EKERE'S SUBPAENED WITNESS ABSENT ON INEC REGISTER, PRESENTED FAKE VIDEO BEFORE TRIBUNAL

The man paraded by Nsima Ekere to testify as polling unit agent at Obot Akara during the Governorship elections of March 9, 2019 may have been an impostor afterall.


Nsikak Williams Ndarake who entered the dock as a polling officer for Ward 4, Unit 005, Primary School Ikpe Mbak Eyop and who presented alleged video evidences in support of Mr Ekere's campaign, was as fake as the unverified video clip he presented.


While in the dock, Ndarake claimed that he was an Assistant Presiding Officer in Ward 4, Unit 005 in Obot Akara,  and that he was abducted to the house of Senator Chris Ekpenyong and threatened at gunpoint to manipulate election results in support of PDP. He also claimed that he recorded the video of the abduction, with his phone while the gunmen where still threatening to kill him if he fails to cooperate.


Exclusive documents by our reporter however indicate that Ifeanyi Ifeyinwa Priscilla was Presiding Officer (PO) in that particular ward.



The document shows that two NYSC members, Ifeanyi Ifeyinwa Priscilla and Ndineka Chinedu as PO and APO1 respectively, while a student, Jacob Stephen Jonah was APO2 and John Daniel David, a former Corp member served as APO3.


This contradicts the evidence of the APC Gubernatorial Candidate, witness, PW44, Williams Ndarake who identified himself at the tribunal as APO2 in unit 005, Ward 4, Obot Akara LGA.



The INEC form EC25(B) at our reporter's disposal has proven Ekere wrong, as it contains actual names, phone numbers and designation of INEC Officials who served in the polling unit.



Nsima Ekere is facing an uphill task and remains undecided on what actually he wishes to gain from the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo, after recanting his earlier demands and suing for complete cancellation of the elections.


PW 44 during cross examination, had claimed that he kept his phone on the ground to record in Senator Ekpenyong's house. 


The video showed no sign that the former deputy governor was the owner of the room, and Ndarake himself admitted he never saw Ekpenyong throughout his stay in alleged abduction.


When asked how a phone he kept on the ground could recorded different scenes, he now said that he kept carrying it up and dropping it again.


"All these, at while a gun was pointed at your head"?


Yes my lord.


"And you were so scared that you felt like escaping from that place to save your life"?


Yes, I was really scared."


This was as interesting as it sounded before their lordships who may have wondered how naive some gunmen could be, that they would tolerate a victim making video recordings on their ignoble activities. 


Alas, the video, which lasted less than 3minutes showed no violence and no evidence that the activity in view took place in Akwa Ibom state. 


As Governor Udom Emmanuel's team commences its defense today, it is obvious that there are some questions that will be put forward to Nsima and his team. For example,  how he was courageous enough to spend quality time to go and fetch materials like ballot papers from INEC without tendering them before the tribunal.

EMMANUEL EKON'S WITNESSES CAUSE STIR AT TRIBUNAL WITH CONTRADICTORY TESTIMONIES

****Says Emman Ekon should illegally be returned to House of Representatives

***Admits he knows nothing about Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency


The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in Petition No: EPT/AKS/HR/04/2019 between Emmanuel Ekon & Anor V. Hon. Aniekan Umanah & 2 Ors was yesterday, 30th July, 2019 flummoxed on the comedy and blunders made by witnesses of the Petitioner during cross examination by the first and second respondents counsels, Solomon Umoh, SAN and Godwin Umoh, Esq respectively.

The testimony of the so-called subpoenaed witnesses caused great discomfort and anxiety for the 1st Petitioner(Emmanuel Ekon), as he became jittery and completely restless as he watched his witnesses manifestly contradict themselves under the heat of cross examination by the defence counsels.

All four witnesses presented by Hon. Emmanuel Ekon to testify during proceedings contradicted themselves when they alleged in one breathe that there was no election in their polling units but in another breathe struggled to lead evidence that the Petitioner won the elections in their polling units and ought to be returned as elected.

Henry Akpan Usoro, one of the witnesses who said he's from Ikot Onono in Ika LGA claimed he knows nothing about Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency when asked about the rotational arrangement and zoning applicable in the three local governments, even though he admitted that the 1st Petitioner (Emmanuel Ekon)had never won an election under the platform of the 2nd Petitioner(APC) but won previous elections under the platform of the 2nd Respondent (PDP).

The second witness, George Aniekemeabasi from Ikot Antia in Ika who also contradicted himself when he said his unit does not have voters register even after admitting that he registered as a voter from his unit and collected his voters card as a voter for his unit.

The witness who obfuscated himself with disjointed grammar but claimed to be a GRADUATE of political science from the University of Uyo was asked to state the University where he graduated from by the Tribunal. The witness in his characteristic grammatical quagmire also stated that he made only a verbal report to an unnamed security officer concerning his claims that election didn’t hold in his polling unit.

S. C. Peters, Counsel to Emmanuel Ekon in his efforts to rescue their drowning witnesses attempted to turn the tribunal to a house of commotion with his countless interruption and objections but was put under control by the tribunal.

With this development, the Tribunal adjourned the matter for conclusion of the Petitioners’ case to Thursday, 1st August,2019 as that is the last date accorded the Petitioners to conclude their testimonies and prove their verbose allegations contained in the petition filed by the Petitioners.

#TRIBUNAL
NSIMA V UDOM: THE IGNORANCE OF APC MEDIA HIRELINGS

~Richard Peters

I wonder why the media agents of the Akwa Ibom APC always take pleasure in publicly embarrassing themselves and by extension Nsima Ekere's weakness in gathering enough facts to justify his petition before the tribunal.

How they choose to display their ignorance over the request made by the Counsel to the respondent on Monday 29th July 2019 wherein the learned counsel "notified the Tribunal of the delays in the sorting of salient materials received from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which they intend to tender in court."

According to them, "the materials numbering about 7,000 must be properly aligned and will be tendered through witnesses, instead of the practice of tendering through the bar, which may eventually amount to dumping of evidence on the court." They "prayed for the records of proceedings to aid in the defence and sought an adjournment to Wednesday July 31, 2019 to open their case."

For clarity the petitioner(Mr. Nsima Ekere) has closed his case and the respondents( Governor Udom Emmanuel, PDP and INEC) had to open their case, starting from the first respondent.

Counsel to the first respondent, Chief Assam Assam SAN, requested from the tribunal a little time in order to be able to gather their documented evidence inter alia to open their case, does not in any way amount to lack of preparedness as being circulated by the APC.

In fact the request for a very little time to tidy up vital documents is even a sign of preparedness, is a sign that the legal team knows what it is doing, they don't want to rush and open their case.

Lawyers need time to do what they want to do in the best interest of the person(s) they stand for, and any lawyer that pleads for a short time to tidy up his case is a good lawyer and it is not strange for a brilliant lawyer to seek for time to present his case.

If you could recall, Nsima Ekere and APC were the once that were not prepared because they were busy filling applications to amend their petitions. In my layman's knowledge in law when you file for amendment of a case it means that your case was not properly filed.
To an ordinary man, amendment means to repair a damage, what were they repairing? Can you repair what is good?

But for a man who says "my Lord with the greatest respect we will need a very short time for us to complete the sorting of our documented evidences and open our case" and some people with who claimed to be intelligent foolishly underrating such a man, that kind of a man should be feared because when he turns back you are finished.

Ex- NBA VICE PRESIDENT PLOTS MEDIA WAR ON A'IBOM REC



Former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani has been fingered as the ring leader in the current smear campaign plot against Barr.Mike Igini, the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner.

One of such is an alleged doctored audio tape between one Dr. William and a female supposedly to taint and scandalize the reputation of the electoral commissioner after failed attempts to relocate the tribunal sitting to Abuja were they boasted that they are in control of judges who can be given order and skew judgements of the National Assembly Tribunal sitting in Uyo to Senator Akpabio's favour .

A very reliable source in their team who spoke in confidence, stated clearly that, Senator Akpabio, sensing an imminent defeat at the Election Tribunal due to his inability to defend his alleged victory at the poll, accepted an offer from and recruited the crude services of the ex Ikeja branch Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association.

Rather than remain an advocate of Justice, he is said to have encouraged and advised that the self indicting doctored audio clips which Akpabio was afraid to tender before closing his case at the tribunal, should be put on the social media with false and spurious written claims.

Their intention was to create an impression with the manipulated audio, that Igini instructed the returning officer to cancel Akpabio's votes in Essien Udim; a false narrative that the witness himself denied in the tribunal and was widely reported by national dailies.

Another aspect of his involvement was his claim that he was close to certain judges who could help influence the judgement in favour of Akpabio.

"Ubani, a Lagos based lawyer and supposed human rights activist, surprisingly accepted the mouth watering pay for this, and now works undercover, hand-in- hand with Akpabio as a member of his legal team which he cannot deny and other publicly identified corrupt people to smear people like Mike Igini," the source added.

It could be recalled that Ubani, who has been on the wrong side of the news lately and deservedly so given his new found attraction to and full embrace of people associated with monumental corruption with the sole material drive for money, was detained on March 19, 2019, by EFCC and kept in their custody for thirty (30) whole days for standing sureties for Ngozi Olejeme, who once served as Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund between 2009 and 2015.

"A lawyer standing surtie for his client? Even though I am not a lawyer but is it proper for a lawyer to do that for a client who can run away or jump bail?

"What many Nigerians whom this impostor who claimed to be an activist did not know and, were just castigating EFCC was shocking findings amongst which are, Deed of transfer documents that this man called Ubani transferred properties that are subject of investigation to himself and hide them from EFCC on behalf of the fugitive Mrs. Olejeme" -confirmed a source.

It took the intervention of so many people to secure him bail that he is temporarily enjoying at the moment.


Our source further explained that "Akpabio whom we know has pending issues with EFCC can only be seen parading with and recruiting persons of Ugbani's pedigree who are swimming in EFCC net.

"Luckily for him, he found Ubani who's records are already soiled like his.

He was heard telling some people in Akpabio's camp that "after Igini had signed on the original result figure in favour of Akpabio, that he Igini later changed it"

"Does Ubani really understands the process ? If he does probably he would have known that lgini has no power to sign any result nor instruct anyone to cancel votes except reminding all poll officials to abide by the rules and regulations that govern the election process from opening of polling, accreditation, voting and collation."

Our source further hinted that his sudden involvement in the legal team did not go down well with some of them who are uncomfortable with him.

He has boasted and assured Akpabio how the written address they are working on will give victory to Akpabio and then disgrace lgini.

"Akpabio is ready to do anything, I mean anything to win the tribunal and has recruited the services of Ubani to tarnish Igini's image and I can tell you confidently that Akpabio has released heavy amounts of money to reach a compromise with Ubani who boasted of his close relationship with some judges in Abuja who will intervene as he claimed the same way they did for Uche Ogar that led to the nullification of Governor lkpeazu's victory initially in Abia state."

Our source suggested to Nigerians to Google Uche Ogar and the subsidy scam and that they can then understand why Ubani is a fake bread and butter activist like many still out there deceiving Nigerians.

It could also be recalled that Akpabio's hatred for Igini led to his open demand for the REC to be removed and transferred from Akwa Ibom State during the electioneering period when he knew that with Igini it won't be game as usual of pre-writing of election results .

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Saturday, closed its defense in the petition by Chief Godswill Akpabio challenging the election of Senator Chris Ekpenyong for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.


August 1st and 5th have been announced for filing of Written Address by Respondents and Petitioners respectively and August 8, 2019 for filing of Reply on Point of Law.

The Tribunal will sit on August 8, 2019 for adoption of Written Address.

*Udom Emmanuel: BREAKING THE JINX IN THE HINTERLAND SINCE 2015*

*Henshaw NYONG || FEATURE || 29-7-2019*.


"The governor's decision to take road infrastructure to the hinterlands that were neglected by previous administrations is a welcome development...this action will improve the economic standard of our people and aid the prompt movement of goods and services within these areas and the neighbouring towns" - Says Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, Commissioner for Works, Akwa Ibom State



SINCE Mr Udom Emmanuel took over the reigns of power in the soon-to-be-celebrated thirty two (32) years old State, the people living in the hinterlands have continued to testify that the powers which the financial expert - turned politician sought and got in 2015 and 2019 are the powers to do good to the State.

