"It is only in Akwa Ibom that someone claims that he is using his money to obtain loans to pay salaries to civil servants. Can one person cook for the whole village? I'm asking him to bring the money that was paid as revealed by Governor Nyesom Wike and he went and wrote a long essay” - Senator Bassey Albert, addressing Gov. Udom Emmanuel who claims to use his personal property as collateral for loans for the State.

Akwa Ibom students, under the aegis of Annang Students Union, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic chapter, on 26th November, 2022 officially endorsed the candidacy of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, CON, for the office of governor of Akwa Ibom State. Among other deeds of the Senator, the students lauded his fully-paid scholarship programme, which over 481 Akwa Ibom students have so far benefited.

The Okuku Ntó Annang, Okuku Ntukidem Bassey, presented an award of excellence to the YPP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, saying that "it is not only Akwa Ibom students that have endorsed the Senator but the entire Akwa Ibom people.

"Today your son came to meet you. Today we are not here to campaign, but we will tell you one thing: We brought them and we will sack them. Soon, they will come. Ask them what they have done for you. For the past 7 years after our son brought them, they refuse to give you jobs, saying that Essien Udim's time has passed.

Now, they are talking about continuity, when they tell you that again, ask them to show you where they have built one kilometer of road. They are using cane to flog you, now they are trying to bring scorpion. God will not allow them", Sir. Emem Akpabio, addressing Essien Udim people during the YPP ward to ward rally.

Senator Bassey Albert has criticised the claim that the recently inaugurated planes for Ibom Air were bought using the controversial 13% derivation arrears refunds that Akwa Ibom people have been asking after. OBA said the same way the two earlier planes were returned the Egypt Air, the real owner, is the way the latest ones would be returned to Getjet Airlines, after one year, because they are on wet-lease.

“After Governor Wike revealed that our funds have been paid to the government, and we have been asking for our money, they went to bring those planes. After one year, they will be returned to their owners. Ask them to show you where in the budget that the plane is captured", OBA further revealed.

A CHALLENGE TO THE GOVERNOR
"Let me use this opportunity to respond to His Excellency Governor UDOM Emmanuel.
I want him to challenge me, If he does, I will release a document by tomorrow morning".

ON THE FIRST BANK SAGA
"As I speak to you right now, Udom's government is owing First Bank 178billion naira.
When I mentioned this you thought I was lying but thank God for Governor Wike"

ON 2015 ELECTIONS...
"I stepped down for him in 2015. I would have won my election.
You voted for him, I voted for him and he became our Governor.
I want to be a Governor in 2023, that's why I'm respecting him and that office"

ON UDOM'S BOAST ABOUT COURT CASES
"He said he has spoilt Akan Okon's case, Akpabio's case, Akan Udofia's case,
but I assure you all that my case is very different"

BECAUSE OF UDOM
"It is because of Governor Udom that I am in court today.
I supported him and stood by him against all odds.
The case started in 2018 and he is well aware, so he wants to use it to fight me but God will see me through"

UDOM'S MALICIOUS TREATMENT OF RETIREES
"Upon all the money accrued to Akwa Ibom State from the Federal Government, Governor Udom Emmanuel has caged our retirees in poverty. Some of them have died from sicknesses they could have used their money to treat"

OBA DARES UDOM
"Like I am doing, I want Governor Udom Emmanuel to mention my name and say whatever he wants to say about me and I will release certain documents".
"Let Governor Udom take the microphone and tell the world that what I'm saying are lies.
That's why he wants to get his own successor who will cover up for him.
But God won't allow him succeed"

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance Mr. Linus Nkan finally came out in an attempt to write off the increasing questions of the Akwa Ibom people concering Gov Nyesom Nwike’s recent revelations over the 13% derivation arrears refund and the whereabouts of the funds.

But Senator Bassey Albert (OBA) who made the revelations earlier, replied Mr. Nkan thus;

"The Commissioner for Finance has further disgraced the government of the state with such a response. I ask the Commissioner for Finance to read the budget speeches the governor presented to the House of Assembly in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, if any mention was made concerning the said 13% Derivation refund till date."

"Not until the recent revelations."

"There is no where in the budget speeches for the 3 years that the 13% derivation refund was mentioned. The speeches were filled with lamentations about Covid-19 and recession and economic meltdown and that there was no funds to run the budget which even led to the slashing of salaries of political office holders."


OBA reminded Mr Nkan that financial matters are “not essay writing” but are made of figures. So stop deceiving yourselves.

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation has suspended budgetary appraisals of three major ministries in Akwa Ibom State following their inability to respond to queries bothering on expenditures of approved figures in the 2022 fiscal year.

The Committee, headed by Hon. Uduak Odudoh had while considering the 2023 budget estimates for various MDAs, declared inconclusive, the presentations from the Ministry of Works; that of Health and Finance due to their inability to give satisfactory explanations for releases made in 2022.

The Committee Chairman had wielded its stick on the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Finance, for failing to tell the Committee how much the Ministry has so far received as refunds for 13% derivation to the State.

The Permanent Secretary who stood in for the Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Linus Nkan, was declared incompetent to address the house when he said he was not in a position to answer the questions posed to him by members of the Committee. The situation was further confounded when the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh appeared before the Committee for the 2022 budget appraisal and presentation of estimates, for the 2023 fiscal year.

The Committee members including, Hon. Effiong Bassey, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Mark Esset, Hon. Godwin Ekpo and others were shocked to realize that over a hundred million was expended for the training of public servants, including lawmakers.

