Nigeria, and the most-populous Nigerian state by census, in the Northern region, Kano, are not just the largest cities in Nigeria, but are the most politically-advanced cities in Africa's most populous nation.
You may call them any name that pleases you but the truth is that they are more advanced in politics than any city in Nigeria. When it is time to retire their political leaders, these two cities, Ibadan and Kano, don’t throw up ethnic or tribal cards. See how they permanently retired two in-laws in politics.
When Governor Umar Ganduje and his in-law, Abiola Ajimobi lost their states, it was not because they performed poorly, compared to Udom Emmanuel, the so-called "Governor do Nothing" of Akwa Ibom State, Ben Ayade of Cross River or Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, who individually and severally have been re-elected for a second term in their respective states. Ajimobi and Ganduje didn't lose because the people of Ibadan and their brothers in Kano love the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, more than they love the All Progressives Congress, APC but their electoral woes went beyond love for parties.
Truth be told! The dollar saga and lack of respect for elders played major roles in what befell them at the polls and the Ajimobi's 'Constituted Authority' video and the viral video in which Governor Ganduje was seen collecting bribe from a certain contractor, generated unfavourable responses before the elections. None of them was able to explain exactly what led to the actions that were caught on tape to the people of their states, who they should have been accountable to in the first instance.
Instructively, the good people of Oyo and Kano States took offence at the obsessive tendencies of their governors. Though the governors seemed to have become immune to criticisms, the people made up their minds that they would not allow either of them to continue to serve them as their leaders.
While the people are celebrating in Uyo, Calabar and Umuahia over the re-election of their governors, who have seemingly done worse things in their states than taking bribes from contractors, the people of Ibadan and Kano demonstrated in unambiguous terms during the last election, of how the hydra-headed monster called corruption can be curbed in Nigeria. Ibadan and Kano have shown us all how to hold our leaders accountable.
They have shown that power truly belongs to the people and those who call Ibadan people illiterates and Kano voters Almajiris are senseless. You can only underestimate the voters at your peril. The illiterate and Almajiri voters who outright voted out Ajimobi and Ganduje because of corruption are 200 times better than the so-called educated illiterates in the South-South and South-East who vote and celebrate corrupt politicians, regardless of their level of education. We need to copy Ibadan and Kano voters if we are serious about moving Nigeria forward. I am an Ibadan man and very proud to be one at that.

Wole Arisekola, writes from Ibadan.

AKWA IBOM STATE INEC COMMISSIONER MIKE IGINI IN FRESH CASE OF HOW HE RIGGED THE ELECTIONS AGAINST APC.

INEC vehicle was involved in an Accident today in the early evening at Abak along Ikot Abasi Road/School Road.

The INEC Nissan Pick up Truck rolled over several times due to excessive speed while it was being excorted by the police Hilux.

This Truck was loaded with heavy duty bags called (Ghana Must Go) with Election materials also with hundreds of thousands of slips that were thump printed by the APC Voters during the Elections but the INEC extracted them and replaced them with the ones that were already thump printed for PDP to boost the number of PDP Voters while reducing the number of votes that APC actually had.

The driver of this Truck sustained a severe injury including a broken neck from this crash alongside with the other men that were riding with him that confessed that they were hired to move those Election materials from Uyo to somewhere in Oruk Anam were they were to set all the materials on a flame to destroy the evidences that APC were looking for against the Governorship Elections and the State House of Assembly Elections.

The driver further disclosed that the same amount of materials were relocated to the same place and was burnt to ashes few days right after the Presidential, Senatorial and Federal House Elections which was two weeks before this just concluded Elections.

This truck was towed to the Police Station at Ndot Abak where it's being park and can be seen and view at anytime from now.

The materials were recovered by the police and taken to police custody and some PDP stakeholders went to the police station with thugs and some youths to storm the police station to retrieve those materials but the police refused to compromise with them although they made several cash offers according to one of the police officers on duty however, the community (Oku Abak) are demanding for INEC to replace their electric pole that was knocked down during this Accident.

Eye Witness: Da Zion Umoh.

www.airwavesreport.com

ECOBANK of Fraud! Another manager arraigns by EFCC over N9.2million fraud

A Federal high court sitting in Lagos has ordered that a Senior Manager of Ecobank Plc, Mr Anieka Udoh arraigned alongside Ecobank Plc before the court over fraud and conversion of funds be remanded in prison custody.

According to a criminal charge filed before the court by EFCC, they were alleged to have fraudulently converted the sum of $60,000 and N9.2mllion belonging to an officer of the Nigerian Army, Major General Umaru Mohammed who is a customer of the bank.

