Press Release

GOV ENO ASSENTS BULK PURCHASE, ASSETS MANAGEMENT AGENCY BILLS

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, today, signed the Bulk Purchase Agency and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency Bills recently passed by the State House of Assembly, into law.

Speaking during the Enlarged State Executive Council meeting at the EXCO Chambers, Governor Eno commended the leadership of the State House of Assembly for working to expeditiously pass the two bills.

The Bulk Purchase Bill, as the Governor has been saying, is a response by Government to the high cost of staple food items in the nation arising from some economic challenges currently being felt by Nigerians across social strata.

The Governor had stated that, “this is an intervention exercise, and the only way we can mitigate the suffering of our people, is to directly intervene. We believe the best vehicle for such intervention, was to set up an agency that will do a direct intervention in the market and get staple food items to our people at a reduced price. That is what the Bulk Purchase Agency seeks to address.

“Let me again, emphasize that this is an intervention exercise and not a permanent solution. The permanent solution is to return to the farm.

“That is why we will soon, set up an Agric Committee that will support our people with seedlings so they can return to the farm.

“This committee will work tirelessly to ultimately make our staple food items available at drastically reduced price range.

“ The second bill, seeks to create the State’s Assets Register, different and separate from Akwa Ibom State Road and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency, (AKROIMA) which as the name implies, is essentially for roads maintenance. We have to develop a strong maintenance culture. We can’t allow our assets to deteriorate.

“This bill also seeks to create an occupational safety department, in line with what obtains elsewhere.”

The signing of the bills was followed by a presentation of the key element of the Bulk Purchase Agency, which is the food voucher by the SSA on ICT Matters, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong.

A massive publicity on the working of this process will be further enhanced in the coming weeks.

All over the State, the people have commended and celebrated Governor Umo Eno for his people- centric initiatives, especially at this time of severe economic stress among Nigerians.

Ekerete Udoh
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
March 14, 2024

DAY SEN ALBERT AKPAN MOUNTED THE WITNESS BOX AT THE GOVERNORSHIP TRIBUNAL

I was at the tribunal in Uyo when our brother Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) mounted the witness box.
Due to several calls inundating my handheld device, I have been compelled to summarize what I witnessed in court on the said day he gave testimony under cross examination.

His petition is based on two grounds:
1. The report of his statistician indicating that the elections in 29 local government areas were marred by irregularities.
2. The alleged forgery of the 1981 and 1983 WAEC certificates which makes Pastor Umo Eno ineligible to contest the elections.

Of course, it is true that Senator OBA contradicted his statistician whose report is the only basis for his challenging the election results.

1. The statistician turned logic upside down by telling the tribunal that he resides in Abuja and was not in the state during the election. His flight ticket, his services were paid handsomely by Bassey Albert to conduct the analysis. He forgot that such evidence is inconsequential since it is only natural that he who pays the piper calls the tune.

2. The statistician maintained he only got data from the Unit Agents of YPP and had no report from the INEC. And so, the report of suppression of votes were from written reports of YPP unit agents. But OBA told the court that the statistician got his analysis from Unit Agents, INEC Irev portal and officials of INEC. He forgot the statistician had told the same court that he had no other source of reports other than the YPP agents.

3. OBA in his petition held that the unit agents were chased away and not allowed to witness elections in 29 local government areas, yet he submits results brought by the same unit agents from the 31 local government areas of the state to the statistician for analysis. He forgot that granted, though not conceding here that once the said agents were chased away before the commencement of the process, it would be impossible to still witness the process and obtain result for analysis.

4. The petitioners claim that 4000 agents deployed by YPP confessed in their reports that the elections were fraught by irregularities and suppression of votes and OBA could not produce even one of the 4000 reports before the tribunal. He said the reports are at the archives of the YPP campaign office. Such excellent reports, yet, not even one before the tribunal.

5. Out of the said 4000 actual witnesses of the irregularities and suppression of votes, not one was presented to testify before the tribunal. Which means every evidence on the claimed irregularities was based on heresy.

On the second leg of the petition: forgery of 1981 and 1983 examinations, highpoint was the court asking OBA to read the judgment of the Supreme Court on the two results of Pst. Umo Eno. He read it clearly in a loud voice that the two results belong to none other than Pastor Umo Eno and it was glaring that, perhaps, if he had seen the document (that is, the judgement of the Supreme Court ) in the criminal proceedings filed by Akan Okon, before filing the case, he would not had wasted his time doing same. He was even asked if he has come across anyone else claiming to go by the name on the certificate since he insisted that it did not belong to Pastor Eno, and he said he has not.

The petitioner himself admitted he had no access to the Governor’s original documents but had used the photocopies to conclude by himself that they were fake. He also said he was not a forensic science expert, and did not need one to identify the security features that were absent in the duplicate copy of the result. He, however, got stunned when he was given the master list of the 1981 result earlier submitted by a WAEC official and he spotted the candidate name and number of the Governor, same as was in the result he claimed was forged. He, then, turned his argument to the arrangement of names by alleging that the name was not properly arranged with surname first. “My Lord, it is Bassey Eno Umo, instead of Eno Umo Bassey,” he quipped.

With Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, Counsel to the PDP - the 3rd Respondent, the witness and petitioner Bassey Albert was confronted with his claims that there must be consistency in the arrangement of names on all documents and that the WAEC result bearing the name Bassey Eno Umo of 1981, Victory High School, Lagos does not belong to Governor Umo Eno.

The following exchanges ensued between Chief Oyetibo,SAN and Senator Bassey Albert:

“Who is Albert Bassey?”
“I am the one.“
“Who is Akpan Albert Bassey?”
“It is my name.“
“Who is Akpan Bassey Albert?”
“My Lord, that is still my name.”

“What is your first name?”
“Albert is my first name.”

“If you say that Albert is your first name, do you have a brother by name Ime Albert Akpan?”

“He is not part of this case”, Senator Akpan answered.

To which Oyetibo roared, “Answer my question. I am your friend and I want to help you. Do you have an elder brother, Ime Albert Akpan?”

“I have so many brothers.”

“Please answer the question, do you have a brother by name Ime Albert Akpan?”
“Yes I have a brother Ime.”
“Mention his three names?”

“My Lord, his name is Ime Akpan.”

“You are a senator and you are under oath, I said mention his three names, I told you I am your friend and I am here to help you.”

“He is Ime Albert Akpan,” Bassey Albert confessed.

Earlier, while being cross examined by Paul Usoroh,SAN, Bassey was shown a document which the court was told was the judgement by the Appellate Court, upholding his earlier conviction by the Federal High Court in the corruption and money laundering case against him by the EFCC.

Senator Albert admitted that the name written as Albert Bassey was his own, adding that he had not, however, read the document to know the content of the judgement. Nevertheless, the court admitted the document as an exhibit after Sen Bassey Albert’s counsel Tunde Falola Esq, had made futile attempts to object its admissibility.
“But my Lord, I have appealed against the judgment at the Supreme Court”.

The court was silent for a while. Is this not the same man who said he had not read the judgment, why and how then was he appealing?

“Wait, no one is asking about that”, Paul Usoro in his usual calm voice, told the petitioner.

That was when Bassey was shown his WAEC certificate 1989, bearing Akpan Albert Bassey, his YPP membership card showing him as Akpan Bassey Albert and his case file indicating he is Albert Bassey.
“My lord I have reconciled all my names”, was all he could mutter before the court told him there was no question bothering on reconciliation, directed at him.

It was during the re-examination by his lawyer, Tunde, that Senator Bassey managed to smuggle before the tribunal, a set of documents, indicating that he has filed an appeal at the apex court in response to the conviction by the appellate court. However, they were not certified true copies of the documents as required by the country’s Evidence Act, and the defense counsel reserved their objections to their final briefs, as required by the current provisions of the electoral law, as amended.

At the resume hearing of the tribunal on Monday, defense counsel among other things will attempt to tell the world, how a petitioner’s witness, a University of Uyo Administrative Officer 1, with no evidence of an appointment letter from a university, no knowledge of his own telephone number, no knowledge of the head of his department, no idea why his supposed pay slip belonged to the Faculty of Environmental Studies while he claimed to work at the registry, or who could not spell the name of his department and further had no idea of the full meaning of CONTISS, which actually means consolidated tertiary institutions salary structure. Every staff knows the meaning of the salary scale for which they have gone on strike severally, except Mr Akpan who himself could not explain why his tendered pay slips carried the same salary since 2021 till 2023, despite his alleged promotion.

By the way, lest I forget, the University of Uyo Administrative Officer 1, was served the subpoena at home in the village and not at his acclaimed workplace just as his supposed promotion letter by the University was addressed to his village and not to any department of the institution. Such a character can erroneously tell the tribunal that the Senate of the University and the Governing Council mean one and the same thing. Such was the alleged Administrative Officer Daniel Akpan, that bore witness for Bassey Albert.

The three defendants were given only two days to wrap up their defense by the court: Monday, July 10 and Tuesday July 11. Days allotted for defense in such precarious cases are usually determined by the weight of a petition and in most cases usually runs into a month. But the court which initially suggested a day for the three defendants to argue their case later agreed to give them two days.

Essien Ndueso
©️July 2023

Group Backs Akwa Ibom CJ over Inibehe Effiong's unruly behavior in court
…Urges Justice Obot to Transfer Case to Another court

A group, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance has described as condemnable, scarilegious and an abuse of democracy, recent unruly behavior exhibited by a lawyer, Barr. Inibehe Effiong in court during an ongoing libel suit instituted against one Mr. Leo Ekpenyong.

The group has also urged the President, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Olumide Akpata, Esq to caution Inibehe Effiong accordingly, following his fragrant disregard to decency in the court.

Addressing newsmen, Sunday in Uyo, Chairman of the group, Barr. Stephen Abia who frowned at what he described as Inibehe's contemptuous conduct, posited that Justice Ekaette Obot transfers the matter to another judge, to avoid the continuous insolent behavior of Mr Effiong towards her.

“To avoid a continuous desecration of the temple of justice of which the Honourable Chief Judge remains the chief priest, especially, taken for granted that our learned friend, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, may not in truth be purged of such unfortunate contemptuous displays towards the court in cheap attempts to play to the gallery, we most humbly seek the relief of the Honourable State Chief Judge to consider being recused of the matter as he continues to jealously guard and protect the sanctity of the justice delivery machineries in Akwa Ibom State.”

The group enjoined members of the public to disregard what he observed as false information being propagated by those he described as miscreants.

Recall that Akwa Ibom State High Court presided over by the State Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot had last week ordered that Inibehe Effiong be remanded in jail term for one month over contemptuous and insulting behavior in court.

The Judge had ruled that Inibehe be sent to the correctional facility to purge himself of insolence and dishonorable acts that tend to bring the court to disrepute.

Barr Abia however noted that while democracy encourages human freedom such as the right to expression, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance believes that such rights should not be abused or used for the purpose of destroying societal cohesion and "our fledgling democracy, which is the responsibility of every state to protect in consonance with Aristotle’s postulate in his Nichomachean Ethics that, “the state is a necessary condition of a good life.”

He maintained that, “The Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance had earlier urged the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, Esq. to caution Inibehe accordingly, following his fragrant disregard to decency which he constantly exhibits at the court during the ongoing libel suit instituted against one Mr. Leo Ekpenyong."

"We could recall that in 2019, following the victory of Governor Udom Emmanuel at the tribunal and the victory of Senator Chris Ekpenyong over Senator Godswill Akpabio at the tribunal and Court of Appeal, Leo Ekpenyong inundated the media in August 2019 with claims that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel bribed the tribunal judges to the tune of $1.5 Million Dollars to secure judgment in favour of Dr. Chris Ekpenyong. The said publication titled, “Justice for Sale in Akwa Ibom State National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal”.

"The Governor, through the then Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko wrote and urged Barr Ekpenyong to retract that story and apologize to the Governor, failure of which would lead to legal actions. Leo Ekpenyong insisted that he stood by his allegations against the Governor and insisted that he had further evidence to show the world that the Governor bought the judgement. Rather than show remorse, Ekpenyong went on to our vituperations on the person of the Governor and the learned silk, Uwemedimo Nwoko,SAN, calling them disdainful names and threatening to publish his investigative reports with the national judicial council".

"The Governor through his counsel, Barr. Samuel Ikpo filed a case of defamation against Leo Ekpenyong at the State High court in September 2019. Leo Ekpenyong neither made any appearance in court, nor did he send his representative Barr Patrick Umoh, despite being dully served. The court later ruled on December 15, 2020 that Leo Ekpenyong should pay a fine of N1Billion to the Governor as damages for libel".

"Leo Ekpenyong then contracted another lawyer, Inibehe Effiong who later came to the Court praying to the court to reverse the judgment, that he was ready to make an appearance and defend his case. The court presided over by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot graciously granted the sought prayers: reversed the previous judgment, hence, affording the defendant ample opportunity to put up defense accordingly— it is unfortunate that the revered Chief Judge was opening bare the courtroom for the legal counsel to Leo Ekpenyong in the person of Inibehe Effiong, Esq. to abuse the judge severally, throw tantrums at the court, and later alleged that the judge was biased, and so, should be recused from the case.
As a background, it is instructive to note the Court, on July 27, was entertaining the last witness brought by the prosecution counsel, when Inibehe Effiong put up some discouraging attitude. A certain reporter with Premium Times, Saviour Imukudo was caught video recording the session with his mobile phone, against courts protocol. Resultantly, the phone was confiscated and the reporter ordered to leave the courtroom by the judge.