While denying knowledge or participation in such a program, the Committee members threatened to give the Ministry zero allocation for further training until they produce names of lawmakers or their aides, who were trained on the use of Life Support Machines.

There were lots of discrepancies in the budget performance of the Ministry when compared to the activities on the ground, particularly an item indicating that repairs were carried out in General Hospitals in Nsit Atai and Orue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Areas. “I want to know the repairs that were carried out in that hospital because that’s my village” Hon. Mark Esset had queried. According to him, the item in the Ministry’s budget indicates that the projects were ongoing, whereas nothing like that was actual.

The Committee members also raised concern concerns about the generalization of items in the budget, which according to them, does not give room for accountability, disclosure, and Claire, a variety of projects that are meant to be carried out.

Even though, the Commissioner had later on apologized for some of the lapses noticed in the budget, Hon. Effiong Bassey who stood in for the Chairman of the Committee ruled the Ministry’s budget be suspended for another date to iron out the grey areas.

The worst hit during the 2022 budget appraisal was the Ministry of Works with lots of issues associated with uncompleted, abandoned and none existing projects as revealed by the lawmakers while appraising the Ministry’s performance in the 2022 fiscal year.

For the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. John, It has been a tough day tackling the puzzles put to him on projects he had no direct answer to, except to admit that the projects will be completed pending the release of funds, before the end of the present administration. Hon. Godwin Ekpo decried the marginalization of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area which stated has been cheated in the sharing formula of project distributions in the State. He queried why an area like Ibiono Ibom, which, according to him had given the present administration the highest number of votes has only an uncompleted 1.5km road. Prince Idongesit Ntekpere said the road has been abandoned with no hope of completion within the lifespan of the present administration.

After a lot of fire with no positive responses, the lawmakers unanimously agreed the Ministry’s budget be suspended pending when answers are given to the questions raised. Other MDAs have so far been cleared by the House Committee, viz: Agriculture with a proposed budget of 14.1bn Naira, Akwa Ibom State Waste Management and Environmental Agency with a proposed sum of 499m Naira and Ministry of Special Duties, and Ibom Deepseaport with a proposed sum of 40.9bn for the 2023 fiscal year.

The Ministry of Information and Communications with 5.07bn, the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport with the proposed sum of 40.9bn, and Center For Alternative Dispute Resolution were also cleared during the budget appraisal which had commenced on Monday

After the trending 13% derivation fund topic caught up with Niger Delta States, Governor Udom Emmanuel's Government hurriedly responded by throwing reports all over the media of the swimming pool being built at the Uyo Sports stadium complex.
This ended up reminding Akwa Ibom people of a standard swimming pool and changing room built by Senator Bassey Albert without publicity since 2018, for Uyo Club near the Governor's Office.
People were now asking, why is a State Government panicking to publicize a swimming pool that they are currently fixing into a dilapidated sports complex?

If a learned man, who claims to have attended some of Nigeria's best business programmes at the highest level, and rose to become one of Africa's topmost bankers, can spend at least 12.78Bn Naira to build a religious building - while also claiming that the state is broke, something is cursed about the entire story.
See the infographic, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has constructed a most dramatic project - clearly an avenue for money laundering - against the outcry of the suffering and starving Akwa Ibom people. And he spent a whopping 12.78Bn Naira on record. Meanwhile, only he and his accomplices know how much he truly spent since they have disappeared three years worth of valuable expenditure information.

FearUdom: The Governor Said he used our 13% to settle Akwa Ibom State loans!

But information at the Debt Management Office shows we are still heavily indebted!

According to the DMO, Akwa Ibom State’s debt in March 2022 stands at N214.60 billion, from N234.85 billion in September 2021, making it the State with the fourth highest debt in Nigeria.

So exactly which part of our loans was discounted and what is left from the 13% derivation fund the Governor received?

The Government is yet to tell Akwa Ibomites what happened to their money!

Enough is enough of taking Akwa Ibomites for fools!

Senator Bassey Albert today responded to the Akwa Ibom Finance Commissioner’s laborous attempt to write off the genuine concerns of the masses over Gov. Nyesom Nwike’s recent revelation over the 13% derivation arrears refund.

He said Mr.Linus Nkan’s reply to the series of inquiries to the whereabouts of the funds received by the governor was even more disgraceful and embarrassing.

"The Commissioner for Finance has further disgraced the government of the state with such a response. I ask the Commissioner for Finance to read the budget speeches the governor presented to the House of Assembly in 2019, 2020,2021 and 2022 if any mention was made concerning the said 13% Derivation refund ti date not until the recent revelations. There is nowhere in the budget speeches for the three years that the 13% derivation refund was mentioned. The speeches were filled with lamentations about Covid-19 and recession and economic meltdown and that there was no funds to run the budget which even led to the slashing of salaries of political office holders .


OBA reminded Mr Nkan that financial matters are “not essay writing” but are made of figures. So stop deceiving yourselves .

OBA promises General Hospital; Healthcare facility within 1km radius; roads, etc, under Operation Basic Amenities (OBA).

NSIT ATAI YPP WARD-TO-WARD GOVERNORSHIP CAMPAIGN...

* Women, youths to get business boosters through cooperatives; students to receive bursaries, ors.

*Announce immediate intervention on road reconstruction of Ikot Ekpe - Ikot Mboho- Usung Ideng- Odot Road about 3KM through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

The gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, CON, has promised to change the deplorable infrastructural status of Nsit Atai for the better, through a dedicated programme tagged “Operation Basic Amenities” (OBA).