Ecobank Plc and its Senior Manager, Anieka Udoh were alleged to have committed the offence sometimes in 2009 and 2016 respectively by failing to exercise due diligence in relation to conduct of financial transactions with General Umaru’s Ecobank MasterCard account nunmber 0015052989.

https://www.airwavesreport.com/business/2798-ecobank-of-fraud-another-manager-arraigns-by-efcc-over-n9-2million-fraud

TheLagostimes gathered that the offence allegedly committed by the defendants contradict section 7(3) of the advance Free Fraud and other related offences Act and punishable under the same Act.

Dangote #DangoteGroup #AlikoDangote #DangoteCement Targets $600m Annual Exports to African Countries

President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has restated his Group’s commitment to Nigeria’s economic development through continuous innovation, value creation and investments.

This is just as he disclosed that Dangote Cement’s exports to other countries are targeted to rise to $600m annually, with the management intensifying efforts at actualizing the planned increase.

Declaring that his massive investments in Nigeria’s economy is borne out of his firm belief in her vast economic potential, Dangote said “

by next year we will be the largest exporter of cement in sub-Saharan Africa with about $600 million worth of cement export to other African countries with limited access to limestone. In addition, we also have new terminals coming up at Onne and in Lagos and we are hopeful the congestion at Apapa will soon be behind us helping us meet our export targets.”

Speaking at the 2018 Dangote Cement Distributors’ Award Night held in Lagos, he said that Dangote Group is committed to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in all the sectors where it operates, such as cement, agriculture, mining and petroleum.

“Let me reiterate that our continuous efforts to innovate, create value and invest in Nigeria are borne out of our firm belief in the vast economic potential of Nigeria. This has also informed our desire to invest massively in agriculture in some states across the country. Our target is to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in all the sectors where we play; cement, agriculture, mining and petroleum. We are leaders in all the sectors where we play, and this demands continuous improvement and partnership with you, our customers.”

We are front-runners in keying into the diversification of the economy by the Government. We have continued to roll out massive agricultural projects across the country. We have started in rice, while plans are underway for dairy farming. Our push for backward integration in providing our own raw materials on a massive scale has led to the planned investment of $4.6 billion over the next three years in sugar, rice and dairy production alone. That will eliminate the country’s reliance on imported food, and the foreign exchange outflow that comes with it

, he added.

https://www.airwavesreport.com/business/2781-dangote-cement-targets-600m-annual-exports-to-african-countries

New faces of politicians who have become prominent in the Presidential Villa

Just before his widely-acclaimed victory at the poll, the presidency announced that President Muhammadu Buhari would likely dissolve his cabinet before his inauguration for a second term in office.

Even before he is inaugurated for a second time; he is about to reconstitute a government of inclusion that will comprise of those who readily worked for him in the build-up to his second term success. He will surprise many on who he picks as his personal aides and for other offices.

The outcome of the last Presidential and National Assembly Elections have continued to reverberate, but in the South West region, the following are likely to have their names penned down for inclusion in the President's kitchen cabinet. They are Musiliu Obanikoro, Solomon Olamilekan, Wole Aboderin, Professor Borrofrice, Ibikunle Amosun, Kayode Fayemi, Opeyemi Bamidele and Gbemi Saraki from the Northern bloc.

These select few and many more are supposedly the ones to determine what comes to their states at the Presidency, when the power sharing comes to play after the June 12 swearing-in. But in Osun State, there is no particular person that can be pointed at as having worked rigorously for PMB during the campaign, because the APC chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has always been the one doing the needful for the state at the Presidency.

Now that everyone is out to know who gets what, many of these stakeholders are knocking their heads to know what is in stock for them; but the names above will feature prominently n the projected cabinet list of Buhari, if the mathematics are in place.

