₦airaland Forum

Akwa Ibom Rerun Election Adjudged Peaceful

Akwa Ibom electio has been termed as the voice of the people. The re-run election into four State House of Assembly seats in Akwa Ibom State has been adjudged peaceful and without any major hitch.

Election observes said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recorded success with its experiment of conducting accreditation and voting simultaneously in the Saturday election.

Election materials arrived voting units early in areas visited by Channels Television.

High turnout was recorded at most areas in Ibesikpo Asutan, Etinan, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas while a few units had less than the registered number.

Voting was concluded by 2:00pm local time at most units across the affected local government areas.

The card readers in polling units visited walked perfectly, with minor complaint at a few units.

Some of the voters said that the procedures from the INEC to the RAC centres were commendable, as materials got to polling units early.

Some said the election was free and fair.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Oron/Udung Uko constituency in the election, Mr Victor Okon, had announced his withdrawal from the election, leaving his Poeples Democratic Party opponent as the only contestant for that constituency.

http://www.channelstv.com/2016/03/12/akwa-ibom-rerun-election-adjudged-peaceful/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter



Here are pictures from the just-concluded elections rerun in Akwa Ibom State. These pictures confirm the election was free and fair, peaceful and non-violent.

A whole NAN, story with no pictures? That's sad! The March 12 Election Rerun in Akwa Ibom State has so far been very peaceful. Here are pictures from different units/wards from Obot Akara (including a photo of the Akwa Ibom State REC commending the peaceful conduct of the polls - taken at Ibesikpo Asutan). In the pictures, law-abiding citizens are seen taking part (undisturbed) in the elections.

Congratulations to Governor Udom Emmanuel's New Media Aide Mrs. Meflyn Anwana and her husband William, over the arrival of their lovely baby boy. Here are pictures of the family and their new (cute) baby!

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

My Kpomo is a debut track that you will be listening to frequently in the club and everywhere in town! Voiced by the newest kid on the block Bob Dula, My Kpomo, produced by BardBishop Music, is the next big thing! The handsome, romantic and 'Mr. flexible' Bob Dula (Real name Mandu Peter Udofia) was born on 6 January 1987 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria into a royal family. My Kpomo is a love song that appeals to all classes of people in our society. This is Bob Dula's debut track and he's got street credibility too! Download, share and enjoy this hot jam My Kpomo by Bob Dula. Click https://my.notjustok.com/track/73272/my-kpomo-bob-dula-bardbishop-music

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Feel Free to use them! Valentine plenty oo, no kill yaself for 2016 own oo!

www.wetinhappenpr.com

Press Statement by Akwa Ibom Leaders Caucus

Limits of Irresponsibility: APC Leaders’ Unwarranted Attack on the Supreme Court

We have watched with utter disbelief and dismay, the cacophonous utterances bordering on irresponsibility by leaders of the All Progressives Congress since they and their candidates woefully lost their ill-advised gambit to illicitly emasculate and trample upon the will the people expressed through the ballot.

While one may be tempted to dismiss their utterances as the sour grapes of a bad loser, their actions, especially in denigrating the sacred pillars of our country calls into question their understanding of the foundations of Nigeria.

The APC leaders' display of irresponsibility started well before the Supreme Court judgments. After the Appeal courts nullified the elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, Chief John Oyegun, the chairman of the party declared that the party will take over the two states at all cost.
He was so emphatic about Akwa Ibom State: 'I am more than confident of winning Akwa Ibom than any other state in the South-South. We are going to win, that is almost a certainty' At this point, the Supreme Court, the final arbiter in the matter of electoral disputes was yet to reach a determination on the case.

It is either Chief Oyegun wanted to intimidate the apex court or believed such inconsiderate pressure will steer and tilt towards a weighting of the decision of the court in their favour.

If the former was the case, it is a pathetic commentary on the values of those running the country that they see no institution as too sacred to be debased in their inordinate greed for power. If the latter was the case, it may explain why the Appeal Courts nullified the election in the two states, against the run of commonsense and the law.

It is also possible that the APC leader committed the fatal flaw of believing his own propaganda. Having marketed the lie that there was no election in Akwa Ibom State, and even when they contradicted themselves by claiming there was no election and alleging at the same time that there was over voting, they still believed their lie that they had a case.

Unfortunately for him, the courts (especially the Supreme Court) are not theatres of sentiments or propaganda. They are theatres for determining objective reality and that reality was that elections held in Akwa Ibom State and Udom Emmanuel was the winner.
It is a reality APC desired to wish away but given the strength of truth inherent in this case, certainly wishes could not turn into horses for fools to ride.