"In his usual juvenile disposition, Inibehe insisted that the judge should rule on a motion he had earlier moved, for the judge to recuse self from the case and that he was not comfortable with the presence of law enforcement officers in the courtroom"

"In her prerogative, Justice Ekaette Obot insisted on going on with the case, prompting Inibehe to start accusing her of bias and unfair handling of the case. Barr Effiong had despite repeated warnings from the State Chief Judge, constantly acerbic words on the Judge, alleging that she was taking the matter personal and also queried her decision to send the journalist out of the courtroom".

Rising in defense of the Chief Judge, the group maintained that the decision by Justice Obot to commit the unruly lawyer to prison for his contemptuous conduct before the Chief Judge was in court, was in order, as that would serve as deterrent to Barr. Inibehe and his likes, as the continuous desecration of the temple of justice cannot be tolerated.

Abia said the sanctity of the court must be upheld at all times.

INEC v PROF UDUK: HOW UNIUYO PROF FAKED MEDICAL REPORT TO EVADE COURT

The High Court of Akwa Ibom State sitting in Uyo has adjourned the trial of Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo who is charged for alleged electoral fraud.


The trial of the University don, who was the INEC Collation and Returning Officer for Essien Udim State Constituency in the 2019 election, has been severally stalled following complaints of ill health of the accused person, by his Counsel.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, the Prosecution Counsel tendered the Police Investigation Report from the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command on the medical report of Professor Ignatius Uduk allegedly obtained from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, which was tendered in Court, 26th June, 2022.

According to him, the Lagos State Police Commissioner after receiving a petition on the forgery of the medical report, contacted the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where it was revealed that Professor Ignatius Uduk has never been admitted in the Hospital.

He said the Police Investigation report also said that the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has no medical record of Professor Ignatius Uduk and could not have carried out any medical examination on him of the various ailment alleged in the medical report he presented to the Court, which has been confirmed to be fake.


The trial of the Uyo born Professor who is facing a three-count charge of forgery and false announcement of results of that election, was however stalled due to the absence of the Defense Counsel, Barr. Abasiodiong Ekpenyong on health grounds.

Prosecution counsel from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, said the Counsel was seen in another Court in Ikot Ekpene the previous day being 27th July, 2022.

A medical report from the General Hospital, Amamong in Okobo Local Government Area dated 26th July, 2022 indicated that the Defense Counsel had reported at the hospital, two days prior to the date of the issuance of the medical report.

The Prosecution Counsel also told the Court that, according to the Police report, the name of one Dr. A.O. Akintunbo that signed the said medical report, is not on the nominal roll of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.


After hearing the Prosecution Counsel, the trial judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang adjourned the matter to Monday, 8th August, 2022 for defense.

EYE WITNESS REPORT OF REV'D RICHARD PETERS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN STATE HIGH COURT 1(CHIEF JUDGE'S COURT) IN SUIT NO HU/279/2019, BETWEEN GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL vs LEO EKPENYONG


1. It was around 10:30am when the matter was called by the court clerk on the directive of the court and all parties were represented by their respective Lawyers. Mr. Sam Ikpo leading two other Lawyers appeared for the Claimant, Governor Udom Emmanuel, while Mr. Inibehe Effiong with one Mr. Augustine was for the defendant, Leo Ekpenyong.

2. The Judge asked what the matter was for and the Claimant's Lawyer informed the court that it is for further cross examination of Claimant's witness (CW3) which was Rev'd Richard Peters, as the last witness of the Claimant.

3. I was called to the witness box for further cross examination of which the defence lawyer, Inibehe Effiong commenced by asking me whether I know the consequences of lying on oath, and I answered Yes, my Lord and he now asked me what the consequences were and I responded by saying that I can't recall now and that I know that it is not good to lie on oath as a Christian.

4. He further asked whether I know that lying on oath is a perjury of which I can be prosecuted and I responded that if the court finds out that I'm lying on oath, the law should take it's cause. The Defense counsel was not satisfied by my answers and he continued asking the same questions and I also responded with the same answers.

5. The defence lawyer also asked me whether I stated in my statement on oath before the court that I am an SA to the Claimant in the case, and I responded Yes.

6. At this Juncture, the Chief Judge sighted a man with a red shirt using his phone to record the proceedings of the court inside court and ordered him to stand up and hand over the phone to police at the entrance door, the court asked the police to check the phone, which was done and was discovered that he was recording proceedings of the court with the phone and the court ordered for the seizure of phone.

7. The Defense lawyer interjected, telling the court that it is an open court and that the public is allowed to witness and record proceedings, at this point the judge said no, that he has no right to video the proceedings of the court without outright permission of the court, the Judge further told the defence lawyer to continue with his cross examination, but he refused and was still making reference to the seizure of the phone by the court at the top of his voice, at this point, the court now told the Defense lawyer that that the court will not tolerate his excesses in court today and that he should be serious with the business of the day which was further cross examination of CW3.

8. While the Judge was about to put the defence lawyer on record, Inibehe Effiong jumped up and shouted saying "You cannot tell him to leave the court, he is a journalist. He has right to stay in court and record all what you say so that you cannot deny. If you don't ask him to come back to the court, I will not sit down and no proceedings will continue today. My Lord, I'm waiting for you to rescind your order. Nothing will happen today."

9. He continued: "I have noted the manner this court conducts its case, that is why we filed motion for transfer of this case to another court, you refused to hear the motion. What type of a Judge are you? You must hear the motion today or hell will let loose".

10. While the defence lawyer was insisting on the Judge to hear his motion and for the seized phone to be returned to the owner, and was talking while the Judge was still talking, the Judge told the defence lawyer to stop talking and continue in the further cross examination.

11. While the court was trying to respond to the defence lawyer's application, he kept shouting, raising his voice in the court and pointing his fingers at the Judge and said "I have seen around policemen in this court, tell them to leave immediately so that I can conduct my case freely, you don't have any right to bring in armed policemen into this court to intimidate me and threaten me. I will resist it, if you don't order them to leave, I'll not sit down".

12. Although I didn't see any arms with the police, however, the Judge responded by saying that the policemen are protecting the court against any harrassment.

13. The Judge continually told the defence lawyer to conclude his further cross examination so that the records of the court will be tidy then the motions will be taken, but Inibehe Effiong yelled: "I will not, you have to do what I say or nothing will happen this morning, I bet you".

14. At this Juncture, the court could not contain the attitudes of the defence lawyer in challenging the court decisions verbally and disrupting the court proceedings, the Judge asked him to step out of the Bar, derobe and certain procedures followed.

15. The Judge sentence him to prison for a month until he purges himself of the contemptuous conduct.

COURT REMANDS LOQUACIOUS LAWYER, INIBEHE EFFIONG FOR CONTEMPT

An Akwa Ibom State High Court has ordered a lawyer Mr Inibehe Effiong to be remanded in jail for one month over contemptuous and insulting behaviour in court.

Justice Ekaette Obot ordered that Inibehe Effiong use the correctional facility to purge himself of insolence and dishonorable acts that tend to bring the court to disrepute.

The Court had sat in the case of libel by Governor Udom Emmanuel against Mr Leo Ekpenyong was on its last day for the prosecution to end its case.

Barr Effiong had despite repeated warnings from the State Chief Judge, constantly accused the Judge of being biased, asking her to recuse herself from handling the case.

Speaking on the decision of the court, Counsel to Governor Emmanuel, Samuel Ikpo said he was shocked that a lawyer could utter such damning and profane utterances against a judge.

“I believe that when he comes out of the correctional facility, he will learn how to conduct himself before a court.

He wondered why Inibehe could disobey an order given to him by the judge, who asked him to take off his wig and step aside from the bar and he choose to remain obstinate.

“A lawyer should not allow himself to use one client to destroy his reputation before all the judges.

“I think Justice Obot has really been patient with him all these while,even as a lawyer, I could not tolerate the young lawyer’s conduct”. Barr Ikpo stated.

OBA’S ADMITTANCE OF N204m BRIBE: A SPEED LANE TO JAIL

By Elder Emmanuel Udosen(FUEL)

"How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"
2 Samuel 1:25‭-‬27 (KJV)

The current political events in Akwa Ibom State is reminiscent of the bible account of the fall of Jonathan, David's bosom friend and ally. It is the reality of the non-infallibility of mankind, no matter how highly placed. There is no man God created that He cannot bring to his knees. How could the long lingering prosecution and travails of one of Akwa Ibom finest reach its climax at a time he would have ascended the height of his popularity in the state polity? How could the devil (or God) wait to disgrace a man at the time he nearly would have crystalized into a demi god? How could an allegation of 2012 hibernate to spring up with overloaded venom in 2022, (exactly 10 years later)?
Had Obong Bassey Albert been convicted many years ago, his fall would have been mitigated by the pity his travail would have evoked among the ordinary Akwa Ibom citizen. The people would have jointly said he is being persecuted because he failed to join the APC to launder his past like Godswill Akpabio and others. But alas, he meandered his way through and postponed the evil day till what would have been a ripple turned into a storm. Who, or what is ambushing this man. Let's hope nemesis is not lurking around his person.

"Omokore is my friend, but I didn't know his companies got Akwa Ibom State Government contracts", ...
"Yes I collected cars worth N204m from Omokore but didn't know he gave me in exchange for an inflated contract my ministry awarded to him"....
"No, I didn't know my those under me awarded inflated contract to Mr. Omokore even though I was the Head of the Inter ministerial Direct Labour Coodinating Committee";... bla bla bla.

Who will help me explain to this superman that he has unwittingly reversed his plea of "not guilty" to being "guilty as charged"?

In advance climes, a smart defence Attorney will immediately switch into Plea Bargain to grant the accused person a soft landing. No, in Nigeria, an eleventh hour miracle will happen and the court will change bearing and discharge the accused.

Why are the lawyers called Counsel, if not to understand when to throw in the towel and counsel his client on how to lessen his punishment and still have something left of his dignity (if any)?

If the feelers received from some unconfirmed quarters is reliable, the accused is planning to feign health breakdown and skip the next court day for a breathing space in a hospital overseas from where my "smart" brother will bid farewell to Nigeria until the "wicked Herod" is dead.

The consequence of this ploy is that the surety will forfeit the bail bond to the state while my friend will cool off under political asylum somewhere within the globe.

The surety himself is uncomfortable with this ploy as it will surely paint him in bad light and may result in a few days incarceration before the process settles down. The court too is not ignorant of these tendencies and is awaiting any signal in that direction to cancel the bail and issue a bench warrant.

The Option B which was the foremost calculation before now was to wait for the conviction, take an appeal, get sworn in as governor of Akwa Ibom state, and plead executive immunity for eight years. That was why he refused to enter his defence and had to be foreclosed. This option, however, has become the most remote option now as his chances of becoming the governor; no, not in YPP or anywhere else is closing to O.

The next escape route is the option to challenge the court's jurisdiction which the law says it can be raised at any stage of the trial. How so?
A recent Supreme Court judgment has pronounced that the EFCC, being a Federal agency, has no powers to investigate and prosecute suspects with allegations of meddlesomeness over State fund. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how this new plans will avail our "illustrious" son and let him off the hook.

But as of today, the reality of a jail term is becoming realistically realistic.

Akwa Ibom 2023: OBA’S LEAP AND JONAH VOYAGE TO UNCERTAINTY

Essien Ndueso

Ibibio orator, Amanam Ndem in one of his vernacular treaties, posited that “a chicken that defecates inside the pot, only desecrates its final resting place.” Anyone can claim that an article is politically motivated, but no one can discountenance the fact that it is the truth. For example, are people not throwing all forms of tantrums at a political vehicle that had provided them a refreshing lease of life previously? Is it not common that the same leader who gave them opportunities to amass fame and fortune has now become target at which they sponsor blackmails and media attacks against? Are the same people who a couple of years ago celebrated Governor Udom Emmanuel as a cerebral leader because his decision favored their selfish political aggrandizement at the time, not the ones who now abuse and threaten to destroy the state simply because the decisions of the leader at this time tends to favor others? Are the same people who used to chant that PDP is a religion in Akwa Ibom State not the same people who now reverse themselves by saying that there is nothing like religion in PDP as such people should vote individuals and forget about the party?
For example, I have seen the supporters of Senator Bassey Albert, campaigning on the social media that people should play individuals and not party. This call for people to play individuals, and not political parties, begs me to wonder if the 2022 amended electoral act has now provided for independent candidates in the general elections.

