𝗥𝗘𝗣. 𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗨𝗞𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗚-𝗨𝗗𝗢 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗖𝗧

•••𝑺𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔

In response to the escalating housing crisis in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, a member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo (PhD), representing Ikono-Ini Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, has introduced a motion aimed at transforming the rental landscape in the nation’s capital. Titled "Implementation of Monthly Rent to Encourage Inclusive Rental System and Curb Arbitrarily Increase in House Rent in the Federal Capital Territory," the motion seeks, among other things, the Implementation of a monthly rent system to alleviate the financial strain on tenants.

Rep. Ukpong-Udo highlighted several critical issues affecting tenants in the FCT. Among the primary concerns is the common practice of landlords demanding at least one year’s rent upfront, with some requiring as much as two years’ payment in advance. This system imposes a significant financial burden on tenants, especially those with limited incomes. The cost of renting properties in the FCT is alarmingly high, with one-bedroom apartments costing between 1 to 1.5 million naira per year, two-bedroom apartments ranging from 2 to 3 million naira per year, and three-bedroom apartments well over N3.5 million per year. In addition to these steep rents, tenants face exorbitant additional charges, including legal fees (up to 20% of the rent), agency fees (5-10%), service/maintenance fees (N150,000 and above), and caution fees (ranging from N150,000 to N400,000).

Rep. Ukpong-Udo emphasised that civil servants and artisans are already dealing with numerous economic challenges, following the removal of fuel subsidies, rising foreign exchange rates, increased electricity tariffs, and higher taxes and levies. These factors exacerbate the difficulty of managing high rental costs, making it imperative to address the housing issue urgently.
To tackle these pressing issues, the motion proposes the implementation of an inclusive rental system that allows for affordable monthly rental payments. This approach aims to provide tenants with greater flexibility, improve cash flow management, offer reasonable move-out options, and ensure a stable income stream for landlords.

Furthermore, the motion calls for government intervention to formulate policies that regulate house rents and landlord activities in Abuja. It also advocates for the construction of affordable low-cost houses and estates specifically for civil servants, helping to reduce the financial strain on those who serve the community. The motion urged the Federal Ministries of Housing and Habitat and Works to prioritize the construction of affordable housing for civil servants. It also mandates the Committee on Housing and Habitat and Works to ensure compliance with these objectives. By implementing these measures, the motion aims to create a more equitable and manageable rental market in the FCT, ultimately improving the quality of life for hardworking civil servants and artisans.


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/694767-reps-move-to-end-annual-rent-payment-in-abuja.html#:~:text=The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20has,it%20with%20a%20monthly%20system.

God bless him. How I wish he was in APC and not YPP. But for him to have won PDP and APC in Akwa Ibom State, that means he worked hard, and the people love him.

How I wish we more of him in Nigeria and not self-centered politicians.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has appointed 372 personal assistants. The aides, who were picked from each ward across the 31 local government.

According to Prince Enobong Uwah, Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, the appointment takes immediate effect from October 1, 2023, adding that the appointees would be sworn in on Monday, October 2nd.

In a press release signed by Uwah during the weekend in Uyo, he stated that the appointment was in fulfilment of Governor Eno’s promise of ensuring grassroots involvement in governance.

“In fulfilment of his promise of ensuring grassroots involvement in governance, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno has appointed 372 personal aides to serve in his administration, one from each ward in the state,” he said.

At the inception of his administration, Governor Umo Eno had said he would take governance to the grassroot and urged his Commissioners to always visit and liaise closely with people in their local government areas.
Read More
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State Appoints 372 Aides – Akwa Ibom Daily - https://akwaibomdaily.com.ng/governor-umo-eno-of-akwa-ibom-state-appoints-372-aides/?amp=1

Solsix:
Mtcheeww

Losër man, why are you so pained?