It is pertinent to recall that the Emmanuel administration quickly won the heart of the people of Akwa Ibom by the pragmatically different development approach it adopted. By deliberately taking development projects to local government areas that pre-2015, could not boast of a tarred road done by any State governor, the current administration became a source of inspiration to every watcher of development in the leading oil producing State.

Upon assumption of office, many road projects were conceived, awarded and executed on the template of the 'Superior Performance'. Good examples are; the 14.1 Kilometer road with two bridges which begins in Odoro Ikpe community, traverses Ikpe Ikot Nkon, Nkana and Obotme all in INI Local Government Area and terminates in Arochukwu in Abia State. In ORUK ANAM; the 18.95Km Ikot Ibritam - Inen - Ekeffe - Ikot Akpan Afaha road with a bridge, by Almajdal. In IKA; 15.13Km Ikot Otomo - Azumini Road, which traverses over ten (10 villages); Ikot Akpan Okure - Ikot Esu - Otomo - Obio Ebenwang - Ikot Akpa Ofiong - Ikot Otong - Ikot Urom - Nto Udo - Nto Udo Enwang, by Cossels Construction Company, among several other roads.

Recall that in the past, governors used to enjoy Billions of Naira from excess crude fallouts, which enabled them carry out sundry development programmes and still had enough to through around, but none remembered the aforementioned areas.

Since 2015 when the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over power at the centre, monthly allocation to states from the Federation Account had fallen drastically to less than 38 per cent of what it used to be as a consequence of the nation’s current economic woes. The situation was so bad that the Government had to summon courage to declare that “the country is broke”.

The unfortunate development has obviously hindered the efforts of most governors to fully actualize their genuine vision for the people. From the foregoing, it will be irrational and unjust to compare the Udom Emmanuel administration with the past in all its ramifications.

Notwithstanding the hopeless economic realities, the Emmanuel administration has been able to embark on verifiable massive development projects, especially in the rural areas across the state. The feat is in line with a part of his inaugural address, where he promised to pay special attention to RURAL DEVELOPMENT, in recognition of the fact that, a good number of our people live in the rural areas and equally deserve the dividends of democracy, as true heroes of democracy. This, no doubt, informed the commencement of road projects in INI, ORUK ANAM, IKA and several other areas that hitherto had none.

The Ministry of Works, saddled with many responsiblities, including supervision of roads construction in the State, has since the appointment of the current Commissioner, Mr Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, breathed new life into that once failing Ministry. The success story so far is there for all to judge.

The current Ministry of Works under the watchful eyes of Commissioner Inyang-Eyen, has been altered from how it was working. Gone are the days when Commissioners used to sit in the office and receive reports, the current boss at the Works' Ministry, runs on the field from project to project to physically see things and gives instructions.

For instance, during his routine inspection of State government financed road projects over the weekend in INI, ORUK ANAM and IKA Local Government Areas, Inyang-Eyen, expressed satisfaction with the progress of on-going work in the aforementioned areas.

INI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA:

Construction work on the 14.1km Ikpe Ikot Nkon - Obotmme - Arochukwu Road is about 90 per cent completion with the finalization of the two modern bridges.

A community leader from Arochukwu in Abia State, Amazi Okoro Chijoke, who spoke with newsmen, expressed his appreciation to Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for constructing the only road that leads to his State from Akwa Ibom.

His words: "We have lost many people and goods in the past because of the bad nature of this road. In fact, there is an age long adage in my community which says, 'there is no way to Arochukwu'... That was in the past. My people are so glad that the adage has been changed due to the project.... Today, we are eternally grateful to the government and great people of Akwa Ibom state. May God bless the Governor", Amazi Chijoke said.

Speaking after inspecting the level of work done, the Commissioner thanked Ini people for cooperating with Peculiar Ultimate Concerns; the contractor handling the Ikpe Ikot Nkon - Obotmme - Arochukwu road project.

He divulged that Governor Emmanuel embarked on the road construction to transform Ini, which is a major gateway to the State. It is worthy noting that, the new road, alongside the two ultramodern bridges will replace the one constructed before the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria more than 100 years ago.

IKA LGA:

The construction of the 15.13Km road which begins at Ikot Otomo, passes through no fewer than ten (10) communities to Azumini in Abia State, initiated by Governor Udom Emmanuel and financed by the State government, elicited excitement among indigenes of Ika and the people of Abia State.

When the Inyang-Eyen-led inspection team visited the road, weekend, to assess the level of work done, residents; women, youth and elders from Ika, literally mobbed the Works boss.

The excitement was orchestrated by the fact that, the area had suffered total neglect in terms of road network by previous administrations.

A youth leader; Enwongo Ibanga, in a chat with newsmen, expressed happiness that Governor Emmanuel has answered their prayers for good roads.

“We are happy for the road construction because since the creation of Akwa Ibom in 1987, residents of this community have been suffering. Sometimes when the local government grade the road to ease movement, we inhale dust and fall sick", Ibanga said.

Inyang-Eyen, on his part, advised the youth not to rescind in their cooperation and support to the handlers of the project; Cossels Construction Company. He noted that good infrastructure is the bedrock of socio-economic development, explaining that the massive road construction put in place by Emmanuel's administration, like the 15.13Km road, when completed, will connect the area with the people of Abia State, drive commerce and maintain global competitiveness.

ORUK ANAM LGA:

The Inyang-Eyen led inspection team on that day also visited the 18.95Km Ikot Ibritam - Inen - Ekeffe - Ikot Akpan Afaha road with a bridge. Construction work was ongoing. The Commissioner told workers that his visit was to identify with the company on the recent sad news, where an expatriate was abducted and two soldiers attached to him, killed.

While informing that the government and people of Akwa Ibom State were with them in their trying period, Inyang-eyen appealed residents of the community to remain calm and go about their normal duties promising that the Police was working with the sister security agencies in the state to arrest those involved and would soon apprehend the culprits and bring them to book.

However, the 18.95Km Ikot Ibritam - Inen - Ekeffe - Ikot Akpan Afaha road in Oruk Anam links Ukanafun Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom and shares common boundary with Rivers State. According to the Works' boss, when the road is completed, there will be cost reductions in many economic sectors in the state as it would provide better accessibility to markets, increase employment, bring in foreign investment and as well improve global presence in the Akwa Ibom.

It is worth noting that, Governor Emmanuel has succeeded in challenging the status quo in the once neglected INI, ORUK ANAM and IKA, and moves a step further by putting paid to the culture of impunity and entitlement mentality. For him, the meagre resources available to the state should not end up in the pockets of the few parasitic individuals but rather, must be channelled towards the development of the state.

The highlighted are just a few of the giant strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel in three (3) local government areas that the previous administration ommitted in the execution of capital projects and other basic basic needs for the people, but unfortunately it may not make it to the dailies.

However, as the governor 'takes off the plane' of his #CompletionAgenda, all eyes are on 'Pilot' Udom Emmanuel with excellent track records who thinks, sleeps and wakes up with the peace and development of the rural areas and the hinterland in his mind. Akwa Ibomites on their part, should not only be proud of their governor, but, should do their best to support and promote the divine gift to the State to enable him achieve more.


Reaction? Ok ☎ 08022878104.

National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Update:

Emmanuel Ekon V. Aniekan Umanah

EMMANUEL EKON’S WITNESS MAKES DRAMATIC SOMERSAULT, THROWN INTO A STATE OF HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY

***Disowns INEC result tendered by his Counsel, shames Emmanuel EKON’S lawyer

***S.C. Peters completely unprepared for the trial as witnesses are faced with a conundrum

***Mr. Peters should put his house in order, decisions will be based on evidence and not address of Counsel-Tribunal Chairman tells Emmanuel Ekon’s lawyer


Drama, irony and comedy of shame played out Friday at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo as the defeated candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the February 2019 elections for Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, Hon Emmanuel Ekon watched in disbelief as his subpoenaed witness (Otobong Sunday) disowned the results tendered by the Petitioners for his polling unit and admitted as an Exhibit before the Tribunal on the Petition No: EPT/AKS/HR/04/2019 between Hon. Emmanuel Ekon & Anor V. Hon. Aniekan Umanah & 2 Ors.

Appearing at the resumed sitting of the Tribunal today 26th July,2019, Otobong Sunday who claimed to be the polling unit agent of the APC in Unit 006, Ikot Inwang, Ika Local Government Area, was shown the voters register by the 1st Respondent’s Counsel under cross examination wherein he admitted that the register was ticked and there were thumbprints indicative of the fact that accreditation and voting indeed took place in his polling unit, contrary to the prevarication contained in his witness statement on Oath which obviously wasn’t prepared by him.

The witness who had earlier stated emphatically that he signed his witness statement today morning at the Tribunal, was asked to confirm to the Tribunal the date when it was sworn, he read to the consternation of all that the date shown on the witness deposition was the 25th of July,2019 which was at variance with his earlier testimony.

The witness equally claimed under cross examination by the 3rd Respondent’s Counsel, that he made only a verbal report at the INEC office to an unnamed officer Concerning his claims that elections didn’t hold in his polling unit.

S.C. Peters who is the Counsel to Emmanuel Ekon attempted to turn the Tribunal to a house of commotion when he could not present further witnesses when called upon to do so thereby making the Tribunal chastise him for wasting 7hours of their precious judicial time without achieving much, as only ONE witness testified all through that lengthy duration.

The Tribunal was forced to adjourn the matter to Tuesday 30th July, 2019 when it became apparent that the maelstrom created by the Petitioner’s Counsel could not be salvaged.

With this development, the Petitioners have used one day out of the two days allotted to them by the Tribunal to enable them prove their verbose allegations contained in the petition. The Tribunal has also assured all parties that it is interested in doing only substantial justice to the parties and has no interest whatsoever in whichever way the pendulum tilts in the litigation, emphasizing to the Petitioners’ Counsel that their decision will be based on evidence presented before it and not by his address which cannot be substitute for hard core evidence.

Ini Ememobong to be honoured as Public Relations Man of the Year.




The Akwa Ibom State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party Comrade Ini Ememobong, ANIPR will tomorrow be conferred with the highly coveted Award of Public Relations Man of the Year.

The award is to be conferred on the Akwa Ibom PDP spokesman by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR),Akwa Ibom State Chapter - the Chartered Umbrella Organisation for Professional Public Relations Practitioners in Nigeria.

In a letter communicating the decision to confer the award on Comrade Ememobong, the NIPR Akwa Ibom State Chapter said the nomination is in recognition of the applaudable milestones the Akwa Ibom PDP spokesman has achieved in managing the Perception of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, especially in the buildup to, and consequent successful outing of the PDP in the just-concluded 2019 elections.

During the Award event, a book, "Crafting Press Releases: Commentaries on select Press Releases by Comrade Ini Ememobong" will be unveiled.

The award event which is part of activities marking the 2019 Annual General Meeting/Lecture of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of NIPR will bring together successful Public Relations Practitioners in Nigeria including the National President of NIPR, Malam Muktar Sirajo.

The event is slated to hold at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, by 6pm.

Election Petition: Witness Discredits Police Reports on Peaceful Elections in Essien Udim Local Government Area

Mr Brendan Etukidem, the PDP ward agent for Odoro Ikot 2, ward 7, Essien Udim Local Government Area refuted the testimony of PW6, The police officer who testifed in favour of Chief Godswill Akpabio in the suit between himself and Senator Christopher Ekpenyong.

The witness adopted his written statement on oath as his evidence before the court. Under cross examinations, the witness was emphatic in his assertion that there was no election in Odoro Ikot 2, Ward 7. In his reason, he stated that there was violence in his ward, that some hoodlums stormed the INEC- Registration Area Centre and carried away the materials for the elections.

He further confirmed that due to such infractions, there was neither accreditation nor voting at the polling units in his ward. Consequently, he stressed that any election results purported to be from his ward are fake. All efforts by the Petitioner's lawyer to discredit Mr Etukidem's testimony appeared to have very little or no effect on the veracity of his testimony.

Recall that PW6, a police officer had testified that elections were free, fair and peaceful all over Essien Udim Local Government Area in the National Assembly elections. With this deep countering testimony of Mr Etukidem, all is now left to the court to determine whom to believe given other sorrounfing evidence available before the court.

