••• Niger Delta Needs Experienced, Capable Representation As Nigeria Prepares for Critical Transition – Dickson

Political Stakeholders from Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government Areas constituting the Bayelsa West Senatorial District have bought the Senatorial form for Senator Henry Seriake District.

This was in fulfillment of the promise the two local governments constituting the senatorial made last week to ensure the return of Senator Dickson because of his sterling performance as a Senator in just two years.

The top political leaders from the Senatorial District took turns to speak on the need for Senator Dickson to continue with his vibrant representation at the upper chamber.

The Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Michael Ogbere, said after buying the form that Senator Dickson did exceptionally well as Governor for two years and did a lot of life touching projects in the area.

He said that the Ekeremor people are impressed by his overwhelming performance and unparalleled energy on issues of concern in the district, Bayelsa, the Ijaw Nation and even the Niger Delta.

He called on the Senator to contest the 2023 election on the is strength of his impressive credentials which has made Bayelsa West, the surest senatorial seat for the People’s Democratic Party in the state

He dismissed the issue of purported zoning of the National Assembly positions in the area as shown by the fact that previous senators from Ekeremor recontested for the third time and a former Deputy Governor from the area, Peremobowei Ebebi, contested and pursued the case on the electoral dispute to the Supreme Court where he lost.

Also a former Speaker of the Speaker, old Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Tuesday Kemeagbegh who chronicled the exploits of Senator Dickson, including the Sagbama Ekeremor Road and many others noted that it would be unfair and a monumental disservice for Bayelsa West to tell him to leave after doing just two years in the National Assembly.


He challenged those who are opposed to Senator Dickson to contest by campaigning with their contributions to the development of the people of the District.

He stressed that the Ijaw people are in dire need of efficient, skilled and credible brand of vibrant representation which Senator Dickson provides effortlessly.

He said to lose that advantage cannot be an option.

Speaking also, a former Permanent Secretary, Head of Service who is the Chairman of the Bayelsa Civil Service Commission, Peter Singabele, said that Dickson has impacted so much in diverse ways too numerous to mention on the lives of the people of the area and must continue with his brand of productive leadership at the Senate.

Senator Dickson who received and accepted the senatorial nomination form from the DPD leaders thanked them for what he described as their humbling support, encouragement and unflinching commitment to the promotion of the interest of the District.


He said that Bayelsa West, Bayelsa the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta were in dire need of skilled, experienced and effective representation as the nation moves towards a critical period of transition.

He stressed that the country was at a difficult period with a lot of problems and expectations which makes it mandatory for people of experience to be at the Centre to provide the needed support to the state government and the requisite guidance back home.

“This is going to be a very trying period, a transition unlike any other before now. And at this very difficult period, when our country is pregnant; pregnant with problems, pregnant with expectations, I agree that that we need steady hands at the Centre to continue to guide and to support and to make the case that we have make for our people.

“For some time a number of you have been discussing with me on the need for continued experience and deployment of our national image and network at this particular time in the service of our people. And you have all given your various reasons as to why we should be in the ballot one more time again.

“And today after examining the various reasons and the need for steady experienced hand at the National Assembly and in the Senate in particular for Bayelsa West, for Bayelsa State and for the Ijaw nation, working with other friends and allies in the service of our people in Niger Delta and Nigeria, and after listening to all the argument and the cases that have been made, I am humbled to accept this
to continue to provide support this offer to run.

“I do so appreciating the need to be there to guide and to support the government of our people back home. The need to be a rallying unit, the need to mobilize and galvanize support for our party, the need to be involved as this country moves towards a very momentum election and transition.

“This is going to be a very trying period, a transition unlike any other before now. And at this very difficult period, when our country is pregnant, pregnant with problems, pregnant with expectations, I agree that that we need steady hands at the Centre to continue guide and to support and to make the case that we have to do for our people.

Senator Dickson said that Bayelsa West is the safest senatorial seat in the entire country as the PDP leaders are in firm control of the grassroots

He urged the stakeholders and leaders to widen the scope of consultations to include the few who have not queued behind his candidacy.

Dickson who called for tolerance stressed that while disagreement in politics on normal, his brand of politics is totally devoid of violence, a culture which his teeming followers should embrace at all time.

Present at the event Rt Hon Michael Ogbere (Deputy Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly), Mr Fyneman Wilson, )Chairman PDP Caucus, Sagbama,) Chief Perekeme Bertola( Chair Ekeremor LGA), Hon Embeleakpo Alele ( Chairman LGA), Chief Victor Okubonanabo ( Executive Secretary Subeb), Tuesday Kemegbeye (former Speaker Old Rivers state) Dr Singabele Peter(Chairman Civil service Commission, Chef Suru Oyarede (Formal Permanent Secretary, Hon Godbless Oyinke, Hon Tolu Amatu, Esq Bourdilion Ogugubeni, Ekeremor Senatorial Coordinator), Hon Dick Bekekeme, and Hon Mark Ayoro,

Others are Sinkumo Ekisah, (Commissioner for Special Duties), Chief Lucky Asanakpo, Bayelsa Volunteers, Comrade Stephen Okeima, Chief Ben Eyororokumoh, Elder simeon Epebifiye, Barr Billy Tobiyei, Hon Randy Awolowo, Barr Alex Tesufa Dombo, art Hon Didi Enginekeme, Barr Swipe Odudu, Hon Bekes Etifa, Hon Biu Chursor Obosi , Ebilade Erekefe ( IYC spokesman Miller Ebiowei,Hon Richman Samuel Edekwe, Hon David K Nanakumo and others.
https://thenetwork.ng/sagbama-ekeremor-political-leaders-buy-presents-senatorial-nomination-form-for-senator-dickson/

, Says OBA Should Watch His Back


Ephraim Inyang-eyen is a mole, nurtured, planted and sent to derail Senator Bassey Albert’s bid for governorship, a disgruntled insider to the plot has revealed.

According to the disenchanted former collaborator, the idea to foist Ephraim Inyan-Eyen on Senator Bassey Albert, otherwise Known as OBA as a “minder” and a fake supporter was reached sometime in 2019, shortly after the elections.

“It was determined that Senator Bassey Albert would definitely run for the office of governor of Akwa Ibom State, and the general consensus within certain political circles was that OBA was not, by temperament, his unbridled arrogance, his over- reported close associations with cultism in the state and his also alleged commitment to unleashing violence as a way and means of gaining power; his desperation to rule the state, which has made him strike an agreement with certain forces outside the state, who are desirous of talking us back economically, not suitable to be the governor of the state at this time of peace and security the state is enjoying.

“OBA meanwhile, had made it known that he was going to run and win the governorship of the state, whatever it took, violence and all. To checkmate OBA’S sense of entitlement, it was determined that certain people would be ‘assigned’ to him as ‘minders,’ with the expressed directive to show loyalty, fidelity and fake trust in his capacity to become the governor. Ephraim Inyang -eyen, was drafted to carry out that task, and he accepted the role with happiness and assurances of his capacity to get the job done.

“I was a key part of the plot and we have so far, gained the confidence of OBA, to the extent that last week, OBA appointed Ephraim Inyang-eyen as the Deputy Chairman of his Campaign Council. That singular act is the fatal mistake OBA has made in his run for the office of governor, as every strategic considerations and decisions taken, have been revealed and compromised. OBA, I can tell you, currently is floating, as every plan and calculations he has made is in the hands of other contestants.

“Ephraim Inyang-eyen is a very combustible person, he has been fighting and insulting some of us, who were, and are still insiders of this plot, and we have been warning him to trade softly that a time will come when we will tell him that we have had enough of his bomb-throwing character and will then spill the beans. I have decided to do this now.

“Let Ephraim Inyang come and deny what I have put out here. He knows who I am and I know he will tell the OBA Campaign Organisation that I am lying .Time will tell!” the source concluded.

https://leaders.ng/akwa-ibom-guber-insider-reveals-ephraim-inyang-eyen-is-a-mole-in-obas-camp/

PDP Stakeholders in Sagbama Endorse Senator Henry Seriake Dickson as Sole Candidate for 2023 Senatorial Election
...Raise N15 million For His Senatorial Nomination Form
Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Sagbama Local Government Area have endorsed the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson as their sole Senatorial candidate for the 2023 Senatorial election.
The PDP leaders and elders also contributed over N15 million to back their choice of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson as the PDP sole candidate in the forth coming general elections.
The stakeholders were unanimous in their position that Senator Dickson had the capacity, the competence and the dexterity required to continue representation at the Senatorial District.
The leaders who described him as the untiring voice of the Ijaw nation said that Dickson must return to the Senate to continue his sterling legislative performance in the interest of Sagbama West, Bayelsa State, the Ijaw Nation and indeed the Niger Delta.
The Sagbama PDP Caucus leader, Hon. Fyneman Wilson said that, upon the outcome of the 2019 governorship elections which was apparently rigged and results falsified against the PDP, Senator Dickson took all necessary legal steps to upturn the fabricated outcome. He said against all odds, Senator Dickson restored the PDP back to power as the ruling party in the state, regardless of the defection of PDP members to other parties.
Elder Fyneman Wilson further said that, remarkably, Senator Dickson’s short period at the red chambers constitutes a water-shed in the legislative history of Bayelsa West Senatorial District. He noted that, he passionately and fearlessly articulates the views, interest and pains of Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta at large.
The Stakeholders and leaders of the party realised fifteen million naira (N15M) from free will donations at the event even as they await more funds from a bank account they opened for the purpose of funding some of the political activities of the Senator.
In attendance at the meeting were elders of the PDP in the Local Government Area led by the PDP Caucus Chairman for the Local Government, Hon. Elder Fyneman Wilson, Dr. O. O. Osusu, Dr. Ayakeme Whisky. Others present were the Chairman Sagbama Lga, Hon Embeleakpo P Alale, Deputy Leader, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Col. Hon Bernard Kenebai, (rtd), Hon Kemi Prefa, Hon. Okosikeme Emmanuel, Vice Chairman, Sagbama Lga.
Also present were Hon. (Dr) Godbless Nanatumieyeseigha Oyinke, State Assembly Member, Salga Constituency, Hon Salo Adikumo, State Assembly Member, Salga Constituency 3,
Hon. Sinkumo Ekisah, Commissioner - Special Projects, Hon (Dr) Churson Obosi, Commissioner, Special Duties Bayelsa West, Chief (Hon) Okubonanabo Victor - SUBEB Secretary, Hon (Dr.) Ayakeme Tonkiri, Hon Barr. Richard Perekeme, and Engr. Dio Wenapere.
Also at the event were Hon. Alade Agua, Hon. Oyinkuro Asanakpo, Chairman Bayelsa Volunteers, Hon Samuel Ebipade, Chairman, Bayelsa Petroleum Task Force, Hon James Agari, Hon Salem, Hon koribokiri Yague, Hon Alice Tangi, Hon Keku Godpower.
The 14 ward councillors of the Council led by their leader, Rt. Hon Godday Ebikake Dickson, also graced the occasion.
This followed a similar move by prominent political leaders and stakeholders from Ekeremor Local Government Area who have made voluntary contribution of over N15 million to purchase the nomination of interest form for the Senator on March 23, 2022.
Sagbama and Ekeremor are the two local government areas making up the Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
The Ekeremor people were unanimous in their position that Senator Dickson has done so much in the two years he has spent in the Senate as a voice of the people of Bayelsa and the Ijaw Nation.
The meeting held under the Ekeremor Local Government Area PDP Stakeholders for Ofuruma Pepe 2023 Re-election Support Project and was organized under the leadership of the Deputy Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Michael Ogbere, the Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mr. Perekeme Bertola and others.
The meeting acknowledged Senator Henry Seriake Dickson for the various developmental projects established under him in the Local Government Area and Bayelsa state while he served as governor.

A sociopolitical group in Akwa Ibom State, the Akwa Ibom Media Network, has raised an alarm that outgoing Governor of the state, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has been abandoned by his media aides 14 months to the end of his government and have all switched their loyalty to Pastor Umo Eno.

Speaking to reporters in Uyo with a press statement title, OH UDOM EMMANUEL: ENDING SO SOON, the National Coordinator of Media Network, Comrade Ifiok Imefon, said the situation is not only worrisome but exposes Governor Udom to the reality of life after office and the need for him to brace up for more rejection by more aides in the months ahead.