Shortly after making his 'greed for power' declaration in respect of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, the Supreme Court upheld the election of Chief Nyesom Wike in Rivers State. At this point Oyegun could no longer contain his frustration.

As the reality dawned on him, he threw caution to the wind and called for the probing of the Supreme Court, an unheard of and bizarre proposition in the annals of this country. In his own words, he found the judgment 'astonishing'. He should do. What he should not and could not have done was question the integrity and the sanctity of the Supreme Court. In fact, Chief Oyegun committed sacrilege and must face severe and commensurate censure. In fact, he should be committed for contempt of the Supreme Court.

He is so frustrated because, in his own words, the oil producing states should not remain in the hands of the opposition. To quote him, "We have lost very important resource-rich states to the PDP. No matter how crude oil prices have fallen, it is still the most important revenue earner for the country. I will take up your request to facilitate a meeting with the President. We will do that as soon as possible and also make it clear that there are problems which as a party, we must address'.

Clearly this was about the party having access to the oil wealth of the South South states. Was this 'greed for oil' enough to desecrate our judiciary and attempt to subjugate the will of the people?

On Wednesday, 03 February 2016, the Supreme Court heard the Appeals filed by Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) challenging the Court of Appeal Judgments nullifying the Governorship election held in Akwa Ibom State on 11 April 2015.

The Supreme Court after hearing arguments from all the parties allowed the Appeals and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal and thereafter adjourned to 15 February 2016 to give reasons for its Judgments.

The above decisions by the Supreme Court have led to the unnecessary and unprofessional maligning of the Supreme Court by those perceived to be sympathetic to the APC candidates. More worrisome is the fact that prominent amongst those condemning the Supreme Court are renowned legal minds that ought to know that the Supreme Court has not given reason for its decisions. One will ask, on what basis do they anchor their conclusions that the Supreme Court was at fault? Is it on law or sentiment?

A professor of law, Itse Sagay was reportedly quoted in Punch Newspaper report of 05 February 2016 as describing the Supreme Court decisions on Governorship polls including Akwa Ibom and Rivers as strange and liking the Supreme Court to an ancient King called Draco who punished every crime by death. He further reportedly queried: "How can all the governorship cases go the same way? How is that possible? That is the question we are all awaiting when they will give the reasons for their judgments. "I don't know how to put it, but it's very strange. We will wait for them to give their reasons and see how that magic occurred that every governorship election was valid and in line with the Electoral Act. It is very unprecedented. We will see when they give their full judgment that is it for now."

It is unfortunate that the learned professor of law who fully understands the need to await the outcome of the reasons and the full judgments of the apex Court opted to jump the gun by likening the Supreme Court to an inglorious ancient King called Draco. Such unwarranted maligning of our sacred national institution should not come from a man of Sagay's status. It calls to question the objectiveness of his stance on this critical national issue.

More strange and worrisome is the fact that Prof Sagay who probably has not read the processes filed by all the parties, nor has had the benefit of hearing from both sides found it convenient to attack the Supreme Court on the pages of Newspapers. Had Prof. Sagay taken a time out to review the evidence presented by the Petitioners in the course of trial, he would have seen through the Supreme Court Judgment.

A situation where the Petitioners who challenged Election in over 2988 polling units called only 48 witnesses out of which only 3 polling units agents testified. The so-called expert evidence which feebly attempted (without success) to analyze the result sheets and electoral forms were out-rightly rejected by the Tribunal. The Petitioners' case was riddled with contradictions both in terms of pleadings and evidence adduced at the trial. These contradictions later re-surfaced in the judgments of both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. For instance, while the Tribunal anchored its nullification of 18 Local Governments out of 31 LGAs on disenfranchisement of voters, the Tribunal totally ignored the age long principles of law settled by the Supreme Court on polling unit by polling unit proof of allegation of disenfranchisement.

Sadly, the Court of Appeal did not correct this anomaly but instead having seen the weakness of the Petitioners' evidence on disenfranchisement, the lower Court opted to suo motu raise the issue of over-voting relying on the Card Reader Report that was tendered through the bar without calling the maker to be cross-examined. The Court of Appeal further raised several fresh issues and resolved them in favour of the Petitioners without calling the parties to address it on those fresh issues and thereby breached the right of fair hearing of Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and his Party. Such conflicting judgments based on conflicting evidence ordinarily cannot be sustained by any Supreme Court that is out to do justice devoid of fear or favour.