*ABSENCE OF POLLING UNITS' RESULTS CAUSED CANCELLATION OF AKPABIO’S VOTES – INEC RE-ECHOES*

The Returning Officer for Essien Udim in the 2019 National Assembly Elections, Dr. William Olosunde has dispelled the news purportedly credited to him, that the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini asked him to cancel votes scored by Senator Godswill Akpabio of the APC in the last national assembly elections.

Dr Olosunde, while testifying on Monday at the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo, in the petition by Emmanuel Akpan of the APC against the election of Nsikak Ekong of the PDP for the Ikot Ekpene House of Representatives seat, said he had no contact with the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini during the collation process of the February 23, 2019 election.

When his attention was drawn by Counsel to the PDP, Solomon Umoh(SAN),to a publication in The Sun Newspaper crediting Mike Igini as the mastermind of the cancellation of votes in the area, the astonished lecturer quipped, “My lord, I never at any point, anywhere, to anybody and even at this tribunal, said that Mike Igini asked me to cancel elections in some wards in Essien Udim.”

“If anybody quoted me as saying that Mike Igini directed me to cancel election in Essien Udim, such a person is lying,” Olosunde stated.

He said it was not until he entered the hall to announce his results that he saw Igini among the panel members on the table.

“I was told that my result was the one they were awaiting before going to Abuja, I entered and saw Mike Igini on the High Table, announced my result and left. He never spoke or gave me instruction.”

Under examination, the Returning Officer maintained that elections in Essien Udim were marred by over voting, absence of units’ results, thuggery and electoral violence.

The University Lecturer confirmed before the tribunal that from the total number of accredited voters in the area during that election was 19,455 as captured by the smart card reader report Exhibit R153, while the petitioner Emmanuel Akpan is laying claims to 52,265 votes flaunted in Exhibit R 151.

He told the tribunal that following the absence of Units’ results to back the Ward results brought by Ward Collation Officers, Seven wards were canceled.

“Ikpe Annang was the first ward that we cancelled when Dr. David Edem came with the figures without any Polling Unit result, followed by Ukana West 1 and two others. I wrote it on the result sheet that the result could not stand since there were no units’ result to back the ward results brought for collation.”

On cross examination by S. I. Ameh SAN, Counsel to the Petitioner, Olosunde said, “It was the Electoral Officer who had drew my attention to the absence of Polling Unit’s results after I had started collation, and he took me to the Head of Operations on Monday 25/2/2019 not Mike Igini.

“It was the head of operations who communicated INEC Guidelines and Electoral Act to me,” he concluded.

Who is the Head of the INEC as a Commission? Ameh asked to which he replied, “Yakubu”

The returning officer said it was the same measure and smart card reader report for the presidential, senatorial and federal house elections.

BREAKING: AS AKPABIO PLANS TO MOVE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RECOVERED FROM HIM BY ICPC TO ONNA TOMORROW, YOUTHS VOW RESISTANCE

Exclusive details gathered by our intrepid reporters say Senator Godswil Akpabio in his futile efforts to burnish his tattered image and win the hearts of the people following the raid two weeks ago by the agents of the ICPC on a company owned by him, during which medical equipment that were meant for his constituents but which were diverted were recovered, plans to visit Onna and Ibiono Ibom Local Governments Areas respectively to “donate” the recovered medical equipment.

He is said to be making plans to visit Awa -Iman, the home town of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The planned visit is seen as the height of provocation and the youths have promised to put up a stiff resistance to his planned visit.

“We think this is an affront on us. Why would Senator Akpabio bring the medical equipment recovered by the ICPC to Awa? Is this not provocation taken too far? We will resist his planned visit vehemently. Awa or indeed any other part of Onna is not a dumping ground for recovered medical equipment” a youth leader who craved anonymity had stated.

Akpabio is also said to plan a visit to Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, the home local government of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan.

WE NEVER ANNOUNCED 61,329 VOTES FOR AKPABIO IN ESSIEN UDIM - INEC RETURNING OFFICER 


...CARPETS APC FOR PARADING IMPOSTOR BEFORE TRIBUNAL AS APC LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENT


The INEC Returning Officer for Essien Udim local government at the 2019 National Assembly Elections, Dr. William Olosunde, says the commission could not accept the alleged inflated local government result 61,329 votes by APC candidate Chief Godswill Akpabio, claiming they were not products of any electoral process.



He also confirmed that Mr Godwin Michael Afangideh who earlier presented the result before the tribunal as APC Local Government Agent for Essien Udim, was an impostor who had no dealings with INEC officials at the collation center throughout the National Assembly elections.



At the National  Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Uyo, Dr Olosunde explained that Dr. Ngozika A. Oleforo the Collation Officer for Ukana West 1 Ward and Prof. David Edem the Collation Officer for Ikpe Annang Ward brought  Ward results in Form EC8B without any Form EC8A, the unit results series to back the ward results.


He also said the February 23 elections were marred by inconsistency in the number of accredited voters and votes obtained, non- compliance with the electoral guidelines and invasion of collation center by thugs who beat up INEC officials, including himself.



The returning officer, who was confronted by Counsel to the Petitioner Sunday Ameh SAN, with allegations that he absconded,  said “My lord, I did not abscond. After the invasion by thugs, we resumed collation in line with INEC guidelines. 


"It was the Electoral Officer (EO) who advised me that if we wanted to leave that collation center alive, I should suspend collation using Card Readers and escape from the center, and I informed others."



Contrary to earlier claims before the tribunal, Dr Olosunde also posited that the name of the APC Local Government Collation agent that wrote his name on Exhibit P534 was Hon. (Dr.) Etido Udo.


The bewildered courtroom was informed that Mr Godwin Michael Afangideh, Petitioner's Witness 14 who came before the tribunal under the guise of Local Government Collation Agent, was actually an impostor, as no such person represented the APC or signed any document for the party throughout the National Assembly elections exercise.



Dr Olosunde also countered Afangideh who earlier claimed he received results from 11 wards with duplicate copies of results that were issued to all agents at the collation center by the returning officer. 



"I didn't conclude collation and never announce results while at Essien Udim,  so I did not give the police or any party agent any such result," he cried.




On being confronted by Ameh with Form EC8C(1), Essien Udim local government results which he allegedly collated using EC8B(1), Ward results, he said the result had no foundation.



“I asked Prof. David Edem, the first collation Officer that arrived to show me Form EC8A(1), which are unit results of his Ward Ikpe Annang, but he told me that he had no polling unit results and the figures representing each unit, where not backed by Form EC8A(1)


"The electoral officer told him that if he cannot present the unit results from where he obtained the figures on the ward result sheet, then he will have to follow us to the commission headquarters in Uyo to explain the source of the figures."




He maintained that he marked on Form EC8C(1), which is the original result for Essien Udim that having not seen polling unit results for Ikpe Annang Ward and Ukana West 1, the figures written by the Ward officers could not be accepted. 


This, he said, explained the outright cancellation of elections in the two wards. 



Dr Olosunde  explained that where the number of votes exceed the total number of accredited voters, such result cannot be accepted.



In the examination of the witness which lasted for more than one hour, he confirmed that number of accredited voters for Essien Udim was 19,455 which is far less than the 61,329 votes claimed by APC alone.


Under examination by Robert Emukpueruo, Counsel to INEC,  the Witness confirmed that due to irrugularities, out of the 11 wards in Essien Udim, "7 wards were outrightly cancelled and affected units in the remaining 4 wards were also cancelled”



He further confirmed that, “it was the cancellation of those wards and some units that reduced the number of accredited voters to 9,964 as contained in Exhibit P534”.

 

“Form EC40G(1), that is Exhibits R352 and R352A are those documents I signed to formalize those cancellations, where votes outnumbered accreditation or were not backed up with accreditation at all in some wards”.

 

The University of Uyo lecturer stressed that contrary to police reports of peaceful elections in Exhibits P555 and P557, the Presidential/National Assemby elections in Essien Udim were marred by "violence, intimidation, molestation of INEC Adhoc Staff” 



While being examined by Uche Njoku Counsel to Senator Chris Ekpenyong, Dr Olosunde stressed that he could not conclude collation of results that evening in Essien Udim, neither did he announce or issue any result to any party agent as well as the police, after his security was threatened.



He faulted alleged results contained in Police Reports, Exhibit P557 and depositions of the Petitioner’s witnesses as false in all ramifications, saying he never announced any result on February 24 eventhough the police report is dated February 24, 2019.

 


Njoku: “Did you give anybody, group of persons, party agent, the Police any copy of Form EC8C at the local government collation center?” 

Williams: “No” 




He also said that at Ikot Ekpene Collation Center, you excused yourself to take a phone call and absconded. Is that correct?” Njoku questioned.


“No. That is not correct. The allegations leveled against me are lies”, Olosunde answered.



He told the Tribunal that INEC as a Commission cancelled the purported results.


Replying Ameh, who asked if there was no provision for accreditation of voters in the event of smart card reader failure, witness said, “Whether the card reader authenticates the holder of the PVC or not, it would show on the card reader as success or failure. 


"Both the figures for successful and failed authentication would be captured by the card reader to aggregate the number of accredited voters. 


"Those the card reader failed to successfully authenticate can then proceed to thumbprint and write their phone numbers on the Voters Register, which is then ticked before the person is presented with ballot papers to vote," he added.


Three other witnesses, including a female NYSC member, who were presiding officers at some units in Essien Udim, also alleged that they were abducted at gunpoint to unknown locations and made to thumbprint and write results in favour of APC in their respective units.


The tribunal adjourned to Tuesday, July 23 for continuation of hearing by the respondents. 

https://www.thenewsfeed.ng/2019/07/22/we-did-not-announce-61329-votes-for-akpabio-in-essien-udim-inec-returning-officer/

*DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME, TRIBUNAL WON’T RELOCATE –JUDGE WARNS APC*

…URGES PETITIONER TO TAME HIS WITNESSES

Chairman of the 2019 Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo the Akwa Ibom state capital, Justice A. M. Yakubu has called on those writing petitions to the President of the Court of Appeal seeking the relocation of the tribunal to Abuja to stop wasting their energy on something that would not be possible, but should rather concentrate on the case before the tribunal.

Justice Yakubu also warned the All Progressives Congress APC and its governorship candidate, Mr Nsima Ekere to educate their witnesses on the way they should behave in court as the court will not tolerate the irresponsible attitude of witnesses any more.

Speaking during the day's sitting in Uyo, the tribunal Chairman assured all parties in the ongoing post election litigation that the tribunal will not be moved to anywhere as there is no threat to the business of the tribunal in Akwa Ibom State.

The Judge expressed optimism that the peace they have enjoyed in the state will be sustained.

The warning on APC to tame its witnesses however came after the counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Uko Udom SAN, drew the attention of the tribunal to the unruly behaviour of some of the witnesses who were called to testify before the tribunal.

Addressing Counsel to the petitioner, Prof Ernest Ojukwu SAN, the tribunal chairman said, "Prof, I hope you know that the tribunal is taking note about the way your witnesses behave in court.

"The attitude of witness in this tribunal also matters.

“As much as the tribunal will not decide on who you should bring to testify, I think it is important that you educate your witnesses on how they should conduct themselves before the tribunal because all these things count".

The bitterness and anger in the voice of the APC witnesses who rather than answering questions during cross examination reportedly threw back questions at the Defense counsel, with some even raising their voices in the process.

This development was observed when Mr Emmanuel Udobong Bassey from Nung Oku Eberetu in Ibesikpo Asutan local government who claimed to be an actor and a polling agent in his unit was cross examined.

Mr Bassey who didn't have a voter's card said the reason he didn't vote in the election was that the election was not balance because a PDP supporter slapped him and that made the election imbalanced.

He kept avoiding questions by giving unrelated narrations to the frustration of the tribunal.

Another witness who was unable to explain any of the allegations contained his his witness statement at the tribunal was Mr Uso Edem Etukudo of No 22 Atabong Road, Usung Inyang in Eket local government.

While being cross examined by Counsel to the first Respondent, Chief Assam Assam SAN, he could not establish the identity on the said voter’s card he alleged to have seen in a PDP member's hand during the election.

Before the election of 9th March was there election previously in that unit? Assam asked him;

Many times my Lord”, he replied.

Has APC ever won election in your Unit 001, Urban 3?” Assam probed further.
“I don't know my lord”, was his reply.