Buy bread oh, Akeke bread

Stanley Williams Inyang wrote:

The man on the photo is the father of the rave of the moment, talking about the famous Hilda Effiong Bassey, who goes by a brand name, Hilda Baci. Hilda is the current holder of the Guinness World Records for the longest cooking time for an individual on earth though she's yet to be verified by GWR. His name is Mr. Effiong Bassey Edem, he hails from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He is a cement dealer and resident in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

Since Hilda came on the spotlight by simply breaking and setting a new world record for the longest cooking time for a single individual on earth, discussions/ interviews between her mother, Miss Linda and herself on Hilda's success awash the mainstream/ social media space. But little or nothing has been said about Hilda's father. Hilda's success has been tied around God and her mother. The question has been, where has the father been while Hilda and her other siblings were growing up?

After thorough investigation, Yours Truly found out that Hilda and one of her siblings graduated from Madonna University, and the tuition fee person session for an individual is put at six hundred thousand (N600,000) naira.
Where could Miss Linda being only a "Mama Put Seller" at that time have raised such staggering sum of money for the tuition, other fees and their upkeep throughout the period they were in school?

The fees and their upkeep came from nowhere else than from their father, Mr. Effiong Bassey Edem.
According to him, it was tough seeing Hilda and her sibling through the Madonna University. He said at some point he had to buy money from shylocks with huge interest rates to make sure that they were educated.

No matter what may have caused their separation, Mr. Effiong Bassey Edem ought to have been given his due credit for the upbringing of Hilda and her siblings. It is totally wrong for Hilda and her mother to delete Mr. Edem from the success story of Hilda Baci.

By Ubong Nelson

This morning, while doing my rounds on the social media, I happened on a viral Press Conference featuring Chef Hilda Baci and her mother, Linda.

Now, Linda is a talker. She seized the opportunity with both hands and regaled the world audience with tales. Her idea of seizing the moment.

As Linda hugged the microphone, something in me snapped. My spirit told me I've heard enough. Ms. Linda boasted that she had laid a success path for the children to follow. So, she named the children, Gilbert and Hilda after rich and successful people in the neighborhood and it's playing out in reality.

I couldn't stand her boastfulness and kept asking myself where the father was, why he's not been accorded any input. In my usual way, I poured my feelings on my Facebook Wall.

As I asked the question, who the father of Hilda Baci is, responses weren't too kind on the father. Benjamin Roberts sent a material from Facebook and trust me, I didn't look at the man in the photo who said he's Hilda Baci's father.

Fast forward to this afternoon, my brother Iyanga G Utuk who saw my post, called and promised to link me up with the said father, who I understand sells cement on Obio Imo Street. When he mentioned cement and the location, my brain told me, that can only be EFFIBABA, my friend of over 43 years.

Dang, I put a call to EFFIBABA. " Are you Hilda's father?" The answer, "Yes bro". I wanted to know his whereabouts and he promised to meet me in my office. After 5pm, he drove in. We have just parted company and I want to correct some impressions.

Hilda Baci is from Ntre Oton, Nsit Ubium LGA, Akwa Ibom State. Her siblings are Gilbert, a graduate of Madonna University, who studied Electrical/Electronics engineering. He's 30 years old. Hilda has a younger sister, and another brother, who's born, October, 2010.

At 21/2 years, Hilda Baci was already reciting the Bible brilliantly at the Mt. Zion Church in Calabar.

When Ms.Linda boasted of sending the children to elite schools in Nigeria, she forgot to give credit to the father, EFFIONG BASSEY, who told me he went as far as buying money from loan sharks to keep the children in the schools that the mother chose for them.

If the internet jury were to be able to ask questions, the question to Ms. Linda would have been, how she, selling mamaput, miraculously paid 600k school fees for a child. Or is there something she didn't disclose.

Finally, if any of the children, or Ms. Linda contest my contribution, there are free to state it the way it is. But trust me, I spent four hours with Hilda Baci's father, Effiong Bassey Edem, and there's enough to say about the mission to the Defense House, Abuja and other stories.

...Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo Gets 2nd Term

Following widespread sporadic shootings, violence and maiming of voters in the 17 Units of Ward 11, Itak, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cancelled the Supplementary election of Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.