The Tinubu factor is however not to be removed from this calculation, because he played a prominent role in ensuring that Buhari won a re-election. Till the list is finally approved and announced, thos PMB will pick to serve him for the second term will be in the realm of conjectures.

https://www.airwavesreport.com/politics/2774-new-faces-of-politicians-who-have-become-prominent-in-the-presidential-villa

Court stops INEC from issuing Certificate of Return in Akwa Ibom

A Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, Friday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to action on the issuance of certificate of return to any candidate in respect to Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial election held on February 23, pending the determination of suit before it.
Justice Valentine Ashi made the order in an application, with suit No. FCT/HC/M/2680/19, with Senator Godswill Akpabio as the applicant.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the respondent.
In an exparte motion dated February 28 with an affidavit deposed to by one Daniel Michael Idoko and filed on March 1, Senator Akpabio prayed the court for leave to apply for “judicial review for the issuance of writ of Mandamus, prohibition, injunction and other declaratory reliefs against INEC.
Akpabio also asked the court to direct the respondent to stay further action “particularly further action in respect of issuance of certificate of return to any candidate in respect of the seat of senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district on the account of election held on the 23rd February, 2029.”
The court in granting the order, said there was[b] “some merit especially in regards to the need to keep things in status quo”[/b]
Thus, the court ordered “Leave is hereby granted to the applicant to apply for judicial review for the issuance of a writ of Mandamus prohibition injunction and other declaratory reliefs against the respondent”
The court further order a stay of issuance of certificate of return to any candidate in respect of the seat as sought by the applicant
Justice Ashi also directed the parties to first address the court on jurisdiction on the next adjourned date, the court adjourned to March 8 for hearing of the case.
Meanwhile, according to results declared by INEC, Ekpeyong polled 118,215 votes ahead of Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who secured 83,158 votes in the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district election. But an incontrovertible result sheet from Akwa Ibom INEC office showed different figures that had Akpabio scoring 138,256 votes as against Ekpeyong’s 123,843.

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The Mystery Behind Akpabio’s Surprise Loss!…How APC sacrificed him to maintain its integrity

When the news started filtering in shortly after the last Presidential and National Assembly elections that the assumed godfather of Akwa Ibom politics, Senator Godswill Akpabio of the APC, had probably lost his seat to a less-fancied and not really on ground candidate of the PDP, Christopher Stephen Ekpeyong, some well-informed political pundits and close observers of the unfolded scenario, were quick to hazard a contrived ploy by some powerful people within Akpabio’s party to strategically truncate his senatorial ambition for reasons that are not too far-fetched. It is still being discussed in many circles, although in hush tones, that with Akpabio’s might, political savvy and sagacity in the state, long before the election since he swerved to the APC from PDP early last year, many wonder how he could easily be subdued by a relatively unknown and less politically experienced Ekpeyong of the PDP. They argue that being a former two-time governor of the state and a sitting senator for that matter, with unquantifiable massive followership, cult-like sort of in the state, Akpabio couldn’t have easily been edged out of the contest like a minnow by another minnow. This was when insinuations of an alleged grand design by his party to save its face from an impending onslaught on the APC if the serving senator emerges victorious at the poll. According to a very privileged source who is well-informed about the shenanigans that played out in Akpabio’s surprise loss, it has long been known by the party that the seat of the Senate Presidency was likely to swing in favour of Akpabio when the jostling for the nation’s number three office earnestly gets going after the National Assembly is inaugurated. But, unknown to Akpabio, certain underground workings were going on subtly, supposedly by his party at the national level, to ensure his loss by nipping his return senatorial ambition in the bud, to at least abort his senate presidency bid, which was known to everybody within and even outside the party. This was when the real sacrifice of Akpabio began and when it actually manifested in his unexpected loss, it was only meet for people to know where the bell was cat. The inside source hinted this medium in confidence that before the election proper, the APC had entered into an unwritten agreement with international community that; the APC, would not fill any of the top four positions of the nation viz: The President; Vice President, Senate President and the Speaker of the House Reps, that had or is having any court case on litigation for sleaze, financial malpractice, embezzlement or fraudulent acts then or on-going in any court of law in the country or abroad. And if you recall, Akpabio had faced one or more of these charges in recent times, so he readily fell into this dragnet, and pronto, the machination to stealthily ease him out of the race before he makes good his senatorial ambition nay the senate presidency bid, which is a sure bet for him if he gets the mandate of his senatorial district. The case of Akpabio, and possibly that of Senator George Akume, who had also faced similar court cases on financial malfeasance, was just that archetypal and instructive for the APC to abide with the innocuous agreement that eventually nailed Akpabio’s senatorial coffin, nay Akume’s. Many have however argued in the contrary, given Saraki’s case who has many court cases in his hands, but they failed to forget that Saraki’s many court cases came up after he had assumed office as the Senate Presidency, so they were arm-strung and the agreement couldn’t be binding on Saraki who then soared high in office before he was again ignominiously shown the red card in the last election. Back to Akpabio’s case, his loss has been perceived by those who should know that his victory is only being delayed until after the office of the Senate has been filled by another senator with a clean slate, after which his loss will be reversed as they say it was a tactical ploy for him to steer him out of the senate presidency bid, but return to take his seat an ordinary floor member. Be that as it may, the man Akpabio has remained undaunted in his assured mandate saying he did not lose the election, and that his mandate is waiting for him. Godswill Akpabio, former Senate Minority Leader, said he did not lose Saturday’s election despite the declaration of Chris Ekpeyong of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Meanwhile, according to results declared by INEC, Ekpeyong polled 118,215 votes ahead of Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who secured 83,158 votes in the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district election. But an incontrovertible result sheet from Akwa Ibom INEC office showed different figures that had Akpabio scoring 138,256 votes as against Ekpeyong’s 123,843. The question now; is where did the results announced officially by INEC emanate from? Because, the disparity is just too glaring, and leaves much to be desired by any discerning mind. All these are the theatrics that make Akpabio’s loss at the poll a mystery.

