The Theories of 2015 Governorship

A theory is a body of rules, ideas, principles, and techniques that applies to a subject, especially when seen as distinct from actual practice.  Taken as speculation, a theory is a bundle of abstract thought or contemplation.  An idea of, or belief about something arrived at through speculation or conjecture is also what a theory means.  In explaining phenomena, scientists play with scientific principles, using what they termed as facts, propositions and principles analyzed in their relation to one another. The 2015 elections have come and gone, yet there are many issues that arise worth contemplating on.  One of such issues in Akwa Ibom State depend on a plethora of theories which were woven around the emergence of who the governor of the state will be considering the twenty five of them who were in the race in PDP, but some later defected to APC, Accord and Labour Parties. Taken separately, abstract thoughts and contemplation by political players were raised to the level of public debates such that the first was the theory of Udom Emmanuel becoming the governor of Akwa Ibom State.  In most places and political circles, this theory held that the power of incumbency would be harnessed to favour Udom Emmanuel. Zoning and Ibibioism were in his favour too.  Akpabio’s towering influence as the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, his generous mien in the country, his popularity in terms of uncommon achievements, the financial strength he commands, his BoT membership of the PDP,  closeness to the President and his connections in Aso Rock Villa were indices which thinkers surmise will give Udom Emmanuel an edge above all his contenders.  This school of thought said he could be favoured because he has no known political enemies and has not offended anybody politically in the State before, hence would have less political load to carry if he emerges and would have more time to develop the state economically. The others who argued against this theory said if he emerges it would be a matter of the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. The theory of Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) held that he was the most popular across the state and did consultations that was akin to electioneering campaigns, was well accepted among the youths and fraternal families, has the financial resources, was recommended to the president in that light by a presidential team of observers sent to verify which guber aspirant [then] was on ground and could deliver PDP in the state.  The next theory posited that Bishop Samuel Akpan was a ‘hidden card’ that Governor Akpabio would swing at the eleventh hour since the said Bishop Akpan have been heavily vilified and cheated politically.  Those for this theory argued that Akpan was from Eket Senatorial District and an Ibibio man, thereby putting paid to the zoning debate if he is chosen.  It was argued that as a member of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, he has the ears of the sitting President also rumoured to have been favoured by the spiritual blessings of the Leader of the fold sometimes in the past, hence would weld the big stick in his favour.

Day Nsit Ubium, Etinan Celebrated Umana

By Effiong Usoro             

It was a home coming for Obong Umana Okon Umana, the All Progressives Congress(APC), governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom state for the April 11, 2015 election  as he stormed  Nsit Ubium and Etinan local government areas Monday, March 16, 2015  in continuation of his governorship campaign. Accompanied by his wife, Florence, running mate, Mr Ben Ukpong, party leaders and supporters, Obong Umana  made what many observers described as a triumphant entry into Nsit Ubium as his first port of call. Umana,  a respected son of Nsit Ubium was ushered into the local  government by a mammoth crowd that waited for him at Etinan town. They included motorcyclists who wore reflective jackets with inscription boldly written at the back, “clear road for Umana”, motorists and tricycle operators. It was colourful  as the cyclists escorted Umana and his entourage in a long convoy to the campaign ground amid cheers from the jubilant crowd that lined up both sides of the road waving brooms and shouting, change, change. 

Mr Umana Okon Uamana, APC governorshi
candidate, AKS 

Two long trucks decorated with various colours conveyed people to the campaign ground. Brass band and many cultural groups were there to entertain the large crowd and also welcome Umana to the land of his birth. People from all walks of life were there to celebrate Umana’s home coming. Clearly Nsit Ubium people proved beyond all reasonable doubt that they are totally in support of Umana’s governorship project. The various billboards erected at strategic locations and posters pasted at every nook and crannies in the local government was a  clear indication that Nsit Ubium  have embraced the APC and are ready to vote massively for their son, Umana on April 11, 2015 to emerge as the next governor of the state. The former deputy speaker of Akwa Ibom state house of assembly, Elder Aniefiok Thompson, a native of Nsit Ubium used the occasion to formally decamp from PDP with his supporters to APC. As was expected, the crowd  became frenzy as Obong Umana mounted the rostrum to deliver his speech. 