The group said, while the Governor is free to choose anyone he wants as his successor, there is also the need for him to finish strong. The group said it is too early for him to be abandoned by his media aides who now flock around Umo Eno even when the primaries has not been conducted or the election has not been won yet to Umo Eno to be seen as Governor elect.

"It is bad that Udom is on his own even with more than one year to go. Even though he is the Governor till May 29, 2023, if you check his media aides have all abandoned him. None of them publish news about him again. None of them rise to his defence anymore. But let anybody write anything bad against Umo Eno, you will see how all the Governor's Media Aides will rush to defend Umo Eno within 10 minutes so as to renew their appointment in 2023 with Umo Eno. They know that Udom is almost history".

"I pity the Governor because this is the new reality he will soon face and he would be soon abandon by those he trusted his exit in their hands. A leader whose aides have switched loyalty to a Commissioner even when the Governor's tenure has not ended says a lot. It gets bad when the state information machinery and the party's information machinery have all abandoned him. When last did you see the Ministry of Information or the PDP Publicity Directorate coming up to defend the Governor again on any issue. The man has been left in the cold and abandoned to his fate".

Akwa Ibom Media Network, says it was sad that the State APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Solomon Johnny could attack the Governor and days after such direct attack there has been no response of defence from the Governor's Media Aides, the Ministry of Information or the PDP Publicity Secretary.

Recently, the APC Publicity Secretary had in a response to an issue titled, Re: APC has taken Nigeria 30 years Backward, Hike in prices of food stuffs in Akwa Ibom State", alleged that Udom Emmanuel is the cause of hike in the price of foodstuffs in the State.

"Hike in food price is what to expect if a Governor is in amorous, conjugal relationship with his female Commissioner for Agriculture. His Excellency, Gov Udom Emmanuel and Hon Gloria Edet, his Commissioner for Agriculture and not President Buhari/APC are to blame over high cost of food stuff in Akwa Ibom State", he wrote.

The group said, that Akwa Ibom people should draw the attention of the Ministry of Information, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Emmanuel, Publicity Directorate of PDP in the state and the over 15 Media Aides to the governor to these weighty allegations.

" They should focus on their job rather than go about insulting Akwa Ibomites in the name of loyalty to Pastor Umo Eno. Deacon UDOM Emmanuel is still the governor of Akwa Ibom State even when he used his own hand to end his government by making a wrong moved.

"Up till this moment, I have not read even one press statement from all the media groups sponsored by Akwa Ibom State government. They are all focused on Umo Eno's aspiration, ignoring their primary assignment. This is worrisome". He said.

Recall that the APC responded to a radio analysis by Public Affairs analyst, Franklyn Isong, in which it made several allegations against Governor Emmanuel, but his media aides have all ignored.


Solomon Johnny wrote;

At Passion FM, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday in your analysis of current events in Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria generally, you averred rather erroneously that APC and President Muhammadu Buhari have taken Nigeria Thirty (30) years backward in the last seven years that the party has been in power. You based your claim on the cost of petroleum products generally and high cost of food stuffs in Akwa Ibom State in particular.

Given that you were on the Mass media and alot of people would probably be misled and confused after listening to you, we wish to respond as follows in a bid to disabuse the public space of such unsubstantiated claims.

Nigeria cannot be 30 years backward under APC/PMB merely because you bought fuel at N205 per litre after seven (7) years of steady fuel pricing and stable supplier of petroleum products under the APC led Federal Government. Under the PDP which you want the public to believe did better while in power, Nigerians bought fuel as high as N400 per litre after spending five hours in cues with cars bashed and fisticuffs. Very often, Nigerians tarried overnights in petrol stations just to get the product at any price possible from Shylocks and agents of the PDP government parading as Petroleum Products Marketers. This was a regular occurrence and every Christmas in particular was hellish under the PDP because of fuel scarcity and the resultant hike in the cost of transporting people and goods around the country. Without attempting to justify this temporary hitch which the President has sincerely apologised and promised to address, buying fuel at N205 per litre as you claim is about N35 increase from the normal price of N175 per litre sold before the hike. It is not as bad as it used to be under the PDP and thus, that cannot sustain nor justify your claim of Nigeria going 30 years backward because of a temporary hike in fuel price.

How can you talk about scarcity of aviation fuel and want to use that against Buhari and APC? Do you recall how Dr Ime Umana, (May His Soul rest in Peace) our very good friend and best philanthropists South South died and what led to his travelling on land then? It was lack of aviation fuel which led to Aviation industry shutting down their operations nationwide for weeks that made Dr Ime Umana, 2011 deputy governorship candidate of the ACN to run on land back to Lagos where he died in a controversial road crash. In seven years of APC/PMB adminstration, this is the first time there is scarcity of aviation fuel (no shutting down of operations) and you sincerely think Nigeria is 30 years backward because of that?

Even in the area of security which you laboured to use to drive home your empty claim, you cannot sincerely say that Nigeria was more secured under the PDP than it is under the APC today. We had Boko Haram on rampage such that even Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory was serially brought under attack. That is not the case today barring new challenges which also cannot be compared to the daring exploits of the dangerous Islamic sect.

You have claimed not being a politician. We shall want you to demonstrate that you really are not one of those disgruntled PDP apologists on errand to diminish the achievement of the APC and President Buhari by how you appraise issues. No activist, no analyst who is not bias or paid to deliver a hatchet job can make the claims you have made. It is unsubstantiated, very illogical and childishly pedestrian.

Your leaving the ongoing indefinite Strike action by Teachers in primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State to talk about ASUU is suspect. ASUU wants to live and teach in opulence. By their demands, they are jealous and thus competing with the political class. While we are not against any of their demand, we draw your attention to the fact that PDP in sixteen years did not meet their demands and never implemented any of the various agreements they signed with ASUU while in power. President Muhammadu Buhari in the last seven (7) years has invested in ASUU more than the PDP did in their sixteenth years in power. It is sad however that some analysts like you have not talked about that but hit on Buhari for not being able to pick ASUU's over N1trillion demand while leaving Udom Emmanuel's refusal to pay Teachers' "chicken changes" like promotion arrears, release of promotions, gratuities, leave grants...which less than N20b out of N171.2b 13% arrears released by Buhari to Gov Udom Emmanuel last year can settle. That is the height of hypocrisy and best example of Journalism's Afghanistanism in recent times.

While talking about the high cost of rice per bag in Akwa Ibom State, you have refused to ask Gov Udom Emmanuel where is the rice processing mill he took loans to build in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State the same time President Buhari started his Agricultural revolution nationally. President Buhari during the Christmas season, built rice pyramids from a percentage of rice produced by Farmers who benefited from his Anchor Borrowers Scheme. Gov Udom Emmanuel had nothing to show from his claimed investments in the same sector.
Akwa Ibom State imports everything ranging from garri, beans, onions, okro, yam....

It is not the sole responsibility of the Federal Government to make food available. When you don't produce what you eat, you will certainly buy what others produce at very exorbitant price. So blame Udom Emmanuel who plays politics with Agriculture with his rumoured girl friend who sits as Commissioner for Agriculture for the high cost of food stuffs in Akwa Ibom State. If it is true that Governor Udom Emmanuel has any amorous, conjugal connection with Hon Gloria Edet, his Commissioner for Agriculture who physically combatted Her Excellency, Mrs Martha Emmanuel, our first lady at Ibom Hall few days ago to make a statement of actually being incharge of the governor's business more than the wife, you don't need to look elsewhere to find why Agricultural is failing in Akwa Ibom State and prices of food stuff going higher. You rather need to ask the governor to pull up his zips and allow the commissioner to work so we can have food! So stop passing the buck to the wrong table.

We submit that you were totally wrong in your assumption that Buhari has taken Nigeria 30 years backward. The return of the Nigerian Railway corporation, the infrastructural renaissance especially in the areas of roads; the completion of the 2nd Niger Bridge, the approval of Ibom Deep Seaport and Federal University of Science and Technology, Maritime University of Nigeria, Oron; the social welfare packages of the APC Federal government, the respect of rights of States by the President that has made Akwa Ibom State richer by over N900b are key indices that make your claim faulty. Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State at his 80th birthday interview said his greatest regret was having Olusegun Obasanjo as President of Nigeria when he was Governor of Akwa Ibom State. He spoke of how the ex President stampeded economic growth of Akwa Ibom State and stalled a number of mega projects he initiated for the State. It's ungratefulness on your part and any Akwa Ibomites to glorify PDP hate regime against President Buhari and APC which rather has opened Akwa Ibom State to economic opportunities by the mega projects he (PMB) has approved for the State.

Despite the media propaganda, Nigerians who were suffocated by the PDP and now have a new lease of life, will not buy into the plot to bring back PDP through mischief and maneuver. Prof Wole Soyinka was provoked some time ago by comments such as the one you made there to say that the worst of APC is better than the best of PDP. He said no matter what is happening, bringing back the PDP to power was not any option a Nigerian should contemplate except we are suffering from collective amnesia as a nation.

While we call on Akwa Ibomites in particular to discountenance your claims and keep faith with the APC ahead of the 2023 governorship election, we call on you to kindly do your best to pull down that comment because it is too fallacious to be preserved.

Solomon Johnny,
Publicity Secretary,
All Progressive Congress,
APC,
Akwa Ibom State.
17th March; 2022.

https://leaders.ng/2023-media-aides-dump-gov-emmanuel-switch-loyalty-to-umo-eno-group/

One thousand brand new saloon and sports utility vehicles have been unveiled as the pilot vehicles of the Lagos ride taxi schem, otherwise known as LAGRIDE.

The e-hailing taxi scheme is part of a joint venture between the state government and a Chinese car Manufacturing Company, which also include the establishment of a car assembling plant in Lagos.

Operators are required to pay about N1.9 million down payment, of which the sum covers the 20 per cent equity of cost of vehicle, registration and insurance. Each car being used in the scheme comes with technology-enabled security features that monitor every journey undertaken.

In his remarks during the unveiling of the vehicles at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the scheme as a promise fulfilled as the scheme is part of his administration’s plan of enhancing mobility suitable for the megacity status of Lagos.

Governor Sanwo-olu noted that the modern ride service is also part of his government’s socio-economic intervention programmes as prospective drivers are allowed to pay for the vehicles in installment over a period of four years.

To improve riders’ and passengers’ security, Governor Sanwo-Olu said a full security gadget, including a 360 dashboard camera that will give 24-hour audio-visual feeds to the control centre, had been pre-installed on each car deployed for the scheme.

He explained that a physical panic button is installed in each car and can be used by anyone on board in case of assault or emergency. The panic button, the Governor said, is also on the mobile application and is connected to the Control and Command Centre of the State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the Chinese Car manufacturing Company to increase the capacity of its car assembling plant which is almost completed in the State.

In a goodwill message, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Cui Jianchun, challenged the Lagos State government to invest more in rail transportation to decongest traffic on Lagos roads.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, stated that to reduce cost of riding, a ride sharing option had been imputed in the Lagride application, which is already live on the various app download platforms

As part of the launching of the Lagride, Governor Sanwo-olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat booked rides using the online application.


https://swiftreporters..com/2022/03/sanwo-olu-unveils-taxi-scheme-targets.html?m=0

* Over Duplication of Campaign Interest Group.

A major crisis of confidence has broken out in the camps of Governor Udom Emmanuel and his preferred aspirant, Umo Eno, over the recent duplication of the campaign structure.

Sources close to Government House informed our reporter that problem started when the National President of Maintain Peace Movement (MPM), Barr Emmanuel Enoidem approached the governor, insisting that the political powers of his group should not be whittled in favour of the recently inaugurated Ibom Consolidation Project (ICP).

Enoidem is said to have earlier disagreed with the formation of ICP, blaming the confusion on Prince Enobong Uwah, whom he reportedly accused of betrayal in selling the idea of ICP to the governor.

Apparently, according to sources, the governor had long been displeased with the poor showing of MPM in marketing Umo Eno, whom he unilaterally picked against popular opinion with over N17bn said to have been expended already.