Prof. Sagay evidently did not bother to cross-check the facts of the case in Akwa Ibom State but opted to make a sweeping condemnation of the apex Court without having the benefit of the reasons for such Judgments.

It is not only disturbing but equally paradoxical that the same APC Leadership that lauded the Supreme Court just recently for throwing out Wike's Appeal challenging the sitting of Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja as being against the law will now turn around to malign the same Supreme Court for exercising its constitutional duty. Similarly, this same Supreme Court being maligned, without prompting, affirmed the victories of APC in Zamfara, Ogun, Oyo and Osun States!

The Supreme Court was lauded by the APC Leadership as representing the final hope of common man. One then wonders why this same APC Leadership is now crying foul now. What a double-speak! Must all judgments be in favour of APC to meet their sense of justice? The call to probe and possibly arrest the Justices of the Supreme Court by the APC leadership portends a great danger to our great country. It is simply an invitation to anarchy. If people reject the rulings of the Supreme Court when it does not go their way, where would we be heading as a country?
The APC Candidate in Akwa Ibom Governorship Election, Umana Okon

Umana in his recent address to APC supporters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital equally took a swipe at the Judgment of the apex Court. Same with the report by the little known Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), which prides itself as the foremost independent citizen election observers group in Nigeria with over 400 members. One wonders why the Petitioners did not find it expedient to tender the so- called report of the TMG on Akwa Ibom Election but opted to tender the Police Report, which as it turned out contradicted and destroyed the entire case of the Petitioners.

Dakuku Peterside, the APC candidate in the last gubernatorial election in Rivers State has gone further to specifically accuse Justice Mary Odili, JSC, of facilitating a determination of the court, 'which was not a product of justice but rather a product of compromise and orchestrate contrivance to legalize electoral violence'. The allegation is symptomatic of the malaise and lack of decorum plaquing APC and its leaders.
For how can anyone, other than a person of his ilk without any iota of value, design to denigrate a person of proven superior quality like Justice Odili, and debase and desecrate the Supreme Court simply because he lost a case which was defective in construction and embarrassingly lacking in veracity?

As if the denigration of the sanctity of the Supreme Court by the party hierarchy was not enough, the South South Executive of the party issued a very obnoxious statement calling on Mr. President to institute a high powered enquiry to ascertain the incorruptibility and sanctity of the Supreme Court'.

The Chairman of the APC in Akwa Ibom State has also called for the probing of the apex. Nothing could be greater confirmation that the insanity plaguing the leadership of the party at the centre has trickled down the ranks.

So the Supreme Court which survived even the most draconian military regimes in this country must be destroyed because APC could not take the oil producing states through sheer brigandage? Is nothing beyond the realms of irresponsibility of power hungry, desperate, clueless and failed politicians?

APC leaders have failed woefully to demonstrate the leadership, which their offices imbue on them. One thinks they would have waited for the Supreme Court to give the reasons for their decisions. Perhaps they need to learn the rudiments of democracy, which include the separation of powers of the three arms of government, respect for court decisions and grace in electoral defeat. For now, they have power without responsibility. It is sad and clearly explains why this country is wobbling under their leadership.

Signed

1. Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga
2. Senator Anietie Okon
3. Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien
4. Senator Effiong Bob
5. Rt. Hon Ndueso Essien
6. Rt. Hon Dr Esio Oquong-Udoh
7. Chief Okon Essang
8. Obong Paul Ekpo
9. Engr. Offiong Akpabio (Obong)

Akwa Ibom Leaders Caucus

Source: www.wetinhappenPR.com

Aww..nice, but I'm not feeling it like any of those Gongo Aso tracks. It's Sugar Sugar everywhere, hope say person no go get diabetes from this track o.

BEING THE TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. UDOM EMMANUEL, GOVERNOR, AKWA IBOM STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE OVER THE SUPREME COURT VICTORY THAT AFFIRMED HIS VICTORY AT THE POLLS- WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016, AT GODSWILL AKPABIO’S STADIUM, UYO.

FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!

Fellow Akwa Ibomites,

Let me begin this speech by wishing my wife, our dear First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel a Happy Birthday! Thank you darling for all your love and support, you are indeed, one in a million.

To God be the glory! My brothers and sisters in the Lord, I stand here before you today humbled by the grace of the Almighty God upon my life and that of my family, the grace of God upon the collective will of this state; I stand here emboldened by His love, focused by his mercies, defined and shaped by his strength.