Specifically, he has promised to establish a General Hospital in the area; construct health facilities within 1km radius; market in Odot; and roads to connect the local communities and provide access to help farmers evacuate their goods.

The senator who made this remark while on ward-to-ward campaign of five wards in Nsit Atai on Nov 25,2022, also promised to empower the women and youths financially through cooperatives.

"I decided to move from ward to ward and I have seen what you are passing through. From next year, there will be no hunger. I will pay special attention to Nsit Atai. Our women will be grouped into cooperatives and empowered with funds to do businesses.If you are a student, your bursary is coming. Under Operation Basic Amenities (OBA), you will not see unaccessible roads in Nsit Atai. There will be primary healthcare facility within one kilometer radius. And there will be General Hospital", the lawmaker promised.

For starters, he ordered a comprehensive assessment and report on the status of the transformer in Odot, which has reportedly been down for over a year. He said he intends to get it running as soon as possible to return light to the people.

OBA also announced his recent intervention in the area of road reconstruction of Ikot Ekpe - Ikot Mboho- Usung Ideng- Odot Road about 3KM through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs . He also promised to assess the state of disrepair of the transformer in Odot for immediate
intervention.

He urged them to support his party, the YPP, describing it as the only party that with the fear of God and serving God in spirit and in truth and serve humanity.

"YPP is the only party that worships God in spirit and in truth. YPP is God‘s answer against intimidation, starvation , hunger and insincerity. Help has come, cry no more. Why must you be hungry in the midst of plenty? I will not play politics with the destiny of our people. I served well as a Commissioner, and presently, I am doing well as a Senator. So how will it be when I become the governor?”

While introducing the gubernatorial candidate, the chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio, asked the people to be grateful to Governor Wike for opening their eyes about their financial inflow.

"They should tell us where our money is. We have a man that is coming to use Akwa Ibom money to develop Akwa Ibom people. That man is OBA”, he said.

The State chairman of YPP, Apostle Nyeneime Andy, urged the people to reject the umbrella party, which he said has caused pains and sorrow to the state. He appealed to them to embrace the YPP’s fresh leaves for a better life.

While setting the tone for the event, Director - General of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, said Akwa Ibom people have agreed to go with OBA as their Governor come 2023.

He emphasized that all the unemployed youths will be gainfully employed, while women will be empowered with funds to do their businesses, under Senator Bassey Albert's administration.

Also speaking, the women leader of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign, Barr. Christen Akpan told the women that OBA’s programmes have a lot in place for them and their children and will prosper them and the entire Akwa Ibom state.

Bishop Ime Ekpe, chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi in Nsit Atai, while welcoming all, described the massive turn out as "a tip of the iceberg", adding that while PDP has fallen, the YPP will win all elections. He condemned the PDP - led state government for being insensitive to the plight of Nsit Atai people, even with the huge amount at their disposal.

"The money the federal government owed our state has since been paid. Then why is there no electricity supply in the headquarters of Nsit Atai Local Government Area?".

Before addressing the crowd of supporters, OBA had paid homage at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Atai, HRM Peter Okon Effiong, where he recorded royal blessings

AFTERMATH OF GOV WIKE’s REVELATION: OBA ALLEGES GOV UDOM DISCOUNTS $664M (N248BILLION) OF 13% DERIVATION ARREARS REFUND

* PAYS N56BILLION ON OUTRAGEOUS COMMISSION AND FEES.

The governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) has challenged the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel to dare respond to his allegations of financial stewardship and he will proof his facts.

He made this remark while on the YPP ward-to-ward governorship campaign in Ikpa Ikono, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, on November 24, 2022.

He stated that the governor, last week, hurriedly went to a commercial bank to obtain a receivable discounting facility of N248 billion (ie equivalent of $664m) and offered to pay out N56billion on commission and fees on the transaction, so as to subject the state and successive government into a perpetual debt burden.

OBA stated that this was the same structure the governor used in July 2021 when he obtained the same Receivable Discounting facility from First Bank PLC in the sum of N104Billion for 30months at 9% with a face value repayment sum of N123billion . “However, upon receipt of the sum of N171 Billion trance of the 13% Derivation payment from the Federal Government, which should have been used to defray the outstanding on the facility with First Bank, so how come the state is still indebted to First Bank to the tune of N78 Billion? I stand to be challenged and corrected”, he stated.

“If Governor Udom Emmanuel denies this truth, I am ready to prove it with full documentations. Our people deserve to know about the state of their finances and not taken for granted by a government they voted for and entrusted with their patrimony .

"I had stated earlier that he received N280 billion which was collaborated by Governor Nwike’s revelation. With Gov Wike’s development strides in Rivers state due to the impact of the said derivation refunds, what do we have to show in Akwa ibom state? Let me assure our people that we will restore fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability in governance from May 2023 by the grace of God”, he added.

OBA accused the governor of betraying the trust and confidence of the people who voted him into office and thereafter using the weapons of hunger, poverty and starvation to keep everyone silenced .

According to him, evidence abound in Rivers State to show the impact of this derivation refunds in the state. “But what do we have to show in Akwa ibom state? I assure our people that I will always be the voice to the voiceless and the mouthpiece to the weak”, the senator submitted

The people of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area have been assured of intensive mechanized agricultural activities in Asong, Esa Ekpo, Minya and environs, as well as wide-spread renovation of public facilities from next year.

Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, CON, the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), while on a ward-to-ward campaign to six wards in Ikpa Ikono and Ibaku on Nov 24, 2022, assured them that his government will change the deplorable situation of the people, when he becomes the governor from 2023.