However, an attempt to inaugurate a chapter of ICP in Etim Ekpo, Enoidem’s home local government, today (March 21,2022), resulted in fisticuffs as the former National Legal Adviser of PDP reportedly physically disrupted the event.

We learnt Enoidem’s argument was that two rival and independent political structures have never successfully managed a campaign to produce a governor before in Akwa Ibom State.

The MPM chieftain was said to have dared Gov Emmanuel to come to Etim Ekpo to a inaugurate ICP by himself if he felt so disappointed with MPM, but warned that governor risked losing the delegate election for his preferred aspirant.

He was said to have cited successful unified groups like the Akwa Peoples Front (AKPF), which managed the campaign structure of Governor Godswill Akpabio as well as the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA) in Udom Emmanuel’s time, submitting that all fringe interests and organisations must work together to manage well the campaigns.

Enoidem is said to have fallen out with Enobong Uwah, the Secretary of MPM, over money issues, leading to the latter approaching the governor with ICP idea as alternative to MPM.

Already, the crisis has permeated other local governments, creating a gulf among hitherto United supporters of Umo Eno, particularly those vying for elective offices.

While many of them are said to have lost confidence over disbursement of funds, some others are said to have lost confidence in MPM, particularly where the coordinators are not in support of those running for state or National Assembly elections.

For instance, in Ibeno, Rt Hon Okpolupm Ette, Commissioner for Special Duties, who is eyeing the House of Representatives, was said not to be comfortable with the MPM structure controlled by the council chairman, High Chief William Mkpah, as they do not see eye-to-eye. Ette is said to be in support of the ICP formation.

In Eket, Hon Frank Archibong, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, whose office the chunk of the funds have been drawn for the Umo Eno campaigns, is said to have fallen out with Ekanem Willie, a board member and major player in ICP formation, and Chief Assam Assam, the DG of Umo Eno Campaign.

We gathered that at a meeting two Sundays ago, at Chief Assam’s residence in Eket, where the issue of ICP chapter inauguration was brought up, the commissioner stormed out of the meeting, accusing the others of trying to undermine his office.

There is also a reported power struggle between two commissioners from Oro nation, Rt Hon Orman Esin, commissioner for Culture and Tourism and his Transport and Solid Minerals counterpart, Rt Hon Uno Etim Uno, also traced to MPM and ICP.

We gathered that while Uno, who is said to be lobbying for a deputy governorship position under Umo Eno, is inclined to ICP, Esin wields more powers through MPM.

It was gathered that since Esin became aware of plans to empower Uno as the Oron Federal Constituency leader of ICP, he has been using all available means to frustrate the actualisation of the move.

Observers argue that with such bad blood within the system, ICP May experience stillbirth, while MPM may wallow in stunted growth.

However, ICP is said to have received Udom’s blessing following the poor acceptability of Umo Eno by the delegates and the entire populace, despite the huge funds and propaganda machinery at the disposal of MPM.

The governor was said to have shouted at Enoidem last week, when he raised the issue of more funds, querying the bases for such fresh demand despite the billions released so far, without a commensurate result.

https://ourdailywire.com/major-crisis-in-udom-umo-eno-camp-over-duplication-of-campaign-interest-group/

The leadership of the Bayelsa Youth Frontier has flayed purported leaders from Ekeremor Local Government Area who are insisting on zoning of political offices in the area.

The Secretary of the group, Mr. Hitler Moses and the Spokesperson, Mr. Depreye Boss said in a statement on Monday that those calling for zoning of the Senatorial seat are mischief makers who do not mean well for Bayelsa West, Bayelsa and indeed the Ijaw Nation.

They said that the elders who held a meeting at the State Secretariat of the Peoples’ Democratic were only out “to sow discord in the senatorial district which everyone knows is the back bone of PDP in the state; create disaffection between the governor and Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, promote disharmony in the state and forever put Sagbama and Ekeremor people apart.

Moses said further that the so-called elders know without contestation there is clearly one candidate who can readily defeat the APC in the Senatorial district and that person remains Senator Dickson.

The youth leader said that it was rather shocking that those orchestrating the mischief know the rare exploits of Dickson in Ekeremor, Bayelsa West and indeed the state.

He also urged them to take a quick glance at their immediate past to note if they would not see the sustained assistance each of them got from Dickson.

He said that all men of good conscience who mean well for the Senatorial District should rise to condemn this cheap attempt to manipulate and blackmail the Governor.

“The communique on zoning was rejected by Ebebi. None of these so called leaders made efforts to stop him from violating it at the time. In fact, most of them including Martins Agbede who is the person engineering all of this, was in APC supporting Ebebi saying that there was no zoning at a time. Fred Agbedi was a candidate and was already in the House of Representatives.

“Recently, a respected leader and former Senator, who has seen it all, Senator J.K Brambaifa, released a copious analysis of the history of this controversy and concluded that there is no zoning arrangement. At best, it’s a proposal people always talked about but never implemented and we stand with Senator Brambaifa because he knows what he is talking about. We commend him and call on other elders to speak the truth like J.K Brambaifa did and not to confuse young people.

“Now if they are reasonable ijaw people and Ekeremor people, with the best interest of Ekeremor LGA, Bayelsa West and the best interest of the governor who they claim is their son, they should be leading a delegation of Ekeremor leaders to thank and appreciate Senator Dickson.

“Can they forget all he did for each and every one of them all these years, and for the fight he had put up to install the governor who they now claim to be their son?

“Now to show how mischievous they are, the leader of the dissident group, Martin Agbede raised to support the governor, was in APC during all the elections, was the caucus chairman of David Lyon and the APC campaign team who never supported the governor, who has not been a stakeholder in PDP.” He said.

Moses challenged the Ekeremor elders who now claim to be the kinsmen of Governor Douye Diri, to tell Bayelsans who took Diri to Mr. Agbede’s house in Port Harcourt.

He said that it is indeed curious that an Elder Agbede and many of those who pitched tenth with David Lyon, Coordinating the political onslaught against Senator Diri are the ones out to blackmail him for selfish political pursuit.

“Today Senator Diri is governor so he is now their son but when he most needed them as their son, they were in APC busy coordinating the David Lyon campaign.” It was then Senator Dickson’s fight.

He stated further that several others in the group sabotaged Gov. Diri either surreptitiously or openly.

He said “Now let's come to Fred Agbedu, who had been a longtime friend of the governor, who lived in the same house Senator Dickson gave to them in Abuja for 5 years while they were in the House of Reps.

“Fred Agbedi opposed Senator Dickson’s support for Diri, and contested an election he was not meant to have shown interest at all.

People expected him to be Happy that it was his friend that was endorsed by Dickson but because he wanted to create crisis, division and to spoil things, he went to contest and worked with the APC.

“Today Fred Agbedi and others are now claiming to be Ekeremor leaders supporting the Governor. If the governor has any genuine supporter, which are very few, if the governor has any wise person around him, they should know that Fred Agbedi and his cohorts are setting a trap to create a crisis which will not benefit the governor and his image, his future expectations and ambition so these people should be avoided like a plague.

“They are a bundle of dissidents most of who have never supported the governor. Some among them like Martins Agbede were PDP leaders who decamped to APC since 2015.

Moses said that the genuine stakeholders across the communities of Bayelsa West, Bayelsa and indeed the Ijaw Nation are with the versatile and articulate Senator Dickson because he has not finished his job in the red chambers.

According to the youth leader, that explains why the stakeholders met a few days ago and voluntarily donated the sum of N10m with more are donating and endorsing him.

We also, hereby call on the leadership of the PDP at both state and national levels to ignore the noisy propaganda about zoning in Bayelsa West. Everyone in Bayelsa knows that none of those championing zoning can win any election in Bayelsa West. They agree that envy is only putting the PDP and Diri’s Prosperity government at risk.

Everybody in Bayelsa heard Chief Timipre Sylva on a live radio when he said that, APC is nonexistent in Bayelsa West due to the influence of one man and they were not expecting to win election there because everybody there is a Dickson person. The PDP is strongest in Bayelsa West.

Senator Dickson from 2015 has worked hard to keep Bayelsa state for the PDP and these characters who keep going back and forthj, decamping from one political party to another, are setting a trap for the PDP and Governor Diri. They are trying to jeopardize the safest Senatorial seat for PDP in Bayelsa.

We pray that the party sees through their antics as we know that they are still maintaining their network with their other allies.

Elder Martins Agbede and his co-travelers are the same people who said there was no zoning in Bayelsa West and supported the APC candidate in the Bye Election. They did not sign the communique in support of zoning and we wonder where all this new found love for zoning is coming from?
https://leaders.ng/bayelsa-west-those-canvasing-zoning-are-mischief-makers-group/

……Set To Implement Public Complaints, Anti-Corruption Commission Law

The war against corruption is set to get a big push in Lagos State, with the appointment of a Chairman for the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.

According to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, he stated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who signed the law setting up the Commission in April 2021, has appointed Hon. Justice Mojisola A. Olatoregun (Retd), as Chairman.

“The appointment is pursuant to the power vested in Mr. Governor under Section 3(3) of the Lagos State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law, 2021.

“Hon. Justice Olatoregun retired as an administrative Judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, after a tour of service in other divisions of the Federal High Court across the Federation.”

Hon. Justice Olatoregun (Retd), has been trained in international fraud and terrorism, cybercrime and electronic evidence, banking fraud, mediation and other courses. She is expected to bring her huge wealth of experience to bear on the job.

“The Lagos State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2021 is a testimony to the State Government’s effort towards entrenching accountability in governance and checking malfeasance among officers entrusted with public resources. It is all part of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda – the six-pillar development plan of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

“The Commission will be independent in its operations and functions while complementing the efforts of similar Agencies in the police and federal establishment.

“The Anti-Corruption Commission Law is intended to deepen accountability and transparency in the expenditure of appropriated public funds. It is backed by the instrument of law to investigate and prosecute officials of the State Government and registered contractors indicted for economic crimes and financial misappropriation.”

“According to the Governor, the law will further boost confidence in the public to make complaints against public officials for investigation and prosecution.

“Other functions of the commission include: Investigating any allegations of non-performance of any Government contract; making policies for appointments, promotion and discipline of its staff; investigating all financial crimes and anti-corruption cases with regards to the State Government; ensuring transparency in the management of Government resources; and confiscating proceeds of corruption and financial crime-related offences or property.

“The Commission will engage in public enlightenment campaigns against corruption and financial malpractices. Hon. Justice Olatoregun’s appointment reinforces the commitment of Mr. Governor to eradicating corruption in the public service.”

...Lawmakers reject #100m compensation for loan approval

A major crisis is brewing between the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon (Barr) Aniekan Bassey and his colleagues over a #100 million compensation to the lawmakers by the Governor as appreciation for their prompt passage of his recent request for a #150 billion loan.

The Governor who recently wrote the lawmakers for a supplementary budget less than two months into the 2022 financial year is said to have sent a message of appreciation of #100 million each to the lawmakers with the Speaker getting a lion share of #250 million.

But angry lawmakers have threatened to move against the Speaker if he fails to get them a better offer from the Governor on the grounds that since majority of them have no hope of getting a second term ticket, the best way to appreciate them would have been for the Governor to give them what a source called "a reasonable" token as appreciation for the loan approval.

"Because of our loyalty to the Governor we have been called names. Akwa Ibom people now see us as rubber stamp of the executive arm. We have been called errand boys of the Governor. It is therefore annoying that with all these name calling and insults we get for granting all loan request of the Governor, he has not seen the need to reciprocate our benevolence towards him".

"What is #100 million from #150 billion. That's a paltry #2.5 billion for 25 Lawmakers and when you add the #250 million he gave to the Speaker, that gives you a total of #2.75 billion. Deduct that from #150 billion and you see why the public see us as the Governor's errand boys and the Speaker is partly responsible for this sad perception", an angry lawmaker from Eket Senatorial district said.

Sources in the know say the State House of Assembly members are angry that they had initially agreed that they will get at least #300 million each for approving the loan request while the Speaker gets #500 million only for the Speaker to go back and negotiated #100 million for members and #250 million for himself because of his political interest.