Our reporter observed that voting could not take place in almost all the units due to the massive shooting.

Announcing the cancellation, the Resident Electoral Commissioner; Cyril Omoregbe, who briefed collation officers in his office on Saturday evening April 15, 2023 said the election stands canceled following reports of violence that claimed few lives.

The INEC statement further indicates that the YPP candidate, Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo having scored majority of votes cast in the previous election stands elected.

Also briefing newsmen in Uyo, agent of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Barr Eteyen Archibong, said, "What took place today was a charade and nothing to right home about. In fact, voting did not hold in the (Itak) polling units. ”

Barr. Archibong urged the electoral umpire to declare the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Hon Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, who scored the highest number of votes in the February 25 House of Representatives election, leading his close rival, Glory Edet of PDP with over 4,000 votes.

Also speaking, the State Secretary of YPP, Ambassador Kelvin Umoh, who was flanked by the agent of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Ini Udom, advised INEC in the State to announce his party's candidate as winner of the Ikono/Ini House of Representatives election having previously scored majority of the votes cast during the last election.

Akwaibomdaily:


Hahaahahahahah

Which of the parties do you have interest in ?

Citytalk:


You are a complete replica of this write-up. I thought you wanted to say that he didn't make that statement.

Insult will not save Udom from being embarrassed at the pool come 2023.

You know that the self-acclaimed pastor does not have any result. If he has, why did he hire over 15 SANS?

Are you for real?

nesphil:
Who is this Ediot posting rubbish
There are many ways to silence opposition and believe me HE UGE is not going to use any illegal or violent means but will silence them with results.

So don't get it twisted cos Akan Okon's Case against Umo was thrown out cos He Akan Okon failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Umo Eno's certificate was forged, as WAEC onfirm that Umo Eno's Certificate was the authentic one.

So you Fhooools should stop a useless campaign of calumny against Udom.

This man eh... Seize fire please �

Racoon:
Really? Emmanuel Udom are you a despotic tyrant?

He will be humbled

iokpebholo:
PDP no get opposition for Akwa Ibom state before na

YPP is now a force in that state

Akwaibomdaily:


Guy rest abeg

Shey you dey whine me barisa

Citytalk:
I will silence every opposition against Umo Eno’s emergence as the next Gov of Akwa Ibom State . Gov Udom Emmanuel

...Group to petition NJC

Governor Udom Emmanuel has vowed to silence every perceived opposition against the installation of pastor Umo Eno as his successor.

Udom Emmanuel was said to have boasted to some of his kitchen cabinet members that he has succeeded in silencing Akan Okon, Akan Udofia and Senator Godswill Akpabio, and assured them that he has settled the Judge to convict Senator Bassey Albert on the alleged money laundering case with EFCC.

The Governor was said to have declared to his allies that the only Governorship opposition that will challenge Umo Eno at the polls which he described as ‘lifeless' is Senator John Udoedehe.


He said Udoedehe lacks the political prowess to garner a good number of votes that will spring surprise in the electoral system.

Our source who was part of the meeting alleged that the Governor disclosed to them that he has concluded plans to send the sum of five Billion naira equivalent in dollars cash to Justice Agatha Okeke in order to swing judgment against Senator Bassey Albert.

It can be recalled that prior to the ruling on the case of certificate scandal of Pastor Umo Eno, Udom was alleged to have succeeded in bribing the presiding judge, Justice Agatha Okeke with the sum of five hundred million naira and bullet proof SUV to sway the case on technicalities in favour of Umo Eno.

Findings by our investigative team has it that as at two week, Governor Udom Emmanuel had dispatched a team led by Engr Uwem Okoko and one joe who purchase two billet proof SUV with the mandate to meet with the judge and present the offer from the state government to her.

One of the bullet proof SUV the source added was given to Umo Eno Governorship State campaign co-ordinator .It was discovered that the team made several attempts to see the female judge but was not possible as the woman had expressly declared that the case is bad one and was not within her power to help Pastor Umo Eno.