Chief Assam also referred the witness to his statement alleging vote buying by one Samuel Nwaetuk on behalf of PDP to influence voters in favour of PDP, and asked if the incident was reported to the police, to which he replied that he did not.

On his allegation that a lady impersonated her mother in the unit, Uso Etukudo admitted on cross examination that he does not know the said voter’s mother, does not know her name and had never met her before.

ANIEKAN UMANAH: THE VOICE ABAK/ETIM EKPO/IKA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY NEEDED

He promised the people of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency that he will be a strong voice of service to the Federal Constituency. He pledged to build and grow a viable and egalitarian society through effective, quality and people oriented representation that will inspire and deliver value.

Few weeks after his inauguration as Member of the Green Chambers, he hosted the first Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency Stakeholders Consultative Forum, first in the history of the Federal Constituency where he interacted with the Stakeholders, Royal Fathers, Clergies, elders, legislators, youths, women, students and professional bodies from the Federal Constituency to understand their needs and set a legislative agenda for the Federal Constituency.

Barely 4 days after the challenges of the three local Government Councils of the Federal Constituency was presented to him by Chairmen of the Councils, the vocal Member of the 9th Assembly rose to give a voice to the Federal Constituency during the Wednesday plenary.

Behold your five Star legislator, Hon. Elder Aniekan Umanah, Member representing Abak/ Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency during the plenary on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

THE LAST KICKS OF A DYING HORSE

The attention of The Peoples Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom State Chapter has been drawn to some sketches by a combined team of ill-tutored members of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Akwa Ibom State and signed by one Nkereuwem Enyongekere-their titular Publicity Secretary. The said sketches appear to be a futile attempt by their party to reply to some aspects of the press statement issued by our party, few days ago on the Judge basis issue.

First, we dismiss the initial three paragraphs of the sketch as lacking in substance, logically bland, grammatically otiose, contextually careless and wanting on all scales of reasonability. The APC having said nothing therein, we shall simply ignore same as their sordid approach at getting started.

Now to the issues. The APC in a press conference held by their Party Chairman, Ini Okopido had made spurious allegations against Hon. Justice Jennifer Mbalamen; judged her biased and unfit to head a panel of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petiton Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. As a justification for their demand, they stated that she is married to Prof. A. Ijohor who serves as the Secretary to the Government of Benue State and also filed an online statement credited by them to one Henry Ijohor whom they describe as a progeny and heir of the Ihojor's family, as a further and better affidavit in support of their claims.

In this current sketch which they have titled "Catalogue of Provocative Vituperations" they have again repeated the same poor logic and analogies.

The APC ab initio failed to convince a world of educated Akwa Ibom people that the social media comment credited to one Henry Ijohor is in reality linked to the said progeny of the Ijohor's family. Any twerp with an Android phone could have created the account and made the said post in preparation for the current mischievous twerk by the APC, Akwa Ibom State. We need not say that such shallow creativity is in the DNA of the APC in the state.

To the Mbalamen/Bulkachuwa analogy, it is rather unfortunate that the APC have consistently displayed the absence of caution in their utterances. It is pertinent to bring to their attention, maybe for the first time, that the Court of Appeal in her ruling in the case of Atiku vs Buhari wherein the issue of a likelihood of bias was flagged against Hon. Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, held that family ties were not weighty enough to establish the allegations of bias made against Justice Bulkachuwa. The court of Appeal per Hon. Justice Olabisi Ige held thus:

"The relationship between Hon. Justice Bulkachuwa and her husband Adamu Bulkachuwa, a senator elect under the APC and her son, Aliyu Abubakar, a Governorship aspirant also under the APC are not weighty enough to infer that she would be biased in the handling of the cases at the Tribunal"

Since by this constant anaology, one may conclude that the atmosphere of illogical reasoning is hanging over the APC and they are unable to interpret decisions of courts, including the effect of an existing decision of the court on other matters of similar facts. We hereby offer the following advice, pro bono: Principally, such decisions will bind all lower courts, except a higher court overrules it. The simple meaning of this, which the APC in Akwa Ibom state do not appreciate is that, since the Court of Appeal said that Bulkachuwa had no likelihood of being biased, regardless of her husband being a senator-elect under the APC and her son being a Governorship aspirant under the same party, then, there is no possible reasoning that can make the court to hold that there is a likelihood of bias in Hon. Justice Mbalamen's role in presiding over the National and State House of Assembly Tribunal in Uyo, because her husband is the SSG to the Benue state and a member of PDP. To hold differently would be for the court to blow hot and cold over the same set of facts. Such attribute which defines the APC is alien to the court and the APC must not make the mistake of thinking that all Nigerians, including the courts have joined them in that unstable nature.

On Mrs Amina of INEC, who first denied any affinity or consanguinity with PMB, it suffices to state that these are very different scenarios or to borrow the APC's usage in a more appropriate circumstance and state that this analogy is "a pile of fallacy of non sequiturs hurriedly cooked..." There is no single similarity between the cases, the analogy simply does not follow.

As our parting words, the APC may wish to advise themselves against actions that may organise a more shameful end for them in the state. They comprehensively lost the elections in the state and no machination can undo their failure. For us in the PDP, we are confident that God who began the good work in giving us victory at the polls, is faithful to complete our joy by giving us victory at all levels of the Nigerian judiciary.

A M Ekanem
Media Relations Officer
Publicity Secretariat
People’s Democratic Party
Akwa Ibom State
17th July, 2019

ABAK/ETIM-EKPO/IKA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY CONSTITUENTS PASS VOTES OF CONFIDENCE ON FEDERAL LAWMAKER

--- As Aniekan Umanah Hosts Stakeholders

Umani Uwemedimo

Earlier Yesterday during the aforementioned Stakeholders consultative forum meeting which was hd in the Abak Local Government Council Secretariat with the team, " Towards effective legislative agenda" rightly convened by the Federal Lawmaker, people of the Federal Constituency passed a vote of confidence on their Federal Lawmaker, Hon. Aniekan Umanah.

The meeting was convened for Stakeholders from all Local Government Areas that make up the Federal Constituency to brief the Federal Lawmaker of their Community's challenges and possible ways of liberating them from such challenges, and the possible direction he should take towards delivering effective representation.

The Chairman of the occasion who doubles as the National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon. Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, heavily represented by Bishop Prof. Isaiah Umanah stated his satisfaction to the five star Federal Lawmaker, maintaining that he has been the first Lawmaker to convene a meeting is such caliber. He believed the meeting would yield great results as time goes on.

Mr. Moses Ekpo, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State who was the special guest of honor at the event expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Elder. Aniekan Umanah for the prompt action to arrest the challenges of his Constituency. He noted that the call was a right step in the right direction.

While adjoining the people of the Federal Constituency to bestow their unreserved support to the Lawmaker, Mr. Ekpo assured him to count on him in every measure he wishes to take towards delivering effective representation for his people.

While handing over their petitions to the Lawmaker for onward assessment and prompt measures toward alleviating these problems, the three Local Government Chairmen thanked Elder Umanah for convening a meeting of such magnitude. They believed that the same God who gave him such an initiative would grant him the grace and strength to see that the sufferings of his people are eradicated to the minimal level.

The Host of the event, who's also the Local Government Chairman of Abak, Imoh Williams drew the attention of the Federal Lawmaker to the erosion in Holy Family College, the Abak Bridge, Independence Hall and Council Secretariat. He was of the opinion that if such menace is not tackled with immediacy, it might emanate to something catastrophic which would be beyond fixation.

On getting the documents from the three Local Government Chairmen, Elder Umanah restated his commitment towards delivering effective and impactful representation to the Constituency. He maintained that for a stone not to be left unturned, he'll see that the documents are submitted to the Federal House nextweek for prompt actions.

The Lawmaker also stated that to support the Dakkada philosophy of His Excellency, life-touching programmes like Skill Acquisition trainings, scholarship for students, business grants for business persons, professional training in onshore and offshore, and others, will be initiated to increase the life standard of the Constituents.

Also present at the Stakeholders consultative forum meeting were: The former Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nse Ekanem, Former majority leader of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Imoh Ibokette, Hon. Saviour Enyiekere, Spouses of the three Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors from the three Local Government Areas, Elders, women and youths from the three Local Government Areas and other stakeholders.

APC’s SUSTAINED IMPOSTER SYNDROME

Discerning minds have once again been treated to newer levels of paranoia and display of imposter syndrome via the text of the press conference addressed by the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Ini Okopido. In the statement,he expressed fears which were transparently lacking a strong foundation in both facts and law. For the avoidance of doubt, the state chairman of that broom confraternity ought to be aware that election petitions are _sui_ _generis_(of a special type) and therefore not all the rules of civil procedure apply therein. There are different laws enacted for the adjudication of these matters before the tribunal, which must be followed stricto sensu and failure to do so, usually attracts consequences. In Amaechi v. INEC, the court of Appeal held inter alia that failure to comply with procedural steps, which ordinarily could be waived in a civil matter, will be fatal to the petition. Additionally, in the cases mentioned by Mr. Okopido, the petitioners(APC and their failed candidates) failed or neglected to apply for Pre-trial forms which is in contravention of the provisions of the extant Electoral Act and the consequence is trite- the petition must be dismissed, same being incompetent. The Supreme Court in Okereke v. Yar’Adua held that pretrial is a condition precedent to the hearing of a petition and without it, a petition is incompetent . On the issue of amendments sought for and denied by the three member tribunal( not the Chairman of the Tribunal), the law is specific that after the period allowed for filing of a petition, no amendment shall be made except to correct typographical errors. The amendments sought by the APC has the capacity to change the tone and character of their petition- this, the law clearly forbids.

A careful observation of the issues raised by the Chief broom carrier, will reveal that the APC is blaming the judge(who incidentally is not sitting alone )for their woes. The rational question will now be, how is the judge responsible for the omission by APC counsel to comply with the provisions of the law governing election petition? Should they ideally blame the judge, the Law or their lawyers?

On the issue of bias, may we remind the broom movement, which is currently on the inevitable downward spiral that, bias is not just a word to be bandied about in a legal proceeding, it must exist in fact and be felt, at least by the reasonable man. The rulings of the three man panel, like every other panel or court of like composition, can either be by unanimity or majority. The chairman’s vote is not a veto, it carries the same weight as that of the members and no more. Situations abound where the two members have voted against the decision of the chairman and their decision became that of the panel, the recent judgment of the Osun state Governorship election tribunal can refresh our minds on this subject. So if the rulings of the tribunal is against the APC, it is not the position of the judge complained about, but either the unanimous decision or majority decision of the panel. The APC cannot seek to rely on the Bulkachuwa scenario in making its ill-intentioned application because the two scenarios can be clearly distinguished.
My Lord the PCA,Bulkachuwa posted ‘himself’ to the panel conscious of the existing political relationship between one of the parties (the Respondent) and his family. In this case, the tribunal Chairman was posted by the PCA here, without any contribution or influence by the Judge. And recall that in the PCA’s case, personal relationships in addition to partisan ties between the parties were clearly brought to the fore. In the instant case, there is no proof of personal relationship between the parties before the tribunal and the chairman of the tribunal, except the inchoate allegation that her spouse is a member of the PDP. Even with that, there is no evidence to suggest that the husband of the chairman of the tribunal is a card carrying member of the PDP. That he was appointed SSG in Benue does not infer and cannot be construed to mean, that he is a member of the PDP. Membership of a political party is a process and documents exist in witness of same. There is no legal requirement that stipulates membership of a political party as a basis for appointment, unlike the case of the PCA, whose husband’s election to the senate was sponsored by the respondent before him. The SSG could have been appointed on the basis of his expertise and nothing more. The reliance on the illusionary social media post by an imaginary son of the Judge is most laughable, as we are all aware that in this age and time, mere name similarity is not a conclusive proof of biological relationship. There are suspicions that the APC is behind that post, in their usual scenario creation tactics.

Finally, we want to advice the APC to be more circumspect in their rants and shouts, as it is becoming very glaring that the fear of the unfolding reality of the judicial confirmation of their woeful electoral loss , is getting to them and they are terribly mortified. The consciousness that the entire country will laugh at their earlier loud mouthed boasts of delivering Akwa Ibom to the APC is gradually settling in. This panic reaction will only worsen their already battered public image. The world recalls their previous attempts at preventing the panels from sitting in Akwa Ibom and later seeking to relocate them. Having failed in those moves, they have changed gears and are asking for substitution of the chairman of a panel, so as to intimidate the other remaining judges, that if they don’t do their(APC) bidding, they will push for their change. The said judge is their test case and they are ready to commit resources and energy to this futile attempt.