"It will be very difficult for any other loan request to see the light of the day going forward. The lawmakers especially those who are not coming back are not happy and they may not be so supportive of future loan request if the Governor makes any fresh demand. With this, even the Governor knows that he will have challenge with the 2023 budget if he does not "reconcile" with the lawmakers over this issue" said a senior legislative aide.

https://ourdailywire.com/udoms-150b-loan-tears-akha-apart/

A Federal High Court in Abuja had held that there was no case before it against Brig. General Jafaru Mohammed over an alleged money laundering forfeiture case brought against three companies.

Justice Nkeonye Maha made the pronouncement on February 14, while ordering the forfeiture of 28 properties linked to Marhaba Event Place Limited, Aflac Plastics Limited, and Atlasfield Integrated Limited

The EFCC had in an ex parte order of May 13, 2020, applied for an interim forfeiture of the properties for allegedly being proceeds of unlawful act

Justice Nkeonye Maha stated in her rulling that:

"I observed that the name of Gen. Jafaru Mohammed was never mentioned in the originating ex parte application. The respondent did not rebut this fact."

The judge said the EFCC only mentioned Gen. Jafaru in its exhibit only in the counter affidavit to the respondent.

The affected parties have since appealed the judgement of the high court and filed a stay of execution dated February 28, 2022.

It is noteworthy that the companies are not only owned by Brig. Gen. Aminun-Kano Maude but with two other partners who are respected business moguls from both Kano and Nasarawa.

Contrary to the recent media reports alleging and speculation that councillors in Akwa Ibom State have endorsed pastor Umo Bassey Eno, as a preferred Governorship candidate in the 2023 race, the grassroots lawmakers have condermed the report, stating that they are yet to take decision to support any gubernataria aspirant in the State.

According to some councillors who disclosed this to our reporter on the condition of anonymity, Councillors in Akwa Ibom State were not happy with the development and have distance themselves from such endorsement, noting that there is no forum where councillors have sat down on their own to discuss on their welfare talk less of endorsing anybody for governorship.

It would be reclled that on the 17th February 2022, Councillors from the 31 Local Government Areas and 368 Wards in Akwa Ibom State were invited to a consultation meeting at Ibom Hall, IBB Avenue, Uyo where the consultation team of Pastor Umo Eno and the leadership of Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) came to consult the Councillors of his governorship aspirantion.

According to information as at the time of filling this report, only three Councillors were selected in the said consultation meeting by the campaign team to speak on behalf of the entire Councillors from the three senatorial districts of the State, maintaining that it was the same campaign team that appointed two females Councillors who happened to be the Leader of Abak Legislative Council and the Leader of Oron Legislative Council respectively to move and second a motion for endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno, as the preferred governorship aspirant before a serious noise and rejection by the Councillors which prompted the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong to change the Leader of Oron Legislative Council as seconder of the said endorsement and appointment a male Councillors to second the motion.

They Councillors said it is regrettable that they were not allow to express themselves, stressing that the three people that spoke did so on their own as they were not speaking on behalf of Councillors, but the interest of their pay masters.

They insisted that councillors in Akwa Ibom State are still very open to receive any governorship aspirant that is willing to consult them.

According to them "the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong has never call us to a meeting and it's very sad that he has never talk to the Governor to organize seminar or workshop for the Councillors so as to help us understand the legislative rudiments and procedures, all he did is to come and choose somebody to move endorsement motion so as to achieve his purpose of becoming the Deputy Governor.

" The Governor on his own has never meet us since we were sworn into office as councillors in 2020 December, and he has never told us formerly of his anointed candidate, so it would be very wrong for us to just wake up and endorse anybody without hearing from the Governor.

"Nobody is interested in the welfare of Councillors in Akwa Ibom State. It's shameful that as Councillors, we don't know how much that is allocated to our respective Local Government Areas. All we heard is that whenever they chairmen goes for Joint Account meeting with the Governor, they will go and collect five million naria each which we are told they are using the money for contribution and each Chairman will go home with One Hundred and Fifty Five Million naria each at the end of the contribution. So what is the interest of the Councillors? We are using our salary to reach out to our people. No constituency project, no impressed apart from half of our security vote. It is very sad that some Councillors after three years may not have anything to show for it considering the pressure from our respective wards. They worst of it is that our Leaders in the 31 Local Government Areas are monument, they can be picked and drop anywhere. These are the worst set of leaders. We don't have councillors Forum in Akwa Ibom State. There are Forum of Local Government Chairmen, we also have Forum of Vice Chairmen and even Forum of Supervisors and Forum of Leaders but no forum of Councillors. The leaders are saying that the Governor has not given them the approval to bring Councillors together to form a forum, what a shame.

We have the right to support any candidate of our choice because we are not recognize. Even at the level of MPM no Councillor in Akwa Ibom State was recognize in their respective wards. Councillors have been relegated to the background and will definitely resist their antice at the polls".

Lagos as a melting pot and Nigeria’s nerve centre leaves no one envious of anybody at the helm of its affairs.

Its ever-growing population and social needs make the city a continuous work in progress.

In describing the megacity of about 21 million people, the BBC in 2017, said it was “the city that won’t stop growing.” And that wasn’t far from the truth.

The growth in virtually every aspect is exponential. Simply put, as Lagos grows, so are its challenges and vision.

These indicators and their peculiarities leave anyone occupying the seat of government in Aluasa walking on a rough road.

Irrespective of the capacity of any governor of the state, his road is often rough-apologies to the late Tai Solarin, author of May Your Road be Rough.

It’s on this rough road that Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu has been walking since May 29, 2019.

Like India’s Jawaharlal Nehru in Solarin’s essay, in leading Lagos, Sanwo-Olu meets his troubles in frontal attack, sees himself tossed into the aperture between the two horns of the bull, determines he is going to win and, therefore uses all his faculties in the fight.

Verdict

All these have manifested in several areas of governance in the last four years. And the verdict from influential organizations and persons gives a robust understanding of Sanwo-Olu’s nearly-four year stewardship. Apart from setting the stage for the 2023 governorship election in the state, the endorsements could pass for the governor’s scorecard.

Leading the pack was the Senate President, Sen Ahmed Lawan, who said Sanwo-Olu’s stewardship has validated the state’s position as the economic and commercial nerve centre of Nigeria.

Lawan, who said the national leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, had watched with satisfaction the strides being made by Sanwo-Olu, declared that the governor deserved to be reelected.

He made the remark at the fifth Town Hall Meeting and Empowerment Programme organised by the lawmaker representing Lagos West in the Senate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan.

“We have been watching you over the last two and half years. You have been very wonderful. You have been consistent in terms of service delivery to the people of Lagos and indeed this country. You are focused. One good term you’re doing deserves another term,” he said.

On the heels of that was another profound testimony by the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.

Speaking at the 2022 CAN inter-denominational prayer service held at the Apostolic Church of God headquarters, its Chairman, Stephen Adegbite, said the governor performed well in improving the lives of people of the state.

Lives

He said: ”We thank God we have a child of God as our governor.

His pedigree as a Christian brought-up has continually shown in his devotion to service to mankind in different strata of the society even in difficult times.

“For us to thank him for his good work in this first tenure is to rally around him and re-elect him for a second tenure in order for him to complete many of his people-oriented projects in varying stages of completion.

“As the voice of the Christian fold in the state CAN cannot associate itself with that which cannot be of benefit to the common good.

“CAN, therefore, has resolved to embark on voter registration and sensitisation drive across the state to bring the project Sanwo-Olu 2023 to fruition.”

Coming from a body not known for partisan remarks, speaks to what observers described as the governor’s popularity across different divides.

In the same vein, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Yoruba soco-political organization, Afenifere, declared his support for the governor.

The nonagenarian said Sanwo-Olu deserves commendation for what he described as the governor’s prudent management of resources as well as “the visible transformation of the state in a little over two years.”

He had told this paper that Lagos under the leadership of Sanwo-Olu has continued to witness steady growth and development, especially in the areas of economy and infrastructural development.

Another boost for the prospects of re-election was the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, dismissal of claims that it had concluded plans to deny Sanwo-Olu second term ticket.

GAC

A statement by its Chairman, Chief Tajudeen Olusi, said: ”The attention of the Governance Advisory Council has been drawn to a vexatious post circulating on WhatsApp purporting that the GAC, party leaders and stakeholders have settled for a replacement for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“Ordinarily, we would not have dignified such an anonymous post with any response. However, because of the possibility that some unwary persons may believe the words contained therein and interpret them as factual, the GAC would like to state as follows:

“That the GAC has not settled for any person to replace Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governor. Therefore, it is absolutely false and preposterous for anyone to suggest so.

“That the process of picking a Governor is clearly stated in the constitution. And contrary to the false impression the merchant of hate, confusion, discord and disharmony wanted to create with the post, there is no discussion of a second term ticket by the GAC.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu was elected for a 4-year tenure which is still ongoing. The matter of replacement of the governor does not arise and is patently sub judice. Governor Sanwo-Olu is doing a wonderful job delivering infrastructure projects for Lagos and working daily on making the state better for all its residents.”

Second term

Though Sanwo-Olu hasn’t declared for a second term, he is confident of re-election.

Sunday Vanguard recalls that Governor Sanwo-Olu had said Lagosians would know what they will be missing if his administration is not given a second term ticket.

“I will ask. I will consult. Citizens, how do you see it? These are some of the things; that’s how you get it down. Try and finish very strong. You know when it is time for us to do all the politicking we will do it. I think we are doing a very good job if I dare say so. I think the citizens know what it is they will be missing if they don’t let us continue to wrap up all the things we are doing,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

What could be driving the endorsement even when the supposed beneficiary hasn’t indicated interest? The reasons:

Having inherited a state with decayed road infrastructure, housing deficit, increasing traffic gridlock, especially on the Apapa corridor and other social problems, Sanwo-Olu was definitely on a rough road from day one.

The coronavirus pandemic emerged, posing a much bigger problem. One by one, he prioritized them, restoring confidence in government.

On COVID-19, without any existing model for responding to such a challenge, he braved the odds, fighting fears, anxieties, prejudices, and creating response mechanisms.

The state’s capacity for response and management of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 was expanded through various policy actions.

THEMES Agenda

As other parts of the country panicked, Sanwo-Olu assumed a very visible role, evolving strategies, and providing key information to a frightened populace.

Under his THEMES Agenda, policies aimed at meeting the expanding needs of the city are being formulated and implemented in several sectors.

For instance, the state has expended the sum of N20 billion out of the N25 billion initial budget for the construction of the much-awaited 32 metric tonnes per hour Imota Rice Mill.

The facility is expected to be the largest rice production in sub-Saharan Africa. Apart from the creation of 250,000 jobs, the mill would enhance economic resilience.

On infrastructure, which is one of the key areas requiring all-around attention in the state, many projects have been completed while some are ongoing.

Sunday Vanguard learned that more than 51 major projects such as the Pen Cinema rehabilitation, Lagos-Ogun Boundary roads Phase II, Lekki Oniru Traffic Circulation Projects, network of roads in Ojokoro , Somolu and Ikoyi among others. His administration also constructed and rehabilitated 301 inner roads in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas,LCDAs.

It also commissioned the Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT lane. The Eleko Junction/ Epe concrete pavement road construction is another ongoing star project aimed at facilitating easy movement.

By the end of 2023, Sanwo-Olu would have delivered 35 housing schemes to bridge the huge gap in the sector, Commissioner for Housing Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said last year.

Housing

Of the schemes, 14 were delivered in the first two years of the Sanwo-Olu administration. Over 7,000 affordable housing units were added to the sector.

Some of the projects executed for low and high-net-worth individuals are locatedlocated in Igando, Igbokusu, Lekki, Badagry, Igbogbo, Odo-Onosa/Ayandelu, Agbowa, Sangotedo, Epe, Ilubirin, Epe and Egan-Igando.

In the transport sector, there are continuous efforts at ensuring easy movement of goods and services in Lagos.

Speaking in that regard recently, the governor said: “ 2022 will witness a milestone achievement in the rail transportation system in our State, as we expect the 37km Red and 27.5km Blue Line Rail projects to commence commercial operations between the last quarter of this year and first quarter of 2023.

“Equally, construction work on the 38km 4th Mainland Bridge — which will be the longest in Africa — and the Opebi-Mende link bridge will commence this year.