A little over a week ago, the opposition had written us off as endangered political species. Some political pundits and opposition media had wildly dismissed our political future as hanging by the thread, if not on life support. The opposition had started to measure the drapes and the colors of furniture at the Hilltop Mansion. Some fair-weathered politicians, dancing to their selfish tunes had adjudged us politically dead. They had composed funeral dirges for us politically.

When they decamped to the other side, they did so mouthing the most vile and morally objectionable rhetoric. There were no areas that they didn’t touch with their propaganda machine; no lie was too galling, no blackmail was too shocking for them to deploy, every known convention of decency was sacrificed at the altar of political expediency.

They had brought out the knives and the cudgels and trained them behind our backs, ready to strike, but they got it all wrong! While they wrote us off politically, the God that we worship- the Supreme God, the God of justice was writing another chapter for us; his all-conquering wings were stretched mightily over us, providing us shield against the darts and arrows the opposition had thrown at us.

While they flooded the media space with all manner of satanic propaganda, the good Lord we worship, sitting in His exalted temple was writing a verdict of fairness, of justice and equity. Today, we stand in His throne of Grace to praise him for using our revered the Supreme Court to give us victory and shaming the antics and machinations of the wicked and their polarizing tendencies.

Let me use this opportunity again to salute our judiciary for living up to its billing as the temple of justice and the hope of the oppressed and the maligned. Our Supreme Court has restored our hopes and faith in our nascent democracy and in the process deepens its culture and ethos. Like its counterparts elsewhere have done, it has brought a stabilizing effect on the polity and its rulings represent the last words on the issues of the electoral tribunals.

In 2000, it had the last word in what was shaping up to becoming a Constitutional crisis arising from the 2000 Presidential elections between Al Gore, the Democrat and G. W. Bush the Republican. In Nigeria, in 2016, our Supreme Court also had the last word and in the process averted what may have been a most contentious re-run election ever in our political space. We salute our eminent justices for dispensing justice and for saving our democracy.

Permit me to use this opportunity to warn those who are lampooning and impugning the integrity of our judiciary to seize and desist from walking this slippery slope. Certain institution of governance should be off limits in our naked desire for power. Demonizing such institutions can be counter-production to our growth as a nation. We should not selectively applaud the judiciary when we receive favorable ruling and then cast aspersion on the same institution when we don’t get our desired result.

As I stated in my broadcast to the state last Wednesday, I enjoin my brothers and sisters form the other side of the political divide to close ranks and join me to build a state where development would be impactful and expansive and where the quality of life our people would be enhanced. They all had the right to aspire to political office, but in political contest, one side must win, and when that happens, the losing side should be gracious enough to concede defeat and congratulate the winning side.

Resorting to vile propaganda and character assassination, of manufacturing lies and falsehood in order to sway and confuse the populace should be avoided. Our democracy will not deepen nor its culture entrenched and internalized when we see politics as blood sport, or when losing an election, a wall of division is erected and all manner of unsanitized colors are painted of the winning side. They should know that political foes of today may be political allies of tomorrow. We should all be invested in the Akwa Ibom Project and work for its success in its entire ramifications.

As for me, I stand here again today to thank and salute the great and good people of Akwa Ibom State for the steadfast support and prayers during the past eight months, and again to restate my readiness to work for you day and night to build a state where everyone would be stakeholders, where the abiding value would be to selflessly deploy all resources within our reach to move our people and state forward; to create the right environment for the unfurling of the ‘can-do’ spirit, the ‘dakkada’ spirit.

In spite of the distractions of the past eight months, we have kept our eye on the ball and work hard to lay the foundations for the development of our state in line with our Five Point Agenda of my electioneering Platform, which comprises: , Infrastructural Consolidation and expansion, Wealth Creation, Economic and Political Inclusion, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation.

Now that those distractions are over, I promise you that our central plank of development which rest on industrialization will be pursued with an even deeper vigor, we will not rest until we are able to create opportunities for employment for our teeming youths; we will not rest until our youths are equipped with the right skills-set for jobs of the Twenty First Century, we will not rest until our women are provided the tools to expand their trade and be able to support their husbands as they build homes full of well-rounded and productive children, we will not rest until every child is educated and made ready to fulfill his or her God given potentials; we want to create a state that would be a model of development, a city state and with your support and prayers, we will get there.