"This is the first a governorship candidate has toured ward-to-ward to campaign. We want to know the peculiar needs that you have. I have heard, seen and felt your pains, groaning and suffering. My government will give you soft loans, our youths will be empowered with funds to venture into agriculture. There will be healthcare facilities within one kilometer radius across the state”.

The senator, who expressed sadness at the poor road infrastructures in Mkpat Enin, including the access to the paramount ruler’s house, also said: “As a policy of government, there should be access road to every paramount ruler’s house. Ikpa Ikono clan will be one of the first to benefit from road construction of at least 50 kilometer per Local Government Area across the state".

Equally, other rural roads are to be developed to enable farmers move their products from the farms to the market place.

OBA also spoke about plans to revamp the educational facilities in Mkpat Enin, including the Technical College, Ikot Akata. “I promise you, by the grace and help of God, I will not disappoint you”, said.

"We will operate on 3Rs, which means we will Recover the state from occultic people, Reconcile the state because there is a lot of hunger and disunity, then Reposition the state for a better tomorrow. The state will be better”.

While charging the voters to go and get your permanent voter's card, in order to vote out PDP, the senator said: “God has brought the YPP to chase out hunger, poverty, hatred, and conspiracy in our land . God kept me and helped me to save Akwa Ibom from the current misgovernance. I am fully prepared.".

The chairman of the YPP in Akwa Ibom State, Apostle Nyeneime Andy, who introduced the candidates of the party, encouraged all to cast their votes for all YPP candidates.

While setting the tone, the Director-General of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, told the people that the one that will solve their problems as governor is no other than OBA.

"I have brought the one who will lead and serve you in truth and righteousness; the one you will vote. He will change the story of the youths. He will maintain the elders, build your roads, empower our women to do businesses", Pastor Ibuot said.

Barr. Jerry Akpan, chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi in Mkpat Enin, in his welcome address, thanked all for standing by Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, who he said will steer the state to its fulfillment. He called on all Mkpat Enin people to support OBA and expressed the conviction that the senator will be sworn in as Governor next year.

Earlier, at the palace of the Paramount Ruler, HRM Edidem (Elder) Akpan Akpan Ekpene, had complained of government's insincerity on their promises towards constructing the roads in mkpat Enin .

He also charged all politicians to be peaceful during campaigns and later offered a prayer of blessings on the senator and his team

The Gubernatorial candidate for Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bassey Albert CON has said that he will award contracts to build roads leading to the site for the proposed Ibaka Deep Seaport in his first 100 days in office. He made this statement while addressing the YPP ward to ward rally at Udung Uko Local Government Area.

In his words, the Senator, popularly known as OBA said;
“Before my first 100 days in office, I will not sign any other road contract if I don’t sign that of Ibaka. How I will prove to Òrò nation that I am speaking the truth is to call Julius Berger and sign the contract for the road from anywhere to Ibaka, that will create access roads to Ibaka deep seaport.”

Albert, who is also the Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, blamed the protracted delay in actualization of the proposed Deep Seaport on the lack of commitment by the present Government of Akwa Ibom State under Udom Emmanuel. According to the Senator, if they were serious, at least there would have been a road leading to the site of the Seaport.

https://independent.ng/i-will-focus-on-ibaka-deep-seaport-in-my-first-100-days-senator-bassey-albert/

The YPP's (Young Progressive Party) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Bassey Albert's ward to ward campaign train recently made a stop over at Eastern Obolo. Below are his promises to the people:

"I will establish a modern fish farming hub to take care of harvest, processing, storage, and marketing of essential sea foods."

"I believe what we have seen and witnessed in Eastern Obolo is the reason the YPP is moving from ward to ward. All I can assure the people of Eastern Obolo is that better life lies ahead of us".

"The primary responsibility of government is to provide for the welfare of the people. The resources must be evenly distributed”

"We will not develop only Uyo or only Ibiono. We will distribute our resources evenly round the state"


"Although we are peace loving people, many of our investments at the coast get threatened. We will invest in strategic security to handle this once and for all".

" Operation Basic Amenities - OBA is an initiative of Senator Bassey Albert to make life easy for all Akwa Ibom people, wherever they live."


In response the Royal father of the Eastern Obolo people, HRM Rt Hon. (Elder) Ubong Harry John Etetor, the Paramount Ruler said:

"I am happy and the Eastern Obolo people are happy with you that you took the pains to traverse this bad road. It is an indication that you really mean what you want and you mean well. What you are looking for is not from human but from God and He will give it to you".

OBA's message To Ibeno:

"The wealth of Akwa Ibom State comes from you. I will return the wealth of Ibeno to you"

https://twitter.com/nditorakwaibom/status/1592190132391931905?s=20&t=mM8WSvc7jU1EnXCDc5GIHg

Between 2015 and 2022, the Akwa Ibom state government received so much money and did so little with it.
Where is Akwa Ibom Money?

Watch here as YPP governorship candidate Senator Bassey Albert addresses the people of Ibeno during his ward to ward campaigns in the local government area.

https://twitter.com/nditorakwaibom/status/1592168501959168000?s=20&t=mM8WSvc7jU1EnXCDc5GIHg

A high-powered delegation of key Oro leaders who recently adopted Senator Obong Bassey Albert, OBA, as their preferred candidate for the office of Akwa Ibom State Governor, have given their reason. The leaders who were driven to seek audience with the political office aspirants by the shockingly ceaseless sufferings of the Oro people, neglected by recent Governments of Akwa Ibom, decided to support OBA because of his bold, track-able and very specific commitments to the people.