Jonah and Judas are famous names that avid Sunday School students' are familiar with. Both are similar with five alphabets and both begin with the 10th letter of the alphabet.
Interestingly, they are not without some interesting history. Judas collected thirty pieces of silver and sold his boss to the Roman soldiers. We are all conversant with the story in the Bible of how Prophet Jonah disobeyed God’s directives and chose to rather sail away to Tarshish where he felt he could hide from God. In his mind, there is no church or synagogue in that part of the world and so, he could hide there. But the revolution by the sea persisted and in the end, Jonah had to beg to be allowed to jump into the sea. Despite appeals and the comfort and prospects in the ship, Jonah jumped into the sea. The sea became stable immediately. And the ship’s occupants were saved. It is left to be imagined if the ship would have been swallowed if Jonah had remained. Could God have allowed innocent people perish because of one man? No one can say, but the ship was able to sail home safely to Tarshish after Jonah threw himself out.

One basic thing that can be deduced here is that the ship occupants were unwilling to throw Jonah out, despite discovering he was the cause of their travails. On the contrary they begged him to pray to his God and get the plague cancelled.

Last weekend in Akwa Ibom, a PDP Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, opted to jump out of the ship into a sea of uncertainty. This action is taken despite that the ship of peace and positive development is steadily progressing in Akwa Ibom state. Before jetting out to Abuja last Thursday, I had opportunity to interact with Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi,SAN. Among the things he told me was that Nigeria will get better with time and that the country has made steady progress since independence. He particularly told me and my colleague Solomon Eyo, to relay his regards to Governor Udom Emmanuel, his friend who is doing well, telling us that our state is always being blessed with very good leaders. In my mind, I wish those who are throwing darts at the state’s chief executive, knew how much others appreciate him. Incidentally, Chief Agabi was in Uyo at the instance of Senator Bassey Albert who is being prosecuted by EFCC over a bribe of N204million.

That Thursday, I joined few other Akwa Ibom PDP members to the Federal High Court in Abuja, where judgement was being expected in the case between Friday Iwok and his friends against the PDP and the Wards' Adhoc Delegates elected for the 2022 PDP primaries.

At the courtroom, the campaign team of Senator Bassey Albert, who were also the plaintiffs in the case were led by Bishop Andrew Uwanta, Pstr.Sunny Ibuot, including Barr Kennedy Ekong, Chief Usoro Usoro, Lady Umoefa, Mrs Janet Amba and their social media hands, Idorenyin Umana, Imo Udoima and Ubong Edem.

On the other hand, the State Chairman of the PDP, Elder Aniekan Akpan, the three Vice Chairmen of the party, Ibanga Brownson, Godwin Okponung, and Cletus Eshiet led other party faithful to the Federal High Court 9. Elsewhere are accounts of the case which was won by the PDP, the elected delegates and the winners of the primaries of the party. Shortly after the judgment was delivered, my friend Idorenyin Umana answered a call right there, presumably from his principal, Bassey Albert announcing to him, rather sadly that ‘PDP ikan’,(PDP has defeated us). On February 3, 2016, a similar scenario had played out. We were in the Supreme Court for judgment on the appeal filed by the PDP against the All Progressives Congress. Shortly after the verdict was delivered, Idorenyin had joyfully called Senator Albert on the phone to intimate him that PDP had emerged victorious. However, in this instance, the victory of PDP was no longer a joyful event for them. This announcement was followed by a sudden appearance of Bassey Albert’s PDP resignation letter on the social media. The senator had taken a high leap from the ship into the ocean of uncertainty. He had leaped from the ship inside which he had enjoyed various delicacies such as a sumptuous Finance Commissionership of seven years, a luxurious contract awarding portfolio of chairing the inter ministerial direct labour coordinating committee, serving as senator for seven good years, even at the expense of other federal constituencies that deserved to have taken a turn.

Before the final leap, Senator Bassey had engaged several cronies to attack the PDP, and the leader of the party for not having a good reward system for loyal members. So when Uyo federal constituency was denied opportunity of taking its turn at the senate in 2019 based on Senator Albert’s insistence that he should return the the senate, the party was fair and just then. And also , maybe , just maybe, Bassey means that the likes of Ekong Sampson a former Chairman of a local government council and former commissioner in the state exco, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Aniekan Bassey, former national legal adviser of the party, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem and Ps Umo Eno, are not loyal party members and perhaps are brought from the moon to become the candidates of the party. Very sad narrative.

That faithful morning of Friday July 15, my friend, Imo Udoima had made a post announcing his presence at the High Court premises and his readiness to give timely updates on the judgment. During the judgment session, which apparently went against his prayers, Imo, sitting beside his big friend and Spokesperson of the Senator Albert’s campaign council, Chief Usoro Usoro, dosed off inside the court, and only woke up to make a summary of the one and a half hour judgement on his social media account, thus: “Case dismissed in favour of the PDP”.

While returning to Uyo on Saturday, it was a pitiable and emotional sight to behold that the PDP chieftains who left Uyo on Thursday to Abuja to resolve a minor internal family dispute, had been initiated into some alien group whose slogan was going to be a hard nut to crack. I asked my former colleague Obonganwan Janet Amba, who I spotted on the aircraft, wearing a YPP cap, please don’t follow them please,” and when she rhetorically asked why, I told her, “does this party exist in your own local government area at all?” She laughed as the state party chairman Aniekan Akpan nodded in affirmation that the party which exists on large billboards in the city center, has no root in the State where PDP is seen as a religion, a way of life.

The leader of the State, critical stakeholders, fathers of faith, the Royal fathers, and the delegates of the party have taken a stand who who they want as the new candidates. It is the same manner they took decisions in previous occasions and it favoured some including Bassey Albert, and did not favour others. Today, the decision is in favour of others and would not ordinarily have warranted the ship jumping exercise. This is me, crying my heart out, that Jonah was lucky in the Bible, he was rescued by the big fish. Jonah was not like Elisha and Elijah, he went with no follower. When he jumped, he jumped alone. This fish took him to safety after three days. The modern technologies used in fishing may not allow such large fishes to remain in existence. Even if the fish exists, it is only one Jonah that may be rescued at a time.

N204million Fraud: YPP SENATOR ALBERT, ADMITS RECEIVING CAR BRIBES
…OMOKORE IS MY FRIEND, BUT I DIDN’T KNOW HIS COMPANIES GOT AKSG CONTRACTS

A member of the Young Peoples Party, standing trial before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bassey Albert has admitted that he received vehicles from a contractor, Olajide Omokore while he was a Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State.

Bassey is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for money laundering and being in possession of six vehicles worth N204 million, at the instance of Omokore, whose companies executed contracts for the Akwa Ibom State government during his tenure in the state executive council.

One of the charges against the Senator reads: "That you Albert Bassey (whilst being the Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee (IMDLCC) sometime in December, 2012 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly took possession of a vehicle (Infinity QX 56 BP) valued at N45, 000, 000.00 at the instance of one Olajide Jones Omokore (whose companies had contracts with Akwa Ibom State Government at that material time), when you reasonably ought to have known that the said vehicle formed part of proceed of unlawful activity (to wit: corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act".

At the resumed trial of the matter on Thursday, July 14, 2022, Bassey, while being led in evidence by the lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, admitted receiving cars from Omokore.

According to him, he had been friends with Omokore for nine years before he joined politics but denied knowing Omokore’s companies.

He also denied being involved in the award of contracts to any of Omokore’s companies in November 2013 before he left office as the Commissioner for Finance in April 2014.

In a cross-examination by the EFCC’s counsel, E. E. Iheanacho, Bassey admitted that he was aware that contracts were awarded to companies while he was the Commissioner for Finance and the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee-IMDLCC, but did not know if the said Committee he chaired received over N30billion as alleged.

The prosecutor further asked the Senator if he knew that the cars mentioned in the charge were luxury cars, Bassey affirmed that they were bullet-proof cars, but denied knowing if they were luxury cars.

Bassey was also asked if he would be surprised to know that the said Committee he chaired, made payments to Omokore’s companies during the period in question, and he responded that he would not be surprised.

Justice Okeke adjourned the matter to September 26, 2022 for adoption of written addresses.

The cars in contention include; Infinity QX 56 BP, valued at the sum of N45million; Toyota Land Cruiser V8 B, valued at the sum of N40million; Range Rover, valued at the sum of N40million; Toyota Hiace high-roof, valued at the sum of N27million, another Toyota Hiace high-roof valued at the sum of N16million and Toyota Hilux 4X4 valued at the sum of N36million.

Bassey resigned from the PDP the next day, July 15, following the failure of his cronies, Honourable Friday Iwok and 30 others, to secure victory and upturn the the PDP primaries and Wards Adhoc Delegates Congress held in Akwa Ibom State recently.


The federal high court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, dismissed the suit challenging the conduct of ward congresses held to elect Adhoc delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, describing it as lacking in merit.

In the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/606/2022 brought by Friday Iwok and 30 others, the court also held that by SECTION 84(13) of the electoral act as amended, the Court has no power to stop or restrain the conduct of Primaries elections of political parties.

The Court held that the plaintiffs did not prove that the PDP disenfranchised any of its members and also did not have the locus standi to challenge a Congress they had failed to participate.

2023: Akpabio denies Pact with Sen. Bassey Albert on Power Rotation.



A former governor of Akwa ibom state and the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Chief Godswill Akpabio has denied any form of pact or agreement with Senator Bassey Albert popularly called OBA to have him succeed Governor Udom Emmanuel as Governor in 2023.



Akpabio who abdicated the position of Senate Minority leader and defected to All Progressives congress in August 6TH 2018 on personal grounds said there was no such agreement anywhere and urges anybody who claims to have one, to make it public.



Akpabio’s whose remarks came on the heels of the recent media interview on Planet FM Uyo where Senator Bassey Albert claimed there was a pact endorsed with the former governor and former senate president David Mark as co-signatories where he was to become the beneficiary of the Governorship seat after Udom Emmanuel in 2023 also wondered why a non-indigene of the state will be part of those to determine the destiny of the state by 2023 if at all there is such pact.



Speaking through one of his close Aide, Akpabio who said he left Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for good wondered why he should be dragged into the internal wrangling of the party when he is already pursuing his political dreams in another platform.



According to the Aide, “Chief Godswill Akpabio has distanced himself from the so-called pact or agreement which OBA is verbally brandishing in the media without any verifiable evidence. He is of the opinion that OBA should pursue his governorship ambition in a more honorable way than talking of nonexistence issues to garner undue and undeserved political advantage. I thought he is already in court, it will be better to continue that way and leave Akpabio completely out of their politics' '.



He highlighted that among the shocker from OBA was the issue of having former Senate President from Benue state Mr David Mark involved in the internal politics of Akwa ibom state to the point of determining the next governor for Akwa ibom in 2023 in the alleged and nonexistence pact.



“ To even mention that David Mark is involved in the so called Agreement to choose a governor in 2023 for our people is already causing angst among reasonable Akwa ibom public, do Akwa ibom elites also intervene in the Benue state politics to the point of choosing leaders for them” he asked rhetorically.

Status Quo: OBA, Akwa Ibom Absalom on a free fall

The rebellious disposition of Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) is congenital. His constant biting of the fingers that fed him is a pronounced character that defines his person. That was why the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Sen. Godswill Akpabio in 2015 referred to Bassey Albert as the biblical Absalom. Remember, OBA was his Commissioner for Finance, but fell out of the grace of his master when he chose the path of the biblical Absalom by betraying his political father. He literally bit the fingers that fed him. He was cursed and declared that he would never have a chance to rule in Akwa Ibom state. Read the story in the link: http://saharareporters.com/2014/07/21/2015-gov-akpabio-curses-guber-aspirants-akwa-ibom-pronounces-death-all-his-opponents .

Akpabio's anger against OBA started when he(OBA) defied the zoning arrangements of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) wherein they zoned the governorship seat in 2015 to Eket senatorial district. Bassey Albert who hails from Uyo senatorial district decided to aspire as governor against the decision of the party. This implies that OBA's disloyalty to the party that made him didn't start today. He is known for fighting his fathers and benefactors: A rebel in the similitude of Lucifer, just like Akpabio addressed him in 2015.

The zoning arrangement in Akwa Ibom state is a long standing one, and power has always been rotating within the 3 senatorial districts of the state. Obong Victor Attah in 1999 took the turn of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio came to power in 2007 for Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, and in 2015, it was the turn of Eket senatorial district, when Mr Udom Emmanuel as at that time came into the political picture for Eket senatorial district. But like a rebel, OBA rose against the long standing political tide. It was at this point that Akpabio called him Absolom, one of David's sons who rose against his father.

But out of pity and much pleas, OBA was offered the Uyo Senatorial District ticket, panel beaten and "packaged" to the Senate.

Today, the same scenario is playing out. In his usual character of rebellion, he is standing against the tide, the same tide that packaged him in 2015 just to give him a soft landing.

First, he started by agitating for the right of consideration for the governorship seat on the ground that the party promised to give him the party ticket.
If the party had promised him the governorship ticket, why did he not decline to take the senatorial tickets in 2015 and 2019?

Second, as if that is enough, he is sponsored series of attacks on the person of the governor of the state and the Peoples Democratic Party, the party that made him who he is today. He attacks party stakeholders and call everyone names. Is this the type of governor Akwa Ibom people need?