I thank and salute the members of our great legal team for the wonderful work they did. The people of Akwa Ibom State are proud of you and God will continue to nourish and expand your intellectual coast.

Let me also thank our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially our Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo for being resilient and steadfast in spite of the machinations of what the Americans call ‘political jo-jo-s,’- those who dance back and forth as the political winds blows. Our party is alive and well, thanks to your great leadership skills.

I want to thank our media for standing up to the truth and pointing out through numerous news, features; op-ed articles on the need for equity, fairness and justice. You are indeed a major plank of our democracy; we salute you, even though a few among you have sacrificed the tenets and ethics of your noble profession. We will continue to partner with you as we deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.
I want to thank the, members of the clergy for their unceasing payers and the constant reassurance that what the Lord had put a check mark on, no one can reverse. Thank you your Holiness and may God continue to use you all as instruments to bring spiritual succor to mankind.

To the good people of Akwa Ibom State, thank you for you support, your prayers and your abiding faith in me. Your faith and trust will not be misplaced or misused as long as I remain your Servant- Leader.

I want to thank our President and Commander in- Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari for respecting the principles of the separation of power and for creating the atmosphere for the three arms- the co-equals of government- the Executive, The Legislature and the Judiciary to function harmoniously.

God bless Akwa Ibom state,
God bless Nigeria.
It is well with us all

www.wetinhappenpr.com

A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY MR UDOM EMMANUEL, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE ON HIS VICTORY AT THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA BY INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF AKWA IBOM CITIZENS UK, ICAIC.

The Chairman,board of trustees, National and international executive officers and the entire members of The International Coalition of Akwa Ibom Citizens UK (ICAIC) send a congratulatory message to His excellency on affirmation as the governor of our dear state by the Supreme Court.

ICAIC UK,is a group of professionals that have come together with a unified goal of supporting and elevating every citizen of Akwa Ibom state with a positive mindset of progress to benefit our own state.
We in the diaspora , pledge to support your leadership and will endeavour to partner with your tenure in building positive impact in our state.

We pray the Almighty to lead you in His divine grace and knowledge .
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

Signed :

Barr. Benjamin Antia (Chairman)
Barr. Etin Ikpedighe(Secretary)
Princess Peace Essien(PRO)
Engr. Ini Ekpenyong (Financial Secretary )
Arch. Samuel Eduep(PRO 2)
Mr Samuel Inyang (PA to Chairman)
Mr Henry Akpabio ( Protocol)

TONIGHT, Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will start by 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh tonight are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

The APC Gubernatorial Candidate in Akwa Ibom State Obong Umana Okon has reacted to the Supreme court verdict upholding the election of Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

A THANK YOU MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE

We fought a good fight, but since the Supreme Court has taken its decision on the 2015 Governorship Election in Akwa Ibom State, we have no choice but to move on.

I thank my supporters and the good people of Akwa Ibom State for their resilience and support in the struggle to deepen democracy in the state and give our people the right to freely choose who governs them. Our struggle for change has only suffered a setback; change will surely come because no one can stop the march of an idea that has been embraced by the mass of the people.

As law-abiding citizens we went to court to seek justice after the disputed elections, as advised by many people and election monitors, including the United States Embassy and the European Union, which had reached independent conclusions that the elections were marred by widespread irregularities. Our hope was that the Judiciary would heal the wounds and provide succour for our people who were traumatised and brutalised during the elections, especially the families who lost their loved ones. But that was not to be.

We trust God, who is the God of justice, to provide solace and comfort for those who could not get justice within the framework of our legal system. Ultimately we would all be accountable to God for our actions.

We salute the courage and patriotism of our people and urge them to continue to pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our dear state and country. I am aware that our people are surprised by the judgment of the Supreme Court, given the findings of the Tribunal that evaluated the evidence and heard directly from the witnesses, and after the Court of Appeal had taken the following historic position:

"May this country never again experience the violence and thuggery found to have taken place in Akwa Ibom State during the Governorship elections held on 11th April 2015. Politics should never be so desperate that lives and decorum are sacrificed on the altar of winning at all costs. The descent into almost anarchy as occurred in this case must never again be allowed to take place. The supervising body, INEC, is charged at all times to remain on the side of truth and never be complicit in any subversion of due process."

This is not a statement that should be taken lightly. Though it is not our place to question the integrity of the Judiciary as an institution, the situation in which we have found ourselves today calls for very serious soul-searching by our nation.

Once again, I salute the courage and steadfastness of Akwa Ibom people.