We urge the entire public to discountenance the false claims by the APC and advice them to put their house, both political and legal in order. Neither the PDP, the Law or the Tribunal is the cause of their unending melancholy.

Signed:

Comrade Ini Ememobong ANIPR
State Publicity Secretary
People’s DemocraticParty
Akwa Ibom State Chapter
13072019

FG TASKED ON ECOLOGICAL CONTROL IN ABAK

...As Aniekan Umanah takes case to NASS

Residents of Abak Urban whose farmlands, residences and means of livelihood are threatened by the ravaging menace of erosion may soon find reprieve; as the National Assembly on Tuesday, directed relevant agencies of the federal government, including the Federal Ministry of Works, FERMA and the Ecological Fund Office, to urgently intervene and salvage the already troubling situation.

The directive was contained in the proceedings of June 13, 2019, of the House of Representatives, sequel to a debate on a motion of urgent public importance brought before the house on the need to address the age long ecological problem in various parts of the country.

Describing the violent nature of the gully attack in the area, Hon. Umanah while recounting its damaging effect said some communities were already inaccessible, while others have lost their streams, cultural relics, ancestral homes and social infrastructures like schools and hospitals to the ecological crisis.

Tracing the erosion menace to the civil war era, the Federal Lawmaker, while drawing attention to the urgency of the situation warned that the condition if left unchecked would be counterproductive to the ongoing work on the Abak-Ikot Abasi Road, handled by the federal government, as the current rainy season may not spare the Abak part of the road.

He assured of his constituents cooperation with measures that would enhance safe erosion rehabilitation and control, noting that such gesture will engender socioeconomic advancement and boost productivity of his people.

Election Petition: Godswill Akpabio Will Go home from the Tribunal

Mike Edikan, Uyo

Dr Godswill Akpabio's defeat at the 2019 general elections is nearing permanence as proceedings at the Election Petition Tribunal so far has been a confirmation of his loss at the elections rather than a pointer to the possibility of his return to the National Assembly.

The former Governor of Akwa Ibom state and immediate past Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District at the National Assembly was defeated by Senator Christopher Ekpenyong in what commentaries have described as the "uncommon defeat" of the 2019 elections. The former Senator who even after defeat has not embraced the reality of his loss was among the first to file processes at the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Akwa Ibom State in his efforts to reclaim his mandate which in his word, was stolen. Senator Ekpenyong had long been sworn-in as the incumbent Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Without a doubt, Akapbio's journey to the Tribunal was to avert what many have considered as his rather untimely exit from political relevance, the result of his ill-conceived decision to "move" from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress. About three months into the Tribunal, there is no scent of hope for Akpabio. The proceedings may in no time end just as his first suit at the Federal High Court, seeking to restrain INEC from issuing the Certificate of return to Senator Ekpenyong ended, a futile attempt at nothing.

At the pre-trial stage of the petition, the Respondents brought an application asking for Akpabio's petition to be dismissed for being incompetent. The grounds were that Akpabio had asked for the impossible; in the petition, he stated that the election was illegal being fraught with violence and corrupt practices and unfortunately went on to ask that he be declared the winner of the elections. With common sense, one can see the ridicule in this scenario, if the election was illegal, how then does he claim to be declared winner from such illegal elections? In the arguments to this application, Akpabio's counsel submitted that the petition only challenges the return of Senator Ekpenyong and not the elections, that it is the return that is illegal and not the elections. This is where the shock began, how do you approve a process and disapprove of the result of the same process? From sound legal analysis, the former Senator's case would have been dismissed at this point. He had asked for the impossible, he is attempting by his claims, to forge a solemnisation of oil and water, immixible. The rules of the Tribunal however bought him sometime; rulings on preliminary objections may be deferred to be taken as part of the final judgement.

June 10,2019, the trial started in ernest and Akpabio has so far filed about fourteen (14) witnesses. In trial, witnesses have testifed to results not in tandem with INEC's official results, witnesses have debated over issues of cancelled units cum wards. Akpabio's witnesses have consistently revealed that Senator Ekpenyong in truth has no case to answer; ward collation agents have said they do not know the number of units in their wards, they have admitted that they did not sign the results from their ward. Some others have confirmed that supporters of the APC in the affected Senatorial District voted without accreditation and one, either in arrogance or sheer ignorance even dared to say that the aggregate of votes cast (valid and invalid) does not need to agree with the number of accredited voters. The last in the series of infamous testimonies, one witness admitted that what he said in court is what the lawyer told him to say, that he only signed a prepared statement.

Although from the pre-trial report Akpabio may still have about 90 witnesses to call, the foregoing testimonies are from his acclaimed "star witnesses". Caveat: If these be from the best, what should we expect from the subsidiaries?

The matter was adjounred for continuation of the Petitioner's case after which the Respondents will have the opportunity to also open and state their own case.

GOVERNMENT OF AKWA IBOM STATE OF NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (United Kingdom)
C/O H.E. Catriona Laing
British High Commissioner in Nigeria
Plot 1137, Diplomatic Drive
Central Business District
Abuja, Nigeria

RE: RECENT PUBLICATION OF TRAVEL ALERT:
THE CASE OF AKWA IBOM STATE: THE UNVARNISHED TRUTH

We have read the recent publication by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the Government of the United Kingdom on Travel Alert for British Nationals concerning their visit to some part of Nigeria considered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as representing flashpoints of violence and insecurity.

While the release of Travel Alerts by Foreign Embassies or High Commissions is a routine act carried out by Foreign Governments as part of their sacred responsibility of securing the lives of their citizens, and of course, the protection of their overall national interest, we wish to point out a few unassailable facts as it concerns Akwa Ibom State, a peaceful, safe and secure State located in the oil producing geo-political zone of Niger-Delta which the report had fleetingly mentioned.

Even though reading from the detailed report, the mention of Akwa Ibom State was at best tangential, we however, wish to state that Akwa Ibom State remains one of the most peaceful, safe and secure States in Nigeria. This is an incontrovertible and unvarnished fact as attested to, by prominent and critical stakeholders in our nation's security architecture and top business and traditional rulers.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham during a courtesy call on the State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in October last year, had commended the peaceful nature of the State and said Akwa Ibom State was the most peaceful and violence-free of all the areas under his command. A similar sentiment was also expressed by Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, the Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger-Delta region. The US Ambassador, W. Stuart Symington had visited Akwa Ibom State on two occasions within the last one and a half years. No Ambassador would visit a State that is considered unsafe.

During the recently concluded Presidential/National Assembly, Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, in spite of the threat and boasts of the people on the opposite side of the political divide to unleash violence, the elections were adjudged peaceful, credible and free, a fact attested to by both Local and Foreign Observers. The Commissioner of Police in charge of the elections in Akwa Ibom State, Ibrahim Kaoje in his report of the elections to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of Operations stated that the elections in the State were conducted under the freest, credible and most peaceful atmosphere.

The Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 during a courtesy visit to the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, also commended the peace and security citizens enjoy in the State, which has led the State to attract the second highest in-flow of Foreign Direct Investments coming only behind Lagos State. We have also been receiving droves of investors from all parts of the world into the State for the purposes of investing in our peaceful, safe and secure environment. This would not have been possible if the State is not safe, peaceful and secure.

The State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has maintained a zero-tolerance policy on any form of criminal acts or tendencies. Last year, he signed into law, the ANTI-CULTISM BILL and granted Amnesty to former cultists in Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas respectively which today has further engendered the peace, security and development the State has enjoyed in the past four years. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever Anti-Cultism law in Nigeria.

We believe Akwa Ibom State was erroneously given a mention in the report based on the agitation for equitable distribution of God's given resources by the youth of our Niger-Delta zone, which fortunately today, through several laudable government intervention programmes, has been significantly reduced. One of the largest American Oil and Gas companies, Exxonmobil operates peacefully in our State. The Niger Delta region today, is exceptionally peaceful which has seen other major International Oil Companies (IOC's) operating in the region, and achieving their OPEC production quotas.

Finally, we wish to state emphatically and unequivocally that Akwa Ibom State is peaceful, safe and secure and remains an inviting location for foreign investors, and other Nigerians who daily troop to the State to enjoy our famed cuisines and the hospitality of our people.

Given the ease of traveling occasioned by the recent commencement of commercial flight operations by IBOM AIR, the only State owned and operated Airline in Nigeria and indeed, Africa, Akwa Ibom is to use the former American President, the late Ronald Regan's famous line "a City (State) on the Hill" inviting, beguiling and ready for the world.

"We want to make Akwa Ibom State hot for criminals and as the saying goes, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" Governor Udom Emmanuel had recently stated at a security event, and indeed, the criminals have heeded the advice, leading the State to enjoy its enviable reputation as one of the safest, secure and peaceful States in the country. This is an incontrovertible truth.

Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem
Secretary to the State Government

FG GOES AFTER EMMANUEL EKON OVER WITHHELD ASSETS

It is not the best of times for the immediate past member for Abak/ Etim Ekpo/ Ika Federal Constituency in the 8th National Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Ekon, who appears to be hiding from arrest by authorities of the Federal Government for refusing to return assets belonging to the Local Content Office, following the expiration of his stay at the green chambers.

Credible information has it that Ekon who was Chairman, Local Content Committee of the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, took delivery of some vehicles and official hardware belonging to the local content office by virtue of his position but has rebuffed every recovery effort of the assets, considered too sensitive for the office to let go.

Apart from the moveable assets he has chosen to illegally hold on to, it is reported that he has continued to hold on to security and other staff of the board that were posted to support his office , even as the board had issued a notice to him to return all that belonged to the board.

Bewildered at Ekon's evasive tendencies in the last two weeks, an official of the bureau who gave his name as Abubakar said the office has unsuccessfully asked for the return of the pilot vehicle, customed Hilux van and other assets designed for the special operations.

He recounted the several attempts at reaching him through letters, phone calls, text messages and personal contacts, which until the end of his tenure in the national assembly were their official means of communication, wondering how a public official they showed so much cooperation would choose to sabotage their operations.

Of the items belonging to the local content bureau that are listed to be currently in the former lawmaker's possession are vehicles, office equipments and documents, while they are considering legal actions including a possible arrest to fast track recovery of the assets, suspected to have been converted to private use by Ekon.

Fresh moves to Relocate National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal

*** Akpabio afraid of an early and empty return to Ukana

Nnamdi Osuji

The outgone Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District at the Senate of the National Assembly, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio has petitioned the President of the Court of Appeal praying for the relocation of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja.

In the petition dated May 20, 2019 and signed by S. I. Ameh, SAN, who is the lead counsel to Senator Akpabio in the suit filed by him to challenge the declaration of Dr Christopher Ekpenyong as the winner of the National Assembly Elections for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District at the just concluded elections, Akpabio states that the Tribunal should be moved to Abuja for three reasons, thus;

1. Intimidation of his witnesses by the Respondents;
2. The location of the tribunal is in between private homes and unsuitable for a tribunal and is behind the Governor’s lodge and therefore susceptible to the Governor's influence;
3. At the last sitting supporters and witnesses of the petitioner were attacked and prevented from gaining access to the tribunal;

Our investigations however revealed a clear contradiction on the goings on at the Tribunal and the reasons as filed by S. I Ameh of counsel to the petitioner. Our findings are that the case is at the pre-trial stage; at the last sitting of the court, the activity was the tendering of documents by INEC who has been joined as a Respondent to the petition. The issue of Senator Akpabio's witnesses being "...attacked and prevented from gaining access to the Tribunal" therefore seem ill-conceived or premature in the circumstance as the event of the attendance of witnesses to the Tribunal has not yet arisen since actual trial has not commenced.

Our correspondent further gathered that there has been no violence of any form or resistance or attempt by any of the parties to prevent either party's witnesses or supporters from accessing the Tribunal. He narrates that the court room is always filled to capacity by supporters of both parties by 8:30 am, minutes before the court sits at about 9 am, with the overflow strolling around the court premises till the court adjourns at all the appearances.