“2022 will also witness, by the special grace of God, the completion of the ongoing reconstruction work on the 18.75km Eleko to T-Junction in Epe, the 10km Lekki Regional Road, and the section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway that the Lagos State government is constructing with the permission of the Federal Government.

“These are just a handful of the projects that will be completed or advanced this year. Indeed, 2022 will witness remarkable development on various fronts: Infrastructure, Technology, Health and Education, Security, and many more; all of which will translate to a significant improvement in the quality of life of all Lagosians.”

In readiness for the takeoff of the rail transport, the governor acquired two sets of new 10 cars Talgo 330 kilometre Per-hour, kmph, trains for the Lagos Red Line rail project.

Sanwo-Olu completed the acquisition deal of the trains at a public event inside the Milwaukee facilities of Spanish train manufacturer, Talgo Incorporated, in the United States.

The trains would soon arrive in Lagos in line with his administration’s commitment to traffic management encapsulated in the THEMES Agenda.

The red line, which would have 11 stations when completed, would be the first operational metro system in West Africa. It is designed to convey at least 500,000 passengers daily in the first phase of operation.
https://leaders.ng/lagos-2023-heats-up-as-afenifere-leader-can-lawan-back-sanwo-olu/

A former Chief of Staff to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen has said that the claim that God revealed Pst Umo Eno as the preferred successor of the Governor is fake as the revelation on the identity of the next governor of the state won’t come via an iPad.

Ephraim Inyang-eyen who stated this on Saturday at a rally organized for the Senator Representing Uyo Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Bassey Albert by Youths of Eket Senatorial District, said the Governor's repeatedly claim of hearing from God is one joke that must be resisted because Udom's fondness for his iPad cannot be taken to mean a channel to reach God in Heaven.

“Don’t allow anybody deceive you, I heard them saying they had revelation via iPad, revelation is not via iPad. God does not give one man revelation. The Bible says that in the mouth of 3 or 4 witnesses, truth is established. God has told me that OBA is the next governor”, Ephraim Inyang said.

Ephraim who was recently fired as the Chief of Staff to the Governor also publicly declared his choice for Governor by publicly declaring his stand for Senator Bassey Albert.

Commenting on the speech by Ephraim Inyangeyen, Chief J. Nkpubre said the truth is gradually coming out as he had already told the world that the claim of Umo Eno being divinely ordained to be Udom's successor in 2023 is noting but a scam.

"Since when did an iPad become God's mouthpiece to communicate with man? Some people think Akwaibomites are fools that can be cajoled and brainwashed. I always knew that this Umo Eno thing won't fly. The chicken are now coming home to roast. It is left for Akwa Ibom people to go get their PVC and vote whoever they want as Governor come 2023", he said.

Chief Nkpubre said Ephraim Inyangeyen's revelation is a proof of what he has been shouting that the Governor's brother, Gabriel Nkanang used foreign Pastors to deceive the Governor by saying a Pastor from Brazil sent him a test revealing who God wants as his successor come 2023.

"I have constantly raised this alarm that fake Pastors are the greatest threat to the future of Akwa Ibom State. Gabriel Nkanang, Pastor Lawrence Achudume, the Governor's Sister, Pastor Sylvia Imoh and some crooked Fathers of Faith are taking Akwa Ibom people to be fools"


'God is not an iPad God. Whoever says God told him who the next Governor of the state will be through a text message is not one to be taken serious in a state of over seven million people. Let no man deceive us again. Let nobody us iPad to fool us. Akwa Ibom people must get their PVC's ready and be ready to decide their future in 2023, he said.

https://ourdailywire.com/2023-gov-emmanuels-succession-revelation-via-fake-ipad-ex-chief-of-staff/

MEXICAN COWS … WITHOUT VISA

By Johnson Etop

March 7, 2018 – the day Akwa Ibomites heaved a sigh of relief as availability of meat and dairy products would no longer be a problem in the near future. The hope was built on the assertion by the Udom Emmanuel led administration that 2,000 PREGNANT Mexican cows were in quarantine and would soon be enroute the state.

Hear the Commissioner for Information and Strategy at the time – Sir Charles Udoh: “Those cattle are female. They are coming with pregnancy. With that we are expecting 4,000 cattle after their delivery in the state. The cattle will arrive from Mexico. These cattle are not regular ones we have in the country. The species we are bringing can produce meat and milk. In the ranch set up by the state government for the cattle, there will be meat, milk and yogurt processing plants; and we will be self-sufficient in meat because we can produce what we need”.

As if he had problem convincing the people, he continued: “The cattle are already quarantined in Mexico and they will arrive the state once we have sufficient food to feed them. We have planted their feed in Uruan LGA and the area fenced so that the wild cattle in the state will not go and eat the plant”.

Udom Emmanuel’s commissioner was so sold on the idea of the Mexican cows that he didn’t care if his lies were believed or not. “Once the plant grows to maturity those cattle will arrive. We don’t want a situation the cattle will run short of food within two weeks of arrival. The land for them to stay is ready, the cattle are there and set to come to the state but they cannot come until we have what to feed them which is what we are working on now”, the Commissioner stated.

The sigh from the citizens was either out of exasperation or disbelief, since nearly a year had passed since the Governor himself had at, a flagoff for an improved cassava stem plantation in Okobo on April 27, 2017, announced the establishment of a ranch in Uruan to accommodate 2,000 cows imported from Mexico - https://akwaibomstate.gov.ng/governor-emmanuel-flags-off-100-hectares-cassava-plantation-farm/.
In case the above link vanishes, in this report on Channels TV, the Governor stated that the ranch HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED and was ready for the cattle: https://www.channelstv.com/2017/04/28/akwa-ibom-govt-commissions-100-hectares-of-cassava-plantation/

How the 100 hectare cassava plantation at Ikono-Offi/Nsie Community of Okobo is faring is a matter for another day.
Back to the main meat of this article, according available to information on the “stranded Mexican cows”, the plan was to have San Carlos Farms, part of a Mexican group of Agro Allied Investors – San Carlos Group – known for large scale commercial farming, to build ranches for rearing of the expected cattle. The initiative was expected to result in availability of enough beef in the state and was supposed to be produced under the highest international standards, as well as milk for dairy companies.

As far back as December 5, 2016 Governor Emmanuel had received the San Carlos Group, led by Mr. Carlos Cabal and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed for the ranch to be located at Adadia in Uruan Local Government Area.

Again in 2019, the project resurfaced, but this time, with a twist… The cows were now reported to HAVE COME from Brazil…

Four to Six years down the line, the cows must have given birth a couple of times, yet, Akwa Ibom people are yet to see, not to talk of buying the expected meat and milk.

The questions are:
Where is the ranch?
Was it even constructed or built?
Has the project failed or is it still “in the works”?
What has the land of the Uruan People been used for? Or was it left to waste for all these years?
How much of our state funds was put into this venture? Is it all for nought? (The expenditure was in the 2017 budget! N40 million) https://akwaibomstate.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2020-REPORT-OF-AUDITOR-GENERAL.pdf
Did the cows even leave Brazil, Mexico, or wherever?
Time will tell… Let’s keep connecting the Dots!

Ku’ubò Idiök Enö!
https://akwaibomstate.gov.ng/governor-emmanuel-flags-off-100-hectares-cassava-plantation-farm/

Many injured...

PDP Youths revolts, beats council boss to pulp


Violence broke out on Saturday at Sabon Gida community of Langtang South Local Government council of Plateau Council between the incumbent chairman, Hon Vincent Bulus Venman and the embattled chairman of Langtang North, Hon Ubandoma Laven during the resettlement day celebration in the area.


It was gathered that the clash eventually, snowballed in a free for all fight between rival political youths leaving several persons injured in process.

Ubandoma Laven is a political God son of late Chief Solomon Lar, who was removed as chairman, whose daughter Hon Beni Lar is the current member representing Langtang North/ Langtang South in the Federal house of representatives, while Vincent is the current chairman of Langtang south LG.

It was gathered that the free for all fight started when the immediate past chairman of Langtang North Hon Ubandoma Laven who is a member of the PDP stormed the venue of the occasion and was called upon by the Master of ceremony to come to the high table take his seat.

This according to Lanchang Timpil an eyewitness told newsmen that this development did not go well with the Chairman of Langtang South Hon Vincent Bulus Venman .

Timpil alleged that the Chairman of Langtang South Hon Vincent Venman stood up walked up to the immediate past chairman of Langtang North Hon Ubandoma Laven and slapped him to the astonishment of people.

" This action suddenly created tension in the community, which resulted into a stampede between the youths ,leading to many people been injured .

According to him ,as I speak to you ,so many people are injured ,this sad development created tension in the whole Langtang South amongst those injured is the Chairman of Langtang South Hon Vincent Bulus Venman and he is currently receiving treatment at home .while Laven was smuggled out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPp_pId1JOM

The leader of the Ijaw mandate group, a social political movement in Delta state, Mr Dagidi Andaye was received today by Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Abuja. Also present at the meeting, is Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi who is also the DG of the Atiku campaign.

As at the time of filing this report, details of the meeting is not yet known, but speculations are, the former Vice President who is also a front runner for the Peoples Democratic Presidential ticket, might be bringing in this young and dynamic leader from the south south, to shore up his campaign in the region.
https://ourdailywire.com/2023-atiku-meets-with-leader-of-ijaw-mandate-group/

Press Release


Innoson Nigeria Ltd, Nigeria’s foremost indigenous Auto Industrialist has expressed its concerns about the new trend in its long running legal battles with GTB (Guarantee Trust Bank Plc.). Innoson Nigeria Ltd is concerned about the interference of EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) in the legal matters in a manner that it has become apparent that EFCC is pursuing the interest of GTB in the pretext of exercising its statutory investigatory powers and curbing of financial crimes and that GTB is pulling strings in the EFCC.

Sometimes in January 2022, EFCC invited Prof. J. N. McCarthy Mbadugha, SAN - counsel to Innoson Nig Ltd- to an interview on 1st February 2022. Mbadugha honoured the invitation. During the interrogation, EFCC showed him the counter affidavit to show cause which his Secretary deposed to and filed on 23rd March 2011 in opposition to GTB’s affidavit to show cause in a matter which has been decided by the Federal Court and the decision of the Federal High Court which has affirmed by the Court of Appeal is presently pending at the Supreme Court- SC. 694/2014.

EFCC told the Learned Silk that the depositions in the counter affidavit to show cause were false and asked him the source of the information. But the learned SAN emphatically told EFCC- its personnel interviewing, embarrassing and humiliating him- that the depositions are true. That it was his client that provided all the information he used in prosecuting the case and that he verily believed his client. The Learned Silk insisted that both the trial court and Court of Appeal found that the depositions in GTB’s affidavit were false and that GTB did not deny the depositions in the counter affidavit of 23rd of March 2011 and that he relies and stands on the judgments of the two courts which have settled the matter and can only be overturned upon appeal and not the needless belated charade of investigation of the truth of the stated facts. EFCC kept him in its custody for over 7 hours.

Subsequently his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, PhD, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria filed, at his instruction, a fundamental human rights suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division against EFCC and 5 other persons which includes GTB.

Consequently, following, an ex parte application at the Federal High Court Abuja by Chief Mike Ozekhome, PhD, SAN praying the court for an ex-parte Order of Injunction restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from inviting, arresting or detaining or keeping in its custody the counsel to Innoson Nigeria Ltd, Prof J. N. Mbadugha SAN, in relation to the frivolous allegations which he knows nothing about pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion. The Federal High Court granted the application and ordered that status quo ante bellum as at 7th February 2022 be maintained until the determination of the originating motion.

The motive behind the renewed interest by the EFCC to launch an investigation in a matter already decided by the courts can only be explained by GTB. This is not the first time that EFCC has chosen to take sides with GTB and allowed itself to be inveigled into matters that are not matters of crime for reasons best known to them in an issue EFCC should stand as an unbiased umpire.
EFCC has constantly taken GTB's affairs as if it is a National Affair.

First it became biased and took sides with GTB in GTB's dispute with Innoson and went on to compromise itself until Nigerians raised alarm over its professionalism and as an organization that is supposed to be an unbiased arbiter.