Now, he is conniving with Ephraim Inyang, who has turned himself into the Judas Iscariot of our generation, to attempt to truncate a very peaceful and credible ward congress conducted in the state.

This is exactly what Absalom did. He raised an army against his father. He betrayed his father and the people of Israel.

OBA and Ephraim Inyang have risen against the fingers that fed them and brought them to prominence. They are fanning the embers of disloyalty and destruction of the party that made them. What a height of betrayal?

Finally, on the status quo issue, the PDP should put their house in order, stand with the governor and mobilize the delegates to support Umo Eno, and OBA will be beaten hands down.

His last move to seek court injunction to stop the ad-hoc delegates from voting is aimed at sending fear to weak hearts. This alone should boost the people's morale to stand against his disloyalty to the party. The party should massively vote him out of the race. The PDP is too big for one person to destroy.

Richard Peters

Alleged Electoral fraud: Prof. Uduk's lawyer plans to abandon case

If the recent absence of Prof Uduk in court is anything to come buy, indications are that the defence lawyer, Abasidiong Ekpeyong is planning to prevent the prevalence of justice by frustrating the conclusion of the trial, having exhausted and exploited all available legal tactics at his disposal.

All clues point to the assumption that he connived with his client not to appeal in court at the next adjourned date of 18th Wednesday where he will be expected to open his defence in the trial that has been delayed by the defence team unwilling to open his defence for a period of five months.

It will be recalled that INEC's prosecution counsel had closed its case since on the 27th of January after calling five witnesses some of whom the defence lawyer could not cross examined and had tendered several documentary evidences to prove the criminal attempt to up-turn the North West senatorial election in the 2019 election.

The no case submission filed, had been Dismissed at the on the 23rd of April sitting by the erudite Justice Bassey Nkanang for lacking merit.

At the last court sitting, the defence lawyer tested the waters when he deliberately failed to come to court with the defendant, Professor lgnatius Uduk who ought to be in court at every court sitting, given that the case is a criminal trial.

That the defendant will always be in court was one of the conditions for the bail granted him that he will make himself available throughout the duration of the trial. But at the last court sitting, the accused initially was not in court when the case was called and the matter had to be stood down for professor Uduk to be brought to the court.

It would be recalled that the professor was compelled to appear in court only after a bench warrant was issued by the court for his arrest after evading Court summons and was hiding in Abuja.

The reluctant defence lawyer pleaded to be given more time and asked for any date in the month of June but the court order for both counsel to choose a date within the next ten days.

Even though the defence counsel's dairy was free within the period, yet he refused and when both counsel could not agree on a day, the court fixed on the 18th of May for the defence to open his case and matter adjourned.

The defence lawyer and the accused may not appear in court on Wednesday as being contemplated and this may lead to the revocation of the bail earlier granted professor Uduk by the court or in the alternative, he will appear but his lawyer will not come to court to avoid opening his defence and thus compel the court to adjourn the matter again to frustrate the case.

The people of Akwa lbom state and Nigerians are waiting the outcome of this case whether the justice Bassey Nkanang will courageously do justice and it will be served timely and irrespective of position in status of the parties before the court.

LIBERATED PEOPLE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
164b ABAK ROAD, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

THE CHAIRMAN,
PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AKWA IBOM STATE

SIR

AN APPEAL FOR SUSPENSION OF BASSEY ALBERT, AKAN OKON AND AKAN UDOFIA FROM PDP FOR INSUBORDINATION AND DISLOYALTY

GENERAL BACKGROUND

A true party man is expected to ensure that his party wins every election. Political parties play pivotal role in every party contest, because they are platforms through which leaders emerge.
As a result of this, members of political parties are expected to demonstrate total sense of commitment and loyalty to the party, as the party remains supreme.

Any act of disloyalty to the party by any member may lead to serious crisis, that may culminate into electoral misfortune . A case in point is what happened to APC in Zamfara state.

For the record, the just concluded Ward congresses of the People's Democratic Party was adjudged by INEC, leaders and members of PDP , participants and other stakeholders to be free, fair and credible. This is as a result of the Party's track record of fairness, equity and justice in the conduct of her internal elections ( party congresses)

However, the Congress has been challenged by people who have been seen to have constituted themselves into anti party forces because they were not allowed to manipulate the process in favor of their selfish political aspirations. It is a fact that our party in the state is providing a level- playing field for all the aspirants.

Nevertheless, the trio- Bassey Albert , Akan Okon and Akan Udofia are working assiduously to secure a court order ( an injunction ) to truncate elections in Akwa Ibom state, particularly, the cancellation of the just concluded Ward Congresses in the state.

I have also uncovered a plot by the trio to obtain an order of any Federal High court to cancel the exercise.

Now, their last resort is to use a Federal High court outside Akwa Ibom State to place an injunction to stop the publication and use of the duly elected ad-hoc delegates in Akwa Ibom State

This is an act of insubordination and disloyalty to the party.

PETITION
In lieu of this, the PDP in the state should suspend them from the party without any further delay to serve as a deterrent to others who may wish to work against the interest of our party.

Thanks in anticipation of your quick response

Yours in community service

Comrade Solomon Okon
Secretary,
05052022

THE FAKE TURKISH CROWD PICTURE USED BY AKPABIO’S MEDIA TEAM

Contrary to the deceit and falsehood by the APC on the Declaration at Ikot Ekpene involving the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the crowd picture trending on the social media is actually the picture of a sporting event in Turkey.

The picture is the aftermath of a football match on April 30th in which Trabzonspor football club won the Turkish league for the first time in 38 years, resulting in raucous celebrations.

The fans rushed onto the pitch to express their joy shortly before the players left the pitch at the end of the match.
The actual drone shots of the Ikot Ekpene event are here attached.

#AkpabioDeclares

Is Senator Godswill Akpabio Declaring for President under PDP or he is trying to scam Akwa Ibom people since he knows Akwa Ibom is PDP?

HOW POLICE ARRESTED, DETAINED APC FACTIONAL CHAIRMAN

…MONEY, INTIMIDATION CANNOT MOVE ME - SHERIFF




The embattled Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo was on Monday arrested by the police and detained at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for allegedly forging the signature of the October 2021 APC State Congress Chairman, Banki Sheriff, the Global Pilot can disclose.

The disgraced factional chairman comes from the Senator Godswill Akpabio faction of the APC, while his counterpart, Anietie Ekanem is supported by Senator John Udoedehe.

Ntukekpo who was arrested around 1:pm, is said to have been released late in the evening same day, following the alleged intervention of a stakeholder of the party, and former House of Representatives Member, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo who guaranteed that the alleged imposter would not run away.

Appearing in a live interview conducted on the social media on Tuesday by Imaobong Uboh, Chairman of the APC Congress Committee, Banki Sheriff confirmed that Mr Ntukekpo was indeed arrested on the orders of the Inspector General of Police at the instance of his petition.

Banki Sheriff who confessed “I was startled to see Mr Ntukekpo with a fake result sheet, which he had forged my signature, hence my decision to ask the police to investigate such an illegality”.

Fueling speculations that he may have been approached by the Senator Godswill Akpabio’s faction of the party for a truce with mouth watering inducements, Mr Sheriff maintained that “no amount of money or offer can make me work against my conscience.”

“I cannot accept any money no matter how huge, that would prevent me from having a peaceful sleep. God will judge me accordingly if I fail the youths of our generation.

“I met Mr Stephen for the first time in the Force Headquarters on Monday and today(Tuesday) when he came back on summon.

“I told him in front of the Police DIG, I have never met you before, how did you win in an election I conducted without participating?”

Mr Banki Sheriff insisted that the Congress he conducted in October last year was attended by several APC leaders including Senator Godswill Akpabio, Don Etiebet, Umana Umana, Dan Abia and Sam Enwang, and four of them, including Akpabio spoke at the ceremony.

He was awed that Akpabio could come out to support an aspirant who despite picking a form to contest the primaries, was no where near the venue, and added that Mr Austin Ekanem was duly elected with Arc Otu Ita Toyo coming second.

He also disclosed that the police are still investigating the criminal case and that despite being granted bail, the police would not fail to arrest Ntukekpo should he flout their conditions.

Our investigation revealed that Mr Stephen Ntukekpo would have been arrested earlier in Uyo, but promised to honour the invitation of the police himself.

When on arrival in Abuja, he failed to peacefully report to the force headquarters as agreed, the men swooped on him and dragged him to Louis Edet Headquarters of the Nigeria Police


Akpabio-backed APC Chairman had obtained court judgement which installed him as APC Chairman with forged document, which is viewed as a serious criminal offence in law. He was petitioned by Immediate past National Secretary of the APC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe and the Chairman of the APC congress committee, Banki Sherrif for forgery.

According to investigation, Ntukekpo, filed a forged document at a Federal High Court, Abuja, to outwit a rival, Austin Ekanem who was annouced as State Chairman of the APC through a congress that was held in Uyo and had officials from the National secreteriat of the party, INEC, security agencies and Journalists as witness.

As at yesterday, this newspaper realiably gathered that there were efforts to secure an out of court settlement to avoid the embarrassment that might await the party in the state. As it stands, Ntukekpo risks jail term if he is arraigned in court.

Justice Taiwo’s court had accepted as exhibit, a “summary result sheet” of the October 16, 2021 APC State Congress, which showed Mr Ntukekpo as the elected chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom. The judge gave the ruling in favour of Mr Ntukekpo, based on the exhibit.

Mr Ekanem did not take part in the congress, the court said.

“The purported substitution of the plaintiffs as members of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Committee of the APC, with unelected persons chosen by the 1st to 3rd defendants, and, who did not participate at the state congress of the party held on October 16, 2021 is unlawful and illegal,” Mr Taiwo had said in the ruling.

It, however, turned out that the “summary result sheet” filed in court by Mr Ntukekpo was fake and the signatures forged, officials have said.

Sheriff Banki, who headed a seven-man committee that conducted the APC state congress in Akwa Ibom, raised an alarm in January that his signature was forged by Mr Ntukekpo in the court document.

Mr Banki alerted the APC of the development through a letter he sent to the then national chairman, Mr Buni, on January 11.

He also sent a similar letter to the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the State Security Service, and the chairman of INEC.

“As you may recall, you appointed me as the Chairman of the APC Congress Committee to Akwa Ibom State for the Ward, LGA, and State’s Congresses, and I acquitted myself creditably,” Mr Bank said to Mr Buni in the letter.

“I submitted the results and the reports accordingly, but to my utter dismay, my attention was drawn to a suit filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja, by one Stephen Leo Ntukekpo who swore to an affidavit and attached fake results sheets where my signature was forged and he declared himself the State Chairman-elect for Akwa Ibom State,” Mr Banki said in the letter.


The results sheet, which Mr Banki said was fake and his signature forged, contained names of other “winners” drawn entirely from Mr Ntukekpo’s faction.

Mr Banki said in the letter that Mr Ntukekpo’s action was beyond politics and that the APC should treat it as a “serious criminal offence”.

He also said that Mr Ntukekpo’s action could throw the APC into chaos in Akwa Ibom.

INEC, in line with its mandate, monitored the congress conducted by Mr Banki and his team, thereby rendering the parallel exercise legally, a nullity.

Mr Akpabio had shown up at the venue of the congress conducted by Mr Banki and his team and, at his request, he was given a few minutes to address the gathering.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Ita Enang; the Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Umana Umana; a former minister of petroleum, Don Etiebet, and a former managing director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Bassey Dan-Abia were among the APC chieftains who participated in the congress conducted by Mr Banki.

Legal battle:
Mr Ekanem, sacked via a court order 10 days after he was sworn in, later got a reprieve from the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which ordered parties in the case to maintain the status quo.

The appeal was filed by Mr Akpanudoedehe.

The Court of Appeal adjourned the case to May 17 for hearing on the motion for a stay of execution of the Federal High Court ruling.

However, 72 hours after, the new National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, hurriedly swore-in Mr Ntukekpo as the Akwa Ibom APC chairman, in defiance of the order of the Court of Appeal.

The APC, also in an attempt to scuttle the case at the Court of Appeal, asked its lawyer, Solomon Umoh, SAN, to withdraw from the case. But the lawyer told the party that he was representing Mr Akpanudoedehe in the case, and not the APC.

“We are of the firm view that having been sued eo nomine as a natural person at the trial court, he (Akpanudoedehe) can constitutionally exercise a right of appeal through any counsel of his choice against a judgement which he was a party,” Mr Umoh wrote in a response to a letter from the APC national legal adviser.

Mr Akpanudoedehe personally wrote a letter to the APC national chairman, advising the party to stop putting pressure on his legal team to withdraw from the case at the Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, the former petroleum minister, Mr Etiebet was at the APC national secretariat, a few days ago, to explain to the national chairman, Mr Adamu, the forgery allegation against Mr Ntukekpo and why he (Ntukekpo) cannot lead the party in Akwa Ibom.

The minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Akpabio was reportedly informed by a party official about Mr Etiebet’s presence at the secretariat, this newspaper learnt. The minister rushed to the secretariat, and reportedly had an altercation with Mr Etiebet in the chairman’s office.