Having discussed with other aspirants, the team felt most convinced by Senator Bassey Albert after he gave them a number of specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-sensitive [SMART] promises with which they can conveniently hold him responsible as Governor.

Here are the 8 SMART Objectives of OBA to the Oro Nation.

a. To kick start Ibaka Deep Seaport Project within his first 100 days in office.

b. Oro nation will have its due five (5) members on the State Executive Council, with each ORO LGA to produce a State Exco member. This would be the first Governor to do so in the history of Akwa Ibom.

c. Oro nation to be conferred with its right to being considered an Oil Bearing, Oil Producing and Oil Impacted communityin Nigeria.

d. Oro will host Ferry services to connect Akwa Ibomites between Cross River State, Cameroon, and other economic centres within the Bight of Bonny.

e. An eight lane Super High Way to Ibaka Deep Seaport will be constructed by Julius Berger.

f. Eyubiasang Beach, Usung Beach, Atabong Beach and Eniongo Beach will be developed to energize economic activities of the host areas.

g. 50km of road will be built per Local Government Area of Oro.

h. A robust welfare package will be dedicated exclusively for elders and the aged across both Oro and the entire Akwa Ibom State.

The reason it is easy to believe Obong Bassey Albert is his track record. Since the mid 2000s, this particular leader is the highest placed politican known for his compassionate nature. They chant him as ‘talk and do’ when he visits community and this is due to his record of keeping his word and promising only what he can fulfil.

The people of Abak local Government Area heard first hand from OBA; The plan is to send away hunger and those who weaponize hunger in Akwa Ibom.

https://twitter.com/nditorakwaibom/status/1590741192911691776?s=20&t=lRUofBLhC2qe4hda3-vbIA

In all you do, never sell your vote�

Watch the moment YPP's Akwa Ibom governorship candidate Obong Bassey Albert tells his supporters to shun vote selling.
https://twitter.com/nditorakwaibom/status/1590739540544999432?s=20&t=lRUofBLhC2qe4hda3-vbIA

Umo Eno is only interested in Akwa Ibom State's treasury, he has no tangible idea about developing the people and the State.
He has been saying that he wants to come and continue from where Udom stopped and the question is, what has Udom done and where has he stopped?

Does Umo Eno have the moral standing to bring investors to the State with charges such as WAEC Certificate forgery, Voters card and date of birth mutilations against him that are in public domain?

The whites are very smart, before they do business with anyone, findings must be carried out against their prospects, and where he or she is found wanting, they boycott immediately.

With such poor image hanging in the public domain, Umo Eno is a misfit for the Hill Top mansion, and would not bring any goodwill to the state.

Senator Obong Bassey Albert is the only governorship candidate that has a well detailed blueprint, capacity to drive development and by the grace of God, he is our incoming Governor.

Umo Eno masterminded the closure of Big Daddy for about two years now.
Someone who cannot manage a small mama-put, how can he manage a complex entity like Akwa Ibom state?

If a State such Akwa Ibom is entrusted in the hands of Umo Eno, God forbid, our State will be closed down and he will abscond with our shared patrimony.


Nditôr Akwa Ibom, ekubô idiôk enô.

May Senator Bassey Albert - OBA happen to Akwa Ibom State.


✍️ Da Whoknows Monday
PH City
31/10/2022.

Never in the history of Akwa Ibom State has a governorship aspirant been so enmeshed in controversy as the clergyman cum politician, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). It has been one controversy after another since his name was first mentioned in connection with the coming governorship election in the state.

Firstly, not a few people questioned the credibility of the " divine revelation" which was the basis for his choice as the Governor's preferred aspirant. Again, quite a number of party members questioned the credibility of the PDP governorship primary from which he emerged as the PDP Governorship Candidate. As if that was not enough, endless questions are now been asked of the credibility of not just his contentious and highly controversial WAEC certificate, but also his entire educational background. As a matter of fact, the genuineness of Pastor Umo Eno's WAEC certificate is now a subject of litigation in the law court. There is also rumour that University of Uyo may strip the clergyman of the degree it awarded him. This is very sad.

To be honest, I sometimes feel very genuine sympathy for the once respected clergyman. In fairness to Pastor Umo Eno, I believe the man was well aware of his dubious academic background and therefore managed to stay away from the public eye. Before his advent into politics, Pastor Umo Eno had remained relatively unknown to Akwaibomites and appeared quite content with his hotel business, and would probably have continued to remain so till now. Unfortunately, the Governor, in his wisdom, decided that Pastor Umo Eno was the right person to be appointed a Commissioner.

Interestingly, and perhaps to prevent attracting unnecessary scrutiny to himself and also deflect attention from his dubious academic background, Pastor Umo Eno, after been appointment a Commissioner in the state, managed to remain one of the least talked about Commissioners. A more discerning eyes would have noticed that there was something amiss with the man. He appeared to be very content with doing his job and getting paid his his salary, and apparently cared nothing about seeking a higher political office. Infact, there may have been many who believed the clergyman was missing the pulpit and his hotel business and was anxious to return to them .

But unfortunately, the Governor decided to receive a "divine revelation".

I am inclined to believe that Pastor Umo Eno had little or no say in the Governor's decision to anoint him as his successor, because if he did, I am sure he would have warned the Governor about the dangers of taking such terrible decision. To be honest, Pastor Umo Eno did try to warn the Governor, PDP and Akwa Ibom people about his dubious academic background when he told party faithfuls in one of their meetings that he was the least qualified among all the aspirants in the race. Even so, it appears the clergyman was being economical with the truth. He ought to have been more honest and say that he was not qualified at all, and not that he was the least qualified.