EFCC is a Federal Government Agency, created by Law to fight against financial crimes and provide law and order in the business environment based on objective principles. It is unheard of that counsel who has filed processes to put forth the position of his client as it was related to him in his instruction should thereafter be quizzed on a matter that is not his personal matter and in which he had acted on purely in his professional capacity. It is obvious that the aim of EFCC is to muzzle the mouth of Innoson’s counsel. This time, EFCC has taken the side of subjectivity and dabbled into a frivolous matter thereby wasting public and tax payers’ funds.

The counter affidavit that EFCC is presently investigating was filed in the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division in the matter between Innoson Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Customs Service Board. GTB filed an affidavit to show cause in March 2011 in a garnishee proceedings in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/603/2006 between Innoson Nig Ltd and GTB.

In response, Innoson filed through its Solicitors- McCarthy Mbadugha & Co. - on 23 March 2011 a counter affidavit to the affidavit to show cause. This resulted in GTB filing a further affidavit to show cause and Innoson Nig Ltd filing a reply/further counter affidavit to the further affidavit to show cause

The court after GTB and Innoson joined issues therein and oral arguments by the parties’ lawyers held in its Judgment that GTB “has not disclosed utmost good faith as regards the proceedings…. and that GTB did not sufficiently deny the counter affidavit of 23rd March 2011. To the favour of Innoson, the Court made a Garnishee Order Absolute and ordered GTB to pay the sum of over N2Billion to Innoson Nig. Ltd.

Being dissatisfied, GTB appealed to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/I/258/2011. However, in a unanimous decision of 6 February 2011, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the findings and the trial court’s decision.

The Court of Appeal ordered GTB to pay over N2Billion to Innoson Nigeria Ltd.

Still not satisfied with the Court of Appeal Judgment, GTB approached the Supreme Court and interestingly in a motion on noticed filed at the Supreme Court on 5th February 2016 to amend it’s notice of appeal GTB deposed in a 15 paragraph affidavit in support that Innoson Nigeria Ltd obtained the judgment of the Court of Appeal by fraud and by fraudulent suppression of material facts with a view of using that to have the Supreme Court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and thus avert paying the judgment debt.

However, the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision on 12th May 2017, dismissed GTB’s said motion on notice; and while dismissing the motion, stated inter alia, that GTB engaged in double speaking and in a frivolous frolic.

As the main appeal is yet to be decided by the Supreme Court, the EFCC through the instigation of GTB is currently investigating some aspects of the matters already decided by the courts.

For instance, EFCC through acts of torture and intimidation during its interrogation of Prof J. N. Mbadugha, SAN, the counsel to Innoson Nigeria Ltd, is requesting “the source of information he used in preparing the counter affidavit of 23rd March 2011where and when Prof. Mbadugha, SAN informed EFCC that he got all the information used in prosecuting the case from his client given that he did not instruct himself, the EFCC asked him to bring his client from whom he derived the information.

It must be noted that EFCC has refused to show Prof Mbadugha, SAN a copy of the Petition allegedly written against him, however in the process of opening the file by one Mr Babangida Yahaya, a staff of EFCC, Prof. Mbadugha sighted a letter from GTB which he believed is the petition.

Having since been subjected to endless invitations by EFCC, threats of arrest, mental torture, Prof. Mbadugha, SAN through his Counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome, PhD, SAN approached the FHC Abuja demanding for an enforcement of his fundamental human rights in consequence of which Hon. Justice I.E. Ekwo made the ex parte order of 21st February 2022 pursuant to Prof. Mbadugha, SAN’s ex parte application which was argued by his Counsel- Chief Mike Ozekhome, PhD, SAN
The said order and the originating substantive application have been served on the EFCC and all parties in the action.

At the resumed hearing on 25th February, 2022 in which EFCC and two of its staff who were sued with it and GTB were represented by counsel the learned trial judge - Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo made a confirmatory or a further order that none of the parties before the court should take any further step in respect of case which includes re-inviting and re-arresting the Applicant. Also, the court made an order for accelerated hearing of the substantive application and adjourned to 29th March, 2022 for hearing.

Cornel Osigwe

Head of Corporate Communications and Affairs
Innoson Group

To Boost Power Supply In LASUTH


The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved the purchase of three new 500 KVA Generators to boost the power supply in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). This was made known by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo in a statement recently

The power situation has become a challenge in recent times as the Mainland Independent Power Project had become epileptic because of the limited supply of gas to its turbines. This has made the hospital resort to using her generators but had to be rationing it.

According to the CMD, Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his magnanimity has stepped into the situation by approving the purchase of three brand new 500 KVA generators to the hospital and it will be installed this new week.

Professor Fabamwo appreciated all the clients within the hospital for bearing with her while the power outage lasted and assured the community that efforts are on to restore power normalcy across the hospital.

https://leaders.ng/sanwo-olu-approves-purchase-of-3-new-500-kva-generators-to-boost-power-supply-in-lasuth/

BREAKING: A'IBOM EXCO DISSOLVED

* Order to endorse Umo Eno during exco suffers setback

* Targets Commissioners with political interests

The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is contemplating dissolution of his cabinet following stiff resistance he is facing from his aides over directive for an unanimous endorsement of the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Mr. Umo Eno, as his preferred aspirant.

Our source in the government house, claims that the governor reached that decision after his meeting with prophet Achurume and Mr. Umo Eno at the Governor's Lodge yesterday.

She further disclosed that Udom will dissolve the cabinet today and that all commissoners with political aspiration will go except Umo Eno.

Others reportedly penicled down for sack are those opposing the selection of Umo as the preferred aspirant for the governorship ticket in PDP.

"Today may be the last exco meeting for some commissioners. They may be directed to endorse Umo Eno in the exco chamber and after that some of them will be sacked.

"I can reliably tell you that Iniobong Ememobong, Okpolump Etteh , Akan Okon, Glory Edet may likely be removed." She revealed.

In the meantime, the State executive council meeting is ongoing with the governor presiding.

Details later...
https://ourdailywire.com/breaking-aibom-exco-to-be-dissolved/

Frontline Presidential Aspirant on the platform of Coalition of Political Parties, Prince Adewole Adebayo has officially presented the book General Damkat Yah Bali (GCON) As Ponzhi Tarak Designate: A contextual Analysis of the Imbroglio 1990-2020.

According to Prince Adewole, the book contains 60 pages and have 6 Chapters. The presentation was held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton hotel, Abuja.  

He talks about the three P’s I.e Personality, People and Principles during the presentation. Adewole admonishes everyone to have a copy and read about the life of General Damkat Bali. Adewole who bought about 1000 copies of the book promises to extend the book to different schools and homes.

The Public Presentation of the book brought together dignitaries from all works of life. They includes the former Head of States, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Kedem Tallen, who represents President Muhammadu Buhari, minister of youths and sports development, Solomon Dalung, JT Useni, HE Murtala Nyako among others.

https://leaders.ng/pres_adebayo-presents-gen-damkat-yah-balis-book/

By Kelvin Adegbenga

On Thursday during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, the Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has said those who have lived in Lagos for 20 years have already lived in hell due to daily traffic congestion.
I was not surprised at the statement credited to el-Rufai as he is well known for making reckless speeches.
I believe that as we grow older and are saddled with more responsibilities, we are expected to become circumspect in our thinking and avoid recklessness in our speeches and utterances.
There is no doubt that the daily influx of people from crisis-ridden states like Kaduna State which is the most insecure state in the whole country with the highest rate of kidnapping, has contributed to the big human and vehicular pressure on the roads.
One of the major strategic moves of the Governor to reduce the daily traffic congestion is opening up many roads in the state.
From my research, the Sanwo-Olu administration has built over 94 roads and rehabilitated over 800 others
The road projects were undertaken to avert gridlock in major economic, commercial, and residential areas to reduce travel time.
These projects have made commuting stress-free, life more meaningful for the people, and ensured connectivity within the various communities in the state.
These projects are in line with the THEMES agenda; Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment, Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century state; Security and Governance especially the first pillar T, which stands for traffic management and transportation.
There is no doubt that the THEMES agenda also underscored the commitment of the administration to execute projects that directly impacted the quality of lives of residents.
For clarification purposes, I will list some of the completed road projects which include Pen-Cinema flyover, ramp and road works, Lagos Ogun Boundary roads Phase II, Lekki Oniru Traffic Circulation projects, network of 31 roads in Ojokoro, Aradagun-Epeme-Iworo-Ajido, and Somolu Road network among others.
Several others were under construction and being upgraded to further ensure the interconnectivity of different parts of the state. They include Oba Sekunmade Road, Agric Isawo Road, St. Finbarrs and Iwaya Roads, Lekki-Epe Expressway, from Eleko Junction to Epe T junction, and also Lekki Regional road project.

Other roads awarded included: Hospital Road in Badagry, Construction of Muwo Jetty in Ojo, Abaranje road network in Alimosho, Reverend Braithwaite in Epe.
Late 2021, Governor Sanwo-Olu would formally flag off the construction of a new ultramodern Massey Street Children’s hospital and the reconstruction/rehabilitation of Adeniji Adele Road under the Lagos Island Area North Action Plan.
Other newly awarded projects were: reconstruction of Moshalashi Street, Shomolu, rehabilitation/upgrading of Ademoye/Alake Lakonko Street in Alimosho, reconstruction of Onilegbale in Eti Osa, among others.
Known for matching action with his words, the Sanwo-Olu administration is ensuring the speedy completion of all the ongoing projects.
As part of measures to decongest Lagos road, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation had maintained 632 inner roads covering 192 kilometers in addition to over 24 public infrastructures to ensure the comfort of Lagos residents.
With the above, there is no doubt that the Sanwo-Olu administration has done exceedingly well in line with the THEMES agenda.
My advice to el-Rufai is to face the myriad of problems he has caused in Kaduna state instead of making comments capable of stoking division in Nigeria.
Instead of fixating on Lagos State and the soaring popularity of Governor Sanwo-Olu, I expect el-Rufai to show remorse that he was part of those who brought in crisis to Kaduna State, which has contributed to the big human and vehicular pressure on Lagos roads.

Kelvin Adegbenga writes from Festac Town, Lagos State He can be reached via @kelvinadegbenga

Gov, Accountant General, Akwa Ibom's most notorious thieves - PDP Founding Members

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel says the Chairman, Senate Committee on Oil and Gas and Senator Representing Uyo Senatorial district, Sen. Bassey Albert is a thief who must not be voted into office as Governor come 2023.

The Governor who spoke through his Personal Assistant on Media, Rev Richard Peters said, Akwa Ibom people cannot vote for a man who is presently facing criminal charges in court with the EFCC and that OBA is not fit to hold public service.

"OBA is a thief and nobody talks about him", he wrote on a facebook post he did response to a comment by Mr Anny Micheal, Special Assistant Media to Senator Bassey Albert. ...I understand your frustration and have few words for you, "Umo Eno is the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Bank on that. I will suggest that you channel your energy to your principal who is in court over some criminal activities while serving the public than to effortlessly attempt to speak I'll of a man whose records in private and public office speaks volume".

In his reply, Senator Albert's aide said the Governor has only succeeded through his media aide to express his foolishness when it comes to 2023.

"Rev'd Richard Peters, you have succeeded in expressing your foolishness because that has been you people's propaganda. God and the people know better that Senator Bassey Albert is a peace loving and development driven Leader who truly loves Akwa Ibom people. It is not your subjective view that will change the narrative", he said.

Reacting, Forum of Akwa Ibom PDP Founding Members through their Eket Senatorial District Coordinator, High Chief Samuel Ukpabio said the Governor should be ready to tell the world who the real thief is because they'll very soon start releasing some government documents to show the world the real thief.

The group said if it was only a verbal statement on corruption and stealing of public funds through contractors his former Chief of Staff made that led to his being fired by the Governor, but that Governor Udom should be ready to defend himself and his administration when secret documents start surfacing on the media which will prove beyond reasonable doubts that the Governor and his Accountant General are the most notorious Akwa Ibom has ever produced.

The group said Akwa Ibom people should reject the so called peace campaign as a Governor who wants peace will not be the one sending his media aides to abuse other aspirants but here is a sitting Governor sponsoring his media aides to be insulting anybody not supporting Umo Eno even when he is the bigger thief himself.

https://ourdailywire.com/2023-oba-is-a-thief-gov-udom-emmanuel-declares/

Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly Prof Nora Ladi Daduut ,
has advocated the need to adopt a more holistic approach in tackling security challenges facing the country .