Signed:
Umana Okon Umana
Akwa Ibom APC Governorship Candidate

Source: http://www.wetinhappen.com.ng/supreme-court-judgement-umana-umana-finally-speaks/

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. UDOM EMMANUEL, GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE AFFIRMATION OF HIS MANDATE BY THE SUPREME COURT, FEBRUARY 3, 2016,

My Fellow Akwaibomites,

Today, the Supreme Court affirmed the choice you had massively and wholeheartedly expressed in me last April 11, 2015 as your Governor, thereby showing once again, that the institution of the judiciary is alive and well, and is keeping watch over the evolution and the deepening of the democratic culture and traditions of our nascent democracy.

Let me use this opportunity to salute the Nigerian judiciary for living up to its billing as the last hope of the common man, the good people of Akwa Ibom State for their prayers and steadfast support over the past seven months in the face of what was absolutely the most vile, vitriolic campaign of hatred, blackmail and character assassination ever mounted by an opposition.

The battle has been won and lost and in any political contest, there must be a winner and a loser. In this case, the people of Akwa Ibom State won because in their considered opinion and reasoning, their fortunes would be better enhanced with a PDP government continuing its solid dispensation of democratic dividends that had in the past eight and half years, had transformed our state to a destination of choice, which had informed the investment of their trust in me last April 11.

I hereby call on our brothers and sisters from the other side of the political divide to close ranks and join me, in moving Akwa Ibom state to surpass superior performance and ensure development that is sustainable, impactful and expansive. We don’t have any other state to call ours except the great Akwa Abasi Ibom State.

Our people have arisen and have shaken off the shackles of complacency, of dependence and of the cultivation of a defeatist and pliant mindset; they have arisen to exploit and posses the greatness that is embedded in us all, by the Almighty God; they have arisen to join their brothers and sisters from other parts of the country to make meaning of their lives, to be productive, to be aspirational; they have arisen to take their place in the boardroom of Nigeria, and not as the flotsam and the jetsam of the Nigerian project who were seen only as the cooks and house helps of the rich and powerful; they have arisen to take their destiny in their hands and in unison tell themselves: Never again shall we be treated as mere irritants or the fringe elements of the Nigerian enterprise.

It takes leadership to engender this new mindset. And I stand here again, as your Servant -Leader to restate my commitment to leading you well, to providing an exemplary leadership that will inspire you to rise to your greatness.

If you have been amazed at what we have been able to achieve in the past seven months, with all the distractions, you can imagine what is going to happen now that cobwebs have been cleared, the undulating road, rendered straight and the vision that had been muddied by blatant blackmail, now super clear- 20/20. As the Americans would say “you aint seen nothing yet”.

I call on our people to remain law abiding and shun acts and tendencies that would cause public disaffection. The other side had a right to aspire to power, even though we don’t agree with their approach and mechanics. Politics should not be used as a wedge issue to divide brothers and sisters, politics should not be an instrument that creates disharmony among an otherwise homogeneous people, and we should resist the impulse to stoke ethnic fire among otherwise happy brothers and sisters. As I have always stated: political foes of today may be political allies tomorrow- we should be guided by this ennobling ideal.

Thank you again for your support, thank you for believing in us, it is well with the good people of Akwa Ibom State, it is well with Nigeria, it is well with us all.

God bless you.

Source: http://www.wetinhappen.com.ng/27723-2/

What do you make out of this APC-sponsored story? A Governor passes by the market and stops to say 'Hi' to this people.

He then decides to reach out to the market women by offering them some money, then he leaves.

A few days after, a woman dies and someone in is right senses blames the governor?? What a world! What a stupid way of thinking!

Governor Udom Emmanuel recently breached protocol to help an accident victim who was left to die on the road.

If there were any challenges while the Governor was in the market, his well-equipped medical team would have attended to them.

Please don't blame the Governor for the death of this woman. Why didn't everybody die? Who told her to join the queue? Were there other market women who couldn't make it to greet the Governor but still sat in their shops?

If you download a song from Nairaland and listened to it with an earphone, then you unconsciously walk into a busy road and a car knocks you down and kills you, is it Nairaland that killed you? Or the earpiece manufacturer or the mobile phone manufacturer or maybe, the artiste that sang such a sweet music?

As a prudent manager, Governor Udom Emmanuel is bent on improving the socio-economic fortunes of Akwa Ibom State. With major groundbreakings here and there, influx of investors into the state, coupled with the relative peace witnessed today, Governor Udom Emmanuel has shown that Akwa Ibom will be able to sustain its growth despite the harsh economic situation.