Akwa Ibom State cannot afford to be governed by someone who lacks credibility. This state is named after God Almighty (Akwa Abasi Ibom ) and cannot not be handed over to someone with a dubious and questionable academic background. It is now crystal clear that the so-called "divine revelation" did not come from God as God is holy and without blemish, and cannot be associated with craftiness and deceit. It is ironic that the dramatis personae of this most unholy act is a supposed clergyman. Akwa Ibom people are warned to look more carefully at the character of people who want to govern them. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. The clergyman's hands are not only unclean but also contagious. We must avoid them at all costs!

"Ikono and Ini cry no more. YPP is the answer!"
Our agenda is for the local people like us.

This is no lip service. Go and verify from the people in Uyo Senatorial district and more
This is why we vote OBA.

Watch here! https://twitter.com/nditorakwaibom/status/1590682397023952897?s=20&t=aFh3hlWPD-2961dcDKs4Mg

By Anietie Ekong 

Those who have accused Pastor Umo Eno of being the third term agenda of Deacon Udom Emmanuel may need no further evidence than what took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium today: the flag off of the Gubernatorial campaign of the Pastor.

The speech by Pastor Umo Eno which he tagged "My contract with Akwa Ibom people" apart from being drab, boring and full of political rhetorics and not pointing to any action plan, sounded too familiar to me. It was like I'd heard exactly the same thing before.

A little fact check confirmed my fear: Pastor  Umo Eno's speech today is a crude plagiarism of speeches and statistics thrown up by Governor Udom Emmanuel in the past. You don't need to read the guber candidate's speech if you had previously read or listened to that of Governor Udom Emmanuel!

From beginning to the end of the speech Pastor Umo Eno or whoever wrote the speech for him just brought out Governor Udom Emmanuel's speeches and dubbed them word for word. Such intellectual laziness with no originality of thoughts and ideas!

Just an instance will suffice for now. During a statewide broadcast to mark the 35th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State on September 23, 2022, Governor Udom Emmanuel had this to say:

"My dear Akwaibomites in the last seven years plus, we have ensured that you have peace in this state and that the security of life and property remain our first business of government. Our people are no longer being kidnapped, or are politically motivated assassinations the norm as it used to be, anti-social tendencies are almost nonexistence. Our youths have decided to protect the identity and soul of the state by maintaining the peace.  From Uyo, to Mbo, from Ibeno to Ekpat Akwa, all over the state, you can move peacefully without the fear of being attacked, it was not always like this, you will all agree with me."

As if on cue to repeat what Governor Udom Emmanuel had earlier said, Pastor Umo Eno did not disappoint today. Hear him: 

"Today, while insecurity has assumed a worrisome dimension in many parts of the nation, Akwa Ibom State has been an oasis of peace and tranquillity. From the fishing creeks in Mbo to the Raffia City of Ikot Ekpene or to the sandy beaches of Ibeno, or the inviting boulevards in Uyo, our people can travel any time any hour in peace and in absolute security.

"Today, our people go to bed and sleep soundly with their two eyes closed. It wasn't always like this. Not too long ago, our people were kidnapped, murdered and politically muscled and killed. People were removed from churches and killed in the most brutal of manner, a lot of Nigerians did not desire to visit our State for fear of being kidnapped, but today, that ugly narrative has changed."

Also check out what Pastor Umo Eno said about how politics should not divide us and place it side by side with what the Governor also said during the anniversary broadcast. 


The speech by Pastor Umo Eno is replete with wholesale plagiarism of past speeches of Governor Udom Emmanuel. You can check it out yourself.

FRESH AIR in the MUD��

On the (October 30th 2022), PDP slammed Monarch Odu of YPP with a 1 Billion Naira Lawsuit for quoting Senator Bassey Albert.

Next day (October 31st 2022), Monarch Odu left YPP to PDP and called his defection "FRESH AIR" while declaring total support for Senatorial candidate, Emmanuel Enoidem and PDP.

November 2nd , Monarch Odu visited Emmanuel Enoidem and took pictures with him and started blasting YPP's governorship candidate Senator Bassey Albert.

November 3rd Monarch Odu appeared on Akbc (Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation) channel 45 and was hyping Emmanuel Enoidem and PDP while telling the public that a Child who abandoned his father's culture and religion to embrace another is doomed

November 4th after Singing all his Hallelujah songs on AKBC Channel45 for PDP and Akwa Ibom State Government, Monarch Odu was arrested by PDP and Akwa Ibom State Government and was taken to Court where Court order was obtained for him to be remanded at Ikot Ekpene Prison.

Today, Fresh Air is currently cooling at Ikot Ekpene Prison.... Let the church sayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy......�

Ekpo society is a large one characterized by many arms. It is even safe to consider them as different types although they are all ‘Ekpo’. We had published other articles on the Ekpo society. Please click here and here.

Ekpo nyòhó
Costumed in a manner to scare women and children once they were seen, Ekpo nyòhó is mainly found deep in the core Ibibio area of Uyo -Ibesikpo – Nsit Ubium – Etinan axis. When the masquerade appears, it is dressed in black furry raffia that gives it a round amorphous shape. With a terrifying face, a sharp machete in hand and some green symbolic leaves, this masquerade is a handful.
This arm was responsible for orderliness and made sure that laws made were carried out on all administrative levels in Ibibio Land.