Daduut who expressed sorrow at the continued abduction of women and girls by insurgents and bandits in the country said women and girls in the country have continued to suffer abductions both in the hands of insurgents and bandits.


“As a mother, I share the sorrow and agony of the victims and their families."



A statement made available to newsmen in Jos and signed by the Senator said she made this known while Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday in support of a motion sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn N’Allah and other Senators .


Senator Daduut a Professor of French called on Nigerians to support the Federal government and the Senate in it's fight to tackle insecurity in the country



The statement reads that " I would always support any motion to tackle insecurity especially banditry that has ravaged several communities in the country especially in the Northern parts ."



Daduut who commended security operatives for the good works they are doing to tackle insecurity,however called on them to do more and ensure that citizens of the country stay peacefully with one another at all times .


Senator Daduut who applauded the leadership style of the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan vowed to always put the interest of her constituents first in all her dealings while in the National Assembly .


The Senator further lauded the peace building efforts of Governor Simon Lalong and called on citizens of Plateau to support him .

It could be recalled that the Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal government to deploy massively, the military and other law enforcement agencies to conduct a rigorous operation that would end the cases of banditry and cattle rustling in parts of the country .

https://leaders.ng/daduut/

The Progressive Youth Movement (PYM) is encouraging the APC caretaker extraordinary committee to keep true to its promise to hold the National Convention on February 26th 2022.
Mr President, party stakeholders, party faithful and all aspirants at the upcoming convention have been very patient and tolerant of the continuous postponements and delays in conducting the convention. We believe that conducting the convention on February 26, 2022 will exhibit the sincerity and integrity of the Mai Mala Buni led caretaker extraordinary convention planning committee. We also implore the committee to involve all stakeholders in the selection process for consensus candidates if the party decides to tow that line. As the majority stakeholders in the party, we expect that the caretaker committee will take certain factors into consideration when and if it decides to select a consensus candidate.

1. A healthy agile chairman
2. A chairman that can be a bridge between the younger stakeholders and the elders in the party
3. A technology savvy chairman that unders that it is time to digitalise our party affairs
4. A stern, sincere individual who believe in equity fairness and justice and who exhibits this in their day to day life
5. An accessible individual, one who has a plan for all party members especially the young stakeholders.

We specifically implore the caretaker extraordinary committee not to bring any aged individual with a clear disconnect from the majority of members within the party.

We will resist imposition of any candidate that is simply too old for the job, as we are venturing into an election year, it is imperative that we have an individual who is able to withstand the vigors and rigorous activities involved in partaking in a general election during a transitional government.

We also implore our leaders to ensure that there are positions reserved for young stakeholders within the party. Those reserved positions will also be determined by young stakeholders.

We believe in the APC and her capacity to conduct a peaceful rancor free convention where majority of her members are happy with the outcome.

We continue to pledge our support and loyalty to our dear party the APC and we will continue to do everything to restore the APC to it’s original values which won the hearts of the Nigerian people in 2014.

We entreat everyone with personal interest especially the governors to put the success of the party above everything else, because we are not ready to be opposition in 2023, we want to win all our elections easily.

To ensure the success of the party it is imperative that the convention is transparent and equitable.

Signed Prince Mustapha Audu - Leader Progressive Youth Movement

https://dailytrust.com/well-resist-imposition-of-candidates-at-convention-apc-youth

2023: ‘One Good Term Deserves Another’, Senate President, Lawan Endorses Gov Sanwo-Olu For Reelection


The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has stated that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State deserved a second term, for the good work he had done in the state.

Lawan said this in Ikeja, at the 5th Town Hall Meeting and Empowerment Programme organised by the lawmaker representing Lagos West in the Senate, Sen. Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

He commended Sanwo-Olu for delivering the dividends of good governance to the people of Lagos state, hence, validating the state’s position as the economic and commercial nerve centre of the country.

The Senate President said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership across the country had watched with satisfaction the giant strides made by Sanwo-Olu, stating that without any equivocation, that the governor deserved re-election.

”We have been watching you over the past two and half years. You have been very wonderful. You have been consistent in terms of service delivery to the people of Lagos and indeed this country. You were focused,” he said.

According to him, the tremendous achievements the state recorded within a short period under the Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s watch needed to progress.

”One good term you’re doing deserves another term,” Lawan told Sanwo-Olu.

The Senate President commended Sen. Adeola for his contributions to the robustness of the Senate and his efforts to uplift his constituents, through regular empowerment.

Lawan called for more support for the APC, assuring that the ruling party was up to the task of defeating the opposition again.

On his part, Gov. Sanwo-Olu lauded Adeola’s empowerment programme, noting that some of the items, such as the ambulances and hospital equipment, would go beyond party affiliations, when they become operational.

He described Adeola’s efforts as complementing those of President Muhammadu Buhari and of the state government.

Sanwo-Olu said that his administration was committed to further develop Lagos State in all ramifications, promising that he would continue to carry out human-friendly projects that would have positive impacts on residents and by extension, Nigeria


https://swiftreporters.com/2023-one-good-term-deserves-another-senate-president-lawan-endorses-gov-sanwo-olu-for-reelection/

By Adewole Kehinde


“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” -St Francis of Assisi.

Petroleum is a vital source of energy and essential raw material in the manufacturing process all over the world. Nigeria’s demand for refined petroleum products has outgrown the nation's supply because of growth in population and socio-economic activities.

Every aspect of life in Nigeria is connected and dependent on happenings in the oil and gas sector; Electricity generation and transportation rely exclusively on diesel and petrol products, which drive the Nigerian economy.

The Nigerian passenger system depends on the road system, which consumes a high quantity of petroleum products. In Nigeria, oil consumption by the transportation sector accounts for 80% of total petroleum products. Road transport dominates over 90% of all transport in terms of kilometer coverage

The recent recall of adulterated fuel across the country took effect on supply the supply chains thereby causing shortage in supply of Petroleum Motor Spirit otherwise known as Petrol.

It is on record that for the past three years, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mal Mele Kyari has put an end to long queues in our filling stations and all the festive period within the three years has never experienced a shortage of Petroleum Motor Spirit.

How did he succeed in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy an adequate supply of Petroleum Motor Spirit across the country? Well since he assumed office, he had taken calculated steps to ensure more openness in the activities of the Corporation and, the Transparency, Accountability, and Performance Excellence (TAPE) agenda has brought about greater transparency and accountability in NNPC’s management of Nigerian oil and gas revenues to date.

On resuming office he had to face many challenges ranging from a shortage of PMS, scarcity, hiked pricing and adulteration, product diversion, hoarding at retail outlets, pipeline vandalism, and cross-border smuggling to neighboring countries among others.

The TAPE Agenda has ensured that both management and operations staff carries out their duties with the highest level of ethical standards to break away from the old perception of the Company as a center of sleaze.

Let me, first of all, commend the most transparent and accountable CEO of NNPC Limited for his bold actions. This is the first time an institution of our Government has come out transparently and boldly, to admit to a lapse or failure in its management procedure.

Like in the words of Peter Drucker, “Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not, attributes,” Kyari has gone further to apologized to the Nigerian public which is an innovative dimension in the Nigeria government attitude to such lapses on such issues.

His action has indicated that there is hope for a better future after all.

I am sure that for the past one week, Mal Mele Kyari had not slept for 6 hours daily as aside from directing Oil Marketing Companies to sustain sufficient distribution of Petrol in all retail outlets nationwide.

He has been visiting the depots to ensure adequate supply is sustained. I was to see him at one of the depots saying “as I speak to you at this moment, loading has commenced in all depots in the country, dispatches of trucks are ongoing in all the depots in the country.” That is a man that matches his words with actions.

He has assured Nigerians of over a 300million liters of Petroleum Moto Spirits which has replaced the 100million liters recalled and more of the product is expected to arrive into the country daily over the coming weeks and months.

Mall Mele Kyari deserves Nigerians standing ovation for sustaining an adequate supply of Petroleum products for the past 3 years without major interruption thereby eliminating incidents of scarcity.

I must commend the role of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in supporting Mal Mele Kyari and his management team in sustaining an adequate supply of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as Petrol.

Nigerians must start supporting leadership that is as transparent and accountable as the present leadership at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as it is recorded that Mal Mele Kyari is the first GMD to have accepted lapses and immediately took adequate steps in correcting the anomalies.

On behalf of a progressive mind like mine, I am extending our sincere appreciation to Mal Mele Kyari and his management team for sustaining an uninterrupted supply of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as Petrol.

I will conclude this write-up with the wise says of Douglas MacArthur “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent”.

Adewole Kehinde is the Publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached via 08166240846, 08123608662

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the inaugurated the newly-constructed Senator Oluremi Tinubu Amuwo-Odofin Modern Primary Healthcare Centre.

The governor, who was accompanied by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat and members of the state executive council, said that the project was a demonstration of the modest achievement entrenched in the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.

He said his government was committed to ensuring developmental projects, qualitative education, healthcare, intermodal transportation, completing phase one of the blue line projects and also the commencement of the second phase, rebuilding the Navy Town road, which would be completed before the end of the year, among other projects.

He, therefore, urged people in Amuwo Odofin and Oriade to continue to live in peace and harmony with each other and co-operate with the government at all levels.

Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Council, Valentine Buraimoh, said the ultramodern primary health centre named after Senator Oluremi Tinubu in recognition of her children-oriented programmes and initiative as the First Lady in Lagos was designed to serve as a mini general hospital with wards, laboratory diagnosis hub, mini theatre, consulting rooms, among others.

The United Young Professionals has commended the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mal Mele Kyari, for ensuring that Nigerians have a sufficient supply of petrol despite the disruption in some parts of the country due to the discovery of off-spec products in circulation.

According to a press release on Friday, 11th February 2022 signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Group, Maryann Adegbenga, she said that despite distractions from some quarters, Mallam Kele Kyari has been able to restore sanity in the supply and distribution of quality Premium Motor Spirit within a short period.

“Despite the uproar which greeted news of the importation and resultant distribution of the adulterated Premium Motor Spirit into the country, the GMD/CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mallam Kele Kyari, was not deterred but remained focused to salvage the situation by ensuring that about 300 million litres of petrol imported to close the supply gap caused by the recall of the off-spec products in circulation, the statement said.

“Despite denials and counterclaims by marketers on the importation of the off-spec products, Mallam Mele Kyari was not bothered, he was very decisive and he took an unprecedented step to make sure we have enough fuel and we as Young Professionals must commend him and his management team for this, the statement said.

It would be recalled that both the GMD of NNPC and the CEO of NMDPRA at separate press briefings on Tuesday, confirmed the importation of adulterated PMS by some oil marketers into the country.

The GMD NNPC said its investigation has revealed the presence of Methanol in four petrol cargoes imported by MRS, Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium, Oando, and Duke Oil.

The NMDPRA boss, on his part, told journalists on Tuesday that, “petrol with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification, was discovered in the supply chain,” adding that, “Methanol is a regular additive in petrol and is usually blended in an acceptable quantity.”

On the other hand, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) had said it would ensure that clean petrol is pushed to consumers to avoid scarcity.

Lagosians from all works of life have expresses support for the second-term bid of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for continuity and completion of his laudable projects

In an independent online survey carried out in all the local government in the state, many Lagosians are in support of a second-term agenda for Governor Sanwo-Olu, who they said, has brought about laudable transformation of the state.

As revealed in the online survey which was conducted by FREDDAN Continental Consultancy, a team of Development Experts and International Poll Analyst, a larger percentage of the respondents showed their readiness to support a second-term bid of Governor Sanwo-Olu.

Last week, there was a purported move by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to replace Governor Sanwo-Olu with the Head of Service, Alhaji Hakeem Muri Okunola , a report that has been denied by the Governor’s Advisory Council.

According to the figures derived from the survey, which was carried out in two parts, online and SMS survey, 64.68 per cent of the respondents were against a second term bid.

It was deduced that the respondent who were below 40 per cent still hold the governor responsible for the EndSARS debacle, while the SMS Survey which targeted respondents over 40 years, 71.40 per cent expressed their readiness to support a second term agenda from the governor.