On the proximity of the Tribunal to the Governors office and it's "susceptibility to the Governor's influence", a practicing lawyer in Uyo stated that the venue of the Tribunal is the traditional location of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State adding that such proximity has never been cited as a possible factor in determining the course of Justice, even by the most unlearned of men and therefore expressed regrets over such banal reasoning as a justification for seeking the relocation of the Tribunal.

Recall that Senator Akpabio and his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) had already made efforts before the commencement of the Tribunal to relocate the Tribunal from Akwa Ibom citing insecurity as a the reason for the prayer.

Comments from some political class in Akwa Ibom state reveal fear over the possible outcome of this petition. This fear, our correspondent gathers, is predicated on the fact that Senator Akpabio has severally
boasted that the President of the Court of Appeal is "in his pocket" and would declare him as the winner of the elections when the matter gets to the Court of Appeal. This assertion which first got to the media through the reports of his reconcilliatory meeting with Rotimi Ameachi, the Minister for Transportation, could again be gleaned from the unusual confidence with which the outgoing Senator spoke at his valedictory session at the 8th Assembly wherein he assured his colleagues that "he shall return to the Senate". If truly the President of the Court of Appeal is in Akpabio's pockets, then the Tribunal may be relocated.

A coalition of young lawyers in Akwa Ibom state, Akwa Ibom Young Lawyers Coalition however insisted that the Tribunal must not be relocated from Akwa Ibom State in the interest of Justice and to afford the young lawyers the opportunity to have a first hand experience in Election Petition matters, which they say they have already started learning since the commencement of the Tribunal's proceedings. They dismessed the reasons stated by the petition in his call for the relocation of the Tribunal as "...fatuous and wanting in good faith".&

Efforts to reach the President of the Court of Appeal, S. I. Ameh, SAN or Senator Akpabio on the subject has been fruitless but a source within the Court of Appeal who pleaded anonymity confirmed that the petition has been minuted to the Secretary of the Election Petition Panel who has been directed to advise on the petition.

Fresh moves to Relocate National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal

*** Akpabio afraid of an early and empty return to Ukana

Nnamdi Osuji

The outgone Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District at the Senate of the National Assembly, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio has petitioned the President of the Court of Appeal praying for the relocation of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja.

In the petition dated May 20, 2019 and signed by S. I. Ameh, SAN, who is the lead counsel to Senator Akpabio in the suit filed by him to challenge the declaration of Dr Christopher Ekpenyong as the winner of the National Assembly Elections for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District at the just concluded elections, Akpabio states that the Tribunal should be moved to Abuja for three reasons, thus;

1. Intimidation of his witnesses by the Respondents;
2. The location of the tribunal is in between private homes and unsuitable for a tribunal and is behind the Governor’s lodge and therefore susceptible to the Governor's influence;
3. At the last sitting supporters and witnesses of the petitioner were attacked and prevented from gaining access to the tribunal;

Our investigations however revealed a clear contradiction on the goings on at the Tribunal and the reasons as filed by S. I Ameh of counsel to the petitioner. Our findings are that the case is at the pre-trial stage; at the last sitting of the court, the activity was the tendering of documents by INEC who has been joined as a Respondent to the petition. The issue of Senator Akpabio's witnesses being "...attacked and prevented from gaining access to the Tribunal" therefore seem ill-conceived or premature in the circumstance as the event of the attendance of witnesses to the Tribunal has not yet arisen since actual trial has not commenced.

Our correspondent further gathered that there has been no violence of any form or resistance or attempt by any of the parties to prevent either party's witnesses or supporters from accessing the Tribunal. He narrates that the court room is always filled to capacity by supporters of both parties by 8:30 am, minutes before the court sits at about 9 am, with the overflow strolling around the court premises till the court adjourns at all the appearances.

On the proximity of the Tribunal to the Governors office and it's "susceptibility to the Governor's influence", a practicing lawyer in Uyo stated that the venue of the Tribunal is the traditional location of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State adding that such proximity has never been cited as a possible factor in determining the course of Justice, even by the most unlearned of men and therefore expressed regrets over such banal reasoning as a justification for seeking the relocation of the Tribunal.

Recall that Senator Akpabio and his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) had already made efforts before the commencement of the Tribunal to relocate the Tribunal from Akwa Ibom citing insecurity as a the reason for the prayer.

Comments from some political class in Akwa Ibom state reveal fear over the possible outcome of this petition. This fear, our correspondent gathers, is predicated on the fact that Senator Akpabio has severally
boasted that the President of the Court of Appeal is "in his pocket" and would declare him as the winner of the elections when the matter gets to the Court of Appeal. This assertion which first got to the media through the reports of his reconcilliatory meeting with Rotimi Ameachi, the Minister for Transportation, could again be gleaned from the unusual confidence with which the outgoing Senator spoke at his valedictory session at the 8th Assembly wherein he assured his colleagues that "he shall return to the Senate". If truly the President of the Court of Appeal is in Akpabio's pockets, then the Tribunal may be relocated.

A coalition of young lawyers in Akwa Ibom state, Akwa Ibom Young Lawyers Coalition however insisted that the Tribunal must not be relocated from Akwa Ibom State in the interest of Justice and to afford the young lawyers the opportunity to have a first hand experience in Election Petition matters, which they say they have already started learning since the commencement of the Tribunal's proceedings. They dismessed the reasons stated by the petition in his call for the relocation of the Tribunal as "...fatuous and wanting in good faith".&

Efforts to reach the President of the Court of Appeal, S. I. Ameh, SAN or Senator Akpabio on the subject has been fruitless but a source within the Court of Appeal who pleaded anonymity confirmed that the petition has been minuted to the Secretary of the Election Petition Panel who has been directed to advise on the petition.

APC GHOULISH DISPOSITION

Time and over, the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom state as the serial losers (both in their past splinter groups and current amalgam status)at Governorship elections in Akwa Ibom state, have recklessly showed their ghoulish tendencies wherein the create a mountain of a molehill for prominence, or mow a baby in order to feast on its carcass. It has become traditional for them to feast on matters that are inconsequential and pedestrian, drawing unnecessary attention to the matters and thereafter abandoning the discourse midway.

An apt pointer to the deep-seated ghoulish tendencies of the APC can be manifestly located in the Press release wherein the Publicity secretary of the APC in a face saving strategy decided to publicly display the degree of ignorance of the law by the hierarchy of their party, by issuing a statement attempting to mock Governor Udom Emmanuel for seeking to enforce the provision of the constitution which bars and prohibits the prosecution of a Governor and or his Deputy, during the duration of their tenure in office . In a further display of abundant deficiency of history, he exposed his ignorance of the fact that the first time (under the current constitution and democratic experience)when Section 308 (which confers among other things immunity from civil or criminal prosecution on Governors) was tested, was against the APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinunbu( then serving as Governor of Lagos state). The then Lagos Governor’s defence which was predicated on the constitutional provision was upheld and the reliefs of the claimant denied. That section therefore became a shield against that prosecution.

We know for a fact that in the estimation of the APC, the Law should be different for members of the opposition. No constitutional safeguards should be obeyed when dealing with opposing politicians, but those who either defect or move to the broom coven are canonised and proclaimed as saints.

We state boldly that the prosecutions the Governor of Akwa Ibom State(by the inclusion of his name on the charge sheet) by the EFCC is legally wrong, constitutionally abnormal and undertaken only to vex the person and office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom state. He is therefore right in taking legal steps to remove his name from the filed processes. We are therefore at sea as to the intendment of the release in issue, except to serve as a face saving gimmick by the Publicity Secretary of the APC, who has in recent times received a lot of bashing from his party men for reasons not unconnected to official remarkable ineptitude. Well, if such caricaturist articles against the Governor is his only strategy to keep his job, then he should have a serious rethink.

As for the preachments on probity, accountability and financial responsibility, we present to him, a more fitting audience of APC faithful especially their Governorship candidate who has earned the ignoble award of running the most corrupt management of the NDDC (and by extension any public agency), as stated by contractors and protesters at the agency’s headquarters recently. Even the media committee of that broom mob is a good example of financial mismanagement. Was it not in their committee, that 11 million naira was embezzled and people claimed to have paid CNN and other international stations ‘appearance fees’? For APC to pontificate on financial issues is akin to charcoal describing snow as black.

We urge all rational persons to completely discountenance the ill conceived article disingenuously penned by the APC Publicity Secretary. It should be seen as what it is, straw clutching technics or the inevitable sprouting of ghoulish tendencies.

Signed:

Comrade Ini Ememobong
State Publicity Secretary
Peoples Democratic Party
Akwa Ibom State
06062019

INI EMEMOBONG AND THE CURSE OF THE CRIMINAL DEFENCE ATTORNEY

The wise public relation move is to ignore negative news publication, that way you take away the steam from it, a few times, there is an exception to this rule, and the wise move is to hold on to the negativity just a little longer, so as to shine full light on the subject, with the hope that the public, on seeing it in the proper light will embrace its truth.
It is that exception that I will attempt here.
Ini Ememobong Essien is the Akwa Ibom State Publicity Secretary of the PDP (you would have to been away and not following Akwa Ibom politics not to know this). When I look at the picture of the inauguration of that executive committee at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium, I doubt then, even he knew the path this role would take him. It is important to note, that nothing in the publicly available bio of the gentleman points to him having held a role in a party or having headed a publicity department in the past. So here we had a complete rookie, he would have been forgiven, if he was quiet, non-existent or learning the robes. But in three years, the man has owned the role, developed it and himself into a colossus and is now enemy no 1 of some in the opposition party, that in itself is a back-hand commendation that he has done his job well. If the public image maker of a party is not hated and feared by the opposition, he is insignificant.
APC (the opposition party at the state level) needed an Ini Ememobong. For me, his most effective contribution is the umbrella business quest programme. A simple phone in programme, that highlights entrepreneurial efforts of young Akwa Ibom indigenes, allows listeners vote for the winning business plan, awards the winner -start-up capital for the business and also recognises old long-standing business brands. When this programme started, I screamed this was for the APC. Imagine if that programme had been run by the opposition as part of its hearts and minds campaign – utter brilliance but it wasn’t. This was the Publicity Secretary of the ruling party, going the extra mile to establish the party in the minds of the young given to such phone – in programmes. In one swop, he ensures publicity for the business of those who participate, he provides access to finance, deals with gender representation issues (I have noticed an interesting number of female entrepreneurs getting sponsorship) and provides a lively programme to listeners inspiring them to be entrepreneurial and also provides training for others in shoe making and auto mechanical repairs. That is how a heart and mind strategy with substance is packaged and delivered. By identifying with the ordinary Akwa Ibom indigene who is not politically connected, this one programme suggests that it is a party with a heart for the ordinary people.
Then comes his responses to perceived dents on his party’s image. In this, he excels to a frightening proportion. I saw his press conference at the height of the election season calling out the police, and a senior officer by name for working against his party. I feared for his safety and that of his young family – what a risk to take. This was high stakes politics, in a country where a chief Justice of the federation has been disposed of on politically motivated charges, where the DSS rather regularly forgets they have locked people up for years, and he was taking on the very machinery of the Federal Government by name! they could have easily arrested him for breathing. Or the other one, when while speaking with the national press he lambasted the EFCC for freezing the state government accounts, not even angels dare the EFCC in Nigeria, ask MTN. Then his many pressers where he talks of what the opposition would do and are planning and then reassures with their campaign moniker ‘only God’. Somehow, he manages to scare you, get you angry against the opposition and then convinces you, all is well, ‘God is in control’.
Imagine how quiet and confusing it would be, if Akwa Ibomites did not have the confidence that the PDP had this. He imbues that confidence. Akwa Ibom is PDP takes hold as he almost seems invincible and so you feel his party is. In actual fact, they were not. With the security forces against them, and one of their prominent leaders jumping ship, Akwa Ibom PDP was at its most vulnerable phase during the last election season – but you would not know that because its publicity department successfully convinced you, that God was on their side and in control (I very much doubt God, would support any political party and even if he did, would get involved in anything as messy as Nigerian politics).
In doing his job well, he must take on, not with light slaps or knocks, but match words for words, fire for fire and in some cases return even more than they have taken, in dealing with his party’s political opponents. In squarely starring down his former boss, and now member of the opposition, he has drawn the ire of some. As I read the press release by some group (these groups spring up and disappear with such regularity that a penny- a- dozen is a fitting description) warning him, I laughed. If he dared so powerful a federal machinery, I very much doubt their threats will make him lose sleep. But I also read, the comments section in some of the online forums where this information was posted and I could see hurt, a few people that were angry at him, how dare he bite the finger that once fed him. There lies the curse of the defence attorney.
To the untrained, the defence attorney is a vile person indeed. How dare he defend criminals. But the criminal justice system fails, if a person accused, is not afforded an honest and robust defence. How would we know he was not wrongly accused, if we do not test the system rigorously and find the person guilty, how many innocents would be convicted? When student’s often ask: shouldn’t the defence attorney investigate and find the truth and only defend the wrongly accused, I am always at pains to explain that, this is not the job of such an attorney but the police. He cannot and should not waste his time on such niceties, he must trust that the other parties would do their job and do his, putting up all the defence allowed by law, that way when the accused is convicted (or set free), it wouldn’t be for any other reason, other than that the evidence was beyond doubt. Of course, this is the common law system handed to us by the English, the French have a different system (Civil law system) were the judge plays a more active role in adjudication and therefore reduces the burden of the defence attorney.
As go the criminal justice system, so also the political system. The image maker must defend his party image against all. He cannot wait to say: ‘its my former boss’, he cannot have time for such niceties, to do his job well and serve his party, he must take on and vanquish any and all that comes against their image. In successfully doing that, no one can fault him. I am sure his former boss, would have demanded same of him was he in the same party, and although judging by this fly by the night organisation press release, they may feel hurt, in truth they all know that this is what it means to go against a formidable opponent and would gladly have him play the same role on their behalf.
Could it have been different between him and his ex-boss? Just like the French system: yes. His former boss could have ‘moved’ or ‘defected’ from his previous party based on principles and ideological differences and stood by those reasons. It could have been an ideological campaign, when the exchanges would be tough but civil. But that picture is not Nigeria. His former boss left the PDP for pecuniary and personal reasons. He has ridiculed his former party to no end and is just being served his just deserve.
What is important is for the PDP to recognise what an asset he is. But for me more importantly, is for the current administration to develop this young leader correctly. To my mind, his next assignment should be one that tests his ability to deliver public good to a large majority. Let us see what administrative and policy acumen he actually has or has not, his umbrella business programme suggest we might have someone with the potential of being a special type of leader, but as a football connoisseur, I know potential is one thing, actual fulfillment of ability - another. Cannot wait to see where the judgement lies on him.