The National Coordinator, Presidential Support Committee, Senator Godswill Akpabio has insisted that considering the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari -led administration in office, Nigeria has no other better alternative than to give him another term.

Akpabio, who spoke with Journalists in Abuja, urged the South South people to reconsider their stand in planning to vote for the party that wants to sell the Nigeria National Petroleum Coporation(NNPC), and its other assets.

Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential Candidate, has vowed to sell the NNPC, if voted into power, to break what he called ‘mafia’ in the corporation.

But Senator Akpabio said it will not be in the interest of the Niger Delta people for NNPC to be sold.

“Yes I believe Nigerians can compare the difference between apple and orange. The reality is that this president has done very well considering the fact that he was able to take Nigeria out of recession.

“He met ongoing projects on ground, such as the airports and the railways. He completed and put them to use. Nigerians are clamoring for change, better health care, better educational facilities and all those things cannot happen when you spend almost 80 percent of resources on recurring expenses like pension, salary arrears.

“So we must commend the President and of course, if you take a look at what is happening on the Lagos-Ibadan railway, you will be very impressed. Take a look at the Abuja-Kano railway, some people now travel with rail to the North.

“The power sector has improved from 2,500MW to 7000MW. So many things are visible and the enabling environment is there in terms of law and order. The fight against corruption has really been intensified and the good thing is that it has now become a deterrent to any public official that yes..., if you go out of your way to move your pocket forward instead of your country or state, you will be held accountable.

“We in the Niger Delta are very apprehensive. I don’t think that there is any person in the South South who will go and vote for PDP. Even some of them are trying to purchase votes because when you look at the major policy document of the PDP today, they are talking about selling the NNPC.

“What does the NNPC have? Is it the building? What NNPC controls is the oil of the Niger Delta, oil wells, oil fields and all those things come together with the land. I don’t see anybody from the South South or any Niger Deltan, who will agree that the same way we sold out Nigeria Airways and we became a laughing stock in the comity of states in Africa is the same way NNPC should be sold.

“Look at Kenya Airways, Ethopia Airline, Ghana Airline, South African Airways and Nigeria has no single plane now called its own. We sold out our Aluminium Smelter Company in Ikot Abasi, that provided thousands of jobs and today that place is totally bare with over 690MW of electricity.

“We sold out Oku Iboku Paper Mill in Akwa Ibom and our people are there jobless. That massive structure is a waste. All those things combined are things that frighten us when somebody talks about the sale of NNPC. The sale of NNPC on its own simply means that the Niger Deltans are going to be divested of not just their properties, not just the water that they fish in, but the fact that they will become tenants in their lands for the next 50 to 100 years. And people will come from outside, maybe friends of the government, and possess their land.

"The election also is between integrity and others. The President has shown that he can give what belongs to Niger Delta to Niger Delta. He is even refunding monies that were used during my tenure to repair Federal roads and what we use to call Paris Club refund.

“We tried everything under the PDP. We never had that money and I was a Governor and the FG was owing my state over 145 Billion on federal roads and the building of prisons and other things I had to intervene. I dualized federal roads, built airport and today, federal government is refunding those monies to the state.

“If you see a government that has shown sincerity, it simply means that we are now talking about a question of integrity and a question of postulation. We are postulating that if you bring in a government that will sell your father’s land, that will sell your oil wells and sell the waters that you use in fishing, then I can conclude that there is no alternative to President Buhari.”

N411m Fraud: Another Ecobank Top Manager May Go To Jail!...How he fleeced unsuspecting customers

This is another defacing development for one of Nigeria’s financial houses, given the fact that in recent past, a handful of their top officers have been enmeshed in one court case or the other over allegations of fraud and sundry messy financial scandals and abuse of vested office in them.