Our source also said that Justice Agatha Okeke rejected all offers from the state government until Thursday afternoon last week when she gave in because of pressure from other senior judges and powers that be, directing her to dismiss the case on technical grounds.

Justice Okeke was said to have received the sum of five hundred million naira in cash and bullet proof SUV from the Governor Udom Emmanuel through her husband who acted as her front .

"The Governor succeeded in using other judges to get across to Justice Agatha Okeke. The judge was instructed to dismiss the case on technicalities in favour of Pastor Umo Eno.

" If you observed , few days before judgment, government officials were moody until a day to the judgment when Engr Uwem Okoko-led bribe team succeeded in passing across the sum of five hundred million naira and a bulletproof SUV to the justice through her assigned proxy.

"After that they were confidence that the case would be decided in their favour, reason you saw Governor's aides engaging in frenzy before the judgment." Our source said.

It can be recalled that Mr. Akan Okon had dragged the PDP Governorship candidate to court over forged certificate and voter's card, demanding the court to declare him as the authentic winner of the PDP primaries in the state.

The case had remained in court for months and was decided on Friday 11 November, 2022 in favour of Udom for Umo Eno.

Meanwhile,a Socio -Political group in the State, Akwa Ibom Democrats for Justice has embarked on a move to petition Justice Okeke to the NJC. According to the President of the group,Chief Rufus Adiaumoh, It is no longer hidden that Justice Okeke is in the pockets of the Akwa Ibom State Governor and as such, Judgements are bought in his favour.

"As a people,we can't sit down and watch this miscarriage of Justice going on in this State hence the decision to act now as Akwa Ibom is the only State we have" he said.

I'm here to read and pass

Politics is not a do-or-die affair

Odin13:


Daft.

Next!

You were deprived of home training

rolams:


You and the writer are the same! See below the meaning of CAGE and BARRICADE according to oxford dictionary.

CAGE:
a structure of bars or wires in which birds or other animals are confined.

BARRICADE:
an improvised barrier erected across a street or other thoroughfare to prevent or delay the movement of opposing forces.

Are they not treating humans like animals and are those humans opposing forces?

You just didn't attend school

Odin13:


No be ekuke dem Dey follow bark.

Are they not treating humans like animals and are those humans opposing forces?

According to one Mr. Ofonime Honestly, a journalist residing in Uyo, humans were caged by the people's Democratic party during their rally.

Read what he wrote below.

HUMANS IN CAGE AT PDP RALLY IN UYO, NIGERIA.

This picture sums up how citizens are kept in bondage after years of oppressive and exploitative rule.

While their (leaders) children are cocooned in stolen affluence, the children of the common man, clad in political slavery uniform are hired cheaply for rallies and made to stand under sun and rain.

Look at how they were slammed into a mighty cage in Uyo.

I blame them for reducing their dignity as humans. Wahala for people wey dey worship oppressors. Weaponized poverty can't conquer everyone!

Akwa Ibom State Government has called for synergy with the People’s Republic of China to boost education, agriculture, and basic infrastructure which will create job opportunities for people in the state.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, while playing host to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria on Friday. Cui Jianchun,at Government House, Uyo, acknowledged the Nigeria-China bilateral relations over the years.

The Governor emphasized the need to collaborate with China in areas peculiar to the needs of the state, noting that the partnership in education and agricultural sector will build concrete foundation for investment in the area of nuclear technology in future.

“We have not reached that level that you want to take us into the nuclear power yet, we are still at the basic level.

“If you want us to draw collaboration first of all let’s feed our people through agriculture which I know you have done a whole lot.

“Let’s start from agriculture, let’s start from the basic social services, let’s first of all build basic infrastructure, education, before we get to an advancement where our people will have a clearer understanding of the ingredients and what could be the challenges, the benefits and probably the environmental impact of what nuclear technology will do”, the governor noted.

Identifying population as a major factor to boost domestic economy, the governor commended the Chinese Ambassador for collaboration with Akwa Ibom State Government, pointing out that the synergy with the state will open a new vista of growing the State’s economy, in terms of technology transfer, human resources, and skills development.