Koko Udom
Solicitor England and Wales and Senior Lecturer Leeds Beckett University.

AKPABIO'S TRIP TO ITALY: A REAL PRAYER RETREAT OR AN ALIBI FOR EVIL MANIFESTATION?

Gerald Akpanobong, Daily Reviews Magazine, Abuja

Within the week now gone, Senator Godswill Akpabio was spotted in pictures with his wife, the noble lady Ekaette-Unoma Akpabio in Italy. The Governor in his personal social media handle notified the world of the intention of his visit to Italy which he said was to pray for the country's democracy.

Beyond doubt, such voyage should be applauded as a noble step by no less a personality than the newly christened nationalist who very recently left his former party, the PDP to fraternise with His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari on national interests. Fresh information at our disposal however reveal that there may be more to the Italy sojourn than meets the eyes - in fact, there are indications that the senator is only seeking to create an alibi, to be seen as being away while his agents execute several nefarious acts at home.

First on the roll of plots as gathered by our correspondents is that the senator has perfected plans for the arrest of the Senator elect for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Dr Christopher Ekpenyong, the Senator elect for Uyo Federal Constituency, Sen. Bassey Albert, the House of Representatives member elect for Etinan Federal Constituency, Rt.Hon. Onofiok Luke and the Federal House Member elect for Abak Federal Constituency, Hon. Aniekan Umanah.

The plot reveals that the former Governor, former Senate Minority leader and soon to be former senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District at the Senate before sneaking out to Italy held a secret meeting with an AIG and a DIG at a secret location at Asokoro, Abuja, to finalise plans on how to arrest Dr Ekpenyong and others over trumped up charges bothering on false asset declaration and other false accusations. It is further revealed that the senator has personally delivered series of petitions to the Code of Conduct Bureau making allegations of false asset declarations against the identified victims of his plot as well as petitions written by his lawyers to the police against some of them.

According to our source, the plan is to stop them from attending their swearing In which is slated for June and those targeted are to be arrested at the gate of the National Assembly and dragged to the police headquarters as common criminals.

While one may be unsure of what the senator seeks to gain by this conspiracy, one can quickly recall that this "I was not there" strategy employed by the Senator in this evolving plot is not new to the people who are quickly reminded that when the presidency sought to impeach Dr Saraki with rumours to impose the now defeated Senator Akpabio on Nigerians as their Senate president the senator had demonstrated his love for this defence of alibi. In that testament, as in this Italy appearance, Senator Akpabio pleaded alibi as a response to the allegations of his involvement in the legislative coup stating that; "He was on his way to Uyo and had no hand in it".

Akwa Ibom people will not be surprised if this testament is repeated but shall they sit and watch their elected representatives arrested on the plots crafted by Senator Godswill Akpabio? Where shall he return to and who shall sing his return? These shall be answered with the passage of time.

Nsima Ekere & Anor vs. H.E Udom Emmanuel & Ors

*Court Proceedings and Case Information Sheet one (1)*

Appearances

Petitioners (Obong Nsima Ekere hereinafter referred to as ONE & APC)

J S Okutepa, SAN
Prof E Ojukwu, SAN
Victor Iyanam, Esq
Edet Bassey, Esq
Ubong Offiong, Esq


1st Respondent (HE, Udom Emmanuel)

Dr O Ikpeazu, SAN
Chief C Uche, SAN
Chief Asam Asam, SAN
Solomon Umoh, SAN
Utibe Nwoko, Esq
Nwachukwu, Ibegbu, Esq
Uwemedimo Nwoko, Esq
Ini Ememobong, Esq
Harrison Okoro, Esq

2nd Respondent (PDP)

T Oyetibo, SAN
U Udom, SAN
G A Umoh, Esq
Samuel Akpabio, Esq
D Jonathan, Esq
Emmanuel Akpan, Esq
P Mgbeoma, Esq
Linus Utuk, Esq
Uboho Eyo, Esq

3 & 4 Respondent (INEC & REC)

Silva Ogwemoh, SAN

*************************
Activity 1 - Motion to amend Petition

Counsel to the Petitioner, Okutepa, SAN moved a motion praying the court to grant them leave to amend the petition as filed by the petitioner and to deem the amended and exhibited petition as being properly filed (that is to replace the erroneous petition which will be withdrawn where the prayer per the motion is granted. The application for amendment was to change the word "and", employed in the original Petition to the word "and" in the amended petition.

The Respondents were however opposed to the application and relying on the case of Abubakar vs. Yar'Adua reported in LPELR 51 SC. 23- 24 B wherein the court highlighted the effect and difference between the words, "and" and "or". It was their principal argument in opposing the motion that the time reserved by the Constitution and the schedule to the Electoral Act on the procedure before the Tribual for the petitioner to amend his petition bas elapsed.

The 2nd Respondent (PDP) also opposed the motion. Counsel to the 2nd Respondent relied on Olusola Oke vs. Mimiko wherein the court held that an amendment introducing a new ground cannot be brought after the expiration of the time limited for the presentation of the petition by the law.

The counsel to the 3&4 Respondents also opposed the application stating that there is no fact to ground the application being granted in good faith and within the provisions of the law.

The Petitioner however further urged the court to grant their prayers relying on South Atlantic Petroleum LTD. vs. Ministry of Petroleum Resources (2014) NWLR (Pt. 139) @ 24. Insisting that the correction sought is only as to form and does not affect the substance of the petition.

*************************

The court at the close of submissions by counsel deferred ruling on the application to May 30, 2019.

NSIMA EKERE vs. HE UDOM EMMANUEL: THE TRAIN HAS MOVED

The presiding Judge (Chairman) of the Governorship Tribunal, Hon. Justice A. M. Yakubu, today 28 May, 2019, performed the inaugural formalities for the post election proceedings (Election Petition) filed by Nsima Ekere, The Gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the March 9 elections against HE Udom Emmanuel, the governor of the state who emerged victorious at the elections.

The court urged counsel to abide by the rules of practice of the Tribunal, to avoid undue technicalites and ensure that justice is done on the substance of the case as filed.

Responding to the opening address by the Chairman, the Attorney General of the state, Uwemedimo Nwoko, Esq while stating that he does not envy the Tribunal over the very hectic responsibility they have to discharge, assured the Tribunal that their security is guaranteed in the state and prayed God to guide and grant them sufficient wisdom in the discharge of their task. He thereupon welcomed the the Constitution of the Tribunal to the state.

The Chairperson of the NBA, Enobong Akpan (Mrs), welcomed the Tribunal to the state and assured the Tribunal of the co-orporation of the NBA throughout the proceedings of the Tribunal.

Responding on behalf of the bar, Dr. Ikpeazu, SAN the most senior member of the bar and counsel to 1st Respondent, HE Udom Emmanuel assured the court that the bar shall work amicably throughout the proceedings. He also assured the court that the bar shall avoid unnecessary technicality and aim for substantial justice. The counsel to the Petitioner also promised to align and co-operate with the court in the course of the trial.

It was on this friendly note that the train left the station and within 180 days, it shall without fail arrive its harbour.

WE DID NOT EXPEL SENATOR AKPABIO

BEING THE TEXT OF A PRESS BRIEFING BY THE CHAIRMAN, PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, IKOT EKPENE SENATORIAL DISTRICT, AKWA IBOM STATE
The allegation by Senator Godswill Akpabio, the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District) that he was expelled from our party, hence his movement to the All Progressives Congress prior to the 2019 General elections is arguable one of the most alarming allegations to have been made by a political office holder from our state in contemporary times.

Senator Akpabio who until August 8, 2018 was a member of our distinguished party was not expelled by our party at any point and neither was any process commenced for his removal under the guidelines as provided for in the constitution of our party. Any person who knows the personality of Senator Akpabio very well knows that of such was ever attempted or muted, he would have very eminently featured the same expulsion in his exodus messages.

In the facts, Senator Akpabio was endorsed for a second term in office as the senator representing the aforementioned Senatorial District, in a Mega rally organized by our Senatorial District on July 16, 2018 under my leadership. At that rally, it was only His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel and the Senator that were officially endorsed by the Senatorial District of our party. It was not up to a month after this endorsement that the senator resigned as the minority leader of the Senate, a position he occupied sequel to his being elected to the Senate on the platform and sponsorship of our party and subsequently made public is defection from our party.

It is true that since our party endorsed the Senator on July 16, 2018, all our party thought and was preoccupied on was how to ensure that the Senator wins a second term to the Senate and at no moment did we have the luxury of time to entertain or execute the thought of his expulsion.

Akpabio defected from our party and was never expelled from our party. Our party had long moved on and through the grace of God we have maintained our winning streak which demonstrates clearly that strong institutions will always triumph over the vagaries of individual wishes and acclaimed prowess and strength. The senator in good wisdom should do well to also move on as a man intends at all times, the natural consequences of his actions.

Hon. Pst. Cletus Eshiet
Chairman
Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District/ State Vice Chairman
People's Democratic Party
Akwa Ibom State

Press Release
Akpabio’s Alleged Expulsion: When Shamelessness Becomes Habitual

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party has read a news item flowing from the judgement of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Abang wherein the trial judge held that Senator Akpabio led evidence to show that he was expelled from the People’s Democratic Party and therefore was justified in law in ‘moving’ to the APC.

We state that nothing can be farther from the truth than the transparent lie of expulsion shamelessly spewed by Chief Akpabio. We make bold to state that at no time was Chief Akpabio suspended or expelled from the party. Chief Akpabio had announced to the world on August 8,2018 that he was defecting from the PDP to the APC in pursuit of National interest and to stem the tide of defections at the National Assembly. In fact, at different campaigns, he mocked the PDP as being empty since his uncommon defection . At no time did he mention the issue of expulsion, which has now become his creation as a lame defence to keep his seat. He conspired with Ntiedo Usoro, the then Chapter Chairman of Essien Udim to illegally write a letter of expulsion to him and back date same. The said Ntiedo having completed his assignment, later defected and joined Chief Akpabio in the APC.