That Pact Between Udom Emmanuel And Essu Nlap Oro

By Osondu Ahirika

Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, governorship candidate, PDP
Akwa Ibom State

Oro Nation's situation in the Akwa Ibom State Governorship race is a very precarious one. They are in a dilemma over what path to take in the 2015 polls. As it stands, their quandary at this political crossroad is not one to envy.
From the onset of this current Governorship battle, the prognosis for Oro nation was severe. In my honest view, Governor Godswill Akpabio appeared keen to have somebody from Oro Nation succeed him. Preferably,  his erstwhile Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Effiong Abia, who had served him faithfully, right from the days he(Akpabio) served in the same Ministry as a Commissioner. God however had it all wrapped up for the anointed: Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as we have now come to realize.

Fact is, as Governor Akpabio walked the tight rope of working out an effective transition to a worthy successor, many permutations and challenges naturally arose. First, it would amount to political suicide, to attempt a minority to minority handover of power. With Ibibio as the majority tribe in the so-called tripod, on the wings, Governor Akpabio, an Annang man, was obviously in a hoodoo of what to do, with dire pressure from Oro on him. The way out was to negotiate power between contending interests.
The Ibibio's were complaining that, they cannot afford to be shut out of power for sixteen years and wanted it back from Gov. Akpabio. They cited the Accord, reportedly entered into at the historic Asan Ibibio declaration of October 10, 2009. On the other hand, the Oro nation insisted on power shift to her ethnic bloc, as the last leg of the tripod in the state. 
Uneasy calm is the word that best captures the political intrigues that followed the power struggle. But, Governor Godswill Akpabio confessed his concern when he accused some prominent indigenes from Oron Federal Constituency of  double dealing in their quest for the Governorship position in 2015. He decried the fact that, while advocating for the position to be zoned to them, they are subtly supporting governorship aspirants from Uyo Senatorial District with simultaneous verve.
Speaking during the Town Hall meeting and constituency briefing at Oron Civic Centre, Akpabio lamented the ambivalent attitude of some politicians pretending to be supporting the cause of Oro nation. As far as he was concerned, Oro Nation had not clearly defined their stand by speaking with one voice. Rather, they were singing discordant tunes through sending out bogus text messages and publishing advertorials in some newspapers purportedly  supporting a governorship aspirant from Uyo Senatorial District.
However, Oron Nation disowned people they described as political rovers,  trying to mortgage their rally for the  governorship position in 2015 to persons from other Senatorial Districts.

As NUJ Chairman pays courtesy call:Multi-million Naira New Printing Machine for AKNC Ready for Operations Soon – GM AKNC

It has been confirmed that the 21st century Goss SSC printing machine, donated to the Akwa Ibom Newspapers Corporation (AKNC), by the State government, will start full operations before the expiration of the present administration.

The assurance came, Thursday, from the General Manager of the corporation who is also Editor-in-chief, Pioneer Newspapers, Mr Udo Silas, while playing host to the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert as well as the SWC of the Union.

 The multi million Naira machine, which is the very first to be installed in this part of the country has the running capacity of printing 45, 000 copies of Newspapers with full impressions in just one hour.

Other features of the fully computerized printing machine, according to the Senior Technical Officer (Mechanical) of the corporation, Mr Anietie Emem, are : Calibrated lever style ink keys with swing-down fountains, mono to four-high tower unit configurations, blanket cylinders with T-bar blanket lock-up, plate cylinder with slot-gap lockup, pneumatic controls with sequential timing, auto register and cut-off controls as well as UV printing capabilities.