“Those magical touch you have introduced into your economy specifically your domestic economy, we also have the population, because what created the advantage initially for China is the population because with the population, you created a major domestic economy where consumption was matched with needs.

“It will be in history that during your time as the 14th Ambassador that you created that synergetic cooperation between what we have in Akwa Ibom State and what you can also offer in terms of technology transfer”.

Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, who is the 14th Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria assured Akwa Ibom State Government of a cordial bilateral relations, noting that he seeks to improve on his predecessor’s efforts in fostering trade-relations with the state.

The Chinese envoy, accompanied by the Managing Director of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and Deputy Managing Director of CCECC Nig Ltd, declared that the Nigeria-China GDP strategy will be based on 5 ‘GIST’ and will address some socio-economic challenges in the state, saying, “My predecessor has done a lot for the two nations, for me I want to plan new trade for both countries so we need new strategies and this strategy is called 5 ‘GIST’ Nigeria-China Strategy".

Mr. Jianchun, who commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his developmental strides in the state, called on the state government to leverage on the availability of oil, gas and power plant, to build a nuclear power plant in the state, saying, “this state Akwa Ibom you have the capability to build a nuclear power plant, in the whole country only Akwa Ibom and Kogi to build a nuclear power plant, so I think you can leverage on this advantage for the future”, he noted.

Politics is local

One Mr. Solomon Etim Usanga of Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State received the shock of his life on his wedding day as his estranged lover, Comfort Solomon stormed his wedding venue during offering and “offered” their love child to the father and walked away while the couple were holding offering basins to receive offerings for the church as is the practice in some denominations during wedding.

The wedding ceremony took place at Nkari village in Ini LGA and left the couple as well as attendees in awe.

#AkwaibomDaily

It is sad to criticize what we have but most difficult to hide it when the disaster is self-announced.

Relegation-threatened Kano Pillars hosted Dakkada FC Of Uyo in a relegation battle clash.

The host, Pillars got the opening goal but the visitors equalized at the added time of the game.

But what happened after the goal that all the websites have updated the scores to be 1-1... The center referee consulted with his assistant to cancel the goal without any clear reason. Why did they cancel a clean goal?

We're they afraid of being lynched after the match?

The game was supposed to be played under closed doors but the management of Kano Pillars allowed their fans into the stadium.

Nigerians should ask why the team manager of Kano Pillars hit the referee?

The ball by all standards was not offside and by the flow of the game no foul before the equalizer.

Should this decision be allowed to stand, then the NPFL has lost its sanity and the image is nowhere to be found.

Dakkada should be awarded their point before any other consultation is done.

Watch the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8va4M3BTDPc

The Council Chairman of Eket Local Government, Mr Akaniyene Tommey today led a team of security operatives on a raid at illegal alcoholic distilleries in the local government.

Joined by the DPO of Eket Division, DSP Sunday Digha, men of the Civil Defence and staffs of the Ministry of Environment, the Council Boss and his entourage uncovered two separate adulterated alcoholic factories at Ikot Abia Village where empty bottles of different brands of alcoholic beverages, labels, empty cartons of drinks and already finished products were found in the premises.

The adulterated items were taken away by the men of the Police which according to DSP Digha, will be used as one of the exhibits against the perpetrators in Court.

Frowning at the incident, the Council Chairman charged the police to leave no stone unturned and also make sure the owners of the illegal factories are made to face the law and also charged on citizens to be vigilant and report suspicious activities in their area to security operatives.

Classy

This is the Model Primary School, Awa-Ubium, Onna LGA. It’s a modern school, with full amenities of what basic education should have in this century.

Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s administration has prioritized education development in Akwa Ibom State.

The project was jointly executed by the State Government in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission.
A UBEC-SUBEB project.
#PDP #CompletionAgenda

Bluntguy:
Majority of those handpicked lackeys will lose in the election proper. Time will tell.