Again, what could aptly be described as nemesis for an obstinate and mischievous person has just played out on a top manager at Ecobank plc, Ifeanyi Chukwu Azike, as a Lagos Federal High Court last week ordered his remand in prison for allegedly defrauding one of the bank’s customers to the tune of a whopping N411 million. Azike was reportedly arraigned before Justice Ayotunde Faji, by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police on a three count-charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, false representation and fraud.

Read more...
https://www.airwavesreport.com/business/2685-n411m-fraud-another-ecobank-top-manager-may-go-to-jail-how-he-fleeced-unsuspecting-customers

INEC Redeploys Akwa Ibom REC, Mike Ingini to Bayelsa

Ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections, there has been a shake-up in the Independent National Electoral Commission. The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom, Mike Igini, has just been redeployed to Bayelsa State and has been subsequently sworn in as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the State.
At his new post, he will be exercising supervisory control over personnel, resources as well as the legal and administrative processes in the state. He will also be interacting with various categories of stakeholders in the political firmament of the state. His appointment is coming barely two weeks to the 2019 General Elections.
Meanwhile, Mr. Igini, who is leaving Akwa Ibom State, has been described by many as a man of integrity who is dedicated to making sure elections conducted in any state he serves are free, transparent and credible.
Shortly before he was transferred, Mr. Igini, whose reputation for conducting credible polls precedes him had told the world that he will conduct a free and credible election in Akwa Ibom State and that there will be no undue influence from any quarter to tilt the outcome of the elections in favour of any party. The new Bayelsa Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Igini, is an academic of no mean repute, a man whose reputation for conducting free and fair elections everywhere he has been the REC. He always makes bold to say that he will conduct a free and credible election in wherever he is posted.

Akwa Ibom Takes Over Cross-River
…as REC Elder Monday Udo Tom Resumes In Bayelsa

The re-deployment of Elder Monday Udo Tom to Bayelsa State from Akwa Ibom as the Resident Electoral Commissioner is sure a sign of good things to come in the unfolding election period. This is because of the good work which the man did in Akwa Ibom, and will definitely continue this good work in his new destination.
According to the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while swearing in the new REC at the commission’s headquarters last Wednesday in Abuja, the redeployment is in line with the commission’s principle. The appointment of Elder Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State brings the total number of RECs nationwide to 36 states including the FCT to make it 37.
Elder Moday Udo Tom, the new Bayelsa REC, holds a BSc degree in Biological Science and a Masters in Microbiology. He served as a lecturer and variously a civil servant in Akwa Ibom State.
At his new post, he will be exercising supervisory control over personnel, resources as well as the legal and administrative processes in the state. He will also be interacting with various categories of stakeholders in the political firmament of the state.
His appointment is coming just few days to the 2019 General Elections and it is being greeted as a welcomed development in political calculation and math of the state because he is one man that can make things work when the bubble cannot burst.
Elder Udo Tom’s appointment is a signal that the city will be firm grip of whatever that appears to be a stumbling block in the scenario that could present itself during the election in the South-South region. That’s why Elder Udo Tom’s appointment is being applauded in many quarters.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s wife, Toyin, was reportedly attacked by a pro-democratic group Kwara Must Change. The group’s president, Abdulrazaq O Hamzat said; “The attention of Kwara Must Change has been drawn to some fallacious claims made by Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who claimed in an Instagram post that an imaginary project she referred to as conditional cash transfer took place in Kwara State during the administration of her husband.”



https://www.airwavesreport.com/politics/2111-senate-president-bukola-saraki-s-wife-toyin-in-cash-transfer-mess-attacked-in-ilorin

I’ll run all-inclusive govt — Fayemi

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the coming Governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has promised to run an all-inclusive government the wqy he did the first time round.

https://www.airwavesreport.com/politics/1952-i-ll-run-all-inclusive-govt-fayemi

Atlantic Hall To Build Multi-million Naira Ultra-modern Sports Complex...Calls For Stakeholder Support on Project

One of the leading co-educational secondary schools in Nigeria, Atlantic Hall is set to begin the construction of the biggest sports complex in any school in Nigeria with the aim of promoting grassroots sports and early talent discovery. A tree planting exercise at the project site in the school premises on Friday, June 8, 2018 marked the plan kick-off.



https://www.airwavesreport.com/sport/1951-atlantic-hall-to-build-multi-million-naira-ultra-modern-sports-complex-calls-for-stakeholder-support-on-project