Mr Etiebet, having been distracted by the minister, was unable to make a presentation to Mr Adamu. He had to reschedule the appointment.

Immediately they stepped out of Mr Adamu’s office, Mr Akpabio addressed reporters, with Mr Etiebet standing beside him.

Mr Akpabio said Mr Adamu is “leading a law-abiding party”, for swearing-in Mr Ntukekpo.

A former Petroleum Minister, Don Etiebet in his reaction said the swearing in of Mr Ntukekpo is an “illegality” that is unacceptable to him and other APC leaders in Akwa Ibom.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the congress organising committee, Yakubu Sule’s signature, was also forged.

Mr Sule has vowed to present his facts in the court whenever he makes an appearance.

Mr Banki on his part has said he would not allow Mr Ntukekpo to claim victory against Mr Ekanem, in an exercise he conducted.

“You can only lie against a dead person, you can’t lie against a living person. I’m alive and nobody can lie against me.

A’Ibom 2023: Jittery Guber Aspirant plot Legal Hurdles for Umo Eno.



Dawned with the stark realities of losing woefully at Akwa ibom PDP primaries slated for May 21st 2022, an Aspirant in the race who is already feeling intimidated by the massive endorsement and wide acceptability of the aspiration of Pastor Umo Eno is now exploring loopholes to embark on litigations after the primaries.



In other to successfully achieve this latest plot, according to our privileged source who is a top member of the state legislature, he is keenly watching to see how the election of the adhoc delegtes will be conducted to use any lacuna to seek legal redress.

Our Sources who pleaded anonymity owing to his current position in government disclosed that one of the noisy aspirant who have been boosting of being the next governor has suddenly realized that the tide and tempo of political current is tilting towards Pastor Umo Eno notwithstanding the several propaganda and arm-twisting politics he has played in the past months.

According to him, “The Aspirant, a current member of the national assembly after an elaborate meeting with his cabal has decided to buy several forms for supporters to stand election as adhoc delegates, he is convinced that the government will influence the party by hijacking the process and merely announce names so that he will discredit the entire process through courts”.

Our Source maintained that their latest tactics is a product of frustration having seen the bold handwriting of the wall that the next administration in the state is already within the ambits of Pastor Umo Eno.

Earlier our correspondent gathered that the same Aspirant using several fronts have written over 17 petitions to INEC, Police, ICPC, and other agencies to seek the disqualification of Pastor Umo Eno from the race to no avail.

Mr Kembiet Ekpo who spoke to our reporter said the same petitions have been recycled and rewritten with different names to attract the attention of the concerned agencies.

“Their contents are watery, amusing and very frivolous. The master minders are already wobbling upon realizing that they will be standing the May 21st primaries with a formidable aspirant like Umo Eno a pastor whose antecedents is unblemished”.

He advised petition writers to seek more profitable ventures to engage their time as Akwa ibom people are now wiser and can see through their dirty pranks and won’t ever fall for it.

“The politics of this aspirant who has been in government since 2007 and believe that Akwa ibom government house is his birthright is daily witnessing frustration which is a product of desperation. We need a God fearing man as the next governor who will continue from where the incumbent administration will stop.

Mr Ekpo highlighted that any break in the current tempo the administration of Governor Emmanuel has taken the state to will drag the state several years backwards and pleaded with Akwa ibom people to keep the desperados at check and avoid unnecessary calamity.

PRESS RELEASE

Calumnious Mendacity and Threats to My Life By Supporters of Obong Bassey Albert (OBA)

“Since I no longer expect anything from mankind except madness, meanness, and mendacity; egotism, cowardice, and self-delusion, I have stopped being a misanthrope.”

This thought by Irving Layton, which tells more about man’s inhumanity to man- which is worse than nature’s cruelty- best explains my disposition on the recent mendacity and series of physical attacks on my person by surrogates and appendages of Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, a gubernatorial aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, which operationalized in three dimension.

First, these political turncoats and belligerents have written a plethora of petitions to my Church, The African Church against me, to the effect that I should be sanctioned for holding a political views. They however, know little about the covering law of the Church, which allows service to humanity- which includes state building and community service that I’m saddled with, and committed to.

Secondly and more worrisome, is the threat to my life, which supporters of OBA have adopted as an instrumentality to nip my campaign of truth and peace in the bud. In this regard, having received several threat messages and experienced physical assaults from these agents of doom, I elected to file a petition to the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, demanding that these men and their sponsors be brought to book, before our dear state is turned to another pool of blood and a den of insecurity.

It was in consideration of these that Dante Alighieri, an Italian Poet and Philosopher, noted that, “the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality.”I therefore, consider it apposite to let my family, friends, congregants and the general public be aware of the nefarious brigandage of these men and it’s impact on my fundamental right to life, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, Section 33 (1), which states inter alia: “every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria”.

Thirdly, the last approach by these political renegades is cloning of my social media account with the aim of maligning my image and impugning my earned reputation. It won’t be surprising for members of the public to receive strange, threatening and malicious messages from a masqueraded account.

To this end, while I’m making concerted endeavors to secure my social media handles, the subterfuges of these obscurantists should be brought to light, in order to deter other innocent members of the public from falling prey.

Finally, Rev'd Richard Peters represents peace, in its entirety. My motivation emanates from the thought, insight and actions of the prophets of old in the Bible, such as Moses, Isaiah and Elijah, who stood against injustice and immorality in Isreal. Thus, I’m committed to upholding every tenet and attendant of truth, which Governor Udom Emmanuel represents- towards the enthronement of a just and egalitarian social order in Akwa Ibom State. This would curtail the mendacity of mean- spirited misanthropes in our dear state!

Rev. Richard Peters
Priest and Good Governance Advocate
14042022

Ephraim Inyang: A man that has been decorated in the Hall of Fame for liars

Richard Peters

Who is a deceiver? This is a question that only your conscience can answer. It is a question that Akwa Ibom people should judge and provide sincere answer to. The devil did not start today to accuse the righteous as the Bible clearly identified him as the accuser of the brethren. In our time, one of his sons who is faithfully doing the bidding of his father the devil, is doing what he knows best how to do: Betraying his master and deceiving his kinsmen.

There is a story credited to the former Commissioner for Works Ephraim Inyangeyen at Ikot Ekpene over the weekend where he said Ikot Ekpene people should refuse to be deceived again. As funny as that sound, it questions the moral standing of Ephraim Inyangeyen to give such a piece of advice.

Although he did not mention who he was referring to as deceivers, the people should know that Inyangeyen's movement, smile, body language, character and disposition are symbolism of deceit.

This is someone that has won many accolades for lying, a man that has been decorated in the Hall of Fame for liars.

How can you describe a man who would value your house, demolish same and gives you peanut as compensation while pocketing a greater percentage of the money for your property? Maybe there is something worse than a deceiver or traitor.

To start with, who was Ephraim Inyangeyen before 2015? We were told he was sacked from the Nigerian Custom Service. Despite that, his kind-hearted brother, the governor, picked him, brushed him up and offered him a juicy appointment as Works Commissioner, with the belief that he would deliver on his assignments. But what did Ephraim do? As someone who has been feasting on people's sweat and efforts without thinking of the suffering they would go through alongside their families, he started surcharging the people.

Ephraim Inyangeyen in his days as Commissioner made many Akwa Ibom people to cry, lament and wail helplessly. Some even developed cases of hypertension/high blood pressure. He was directly involved in compensating owners of buildings before demolishing buildings that needed to be removed before construction work commenced on some roads. He usurped the people's money. He would bring estate valuers that would dance to his tune, value the building and pay only a minute percentage to the owners of the buildings, and pocketed the rest.

People whose buildings were demolished could only afford to acquire land, but no money to build again. What a display of heartlessness? There was tears in the land. People were rendered homeless and families separated because of Ephraim Inyangeyen's selfishness.

But no one knew he was actually playing a script for today, so that he would have what to lay hands on and discredit the person who made him who he is today.

When Ephraim was the Commissioner for Works, citizens dragged the government to court and injunctions were placed for the government to discontinue construction work on several roads. A case in point is the family of Etukudo in Eket LGA where the learned members of the family filed cases against the Government because of Inyangeyen's trick and deceitfulness. He couldn't play on the intelligence of lawyers in that family and that thwarted the Eket remodeling project for over four years. He was busy abusing Etukudo's family on the media and told Eket People to hold the Etukudos responsible for the delay in the project, when he was actually the culprit.

He did similar thing to contractors. Contractors that would never succumb to his antics of negotiating his share, which in most cases were bigger than what was required to finish the job, would be pushed aside, while those that would dance to his tune were given contracts. He would bid with the these contractors and make lame offers that would put them at a crossroad where they could not deliver standard work at the end. Cases abound where road projects supervised by Inyangeyen collapsed less than 3 months after commissioning. The people blamed the governor for littering the state with substandard roads. The governor took the blows as a leader, when Inyangeyen was actually acting a script that he would use today against the governor. He is now the one castigating the governor for building substandard roads when he was directly handling the said construction work. What a world?

It breaks my heart that a man whom the governor so trusted with such sensitive position could betray the governor, his kinsmen and Akwa Ibom people. Today, he is preaching to people not to be allowed to be deceived again. Who is the deceiver here?

The present Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga is doing the same job Ephraim was asked to do, and nobody is complaining. There is no single court case. Buildings are demolished and compensations paid in tandem with current prices of building materials. If Ephraim wasn't removed, he would have built another edifice in choice location with the proceeds from sharp practices, especially in underpayment of building owners, to enrich himself.

Ephraim Inyangeyen should not talk about deceit where sane people are. Akwa Ibom people know him and his deeds are before all of us. The people suffered, cried and lamented during his reign of terror as works commissioner. Their tears will still hunt Inyangeyen.

When a crowned deceiver is the one campaigning for OBA, what do you expect in the end? All the people in their Campaign train are people who have benefitted so much from Udom's administration, and because they were not allowed to continue to embezzle funds meant for projects, they became aggrieved and decided to work against the Government that made them. The people should refuse to be deceived by these individuals.

Inyangeyen is known for promising and failing. He has promised to build houses to people but never did. He promised to give jobs to people but never did. He promised many cars, but never gave them. He promised many school fees, but never paid for them. He failed not because he didn't have the money, but because he is a selfish man.

In saner climes, people like him should not even talk in public again. He should be indoor because he has betrayed his brother, kinsmen and Akwa Ibom people. He deceived the people he demolished their buildings, and pocketed a greater percentage of the compensations meant for the owners of property. Who is now the real deceiver? Be the judge.

2023: Pastor Umo Eno Represents Ibibio Best - Oku Ibom Ibibio

The Oku Ibom Ibibio and the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium LGA, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk has described the seasoned entrepreneur and leading Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) gubernatorial aspirant, Pastor Umo Eno as one of the best materials to come out of Ibibio land.

Speaking during a consultation visit to Ifim Ibom Ibibio by the 2023 Campaign Organization of Pastor
Umo Eno, His Eminence Etuk said power belongs to God and admonished the aspirant not to neglect the traditional institution.

The revered monarch charged Pastor Eno to treat the youths with dignity and ensure that their welfare is well taken care of, expressing confidence in the capacity of the aspirant to take the state to great height.

He charged him to govern the state with the fear of God when he emerge as governor and also ensure the sustenance of the existing peace in the state as a man with the fear of God.

On his part, the Chairman of Ifim Ibom Ibibio and the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Ime Udousoro Inyang said they represent the interest of the people and support the government in power.

The Royal Father noted that the body is opened to other aspirants for consultation where they will also listen to them and take them by their words.

He prayed God to bless the aspirant and also guide him through a successful consultation and charged him to go about his endeavour peacefully and with respect.

In his response, the frontline aspirant assured the traditional rulers of improved welfare when he emerges as governor in 2023.

The governorship hopeful who noted that the visit was a mark of honour and respect to the royal fathers to solicit their blessing for a successful outing, described Ifim Ibom Ibibio as the "real custodian of peace at the grassroots."

He recalled the era of lawlessness in the state where even the palace of a Paramount Ruler and Churches were desecrated, promising to build on the existing peace and security in the State if elected.

Pastor Eno vowed to improve on what Governor Emmanuel has done for the traditional institution in the state and also promised to give them the honour and respect they truly deserve, promising to always consult with the Royal Fathers on major policies and programmes of government.

He assured the monarchs that he will provide basic social amenities in the grassroots and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths of the state which according to him, would take them out of the streets and give them a meaningful life.

"I have been supporting youths in my own way over the years and I am very passionate about giving them the tools to stand on their own and live better lives.

"Though some people blackmailed me that I deduct tithes from my staff salaries. I can challenge anyone to come out and testify and give evidence that this happened because we have their pay slips and I have never deducted tithe from my staff salary", he declared.

He noted that he is an entrepreneur who knows how to make money doing bussines and have also achieved a lot and contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the state by creating jobs for Akwa Ibom youths as a private individual without government appointment or resource.

"I'll not disappoint Ibibio. I'll support Ifim Ibom Ibibio and the Traditional Rulers Council and give them their pride of place," Pastor Umo Eno assured.