According to the information gathered, they stated that the proactive and frontal management of the COVID-19 pandemic, his giant strides in the infrastructural sector as well as his easy going nature are part of the qualities which has continued to endear them to him.

The survey covered all the local government areas and Local Area Development Areas of the state with a total number of 77,605 respondents been recorded.

A breakdown of the figures show Alimosho – 13,000; Ajeromi/Ifelodun -950, Kosofe – 9,535, Mushin – 402 and Oshodi/Isolo – 1,200. Others are Ojo – 1,420, Ikorodu – 725, Surulere – 1,350, Agege – 1,390, Ifako Ijaye – 1,225, Somolu – 780 and Amuwo Odofin – 1,885. Others are Lagos Mainland – 1,450, Ikeja – 12,400, Eti-Osa – 3,520, Badagry – 420, Apapa – 8,200, Lagos Island – 13,720, Epe – 2,622 , Ibeju-Lekki – 1,410.

https://leaders.ng/lagosians-want-sanwo-olu-re-elected-survey/



The Kwara State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed disappointment with the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan over his blanket commendation for the State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on his performance in the last 32 months while describing his understanding of what constitutes good governance as “too low, warped, pedestrian and archaic”.

In a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, queried Lawan to explain what informed his judgment that Abdulrazaq has performed well when he did not inspect any completed or ongoing project embarked upon by the Kwara State Government nor any policy initiative of the government.

“Maybe other considerations except for concrete and verifiable policy, Programme or project informed the opinion of the Senator from Yobe North, it is strange for a politician of his caliber to make such a blanket statement. The Senate President is simply promoting mediocrity and that says something about his integrity as a politician.

“It must be that the Senate President has a low sense of appreciation and understanding of good governance or efficient service delivery by the executive arm of government to the people. He spoke like a man with a low standard and he shouldn’t equate the low standard in his state to that of Kwara. The Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq administration must be rejoicing that they were able to easily pull the wool over the face of the Senator. The Senate President did not come out better than a local government chairman in his judgment as expressed in his statement on Saturday.

“Kwarans will disagree that the current government under whom the education sector, health services, infrastructure, urban sanitation, rural and community development, and welfare of civil servants have all collapsed and in a poor state is doing well.
“Except he will invite the number three man to Commission the patching of potholes on roads and the plastering on school buildings that the government-funded at exorbitantly inflated costs, Abdulrahman has nothing to show for the huge allocation from the federal government, the improved internally generated revenue made possible by his predecessors, the huge funds from intervention agencies and the money that the COVID-19 period brought into the state.

“Abdulrazaq is not only the least educated governor that Kwara State ever has, but he is also disorganised and weird in his style of governance. There must be something wrong if Lawan who has been in the National Assembly for almost 23 years believes it is good governance to have a governor who does not hold executive council meetings and runs government through WhatsApp. Something is wrong with Lawan’s sense of judgment and standard of service delivery in governance.

“This same governor refused to implement the National Minimum Wage Act passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President until two weeks ago when he introduced a haphazard system in which many categories of workers were short-changed. He has equally disorganised his party and remains clueless while security threats that are consuming the neighbouring Niger State are spreading to Kwara without taking any measure to stem it.

“To further educate the Senate President, we will inform him that if he chooses to know, he can be taken on a tour to verify 200 solid projects initiated by the Saraki and Ahmed administrations in their 16 years in office. We will just mention four of such projects that he saw but refused to acknowledge as he drove into Kwara State from the airport last Saturday. First, the Ilorin Airport where he landed had been abandoned and was not in use when Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Lawan’s predecessor as Senate President, became governor. His administration undertook the reconstruction and also made special arrangements with Overland Airline to operate daily flights to and from Ilorin. It was part of the Urban renewal and reawakening of commercial activities in the state. The administration however got a refund from the Federal Government. The Saraki government built the Cargo terminal which was to be used for the export of agricultural products as well as the Kwara Aviation College through which many pilots had been trained for Nigerian airlines. The Geri Alimi to Eyenkorin road the road on which Lawan drove from the airport into town used to be one narrow road until the Saraki administration dualized it. The Ahmed administration also built the Geri-Alimi diamond underpass along the same road. The flyover at the Post Office Road has also been constructed by the Saraki administration. However, since Senator Lawan was not interested in facts but sheer political sentiments, he did not see all these projects and if he saw them, he did not bother to ask relevant questions.

“Also, last month, Borno Governor, Babagana Zulu visited Kwara State University, Malete, and was praising Abdulrazaq for the quality of facility in the institution. It was embarrassing for the Kwara State Governor because the praise was meant for the Saraki administration which established the university and provided all the enduring facilities there. The Abdulrazaq administration has not as much added a single brick to the school.

“We can tell Lawan and his ilk more. However, we will stop here since we know people like him are only interested in politics. Development does not matter to them. A man occupying a high office like Lawan should rise above petty politics. He should be a statesman not a common third-rate, provincial politician”, the PDP stated.

https://leaders.ng/senate-president-lawan-has-warped-understanding-of-good-governance-pdp/

Last weekend a longtime friend and I had a rendezvous to share drinks, discuss about business, life and most certainly banter.Topic after topic, we eventually got to discuss the Nigerianpolitical sphere and the 2023 elections – with emphasis on who and who are the most ‘qualified’ to lead this nation of ours. My friend holds the view that for justice and equity, the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern part of the country, since the current President is of Northern origin. He further stated that political parties should give priority to those from the South East since they remain the only region in Southern Nigeria that hasn’t produced a President in this current democratic dispensation.

Despite rooting for the South East, my friend expressedreservation about the ability of the South East to maintain a united front in producing a candidate that possesses the political clout and pedigree that is of national appeal – in view of the constitutional requirement of certain percentage of national votes across states needed in order to win a presidential election. This observation made me to reflect on the possible personsfrom the South East whose presidential candidacy can allay the fear of my friend and others in his school of thought. I carefully began to access the profiles of the various Presidential hopefuls from the zone and their acceptance outside the region and went ahead to ask my friend what he thought about Senator AnyimPius Anyim’s chances.

Born in Ishiagu, Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State, on February 19, 1961to a modest family, Senator Anyim obtained his Bachelor of Laws Degree from Imo State University and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. The need for continuous personal development spurred the young lawyer to embark on a post graduate study at the University of Jos, thereby obtaining a Master of Laws Degree in 1996. He has also had a stint in private legal practice.

Although Anyim had held several public leadership positions prior to 1999, these were not in elective capacity. His first shot at elective political office was his election as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the age of 37. While representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, the distinguished senator did not allow his youthfulness to serve as a hindrance to his political advancement, as he would later by unanimous decision of his colleagues, emerge as the Senate President on August, 10, 2000.The unanimous support of the Senate, which is representative of the various constituencies that make up the Nigerian federation, is a testament of the national appeal and acceptance which the distinguished senator possesses even as an individual who was fairly new to the political space.

The hallmark of leadership sagacity of the senator was evident from his ability to manage a highly polarized Senate that saw three leaderships emerge within a single dispensation. The distinguished Senator Anyim was able to bring his leadership skill to bear by galvanizing the divers interest in the Senate thusallying the fears of perceived marginalized groups. Despite spending less than three years at the helm of affairs as Senate President, the Senate was still able to create landmark legislations such as: Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) Establishment Act; Onshore/Offshore Dichotomy Act;Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, etc.

Although, the distinguished senator did not seek elective political office after he left the senate, he still remained a party faithful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Even when the party’s decision to settle for a consensus arrangement for PDP Chairmanship in 2007 wasn’t in his favour, he remained a commited party man in an era where it is fashionable for politicians to defect from one party to another – depicting him as a statesman who is politically stable. Perhaps, this may be one of the factors which influenced his consideration and appointment as the first non-career civil servant to be appointed as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) by the President Goodluck Jonathan in May 2011.

Apart from his dutiful performance of the functions of his office as SGF, Senator Anyim gave stellar administrative support and was instrumental to most of the landmark achievements of the Jonathan administration. He was the administrative coordinator of the Justice Belgore chaired National Constitutional Conference in 2014. Sen. Anyim was in charge of the Presidential Committee of the national centenary celebration that same year. The Transformation Agenda of the administration was coordinated by the office of the SGF. In recognition of the need for transparency and self-appraisal in government, the Senator formulated and implemented the trailblazing mid-term report which highlighted the activities of the administration.

Outside political positions, Senator Anyim has also demonstrated his selfless and humanitarian disposition through the establishment of the Senator Anyim Pius Anyim Service Library Ltd/Gte, a testament of the Senator’s desire for educational advancements, youth mentorship and human capital development. As a trustee of the Chioma Anyim Foundationfounded in 2008, Senator Anyim has been able to make funds available for young persons who are in need of scholarship,personal needs, health needs, housing needs and capital support for business start-ups. They also provide welfare support for elderly people aa well as other vulnerable categories of persons.There is no doubt that this social welfare disposition of the distinguished Senator would get even better replication at theNational level upon his emergence as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria is in dire need of this form of leadership, given the rising rate of vices and decadence amongst Nigerian youths of late and the growing need for better living conditions in the country.

Having considered the rich profile of Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the conclusion of the matter to me (and certainly a lot of other Nigerias), is that the cap fits Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Sixtus Abbah, a Public Affair Analyst, writes from Lagos.

https://leaders.ng/2023-presidency-anyim-whom-the-cap-fits/

2023: Stakeholders in Urue-Offong/Oruko deny endorsing Umo Eno as Akwa Ibom governor

The stakeholders, members, and believers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Urue-Offong/Oruko LGA and Oro Nation in general, have denied endorsing Umo Eno as the next governor of Akwa Ibom.

The PDP members warned against using their name to endorse a man they described as 'an unpopular candidate'

In a statement sent to journalists on Saturday, February 5, 2022, the group said:

We are not surprised of the news of the purported endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno by the PDP delegates of the area. Pastor Umo Eno is the kite being flown by His Excellency Udom Emmanuel as his preferred gubernatorial aspirant of the party.

Considering the fact that Nigeria is yet to slip into the stiff hands of despotic and oligarchic tyrants, we are aware that our rights to full participation in the internal democracy of our party cannot be denied.

To situate their stance concerning the PDP governorship ticket in 2023, the stakeholders of the area categorically state as follows:

1. That the Honourable Commissioner from Urue Offong Oruko LGA in the Executive Council of Akwa Ibom State, Rt Hon Chief Uno Etim Uno called the meeting of the few selected stakeholders of the council, alongside statutory delegates at his residence at Shelter Afrique on Friday, February 4, 2022. He used government instruments and mercenaries within his powers to convoke delegates for the meeting. Before leaving for the said meeting, delegates had alerted leaders of their different wards who charged them to attend it but on the condition that nothing incriminating should be entered into.

2. The attendees only signed the attendance list. They never knew anything about the endorsement communique at the time of registering their attendance. The claimed endorsement is a fraud and it is undemocratic. We see this as overzealous, unpatriotic and lawless. PDP as a party has a standard, set rules, principles, and modus of choosing its candidates for any election.

3. Using the instruments of government to coerce the despondent, unsuspecting, economically amputated and innocent delegates to endorse documents while the Party has not given its nod for such an exercise amounts to putting the cart before the horse. Perpetrators of such heinous acts deserve the sanction of the party. If the party was to endorse the governor's choice, that would have taken place at the state secretariat, where the governor went with Umo Eno for consultation.

4. Urue Offong Oruko LGA is a council that is saturated with very responsible, responsive, knowledgeable, patriotic, decent, democratic, highly-educated, and law-abiding citizens who would not dabble into unlawful, questionable and feebleminded betrayal in the guise of any adoption.

5. It is, therefore, reiterated that the purported endorsement by Urue Offong Oruko statutory delegates is null and void. Such grave blunder cannot be undertaken by reputable, sophisticated and highly principled stakeholders of the area. It is hasty, questionable and apparently suspicious. It is clear that this ill-advised action is tailored at ruining the gains and beauty of our cherished democracy. It should be discountenanced and utterly rejected.

6. We, therefore, charge every responsible and law-abiding member of the party to remain calm.

Those who signed the statement include Edet John Uno, Udeme Victor Eta, Ita Okon Esu among other prominent stakeholders and delegates of PDP in the area.