Says who?
Go and get your PVC first

Fresh from receiving his certificate of return from the National Chairman of the Party in Abuja, the PDP Governorship Candidate Pastor Umo Eno, Thursday afternoon arrived Uyo to a rousing welcome by his family and supporters at the Victor Attah International Airport.

The visibly elated Pastor Eno, flanked by his wife Patience and some members of the State Executive Council, assured his teaming supporters not to be daunted by the barrage of blackmails from desperate politicians as God would continue to grant him victory.

While thanking his political mentor Governor Udom Emmanuel and the wife of the Governor, Dr(Mrs) Martha Emmanuel for their support, he urged the people to avail themselves of the window provided by INEC to go and register to get their voter’s cards.

The last minute decision by the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and immediate past Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio to back out of the Presidential race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC Tuesday night at the party's National convention has attracted widespread condemnation, as many have described his action as 'uncommon treachery and betrayal of his people'.

The Senator has been described as an uncommon betrayer, for being the only aspirant from the South South and South East to step down for Bola Tinubu in the South West, despite the region’s grip on power for 16 years as President and Vice President respectively.

Recall that a new twist emerged Tuesday night at the just concluded All Progressive Congress (APC) special convention for election of Presidential candidate, when Godswill Akpabio whose turn it was to address delegates, mounted the platform, disqualified himself, before declaring his support for another aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the consternation of supporters.

Senator Akpabio who had openly demarketed himself at the APC special convention had told the bewildered party delegates that he was not fit to govern Nigeria, hence his decision to withdraw from the race in support for Bola Tinubu who he described as a visionary.

Reacting to the former Governor's shocking cowardice, a United States based, Thompson Essien who mocked the Senator for displaying a defeatist behaviour at the party convention, argued that his action was not surprising, as he had already predicted that he was not anywhere.

Thompson wrote on his Facebook page; "Akpabio: I built Heaven in Akwa Ibom; i even brought God down. In any case, I'm not fit to govern Nigeria, please vote for Tinubu. I told you guys, the man needs a visit with a psychiatrist".

Mr. Thompson Essien had also in another post on his Facebook handle hailed that every one knew that Godswill Akpabio would never go beyond the Presidential Primary.

Ugwunna Ejikem who hails from the South-Eastern part of the country where Akpabio is
P an in-law had lambasted the former Minister for not being man enough face other contenders in the race.

Taking to her twitter handle, Ejikem had wondered why Akpabio only ended up listing his achievement as Governor of Akwa Ibom where he served under the PDP and still asked his delegates to vote for Bola Tinubu.

The tweet reads; "Godswill Akpabio finished naming his achievements as Governor then asked his delegates to vote for Bola Tinubu because of those achievements, are these men on crack".

Reacting to Ugwunna's tweet, another twitter handler with account name, Eugene_Ughami@Baronnevo mocked Akpabio for praising his achievements as a PDP Governor and turning around to claim the same party that brought him to political limelight did nothing in 16years.

His tweet reads; "what do you expect from a man who praised his achievements as a PDP governor, then said the same PDP did nothing in 16yrs".

Callers on radio stations in Akwa Ibom who phoned in to the news review and political discourse segments on some of the stations monitored by our reporter held diverse opinions on the action of the former Governor, while applauding another aspirant from the South-South region, Rotimi Amaechi for making the entire region proud by his decision not to backdown from the race as Akpabio did.

A former National official of the PDP, and Managing Director, Akwa Ibom Property Investment Company, APICO, Barr. Patrick Udomfang while reacting on the comment section of a trending online debate on the matter, noted that the stepping down signals failure and does not pass a good message about the State.

He however commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for not toeing the same path during the recently concluded Presidential Primary election of the PDP.

" Stepping down is a failure, Udom fought gallantly as a proud Akwa Ibom son and secured the 4th position out of 12. That is not easy and he has registered Akwa Ibom state in the National History".