The Director General of Campaign, Amb. Assam Assam, SAN in his remarks expressed gratitude to the leadership of Ifim Ibom Ibibio whom he described as the custodians of the norms and values of Ibibio people for receiving the team.

He said the visit was to give respect and honour the body deserves and also solicit their support for the governorship aspiration of Pastor Umo Eno.

On his part, the National Chairman of Maintain Peace Movement (PMP), Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, commended the traditional rulers for supporting Governor Udom Emmanuel to sustain the peace and tranquility in Akwa Ibom State by maintaining peace in their different domains.

He described the aspirant as a man of impeccable character and a successful businessman who will perpetuate, sustain and promote peace and prosperity in the state.

Similarly, the Political Leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob assured the body that the aspirant would not disappoint them and Akwa Ibom people, stating that he is credible, trustworthy and available to serve the state effectively when elected governor of the state.

2023: IBIONO IBOM PEOPLE APOLOGIZE, ENDORSE UMO ENO FOR GUBER, SPEAKER ANIEKAN BASSEY FOR SENATE

The people of Ibiono Ibom local government area have apologized to the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Aniekan Bassey, and the entire people of Akwa Ibom State, over the attack by alleged supporters of Senator Bassey Albert who disrupted the Speaker's consultation visit to the area last week.

They have also alleged that those who came to force the Speaker into supporting the Gubernatorial aspiration of Senator Albert, were not true indigenes of Ibiono Ibom.


Mr Aniekan Bassey, who was endorsed by statutory delegates and stakeholders of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area for the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District race.

They consequently reiterated their avowed support and commitment to the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda, assuring that they will lead the campaign for his succession plan through Pastor Umo Eno and the Senate aspiration of the Speaker in both party primaries and general elections.

At a consultative meeting held on Monday in Uyo, they described Mr Bassey as a humble and viable aspirant who has what it takes to occupy the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial seat in 2023.

Chairman of the House Committee on Education and member representing Ibiono Ibom State constituency in the State House of Assembly, Obong Godwin Ekpo specifically commended the Speaker for showing excellence and maturity during last week’s imbroglio by hoodlum who invaded venue of the event.


“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, I sincerely apologized for that show of shame on your person, the Office of the Honourable Speaker and the peace loving people of Akwa Ibom State, by hoodlums who invaded the venue of the event.

Ibiono Ibom people are not known to be rascals nor purveyors of rascality,” he said.

Speaking further, Obong Ekpo said “Mr. Speaker, like I said before, those hoodlums and touts were never delegates. The people seated before you today are the statutory delegates in Ibiono Ibom.

"They will stand by you, support and nominate you as the PDP flag-bearer for the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial Elections. They will do same for Pastor Umo Eno as Governor Udom Emmanuel’s successor come 2023.”

Speaking on behalf of the PDP Ward Chairmen in Ibiono Ibom, Hon. Uwem Usua Okon, thanked the Speaker for showing humility, courage and capacity amidst the intimidation against his will and loyalty to Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s completion agenda and succession plan.

“Mr. Speaker, You have shown humility and I must commend you. Your landmark achievements as leader of the State Legislature are incomparable. Be assured that we will support your ambition and vote you into the Red Chambers,” he assured.

Others who also spoke, including Mrs. Affiong Ikpeme and Mr. Emmanuel Ekanem, said they were firmly in support of the Udom Emmanuel succession plan and commended the Speaker for his leadership style and commitment to the progress, development and unity of Akwa Ibom State.

Responding, Rt. Hon. Bassey thanked Ibiono Ibom delegates and stakeholders for the honour done him, assuring that he will lead and represent them at the National Assembly effectively and with the fear of God.

“I want to thank the people of Ibiono Ibom for this show of love and honour. Politics is a game of interest and no one should be compelled to go against his or her will.

"I want to assure you that by God's grace, I will reciprocate this kind gesture. As a loyal party man, I have come to pay respect to all of you and to also seek your support for my aspiration to the Senate,” he said.

"As a person and as the leader of the state legislature, my love, loyalty and support to Governor Udom Emmanuel are unflinching because of his sterling leadership quality.

"If our party, the PDP has a Presidential Aspirant, supported by Mr. Udom Emmanuel, I would still have worn the faze cap with the aspirant insignia on it. The goal is not to win alone but to win five-over-five from the President to State House of Assembly.

"The status quo for PDP in Akwa Ibom has always been five-over-five and God willing, it will remain the same,” he maintained.

He further canvassed support for the aspirations of his colleagues, Obong Godwin Ekpo and Barrister Ime Okon, to the State House of Assembly and to the Federal House of Representatives for the development of the area, stating the advantages of having a ranking and experienced representative.

Present at the event were Chairman of Ibom Airport Development Company, Dr Iniobong Essien; Chapter Executives of the PDP in Ibiono Ibom; Ward Chairmen; Ward Vice Chairmen, Ward Secretaries, Ward Women Leaders, Ward Youth Leaders; former Chapter Chairmen, among others.

Highpoint of the event included a special victory prayer for the Speaker by Rev. Victor Akan-Ibok and donation of vehicles by Obong Godwin Ekpo to Mr. Emeka Ekanem and Mr. Umana Umana.

SEN BASSEY ALBERT’S SUPPORTERS ASSAULT AKHA SPEAKER FOR SUPPORTING UMO ENO


Akwa Ibom PDP Governorship Aspirant, Senator Bassey Albert and his supporters have been advised to see politics as a game and not a do or die affair.

Speaker of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Hon. Aniekan Bassey stated this following an assault on him by hoodlums loyal to Senator Bassey Albert , during his consultation meeting with PDP delegates from Ibiono Ibom.

The Speaker who is seeking to represent Akwa Ibom North East, Uyo Senatorial District in the Red chambers, took to his personal social media handles where he lambasted the touts loyal to Senator Bassey Albert for exhibiting unruly and uncivilised manners in politics.

It would be recalled that Bassey Albert himself during a campaign rally in Eket last weekend, had charged his supporters with some daring comments, "who born dog, who born dog, who born dog".

The incumbent Senator’s loyalists at Ibiono Ibom in a violent manner, attacked the Speaker who wore a faze cap with an inscription supporting Umo Eno's governorship aspiration, threatening him to remove the cap or leave their domain.

However the intervention of the member representing Ibiono Ibom in the House of Assembly, Hon Godwin Okon and other delegates from the area stopped the hoodlums from inflicting much harm on the State’s Number 3 citizen.

The disappointment in the mind of the Speaker was captured in a post he later made on his Facebook page, condemning the act by the incumbent Senator’s supporters.

Echoing what he said earlier to them, he said, “I went to consult some of the delegates from Ibiono Ibom Local government area for my senate aspiration. They asked that I should remove Umo Eno’s campaign faze cap I was wearing.

“I told them that if their support for me would be based on such condition, then I would rather lose the votes of Ibiono Ibom at the party primary.

“They pleaded that I should remove the cap before going ahead with the consultation, I told them I would rather leave than do that.

“OBA whom they are supporting came to consult me in my house, wore his faze cap and I didn’t ask him to remove his cap.

“Some of my staff are core supporters of the governorship aspiration of Senator Bassey Albert. I have never for once stopped them from supporting their aspirant. I have never for once contemplated stopping their salary or even sacking them.

Politics is not do or die, it should be played with decorum.

The Speaker was reported to have told the Ibiono Ibom people that his support and commitment to the Udom Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda are firm and irrevocable.

“The kind of politics and attitude displayed in Ibiono Ibom today is anti-Akwa Ibom, anti-democracy and anti-development. It is against everything our forebears stood for. But I want to tell the peace-loving people of Akwa Ibom that I will never shift my grounds nor my support for Governor Udom Emmanuel and his succession plan, particularly in his choice of Pastor Umo Eno, no matter the amount of rascality.”

“Political campaigns should be done with decency and not on the basis of rascality. I have resolved to stand on the path of peace, progress, development and unity. I humbly solicit and appeal to lovers of our dear state to also toe this path of peace,” he maintained.

Responding, the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Obong Godwin Ekpo, apologized to the Speaker and promised to support him.

According to Obong Ekpo, “Mr. Speaker, I humbly apologize to you and the people of Akwa Ibom State for this show of shame. I want to tell you that the people that disrupted this meeting are not delegates. Be assured that our support and loyalty to Governor Udom's Emmanuel completion agenda and your senatorial aspiration is nonnegotiable.

“On that day, Ibiono Ibom delegates will nominate Pastor Umoh Eno for Governor and Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey for Senate.”

The meeting had in attendance, the Ibiono Ibom PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Etim; Councillors; political leaders; statutory delegates across the 11 Wards, among others.

It would be recalled that Governor Udom Emmanuel has since assumption of office in 2015, embargoed cultism, thuggery and other violent behaviours by young people.

In 2011, similar action by political thugs led to the worst carnage ever recorded in Akwa Ibom State's political history, with the lose of lives, arson on public and private properties and general insecurity.

PRESS STATEMENT BY ASSOCIATION OF EKET SENATORIAL DISTRICT MEDIA PROFESSIONALS ON EPHRAIM INYANG-EYEN’S MACABRE DANCE AND HIS ENDLESS COMICAL THEATRICS OVER 2023 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS IN AKWA IBOM STATE

There's no doubt that our political landscape is filled with all manners of persons, including actors and comedians of clownish hue. Currently in Akwa Ibom State, one of those who have emerged hilarious entertainers wearing the garb of politics is Akparawa Ephraim Inyang- eyen, the sacked Chief of Staff to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The latest stage for the performance of his comical craft was Eket, last Saturday, where he displayed his characteristic verbal recklessness and clownish gestures before an audience he rented to prove his political relevance to his friend, Senator Bassey Albert. It's understandable that Akparawa Ephraim Inyang -eyen wants to prove a point after being declared surplus to requirements and given the boot by the Governor.

Ordinarily, we in Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals would have ignored his amusing theatrics but we have a duty to ensure that not even one Akwa Ibom citizen who may not understand the personality of Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen or his craft is misled into giving serious attention to hilarious displays.

The theme of his latest outburst was the need for Akwa Ibom State to reward Senator Bassey Albert's purported sacrifices for the State with the Governorship seat. It couldn't have been more ridiculous and condescending than this. Exactly what sacrifices was the erstwhile Chief of Staff talking about? Between Akwa Ibom State and Senator Bassey Albert, who is indebted to who? This was a young banker without a record of prior political experience, participation and investments who was favoured ahead of numerous more experienced persons by the then Governor, Senator(Dr.) Godswill Akpabio with the juicy position of Commissioner for Finance in 2007. In about seven years of serving as Commissioner, he had amassed so much wealth and became so undeservingly powerful that in 2014, he could hold his boss and benefactor, Chief Godswill Akpabio in the jugular in pursuit of a misguided gubernatorial aspiration against the existing zoning/rotation arrangement in the State.

Ephraim Inyang-eyen should be reminded that Senator Bassey Albert couldn't have stepped down for Governor Udom Emmanuel in a race he was ab initio unqualified to participate in, on account of the zoning/rotation arrangement of the State.

His argument is akin to asking an owner to reward a thief who attempted to forcefully dispossess him of his property. Where is that done? It's noteworthy that while Senator Bassey Albert was on a dangerous voyage to upset the apple cart in 2014, there were people who stood firmly with the Governor to ensure it never happened. Between him who was stopped from messing the zoning arrangement of the State and those who stood solidly behind the then Governor to stop him, who deserve(s) a reward?

It is laughable that Inyang-eyen has the temerity to advocate compensation or reward for a man who should, in a normal circumstance be reprimanded for being contemptuous of the State in 2014 and greedy against of Uyo Federal Constituency in 2019. Incidentally, for contemptuously and immorally threatening to disrupt the zoning arrangement which helps to unite the State, the leadership of the Party was arm twisted to sacrifice Senator Ita Enang’s second term for him. His inordinate bid for, and successful reelection in 2019 disrupted the rotation of the Uyo Senatorial District seat, the major cause of the problems in that District ahead of the upcoming elections.

There's no doubt that Senator Bassey Albert has benefitted serially and enormously from the game of brinkmanship, rebellion and breach of agreement.In other words, his compensation for withdrawing from the illicit gubernatorial race in 2014 was the undeserved Senatorial Seat he still occupies. We all know the controversies and avoidable litigations which trailed the late decision to assuage one man's greed for power in 2014. For supporting the Governor and the Party in 2019, he was unduly rewarded with re-election when his federal constituency had completed its second term in the Senate.

Needless to say that if Senator Bassey Albert had jumped ship like the other two Senators, he would also have drowned with them. Keeping faith with the Party was in his interest as he's still a serving Senator while the other two are former Senators. Is that not enough compensation?

It's preposterous to argue that Senator Bassey Albert should be compensated with the governorship seat for supporting the Governor in 2019. Who among the gubernatorial aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) didn't support the Governor? Ephraim Inyang-eyen even sounded more ridiculously comical when he told his hired audience that they need a Governor who has relationship with the people of Eket Senatorial District. Between Pastor Umo Eno who has been living and investing in Eket Senatorial District in the past thirty years and Senator Bassey Albert who neither lives nor invests in the area, who can be said to have a relationship with them?