Since these wet blankets and kill-joys have chosen to be part of those that show inconsistency and greed, we have chosen to be on the part of consistency and faith, a faith of greatness.

We join our voices with thousands of Akwa Ibom people to say that Akwa Ibom was created by God out of greatness and that as a people, we have moved beyond ethnicity, biases, religion, and gender.

Let it be known today that the blatant lies peddled by few disgruntled elements shall soon end as we shall find new jobs for them in the LED Factory in Itu, or the Coconut Refinery in Eastern Obolo or perhaps, the Meter Assembly Plant in Onna.

Akwa Ibom is a stupid-free zone. Please avoid unverifiable assertions.

The lawmaker is RT. Hon. Onofiok Luke - Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. This is his reaction to the Supreme Court victory of Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

The court rules that Governor Emmanuel won the lawfully cast votes setting aside the ruling of the 2 lower courts. Reasons for verdict are to be given on February 15th, 2016.

Here's how the lawmaker celebrated the victory! First, returning all thanks to God - his source of being and the man Akwa Ibom is named after (Akwa 'ABASI' Ibom State).

RT. Hon. Onofiok Luke is a man loved by all due to his stern and exemplary leadership qualities.

Here are the pictures!

Source:

http://www.wetinhappen.com.ng/see-what-akha-speaker-did-after-gov-udom-emmanuels-supreme-court-victory/

The Supreme Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria, this evening, upheld the election of Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel. The court rules that Governor Emmanuel won the lawfully cast votes setting aside the ruling of the 2 lower courts. Reasons for verdict are to be given on February 15th, 2016. Here are pictures of the Governor celebrating with Akwaibomites.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Supreme Court Upholds Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel's Election. The court rules that Governor Emmanuel won the lawfully cast votes setting aside the ruling of the 2 lower courts. Reasons for verdict are to be given on February 15th, 2016.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

IBOM FOODS & BEVERAGES FAIR 2016 is billed to be the BIGGEST ANNUAL F&B EVENT IN NIGERIA that will be widely trusted by consumers & industry alike on the Nigeria Festival’s calendar!

Already, major producers and distributors of various beverage products in and outside Nigeria are making contacts to secure a spot in this event!

The event's success will not merely be measured by the record breaking visitor-ship expected, but also deemed as THE COMPLETE FOODS & BEVERAGES EXHIBITION where food and beverage suppliers showcase and/or launch their new products to reach local and international consumers alike.

Being the BIGGEST Food and Beverage Exhibition held in the tourist destination of Nigeria, visitors should expect HUNDREDS OF EXHIBITORS occupying a sprawling area (Total area: 234,538.83 m2) of the Millennium (Unity) Park, Udo-Udoma Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, showcasing the most comprehensive and scrumptious spread of Local, National and International favourites, MODERN HEALTHY ETHNIC CUISINE, traditional "MUST TRY" pastries to food trails, cook-outs and culinary workshops.

IBOM FOODS & BEVERAGES FAIR promises much more tantalizing bite of pure gastronomic haven where you will definitely be spoilt for unending array of beverage choices.

WHAT'S MORE? Participants can indulge and try old and NEW DRINKS, RECIPES & DISHES from participating hospitality and manufacturing organizations. Discover SUMPTUOUS DEALS, GREAT SAVINGS and UNBELIEVABLE DISCOUNTS all at one venue.

This dedicated 3-5 day event is the ultimate "FOOD & BEVERAGE PARADISE" where visitors can marvel at DISCOUNTS ON TOP OF DISCOUNTS as well as sample cuisines/drinks from all over Nigeria and try NEW product launches from Leading Food & Beverage Manufacturers and Suppliers of Fruits & Vegetables Products, Meat Products, Poultry & Seafood Products, Grocery & Dairy Products, Bakery & Confectionery, Biscuits, Bread and Pastries, Organic and Health Products, Ready-to-serve products, Raw Materials & Ingredients, Rice Products, Instant Foods, Soy Bean Products, Edible Oils, Dried and Preserved Foods, Chocolates, Canned & Frozen Food, Noodles and spaghetti, Sweets, Sauces, Ice-Cream, Deserts, Cooking Equipment, Beverages, Restaurant Franchising, Food Packaging, assorted brewed/distillery drinks & packaged water, etc..

It's a whole lot of excitement and great fun with families and friends as they embark on a food trail, picking up a tip or two from inspiring workshops to culinary skills.