This ignoble comedy which has been taken beyond sane limits is most condemnable and dishonorable. It is indicative of the total exit of honour from a man whom many erroneously held in high esteem. There is no way that Senator Akpabio could have been expelled by the party, without the concurrence of the State Executive Committee of the party. There is no record showing the existence of such a punitive move undertaken against the senator by his ward or chapter executive council. Expulsion is a process and not an event. We know that the disgraced senator is running from his shadows and questioning karma, as his conscience is putting him to remembrance of how he masterminded the suspension and eventual expulsion of his predecessor, Obong Victor Attah from the Party(though the act was reversed by the National Exco of the party). His successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel and the incumbent party leadership under Obong Paul Ekpo have decidedly made themselves unavailable for karma to use against him.

Nigerians are not fools and cannot be deceived by double speak and greed propelled dishonesty, but they may be amused by face saving but disdainful comedy, scripted and acted by an uncommon National Comedian. Senator Akpabio should count today as his lucky day, because if our great party had been joined in that suit, his fake bravado would have evaporated, exposing his real and inherent cowardly character and paranoia-influenced mindset.

We warn Senator Akpabio to desist forthwith from including the PDP in his serial lies. He is history to us, for all we care and soon, will be history to his Senatorial District- people who have sent the disgraced senator on compulsory political retirement.

A brave man should prepare to face the natural consequences of his actions and not to engage in perennial doublespeak, disgraceful pendulum motion and irreverent redefinition of established terms.

Signed:

Comrade Ini Ememobong ANIPR
State Publicity Secretary
People’s Democratic Party
17052019

APC VS IGINI: DUTCH COURAGE TAKEN TOO FAR

The recent press release by the All Progressives Congress, Akwa Ibom State Chapter accusing Mike Igini of bias and criminal collusion with, cum financial sponsorship by our great Party, the People’s Democratic Party has become the latest addition to the long list of the now habitual falsehood production factory of the APC.

Our only concern in the tissues of transparent lies tagged as a press release, is the mention of our party as the sponsor of Mr.Igini and the sole beneficiary of the umpire’s purported electoral bias. The APC has continued in her crass display of Dutch courage, to make baseless and unsubstantiated allegations against the PDP.

While the APC continues her circumambulation around falsehood, the truth remains that our party and her candidates won elections fair and square without any illegal support from any apparatus of the federal government. In fact, we swam energetically to the shores of victory against the tide of federal might which were wholesomely deployed by the APC, against our party. This victory came as a direct result of God’s grace and strenuous people-centric campaigns. For the records, our party has never had any unofficial relationship with the Resident Electoral Commissioner,INEC Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Mike Igini. In fact, neither our party chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo or any member of the State Executive of our Party has had any unofficial relationship or correspondence with the REC. We were in fact astonished when the state Chairman of the APC publicly stated that he had been having phone conversations with the REC- discussions we have demanded that the contents be made public.

It is therefore very annoying for the APC to continue along the inglorious path of habitual lie-telling and facts fabrication against our party. Sane minds in our clime would have thought that by the passage of time, the APC and her candidates would have come to terms with the stark reality of the manifest loss which they suffered at the polls and accept same. Now that they have gone to the Tribunal, which is within their uncontested constitutional rights, they should concentrate on defending their case within the court of law and not to dwell on blackmail within the boundless court of public opinion.

We have challenged the broom wielding party to produce any strand of evidence showing complicity between our party and the umpire and till date , none has been produced. Rather in existence in the public space is the uncontroverted evidence of their Governorship Candidate Obong Nsima Ekere, planning with a militant General for the annihilation of Akwa Ibom people during the election using ‘walking sticks’, grenades and GPMGs, financed to the tune of 25 million.

We urge the discerning public to ignore the habitual lies and fabrications of the APC, knowing that they had since switched on to their falsehood mode and we do not know when that mode will be deactivated.

Signed:

Comrade Ini Ememobong
State Publicity Secretary
People’s Democratic Party
Akwa Ibom State
06052019

Amaechi and Akpabio's Reconciliation

...Nsima Ekere was our problem says Senator Godswill Akpabio

By Jerome Nwanta


Sunday 14 April, 2019 was a politically glorious day for the APC in south-south of Nigeria as it witnessed what would be described as a re-connect between the Minister for Transport and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and the Senator for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, former Senate Minority leader and former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Senator Godswill Akpabio.


The meeting which took place at the private residence of a chieftain of the party, Nasiru Danu in Abuja, on Sunday, was aimed at strengthening APC and settling differences that existed between the Minister and the Senator. A source has confirmed that the meeting was intended to be a secret meeting at the instance of the senator who had approached a well placed personality within the Presidency to broker a meeting between him and the minister in his (Akpabio's) interest stating that he would do anything to be in the President's good books, including prostrating for Amaechi. It is gathered that the release by Keyamo, SAN is a damage control reaction to the threat by this yet unknown peronality to expose the meeting as Akpabio later went ahead to have the meeting, as inspired by Keyamo, SAN without recourse to him.

On the cause of the lingering rift now possibly settled, recall that they had been an existing cold war between the duo since the issues sorrounding the leadership of the Governor's Forum in 2013. The then governor's forum became divided under the leadership of the minister over crisis that had Akpabio's signature and Akpabio pushed for and became the pioneer chairman of PDP Governor's forum, the act which many political commentators had described as one of the most crude political moves of the century and is today still referenced as one of the principal cause of President Jonathan's failure at the 2015 polls. A source from the presidency who pleaded anonymity also revealed that the Minister had been livid since the day Akpabio jumped ship to the APC and in total denigration to his position in the party suddenly started addressing himself as the leader of the party in the south-south. Again, with Akpabio's defeat at the polls, insinuations has been that Akpabio is plotting to assume Kyari's office as the Chief of staff to the President, a rumour that does not sit well with Amaechi. It has been gathered that the minister has made his stands clear that if such happens, he will not only reject his appointment as a minister but will pull away his weight from the APC and work against the party. Putting one and two together, one may say that it has been Akpabio hurting Amaechi all the while and the minister may have been justified in his enemy stands against the senator.

All that seems to have been sorted now furtherance to the meeting as reported.
According to Festus Keyamo, SAN both chiefs of the party promised to close ranks and work in unison for the overall interest of the party in the country. The statement made available to the press read thus in part;

“Sunday, April 14, 2019, marked a new chapter of cooperation within the APC family as two frontline leaders of APC from the South-South region, the Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and former minority leader of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio met each other to iron out their perceived political differences".

The meeting, our correspondents gathered was at the instance of Senator Godwill Akpabio and was brokered by two chieftains of the Party, Alhaji Nasiru Danu, (the Dan Amarna of Dutse) and Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN. At the meeting, Senator Akpabio willingly ceded the title and functions of the leader of the APC in the south-south to Amaechi and pleaded with him, on bended knees to look away from the happenings of the past. In his plea, Senator Akpabio reminded the minister that both of them were friends during his (Amaechi's) court case while struggling to be Governor of Rivers through the court. He made particular reference to the fact that the bullet proof car that drove Amaechi before his swearing-in as Governor of Rivers state was his (Akpabio's) own and they had been friends for as long as he could remember before he (Akpabio) made some wrong choices politically.

Akpabio also accused Mr Nsima Ekere, the Gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom state in the 2019 elections of being the reason for the initial fracas between the duo as Mr Ekere, while serving as Deputy Governor under Senator Akpabio was having clandestine meetings with Amaechi on how to unseat Akpabio . He also said that it was alleged at the time that Amaechi was the main financier of Nsima’s bid to take over the Governorship seat from Akpabio. This, he said eventually became the principal reason he wanted Mr Ekere impeached.

In the friendly conversations after the reconciliation, Akpabio expressed gratitude over the reconciliation and expressed confidence that with Amaechi on his side he will certainly win his case at the Court of Appeal. He also expressed confidence with the constitution of the tribunal, claiming that he has two of them on his side already and that he’s still working on the last one .

How long this relationship will last is what we cannot say but as at today, Akpabio and Amaechi are one.

AKHA POLLS: PRODUCE YOUR CERTIFICATE OR ROT IN JAIL, UMOH BLASTS NTUEN

By Darlington UDOBONG

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Essien Udim State Constituency in the just concluded State House of Assembly election in Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Esse Umoh, has challenged the suspended member for Essien Udim and candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Nse Ntuen, to produce his acclaimed “University of Calabar Certificate’ or be ready to face the law and rot in jail.

Barrister Umoh, who gave the position in Uyo recently during a chat with Ibom Telegraph, said “Nse Effiong Ntuen was not qualified to contest that election with me reasons being that he has committed a criminal offense. He should be disqualified because he used fake documents. Anybody that lies under oath is liable of plagiary. The certificate Nse Effiong Ntuen used from the University of Calabar, which he claimed he had a 2.1 (Second Class Upper) in Social Sciences, was not issued from that University. I am challenging him to challenge me in any Court of law that his result was issued from the University of Calabar. Yes, he went to the University of Calabar and had a 2.2 (Second Class Lower) and that result is still pending at the University of Calabar as we speak. There is no University in the world that can issue its student with two certificates. If he is saying that it was a mistake, let the Registrar of the University of Calabar write to me that the result that Nse Effiong Ntuen was given a 2.1 was a mistake, and that Senate of the school approved the result by mistake.”

“He used that fake result in 2014 and used it again in 2019. It is intentional. If you claimed that you finished school in 2013 and that there was a mistake on your result, it behooves on you to have written to the University for correction and the span of 2014 to 2019 is a long time for the University of Calabar to have written to Nse Effiong Ntuen or to have replied to his application for correction of result.

People correct results, let Nse Effiong Ntuen show me the application he made as at 2014 when he received his statement of result. A good student knows his GPA even before his final examinations. From the final result of Nse Effiong Ntuen, he had a 3.04 GPA. It is not enough to tell people that the University of Calabar made a mistake on your result, show us the evidence that the University of Calabar made a mistake on your result,” he explained.

Explaining further, Barrister Umoh said Mr. Ntuen was not competent and qualified to represent the people of the area in all ramifications, according to him, “Nse Effiong Ntuen does not have what it takes to go to the State House of Assembly for a second time. He is a man full of violence. He has exhibited this negative virtue all his live and the 2019 House of Assembly election was not an exception. But unfortunately the law has caught up with him and his cohorts. The law says anyone who forcefully engages any staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to collate or declare himself/herself as the winner will not be recognized by the law, because the process is not recognized by the electoral law. Nse Effiong Ntuen felt he could use the army, police, headed by SP Idorenyin Akpabio, and civil defense to hijack the process and declared himself winner to a seat he has remained a failure for four years.”

“As a candidate, I was not allowed access to the collation centre. I was even threatened with a gun by a soldier. Nse Effiong Ntuen and his cohorts went to the Collation Centre with Armoured Personnel Carrier. I narrowly escape death at the collation centre because I became a target of the Warsaw war. The PDP Chapter Chairman of the Essien Udim mistakenly went into the collation centre and was beaten to pulp. He was later abandoned at the Divisional Police Station when they thought he was dead, even the DPO ran away thinking the man was dead. I called the DPO for over two hours to come and release the man for us to take him to the hospital and he refused. But I thank God, we are fortunate to have INEC that is unbiased. They have reported that the results of the elections for Essien Udim State Constituency were marred with irregularities and they have also said that they cannot issue Certificate of Return. It is a national issue. The same thing is applicable to Governor Rochas Okorocha and two others,” Barrister Umoh stressed.

“As a person, a lawyer, I know the law. I know that every legal process has a time frame, especially that of the electoral process. Immediately after the conduct of elections, any issue arising from the electoral process is addressed at the Election Tribunal and it is only the Election Tribunal that has such power. Therefore, I know that Nse Effiong Ntuen forced the Collation Officer to collate and announce Essien Udim results in his favour. I know the Election Tribunal will address the abnormality.”

He called on “the Election Tribunal to investigate whether Nse Effiong Ntuen had the locus to contest election with me on the grounds that he used a forged certificate from the University of Calabar to contest the election.”

Barrister Umoh also hinted that he has submitted his petition at the Election Tribunal, saying “My prayers at the Election Tribunal are as follows: Firstly, I am the one that won the elections at the Units. And the law says the process should be announced at the Units. All the results we have show that I won. So, let the Election Tribunal declare me the winner of the election that was held on the 9th of March 2019. Secondly, Nse Effiong Ntuen should be disqualified because he used fake documents.”