Or need we remind him that Pastor Umo Eno is an inlaw in Eket Senatorial District, with his lovely wife from Mkpat Enin? Pastor Umo Eno is a highly successful entrepreneur who has invested massively in the State and created several direct and indirect jobs for the people.

Which contribution is more valuable than job creation? Who knows and remembers people as someone who has been putting food on their tables by offering them jobs from his sweat?It's unfortunate that Ephraim Inyang- eyen sees governance from the narrow and unproductive prism of endless amassment of wealth by the functionaries wherein they occasionally drop crumbs for the people. But the Umo Eno philosophy is to empower our youths and women to be self-reliant, not perpetual dependants on handouts and tokunbo vehicles from politicians.If indeed, God has revealed to Akparawa Ephraim Inyang- eyen that his co-traveller, Senator Bassey Albert will be the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State, why then is he sounding so frustrated with mere human beings who have withheld their support from him?

Of course, every right thinking person knows the claim of divine revelation is part of Mr Inyang Eyen's comical theatrics and thoughtless outbursts. In any case, Senator Albert's characteristic chants of "Who born dog" and veiled threats at the event represents an early vindication of the decision of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel and other well meaning stakeholders to raise the governorship of the State beyond the pedestrian level of "anything goes". That wisdom located Pastor Umo Eno, a gentleman par excellence and a man of decency, discipline, industry, truth, knowledge and humility.

Considering his antecedence, achievements, experience, training, values, calling and disposition, Pastor Umo Eno's governorship will guarantee Akwa Ibom State peace, stability and prosperity. No sensible State will sacrifice that for another potential drift into an orgy of violence, squander-mania, circus show and waste of public funds in the name of governance. The remarkable gains recorded by the present administration cannot be left to ruin by a return to the Egyptian era when we slept with one eye open.Akwa Ibom State owes Senator Bassey Albert nothing more after making him the wealthiest Commissioner in its history and a two term Senator. He has already taken more than his fair share and should be grateful for it.

Signed

Comrade Jerry Edoho
Secretary

For: The Leadership and MembersAssociation of Eket Senatorial District Media ProfessionalsMarch 7, 2022

THE MAN: PASTOR UMO ENO

Pastor Umo Eno is Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands And Water Resources with a Master Degree in Political Science from the University of Uyo and currently on his Ph.D in Public Administration.

He is an alumnus of Pan African University’s Lagos Business School with 35 years of experience in banking, marketing, management and hospitality and a Fellow, Nigerian Catering and Hotel Institute.

Pastor Eno is the founder of Royalty Hotels and Recreation Limited, Eket, a group with diversified interest in beverages, industrial catering, apartments and coffee shop; creating direct employment for people across the country.

He is a pastor at All Nations Christian Ministry International, Eket, a nondenominational Church where he oversees the Bridge of Hope, an arm of the Ministry that offers free medical services to host community.

As one who is passionate about raising young entrepreneurs, he set up "The Gathering" a nonprofit making initiative that convenes IGNITE; a global platform for knowledge-based empowerment, training and entrepreneurial skills development of youths for entrepreneurship and self sufficiency.

Pastor Eno is the chairman, BOT, Akwa Ibom Business Community among other appointments including the Chairman, Akwa Ibom Hotels and Tourism Board from 2004 to 2007.

He is a two Star Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary Club of Eket, District 9140 and has received several awards for his public spirited life, among them the National Productivity Award, Icon of Hope Award by The Apostolic Church, Nigeria; Special Recognition Award by the Nigeria Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State.

In October 1, 2019 he resigned as Chief Executive Officer of Royalty Group with six subsidiaries, having put in place a seamless succession plan, to accept an appointment with the State Government as Executive Director, Agricultural Investment, AKICORP.

Eno, a good social mixer who believes in hard work, integrity and strong character, is the author of "Wealth Creation, God’s Way, Break Forth, Exercising Your Dominion Mandate, Dream Again" "The Legacy of a Father and True Friendship."

© Harrison Essien
January 2022

2023: GOVERNOR EMMANUEL SETTLES FOR PASTOR UMO ENO
…EX GOV ATTAH PRESENTS COMMISSIONER FOR LANDS TO PDP STAKEHOLDERS
Governor Udom Emmanuel has finally ended months of speculations and permutations with the presentation of one of his cabinet members to succeed him as Governor in 2023.

At a well attended PDP Stakeholders' Meeting which took place this evening at the Governor's Lodge, in Uyo, Governor Udom Emmanuel, after months of seeking the face of God, finally announced his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, as his preferred choice to succeed him.

Former Governor, Obong (Arc) Victor Attah, thereafter made the formal presentation of Pastor Eno to the Stakeholders which comprises major and leading political chieftains from the three Senatorial Districts, who all applauded the choice and pledged to work towards his emergence as the Governor of the State come 2023.

Pastor Eno spoke passionately and emotionally about how he grew up in the Police barracks and how dreary and challenging those days were, but he summoned hope to overcome those difficulties.

He said he was grateful to God and to Governor Emmanuel for finding him worthy of the onerous task to lead the people of the State and continue the people-focused and developmental strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel .

Bishop Uma Ukpai and the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang prayed for his success, a sentiment that was re-echoed by the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Chairman of State Council of Chiefs, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk.

Among those who attended the event, were the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, MFR, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Senators Akon Eyakenyi, Effiong Bob, Ibok Essien, Aloysius Etok, former Deputy Governor, Etim Okpoyo, Member, representing Etinan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Onofiok Luke, PDP Party Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem, the National Coordinator of the Maintain Peace Movement, (MPM) . Hon Pat Ifon, Member representing Eket Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and Member, PDP BOT, Chief Nduese Essien, a former Minister of Housing, Ambassador Assam Assam, SAN, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia , Fathers of Faith, and other leading members of the state’s political class.

2023: STAKEHOLDERS NOMINATE REV UMO ENOH AS GOV EMMANUEL'S SUCCESSOR

Critical stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State have adopted the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Rev Umo Bassey Eno as their preferred choice for the Hilltop Mansion come 2023.

At a well attended meeting presided over by Governor Emmanuel at the Government House in Uyo, a former Governor of the State, Arch. Victor Attah presented Pastor Umo Enoh to the forum as a humble and sincere man with capacity to lead the state.

According to an insider, the nomination of Pastor Eno attracted a loud spontaneous applause from all who where present, showing strong affirmation of the nomination.

The support further heightened by the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk who spoke as the Chairman of State Council of Chiefs, glowingly in support of the revered Clergy.

The Stakeholders included former deputy Governor Etim Okpoyo, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, Chief Nduese Essien, Senator Effiong Bob, Senator Alloy Etok, among others

Prayers to dedicate the nominee to God were offered by some fathers of faith led by Dr. Sunday Mbang and Rev Uma Ukpai.

They prayed against any force that may attempt to derail the decision of God for the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Rev Eno in an emotion ladened voice, is said to have appreciated the stakeholders for nominating him, saying he was humbled to be so recognised.

Pastor Eno, until his appointment into the State Executive Council, was Chief Executive Officer of Royalty Hotels, the first local Akwa Ibom company to take on large industrial catering offshore.

PRESS RELEASE

THAT UNPRIESTLY VITUPERATION AGAINST AKWA IBOM BY DR SUNDAY UCHE, PRELATE OF METHODIST CHURCH

" I am saying this publicly and I am not mincing words, former governor Akpabio and the incumbent Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, left a very big shoe behind that is still very difficult to fill in Akwa Ibom State."
- Prelate of Methodist Church, Samuel Chukwuemeka Kalu Uche


The above comment credited to the Prelate of the Methodist Church with reference to Akwa Ibom state is beyond mischief, and can rightly be described as blackmail taken too far. Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, is quoted as alleging at a programme in one of the branches of his church in Abuja that, "the Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, " left behind shoes too large for others to wear in Akwa Ibom State."

At first it sounded like a joke or prank by some idle bloggers, especially since the name of the prelate is wrongly presented as Sunday instead of Samuel. But one of the media editors confirmed to us that the news was specially sponsored by a certain Jackson Udom, who is better rooted in his adopted state, Oyo State, than his ancestral home, Etinan in Akwa Ibom. We understand that the said Jackson Udom, who is circulating this news, is indeed a Personal Assistant on Media to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

We waited to see if the prelate Samuel Uche would react to it, to no avail. Having seen no contrary remarks from the methodist Prelate, we are compelled to believe that he made that wild allegations, possibly to also dig deep into the former Governor's established norm, that what money cannot do (for greedy and selfish Nigerians) more money can do.

It’s the height of unfounded generalization by the Pastor Samuel Uche, whose statement implies that Akwa Ibom State under Udom Emmanuel is faring woefully. Nothing could be so untrue. It is on record that Akwa Ibom is among the top 3 viable states in Nigeria occasioned by the Governor’s judicious management of resources. In recent times, there has been series of projects being commissioned and endorsed by series of political chieftains from the country's seat of power, signifying progress and monumental strides. It begs to ask at this point, could a poorly managed state be building and commissioning the magnitude of projects such as the 21 storey Dakkada Tower office complex, the multiplicity of urban roads and even the Uyo- Ikot Ekpene dual carriageway road it met at 20% execution? The answer to this is self- revealing.

Akwa Ibom remains one of the few states in Nigeria that is not owing its workers and pensioners, thanks to the Governor’s financial management capability. The Pastor Uche should be told that goodwill as an asset, isn’t earned through propaganda and character assassination. It was in this respect that Shakespeare cautioned that, “the devil can cite the scripture for his purpose.”


Rev. Uche must know that the yardstick for measuring growth in the global south is the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). In this regard, isn’t it glaringly clear that Governor Udom Emmanuel is the one “adjusting a tight shoe” for a perfect fit? Put differently, isn’t the current Governor of Akwa Ibom the one re- navigating the trajectory of livelihood through the creation of jobs, wealth and poverty alleviation? What happened to those indices in the past, particularly, before 2015, especially when most parts of the state could not be accessed due to terrorism?

Thus, the economic growth and development, measured by the over 18 industries that this government has attracted to the state in the past six years, the nine remodeled secondary healthcare facilities / General Hospitals, and the developments in the aviation industry, including the Orange Air Magic, Ibom Air and the International Airport Terminal Building, as well as the efforts in comprehensive revolution in education and agriculture, attest to the fact that Akwa Ibom is faring superlatively better than what was obtained before 2015, when the former governor left the saddle.

If perhaps the Pastor Samuel Uche, had a good relationship with his members in Akwa Ibom, he would have been informed that the state that was notorious for unrivaled carnage and politically masterminded kidnap and assassinations, had since 2015, become safe haven where businesses are thriving and development now cuts across all the local government areas simultaneously.

On this note, we have some pertinent large shoes puzzles for the Pastor Uche:

* Are the large shoes the high spate of insecurity in the state that led to the loss of thousands of lives, which reduced the state to a mere killing field?

* Do the large shoes also include the backlog of pensions and gratuities the previous administration never paid throughout the tenure of 2007 to 2015?

* Did Uche calculate the debts left behind from the Stadium complex project, the moribund Tropicana project, and some roads projects, among contents of the large shoes?

* Which part of the large shoes could one find a single dual carriageway or major road project in the entirety of Eket Senatorial District, despite being the treasure base of the state with 12 local government areas?

* Knowing what 200 million naira can achieve in community development projects, does Pastor Uche also know that each of the people the former governor used to bring for his praise singing, carted home such outrageous amounts? Soccer star Pele, got his($300,000), and still refused to honour the invitation to the state. What a large shoe!

As a clergyman, we won't ask Samuel Uche how much he was carted home for this misplaced meaningless swipe, but we are compelled to advise him to focus on the pulpit and the duty of winning souls, instead of being a tool of political blackmails.

We in the Mandate Eyes hereby call on the Pastor Sunday Uche to apologize to Akwa Ibom people, for insulting their integrity with such a veiled and destructive comment. He should desist from making provocative utterances capable of inciting sane people of the now peaceful Akwa Ibom state.

Signed

Uwemedimoh Umanah,PhD
Director of Public Communications,
Mandate Eyes/ Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
15/10/21

Press Release

THE SCAM CALLED APC: WHY SENATOR AKPABIO/UDOEDEHE SHOULD TAME THEIR WILD DOGS

The APC and its co conspirators in Akwa Ibom have shown clearly how uncomfortable they are with the peace enjoyed in the state, a peace that has subdued all evil machinations of enemies of the state. A peace which the Maintain Peace Movement, seeks to sustain in the state.

Leonie Huddy, PhD, professor of political science at the State University of New York at Stony Brook has summed it up that the fear of political opponents can cause one to make deliberate mistakes, even make utterances that can be harmful, odious, false and derogatory. That is exactly what is happening to the APC and their agents.

Ironically, the APC in Akwa Ibom State is not only in tatters and irretrievably broken up into factions and camps but they are currently led by sworn enemies who would rather hang on the sword than reconcile for the party to survive. The recent ward congresses of the party ended in a fiasco. Two to three persons are currently laying claims to being the bonafide leader of the APC in Akwa Ibom State. The party is a laughing stock, incapable of holding a single meeting without bonfires and gunshots.