If you're interested in becoming a festival sponsor for 2016, we'd love to hear from you! Call 08023294322

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Born Keshinro Ololade, YBNL Nation's star act Lil Kesh will be at St Chabel Hall, Beside Hotel Dulac, Cotonou, Benin Republic this weekend for the biggest entertainment blast Benin Republic will ever witness tagged PUNCH BLAST 2016.

Organized by Hanny House Entertainment - one of Nigeria's biggest entertainment company, Punch Blast 2016 will hold on Friday 5th February 2016 from 8pm and will be hosted by Kuva Davies and MC Flexy.

Billed to perform alongside Lil Kesh are Fanicko, K-Lion, Possible G, Oba Dice, Gwizm Fagrin, Sparrex B, Pimpy, Haliyah Hales, J Beoy, Rhymskd, Majestic, Irish, Shilexy, VicGreal, Konell, Mace, Honi Bon, Libron and Centwise.

Rib-cracking Comedy will be performed by Funcky P, MC Behind, Belicious, Cayana Snet etc.

The spirit is high as tickets for this event are almost sold out! REGULAR TICKETS 5KCFA, VIP TICKET (Table for 5) 150KCFA and VVIP (Table for 10) 200KCFA.

For more information and ticket reservations, call +22961138206, +22999082928.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng

I am the publisher of www.wetinhappen.com.ng - the most visited blog in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This post is to encourage fellow bloggers to keep doing what they are doing believing that one day, they will make money from their blogs.

My blog is 8 years old and this is the biggest I’ve earned from affiliate links placed on my blog. Sometime ago in 2015, I signed up as an affiliate with 1960bet.com.

After signing up, I was assigned a link to place on my blog. After about 2 months, I was so discouraged because I didn’t have enough clicks on the link which would help me make money so, I almost deleted the link from my blog.

By the special grace of God, I was like, "Let it be there na, e no dey chop fuel or ink”, so I allowed it. To cut the long story short, I was out for lunch on Friday 8th January 2016. After eating, I was just about to drive back to my office when some passers-by signaled to tell me that I had a flat tyre.

Frustrated and worn-out, I drove right back into the parking lot, parked the car and went across the road to call a vulcanizer to come and take care of the situation.

While waiting to the tyre to be fixed, fixtures of this weekend’s games were displayed on TV in the restaurant. That made me remember 1960bet so I decided to login and check what’s up with the betting site.

To my greatest surprise, I was N40,474 richer! Wow! At first I thought it was a hanging winning (I usually practice this betting stuff with some little-little cash sha…) but analyzing through, I discovered it was actually earnings from my affiliate links!

Wow, so this works? Yes it does! I immediately transferred the money into my account and before I got home, the money was in my account. I got the alert from my bank! My joy knew no bounds! Patience actually works!

Next morning (Saturday 9th January) I was able to buy a UK-used HP EliteBook with the N40,000!

Interns in my office will now use it work.

I, at-least, have something to show for blogging in 2016. I think you should do same too, and now! Go ahead, sign up today!

You can make extra income whether you have a blog or not! You can place this link on your social media platforms. It will work like magic!

Don’t forget, it takes time and a lot of patience. Depending on how you present it, you can start earning before the end of today!

Grace found me 8 days into 2016 and I know the same will happen to you.

Bloggers get mouth joor…. Holla if you’re one of us!

TO SIGN UP, CLICK THIS LINK http://www.wetinhappen.com.ng/27526-2/

Aniekan James Ekah
www.wetinhappen.com.ng

Photo News:
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel (in white ), with General Overseer, Eagles Assembly, Pastor Uwem Offiong and Spouse, during the January Edition of Akwa Ibom Youth Prays held at the Eagles Assembly Church Auditorium, Uyo.

Pix2
L-R : Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel (3rdleft), Commissioner, Economic Planning and Development, Mr Emmanuel Onwioduokit (1st left), Commissioner for Education, Mr Aniekan Akpan (2nd left), Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Enoobong Uwa (1st right), Commissioner, Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang,(2nd right), and Chairman, AKHA Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Usoro Akpanusoh (extreme right), at the January Edition of Akwa Ibom Youth Prays, held at The Eagles Assembly Church, Uyo.

Pix3
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel (in white) being presented with a souvenir by the General Overseer, The Eagles Assembly during the January Edition of Akwa Ibom Youth Prays held at the Church Auditorium, Uyo.

Source: www.wetinhappen.com.ng