Ekpo Ndòk
Ibibio people considered this particular Ekpo as the actual ghost. It came out at night and majorly to penalize crimes committed in secrecy. It was considered to be fair and impartial, and hovered around the community unseen.

Ekpo Eko’on
This arm of the Ekpo society had its operations between June and August yearly and was known for bringing calm on the community. Whenever Ekpo Eko’on was out, the community will be quiet as everyone will be on automatic holidays.

Traders were not required to come late from their businesses, nor farmers to return late from their farms. In riverine areas, the same rule applied to fishermen. And then in colonial days when the civil service was birthed, workers knew better than to be found outdoors when the Ekpo was out.

Eka Ekpo
This was considered the mother of the Ekpo masquerade. It had a lot of respect accorded it. Before it emerged for a march, a display, a timeout for whatever purpose, every member of the community was informed. In some communities, you may be allowed to view it from your homes. In others, no one was to see it but the initiates.

Ekpo ntok-ayen
This was the teen Ekpo, worn by young people. It was strictly for entertainment and could be on display at any time or season, but especially during yuletide when travelers returned home to spend time with family. Its costume is usually of white painted raffia and the mask would be friendly, handsome, playful, anything but scary.


https://ibomheritage.com/ekpo-society-types-arms/

The Ekpo society is an interesting part of Akwa Ibom culture. Although colonialism watered down the substance of these aspects of our culture, we have managed to retain some of it. Read on to learn more interesting facts about the Ekpo society.

There is the first part to this particular article, which you can get by clicking HERE

Did Ekpo Have Supernatural Powers?
In recent times, the Ekpo masquerade has been more of a cultural display that hits the streets during important occasions. It is also mostly on demand and during end of year ‘ukapadisua’ (ukapisua) celebrations.

As with masquerades in other parts of black Africa, the use of magic does get engaged in Ekpo displays. Although this has been merely for entertainment, those powers still show up when hostile groups meet during simultaneous festivals.

There is nothing unique about the feature of magical powers in Ekpo festivals. It is just like masquerades and cultural plays you find in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, especially among Bantu and sub-Bantu tribes. Magical powers are an integral part of the culture. But there is hardly any hard proof of these powers being channeled into harm.

However, as western civilisation continues to sip deeper into the cultures of the land, the uncanny reduces in display. This is why, to witness the supernatural powers of the Ekpo play, one would have to attend Ekpo festivals in the inner recesses of rural Ibibio communities.

Ekpo Has A Home
The Ekpo, considered originally to be a ghost, had a figurative place of abode given to it by the community. This place was treated as sacred because it was thought to haven the spirits of dead ancestors and other dead members of the cult who were buried there.

This ‘abode’ was in a forest and was out of bounds for women and children. If a woman or child or non-initiate wandered into this part of the forest, there were. However, as Western culture arrived, locations like these became increasingly open to members of the community.

The Ekpo Cultural Display
As with other African cultures, including the ones exported to other parts of the world through the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Ekpo has always had its cultural showing featuring its own distinctive masquerade known by the costume and mask. It also has its drum music comprised of the tone, rhythm and accompanying The display also has its drum music is also indicative of the Ekpo display. This is about the only aspects of the society that still feature in the Ekpo phenomenon.

When an Ekpo Society Member Dies
After the death of a member of the Ekpo society, there are sacrifices to the gods. These practices do involve a lot of secrecy. The items used for sacrifice are not made known publicly, although there is talk of human sacrifice in the distant past.

At the funeral ceremony, on the day of the burial event, Ekpo masquerades appeared with all sorts of performance amidst fanfare and feasting.

The society, community and family of the deceased do all these before they lower the corpse into the grave as a mark of respect to the dead member.

How About These Days?
Back in the day, the consequences for violating movement restrictions could be dire. You could be flogged, you could be detained depending on the arm of Ekpo or other society you ran into. The violent manner of enforcing rules using these cultural societies like the Ekpo group was increasingly frowned at as Ibibio culture mixed with English civilization.

These days, within Urban areas of Akwa Ibom State and Calabar, the activities of the Ekpo society have been severely curbed. The violent aspects have almost all together been ended, especially in the city centres. But there are corners of rural areas where these practices remain rife.

https://ibomheritage.com/interesting-facts-ekpo-society/

The Ekpo society is one of the foremost secret societies in the Ibibio society. ‘Ekpo’ means ‘ghost of an ancestor’ literally. As a cultural society of the same name, the Ibibios framed Ekpo as a law enforcement society in the cultural setting. More specifically, Ekpo society was an instrument for managing ancient Ibibio society and up to early post-colonial times.

Most of the famous men of the Ibibio society were members of the Ekpo society. Some were chiefs, some family heads, some youth leaders.

This group was so effective that the community held them in high regard. Non-initiates, women and children held them in great fear also.

Was the Ekpo a job?

The Ekpo members met in what we call ‘Afé Ekpo’, the Ekpo tent or meeting hall. Here, they made decisions that were binding on all members of the community. Since members were mostly leaders of the land, this was a major decision making forum.

The Ekpo also performed formal functions in historical Ibibio society. It ensured that the community carried out judicial verdicts to the letter. You can call them police of the precolonial era.

Ekpo was and is never an occupation, but simply a socio-cultural concept handed from ancestral Ibibio. Masqueraders were and are your usual everyday member of the community who is an initiate. They did not play ‘ekpo’ for daily bread in time past. Recently though, masqueraders have infused collection of cash appreciation into the displays – as an entertainment.

Did Ekpo Have Supernatural Powers?