One would expect that such a pitiable situation should occupy the leaders of the party Senator John Akpanudoedehe and Senator Godswill Akpabio, and discourage them from sponsoring ragtag mongrels like one Iniobong John, to be spewing insults against the peace, developments, life touching projects that the PDP in Akwa Ibom exemplifies under the able leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel. The results are there for all to see from the air, land and sea, the infrastructure, the hospitals, the human capacity programmes, agricultural strides, even sports that never had a trophy now has many to showcase. PDP is maintaining the peace it has fought to institute and preserved by making life more meaningful for the people in the state despite the apparent cluelessness of the APC at the centre.

The opposite of good governance is the case in the APC, notably at the centre. It is a sad tale of failed promises since 2015, the APC government has made Nigeria a butt of jokes. All the promises made before 2015 are now useful materials for comedians to feast on. All promises have been cancelled. Nigerians are actually begging to be returned to the same state they were before 2015.

The Nigerian economy that has collapsed under APC. The security situation is detoriating . Terrorists or bandits as the APC rulers choose to call it, now stroll boldly everywhere, annexing parts of the country and mocking our resilient soldiers who have been left to their fate. Recently, the bandits defied the very institution that trains our soldiers, killing two of its officers and abducting a senior officer(a Major) at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Afaka, Kaduna State. How shameful that the army is forced to negotiate ransom with bandits for the return of its personel. That is a next level graduation, from the hitherto abductions of innocent school children from the secondary schools in the North West, North East and North Central to outright invasion of security formations.

Every day is a troubling day in a troubled nation, Nigeria. Nigerians are now numbed to killings, maimings,, kidnappings, and destruction of lives and property. Reports of massive killings and kidnappings no longer merit news mention on prominent pages of newspapers.

Failure of the APC government to address escalated insecurity challenges has crippled the agricultural sector and disorganised commercial activities leading to imminent food crisis with the cost of food and other necessities of life skyrocketing beyond the reach of Nigerians. Nigeria, under the APC administration, has now become the poverty capital of the world, ranking 98th out of 107 in Global Hunger Index, with 22.95 food inflation rate and increasing morbidity and mortality rates.

The governance style and complete lack of experience in managing the country has been glaring. This APC and Buhari regime is better known for its vices including exclusionist tendencies, trade restrictions, nepotism in government appointments, disregard to rule law, relegation of constitutional order and principles of separation of powers; abuse of human rights, electoral malpractices, harassment of opposition and arrogant insensitivity to the sensibilities of the Nigerian people by the APC administration have occasioned instability, economic crisis and avoidable acrimony that are threatening our corporate existence as a country.

The cost of living is so high. Inflation is at an all time high, the APC government has ruined the nation. Infact a World Bank report in June 2021 says that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari will lose the economic gains it made in the last decade at the end of 2021. It said, “By the end of 2021, Nigeria’s GDP is likely to approach its 2010 level, thus reversing a full decade of economic growth,”


The debt profile , the exchange rate, the poverty index, the unemployment that’s the highest in the world, the disintegration in the country, the brain drains on a daily basis are some of the indices of failure. That is not all, the petroleum prices that have doubled, the subsidy payments has tripled while the products remain almost unaffordable.

As media advocates of the Maintain Peace Movement, the Maintain Peace Media Network, insists that the aforementioned rots that have bedeviled our nation are the issues that should concern either Senator Akpabio, Senator Udoedehe or whoever the party members finally agree as their leader, rather than pennies to Iniobong John for silly insults on a governor that has doled out peace to the people.

THAT SAME GOD who has stood with Akwa Ibom State to ensure that the state can have a peaceful electoral process without a single case of kidnapping, bloodletting, assassinations and bloodshed, shall continue to make sure the state remains safe and in safe hands.


Signed

MAINTAIN PEACE MEDIA NETWORK
Akwa Ibom State
August 25,2021


FACEBOOK:www.Facebook.com/AksPeaceMovement

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMVTW_WGD_ogyyClyLTf26Q

Akwa Ibom APC Suspends 17 LG Caretaker Chairmen, 2 Others over Anti-Party Activities

• Conduct of Congress, Smooth and Credible
• We won't hesitate to go after their sponsors - Dr. Ita Udosen

AmanamHillary Umo-Udofia | Uyo

The State Caretaker Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State led by the State Chairman, Dr. Ita Udosen has announced the immediate suspension of 17 LG Caretaker Chairmen and two other members over alleged anti-party activities.
Addressing the media after the State Working Committee and State Executive Council meeting, Dr. Udosen flanked by other members of the State Executive strongly condemend the actions of the 17 LG Caretaker Chairmen who partook in a press engagement organized by mercantile elements where a vote of no confidence was passed against the State Working Committee on the 31st of July 2021.
Relying on the constitution of the party, Dr. Udosen stated that "The State Working Committee deliberated extensively over the case of 17 LG Caretaker Chairmen who were sponsored to embarrass the party with such a false communique and mandated me by article 21 sub 1-6 and 9 as Chairman to announce their indefinite suspension with immediate effect and ask them to hand over the vehicle and other properties of the party in their possession to their deputies."
"The affected Chairmen are Pst. Edidiong Idio (Etim Ekpo), Mr. Ifiok Udoh (Nsit Atai), Bassey Effiong Udo (Uruan), Hon. Ubong Ekpo (Ikot Abasi), Elder Ubong Inyang (Ikono), Hon. Augustus Amos (Esit Eket), Mr. Akaninyene Ukpanah (Ukanafun), Hon. Nkereuwem Edet (Nsit Ibom), Elder Daniel Ekanem (Ikot Ekpene), Elder Anthony Toby (Oruk Anam), Elder Friday Wilson (Ika) and Emmanuel Samuel Akpan (Ibeno). Others are Hon. Samuel Mbosoh (Onna), Effiong Toby (Oron), Hon. Emmanuel Udoh (Mkpat Enin), Akparawa Daniel Umoh (Ibiono Ibom) and Joseph Sam (Ibesikpo Asutan)".
"There were equally two lawyers who assisted the 17 LG Caretaker Chairmen to embarrass the party, one Barr. Mfon Udeme from Ibiono Ibom LGA and Barr. Imo Akpan from Ikono LGA. The party has also decided to suspend them forthwith from the APC pending the decision of the disciplinary committee headed by Eket Senatorial District Chairman, Sir Inyang Abia", warning that the party won't hesitate to go after their sponsors.
Speaking on the conduct of the ward Congress, Dr. Udosen said the exercise went on peacefully and wondered why some people tried to be mischievous by claiming otherwise. According to him, "Gone are the days one big man will sit in his parlour and write names of Ward Officers, APC has been returned to the grassroot.
"At the stakeholders meeting held on Friday, we had agreed that because of the monthly statewide sanitation which restricted movements, that we ought to obey the laws of Akwa Ibom State and this is what delayed early circulation of materials. So that protest you saw at the party secretariat by few misguided youths was purely over the delay in releasing materials and that was done immediately after the sanitation. But instead to going back to their wards, those youths stayed back probably at the instruction of their sponsors to cause drama and paint a picture that there was trouble in Akwa Ibom APC. That is untrue, APC in Akwa Ibom is a united family and I am the only authentic State Caretaker Chairman of this great party", he added.
Dr. Udosen further stated that the process of electing those who will pilot the affairs of the party at the Ward level, was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies as party faithfuls went about their duties peacefully without any acrimony or violence, noting that, it is a testament to the democratic credentials of our party, enjoining those with complaints to table it before the appeal committee which will soon arrive the state.
It is further learnt that the State Working Committee unanimously passed a Vote of Confidence on Dr. Ita Udosen's leadership, The Governor Buni Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and the Alhaji Yusuf Sheriff Banki led-committee for the smooth and peaceful process, stressing that the success recorded in the congress is a sign of a good omen for our party that guarantees all-around victory come 2023.
They called on other leaders of the party to justify the confidence reposed in them and be fair in all their dealings, saying the success of the party will significantly depend on their capacity to administer the party in the right direction.

AKPABIO FAILED AS GOVERNOR- APC NAT'L SCRIBE

The Secretary of the APC National Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe has lampooned the tenure administration of Senator Godswill Akpabio as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

In a live discussion on Passion FM 94.5, Uyo, Udoedehe said Akpabio failed during his tenure as Governor between 2007 and 2015.

I brought in Godswill Akpabio as Governor but his government failed Akwa Ibom people.

Refering to the insecurity, lack of any industry, Udoedehe, former Minister of State for FCT said the current Minister of Niger Delta Affairs performed woefully as Governor.

He said the state was so unsafe with wanton destruction human lives without restraint, causing Akwa Ibom people to live in total fear.

"I was the voice of the oppressed and I came out to condemn and challenge that adminstration. That is why I said that I can never support his government to continue in office," Udoedehe added.

What you may not have known about the 4-point by Sheraton Hotel

-The 12-storeyed 4-point by Sheraton Hotel with its 144 Standard Rooms, 2 Presidential Suites and 16 Regular Suites, covering a Total Gross Floor Area of 13,700sqm; was not licensed as at the time of commissioning in May 26, 2015.

-The Hotel was commissioned as an ordinary building despite N50billion the previous administration disbursed for it. On the day of commissioning, cutleries were borrowed alongside some conference and banquet tables/chairs as a dummy to show the world, all of which ‘disappeared’ after the commissioning.

-The previous administration as at the time of commissioning, had not even acquired the branding rights to use the name “4-points by Sheraton”. The Governor Emmanuel-led administration procured this branding rights and formalized the name.

-On assumption into office, the present government came to the rescue, equipped and connected the Hotel to the national grid, making it ready for use.

According to the State Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolopum Etteh, the facilities that would have made it a hotel were missing on assumption thus, burdening the present government with the cost of procuring them again. “The current government has fulfilled of the requirement given on the complete set-up of the hotel as well as equipping it fully with facilities including intercoms, televisions, scanners, ICT Unit and etc”, he said.

-The maintenance contract alone with the builders which the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration pays periodically is a proof that the government is keen on making it a dream-come-true.

-Governor Emmanuel had to speed-up the construction of the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene road to aid accessibility to the hotel from the airport in about 30 minutes. There is no way a hotel of such repute would be fashioned without an accompanying good road network.

-The Hotel will serve as a hospitality outfit for visitors from far and wide thus, boosting the state’s IGR.

-Just Recently ���
FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON HOTEL SET FOR BUSINESS, SEPTEMBER

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has met with the management of Marriot Group, led by Mr. Volker Heiden, Area Vice President of Marriott International.

The meeting which took place at Marriot Envoy, Accra, Ghana, was meant to conclude arrangements for the commencement of business operations at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene.

They two parties reached modalities to ensure that the opening of the hotel is formalised.

Governor Emmanuel expressed his delight that his promise to ensure that every strategic infrastructure is converted into a valuable asset for the benefit of Akwa Ibom people, is finding expression in the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel.

Also in Governor Emmanuel's delegation were, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government; Mr. Uko Udom SAN , Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Rt. Hon. Okpolopm Etteh, Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties; Mr. Imo-Abasi Jacobs, Executive Director, AKICORP and Chairman of Ibom Air Board; and Engr. Ephraim Udosen , Director of Projects,in the Ministry of Special Duties.

AKPABIO SOLIDARITY GROUP REPLIES PAT AND IBANGA AKPABIO

SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT!!!

"Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio Remains In His Honour!"

Dear Princess Pat Akpabio, before you take GOA down the Memory Lane, Castigate him & tell the world how your husband Ibanga Akpabio brought GOA to the limelight, please tell the whole world the answers to these questions;

1. Why did all the Chieftains of Akpabio's family and Ukana Ikot Ntuen including Chief Michael Afangide, Late Episco, Hon. Emman Akpan, Late Jimmy Jimmy Ntuen, etc. reject your husband Ibanga Akpabio as commissioner nominee, thereby substituting him with GOA?

2. Yes, GOA is not fair to his family according to you. Who owns the 20 cars parked in your compound? From where did you get money to buy all those cars if not for GOA?

3. You bought a house overseas (precisely Atlanta, USA), in Abuja, Uyo and build mansions in your village, where did you get the money from? Are you working in a oil company or your husband is making millions of money in his law chambers?

4. The 3 story building � supermarket you build at 4 lane, Uyo, you sold ur father's plantation to build it?

5. Upon all the monies and wealth you & ur husband made during GOA's administration, mention at least 5 people you have empowered or only one (1) person you bought a bicycle � for.

6. Late Chief Fidelis Etim brought ur husband Ibanga Akpabio to limelight, True or False?
Mention someone from Late Chief Fidelis Etim's family that ur husband has helped. What have you or ur husband done to the man's children?

7. Was it not ur husband who was in charge of education board SUBEB for the eighth ( years GOA was Governor?

8. Was it not ur husband who nominated the former NDDC finance director, Late Chief Ibanga Etang and was collecting revenue from the man on monthly basis until his death?

Give answers to these questions or remain silent forever over this topic. Ur selfishness and ungratefulness is second to none.

Sen. Godswill Akpabio has made a beautiful name that will never be possible to make it ugly in the sight of responsible men. GOA remains in his honour.