Another public affairs analyst, Mr Idongesit Inyang had this to say on a popular whatsapp group; "Senator Akpabio legit said that it's not his time or something like that. That he is stepping down for a man with vision?"
Distinguished Senator iniehe vision idem amo?
"So, on a really good day, Distinguished will choose Mr. Tinubu over himself?
Like, he will tell people, 'Da, dede Tinubu ami adiongo mkpo ke governance ankan mien o'?"

A popular preacher of the African Church faith, Rev Richard Peters, had argued that the former Niger-Delta Affairs Minister may had known he won't make it at the primary hence his decision to abandon the race midway to escape the impending embarrassment that was awaiting him. It was discovered that delegates from Akwa Ibom who were with him were not screened to participate in the exercise owing to a court order.

"Godswill Akpabio asked delegates from Akwa Ibom to vote for Ahmed Tinubu, as it stance, no delegate from Akwa Ibom has voted because the list Akpabio presented is not certified by INEC. Akpabio knew that he won't have upto 5 votes that was why he chicken out shamefully, cheaply and surreptitiously"

Idongesit Uyo, another cleric based in Abak local government of Akwa Ibom State, on his part believes “a man who went saw and attempted to conquer is better than a man who went, saw and surrendered.”

Describing the Senator as one who is not politically smart in his calculation, Uyo argued that he would have stood his ground and face the ballot to test his popularity, rather than chickening out as he did at the last minute.

According to him "someone resigned as a Minister (not under duress) A position he held on trust for Akwa Ibom. Spent N100million on form (N1m in 100 places) campaigned all over the country, went to the venue and stepped down for Tinubu....Like, of all people, Tinubu and you are telling us that he is smart!"

"The truth is that Sen. Godswill Akpabio is very predictable. But his people won't see it because at times, loyalty blinds a man"

Usenobong Iseh in his submission averred that there was nothing smart about Akpabio's withdrawal from the race.

He opined that it would have been fine if he had stepped down for Prof. Yemi Osinbajo or Rotimi Amaechi, instead of Tinubu who is said to be far older in age.

"There is nothing smart there , had it been he stepped down for CRA or PYO who are better and vibrant people"

Akpabio's action has been widely seen as a display of betrayal, treachery and cowardice for a man of his standing to drum support for a 90year old man when there were other credible and much younger aspirants he would have thrown his weight behind if he felt he lacked what it takes to lead the country.

Surprised by Akpabio's volte-face decision, Ubong Sampson in a facebook post, Wednesday queried "I hope Godswill Akpabio won't aspire for any public office that requires electoral process in this country".

"We all should apologise to Udom Emmanuel for ever undermining his 38 votes. At least, he went all out to prove he wanted that opportunity to serve".

"How can you stand on national TV to say you had 1200 delegates to vote you, yet, stepped down for an old fragile man who took more than 10 seconds to flip a page of his written speech because his hand can't hold anything firmly?"

"So Godswill that I should have voted for is expecting me to vote for Tinubu?", he quipped.
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Who sabi wetin person fit do to japa?

Politicians of influence are in competition to secure top elective political positions for their children. Mohammed Tanko and Sule Lamido have each put forward two sons for 2023. Ibori, Okowa, Fayose, Abiola-Ajimobi, El-Rufai, Abacha, Abiola, Alao-Akala all have children who have clinched tickets in the top political parties for different elective positions. Someone even had to withdraw for Ganduje's son to have the House of Reps ticket of the APC for his federal constituency.

I am not surprised actually. Political positions hold very juicy attractions in terms of power, wealth and influence for whoever wins them. It's especially so in Nigeria where you get more than your legitimate earnings in politics.

These men enroll their children in top universities abroad or in highbrow domestic private universities with uninterrupted academic programmes. Once their children graduate, they find a way to secure the most juicy jobs for them or settle them politically.

But, what chances are there for children of the common Nigerian whose academic programmes are frequently interrupted because of the indifference of these same leaders to university education? What's the hope of those whose miseducation in public schools doesn't equip them to compete favourably with their equals from private schools? What's the fate of those who are neither delegates nor children of politicians but take the most risks during elections?

Inyene Peter