In recent times, the Ekpo masquerade has been more of a cultural display that hits the streets during important cultural occasions, on demand and during the end of year ‘ukapadisua’ (ukapisua) celebrations.

As with masquerades in other parts of black Africa, the use of magic does get engaged in Ekpo displays. Although this has been merely for fun than for any other motive. Whether the magical powers can be channeled into something harmful is topic for some other research.

https://ibomheritage.com/ekpo-society-masquerade-ibom-heritage/

Stallionhorse:
to verify if he paid 1.5m a night or not..

Is that what happened in your previous relationship?

Stallionhorse:
Can we go with our dog.. E get why??

What is your dog's business in your marriage?

In Ibibio land, marriage is beyond the fusion of 2 individuals; it brings families and communities together. This is the case in many African and West-Asian cultures. But if you are a bachelor courting an Ibibio damsel, or your son is the bachelor, this article explains how to marry that Ibibio girl. It details the traditions you need to be aware of.

Drop Your Pride!

Firstly, you must know that Ibibio people take a strong exception to being treated with disrespect. If your Ibibio girlfriend lets you pass, her dad, uncles, elder brothers will almost certainly not allow you approach their door with superiority complex. If you manage to brush past them, you could get yourself into trouble. Trouble that physical science may never understand.

One of the worst hindrances you would meet in getting married into an Ibibio family has to do with your proud defiance of the Ibibio culture. It can cost you more than you could imagine.

There is the story of a woman from a community between Uyo and Ikot Ekpene who could not conceive until her husband went back to fulfil all marriage rites that he had arrogantly skipped.

Do not sit in Lagos or even in nearby Port Harcourt and assume you know all about the Ibibio culture. Or that ‘nothing dey happen’. Drop your pride and let the girl’s family show you what to do.

Udioño Ufòk – Knowing the Family

This is the first stage in the actual process of marriage. At this stage the prospective groom goes in the company of his best friend or close associate to visit the father of the girl. Beware of how you visit her father’s house while you are just a suitor. If you have not decided to marry her and cleared with your own family, don’t ask to meet her dad during visits. And when she has cleared you and your family is on board the project, take some gift (with wine inclusive), take a good friend of yours along and schedule a time to go see her father or his representative.

3 Stupid Things You can Do in an Ibibio Marriage:

If you go with a female friend or sister, that’s stupid. Or you tell her dad “I only came to say hi”; or you go alone, you just did something stupid.

During this visit, you will be questioned by her father. He will ask what you do, your religion and your family history.

This is also the opportunity you have to get familiar with the direction to the lady’s home. This is true especially if the dad invites you to his family compound, not just his own built resident – which, may be away from his ancestral home.

No formal demands are made on the groom at this first stage but courtesy demands that you carry a bottle of aromatic schnapps. If the family does not accept alcoholic drinks, carry a non-alcoholic wine.

Nkòñ Udòk – Knocking the Door

This stage is very critical stage in the whole process of marrying in Ibibio land. At this stage, your family members escort you to the lady’s family.

Basically in theory, the ‘Knocking’ simply means enquiring formally for the availability of the girl and confirming the willingness of the family to release her to your family. This is where you hear the incoming family use the adage; “we have seen a beautiful flower in your yard and will like to pluck it and take home to ours”.

At this stage also, the process does not require your family head. He can send his representative and a delegation.

One important question you will also hear at this point is; “Nso’o ke adi?” This means; “what are you here for”.

Affirm and reaffirm your reason for the journey. You will get an applause and then will become eligible for the next stage.

The family will decide whether to issue you their marriage list or to ask you to come back for it. Since Ibibios are naturally easy going people, they will most likely not want you to go through the stress of travelling in too many times. They would have prepared the list before this point and would just hand it to you or the eldest man in the visiting party.

Items required at this stage for traditional rites may include; a bottle of strong drink, pods of kola, assorted fruits etc.

Following this event will be a meeting to negotiate the list. This article does not include negotiation of list as a formal stage in the marriage process because you can skip it. If you can afford the items on the list, why negotiate?

How Not To Marry Ibibio Girls: A Stupid Thing You Could Do

If you ask the girl’s family, “Please, when is the wedding date”, you have goofed big time.

Traditional Engagement (MbɅb)

When you are done with the list, the next stage is the formal betrothal of the prospective bride to the prospective groom in the presence of both families. It is called ‘mbɅb’ because it is the actual ‘request’ occasion. From this point, you are now betrothed to the lady according to the Ibibio tradition.

It is usually a celebration, although strictly on invitation. It is also the moment when you present the items on the marriage list.

Usòrò Ndò – Marriage Festival or Traditional Marriage

This is when the family gives your their daughter in the traditional sense. After now, you can leave with your wife. It is a festival, a celebration of families, community members and visitors.

Some Stupid Things You Can Do

This is a festival with its own dramas. If you even slightly show disgust at any of the dramas, you have embarrassed the entire community of the bride. Another stupid thing you can do is to see the lady before they bring her out. The family can fine you, and that would still be on a lighter note.

Notice that there are traditions in the Ibibio marriage process that are no longer in practice. One is the ‘Mboppo’ practice where elderly women pass a girl who has a suitor through fattening, circumcision and display at the market. Some of these practices that were adjudged harmful to health had to be suspended by present day Ibibio cultures. In fact, in today’s Ibibio land, once a young man and a maiden have agreed to get married and the families agree, everything else is fanfare.

(https://ibomheritage.com/how-to-marry-your-ibibio-girlfriend/)