Earlier in his speech, the NUJ Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert said he was in the GM’s office on a courtesy call to thank Mr Udo Silas for his support to him during and after his elections, adding that he has not disappointed him and members of his Pioneer Chapel since coming into office as the NUJ boss.

Onofiok Luke: Celebrating That Lawmaker @37

By Ubong Sampson
History in verbal and written records today tells us stories of noble young men and women who at various points in their lives, faced a dilemma of fighting a course at the risk of losing their lives or bowing to pressures and still having to face their conscience, perhaps, for a lifetime. But the aim of today’s piece was not to unveil the labours of past heroes, as history had already guaranteed them lasting places. The foregoing however has stories that will be unveiling the efforts of a present day hero who was able to discover his destiny so early in life and, despite the crippling challenges, fought his way through the hurdles to a future that took him earlier than expected.

Barr Onofiok Luke, Member, Akwa
Ibom State House of Assembly
for Nsit Ubium State Constituency

To a lot of kids of his then age, the challenge that struck him at such tender age would have had lots of negative meanings and influences, but with the awareness of an important mission to accomplish, such challenges, despite coming rather too early and always hitting him harder than anticipated, were to him, merely known features, nay, signs of victory which he knew was awaiting him at the end of the tunnel.

To some, especially those less closer, he may have been born with a box of favour; but to others much closer to him, the said box only has an “amazing grace” as its content.

Perhaps, as a pupil of St Theresa’s primary school back then in the early 1980s, only a very scanty few amongst those he encountered, had the grace to read through the ordinariness of his human nature to see the powerful rays in the light that was yet to shine on him and affect others through him.

AK Police Nab Suspected Killers of Okon Uwah

 As the death of late politician and former Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly continue to stun citizens of Ukanafun and other persons in the State, the Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, Mr Gabriel Achong has said four persons suspected to be among the killers of the Late Hon. Okon Uwah were nabbed by the Police.

Commissioner Achong said the four suspects(whose names he refused to disclose) got routed as a result of the coordinated investigation of the Police, and were helping the Police in the investigation, but however stated that the findings of the investigation “will be made public” and “anyone found culpable will be prosecuted no matter his/her position in the society”.

Gabriel Achong, AKS CP

Mr Achong said that the Police under his command had sensitized all political stakeholders and their supporters/sympathizers through workshops, seminars and press releases to play by the rules and avoid the use of abusive, inflammatory and inciting language.

He said Akwa Ibom State Police Command was not ready to allow any disgruntled person or group to displace the current peaceful and stable security situation enjoyed in the state, adding that  his command will not hesitate to deal decisively, according to law, with any person or group that threatens the public peace.

He advised parents and guardians to monitor their children/wards to avoid being used by desperate politicians as cannon fodders, just as he advised political stakeholders to caution their supporters to be law abiding at all times.

He assured that the State Police Command was totally committed and prepared to ensure a violent-free, fair and credible 2015 general election.

Workshop on Responsible Reporting of 2015 General Elections Ends in Uyo

…Journalists charged on ethics and principled  journalism

By Ekebo Ekanem

A two-day workshop on responsible reporting of the 2015 general elections for media professionals and civil society organizations has ended in Uyo.

The workshop which was organized by Vibram Nigeria Limited in collaboration with Akwa Ibom state council of N.U.J. was attended by over 250 participants drawn from all sections of the state mass media and civil societies.

 

Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert delivering his speech during 2-day Workshop on  responsible reporting of the 2015 general elections for Media professionals and civil society organizations held at Le’Merridien Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort Uyo on 25-26 Feb. 2025.

The Event which took place at Le’Meridien Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort was chaired by the State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Idongesit Ntem Isua. In her opening remarks, the chief judge, Justice Ntem Isua commended Vibram Nigeria Limited for organizing the workshop and urged members of the pen profession to adhere to principles of good reportage.

Speaking, the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Austin Okojie maintained that the commission had done a lot to ensure a free, transparent and credible elections. He called on the electorates to go out en-masse and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.