BCS Commissions 3 Magnificent Cathedrals In AKS

 

By Augustine Akpan
Obviously, few years back, magnificent and gigantic edifice of a high standard that is worth every bit of its reckoning was never mistaken for a church. It was common knowledge that such luxuries were ‘stuffs’ common among  banks, hotels and top government agencies then.

In the greatest affiliation of a classic building to the church, tastely and exquisite building decorated with all sort of precious stones and valuable treasures like gold and silver, were often read in pages of the bible. But since the turn of the millennium, religious organizations have also proven that they too can match the feat of ancient worshipers in terms of raising ‘heaven-on-earth-structures’ at their respective worship arena.

This was the case, when the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) officially open the doors of three ultra modern cathedrals in Akwa Ibom State last Saturday in a special fashion.

The official commissioning of the three breath taking cathedrals in the three event christened “The Divine Visit” was performed by His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu at their various locations respectively, which were Etok Erren Bethel, Ikot Ekpene, Four Towns Pentecostal Centre and 25 Ekpenyong Cathedral in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Commissioning the project, His Holiness Olumba Obu declared “this project has been blessed already by the father.

“I commission this project in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit”.

Holiness Obu also took time to pour encomiums and extol the zeal of members of the BCS in the State for erecting befitting temples for the Father and prayed the Father’s blessings to rained upon them abundantly.

The most respected first son of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu further sparkled the atmosphere with exhilaration when he walked up from the exquisitely furnished temple at Ekpenyong, which is BCS’ State headquarters to chant few choruses and exchange dance steps with his members which threw the entire faithful and every soul on white into a euphoria of joy for a privilege to dance with their father before he took his leave.

The event was all frenzied, inspiring and glamorous as thousands of the Brotherhood faithfuls, dignitaries from within and outside the state troop out in their numbers to mark the event and share in the blessings of their Father.      

 

 

Journalists To Make Government Accoutable To Citizens

At the end of a 2-day workshop organized by Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Benin City, in collaboration with Foundation for Sound Mind and Crisis Intervention (FOSMACIN), Uyo, Journalists were told to make the government at all levels accountable to the people.

Participants at the workshop agreed there should be a sustained synergy between media professionals and Civil Society Organisations in engaging the Akwa Ibom State Government on institutionalizing good governance so as to fortify efforts directed at holding government accountable.

Participants at the two-day workshop in Uyo

The workshop appealed to Akwa Ibom State Government to put machinery in motion to enact relevant laws such as Fiscal Responsibility and Public Procurement Laws among others, to strengthen good governance practice in the state.

In the communiqué issued at the end of the workshop participants also agreed that the media should more than ever before focus on issue-based analysis and reporting in order to achieve their agenda setting function.

Murder of Helen Ukpabio’s Brothers, 3 others

 

-AKS Senator, SSS, Police Accused

A serving Nigerian Senator of Akwa Ibom State origin, a 2007 PDP governorship aspirant and three “white men” are said to have masterminded the gruesome murder of Helen Ukpabio’s three(Emmanuel, Charles and Joseph Akpabio) brothers and three others.
A report by the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) claims that the six victims were lured by  a serving councilor into the hands of a named State Security Service operative in the company of more than twenty policemen, shot in the knees and crippled at Ikot Ekpene, then driven to Mbente in Nkari and murdered before members of  their families.

The CLO report states: “our investigation also reveals that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in conjunction with a former Governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, hired the State Security Agent and the killer police to eliminate the family of Chief Essesien Akpabio in order for them to share the compensation in respect of the land whereof the Dam is being built.
“At this moment, the SSS and the killer Police are still hunting for Chief Essesien Akpabio and the daughter, Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio for elimination in order for them not to have any challenges in the sharing of the Dam compensation”.

Robinson Uwak Empowers 50 Youths of Oro Nation

 

…Doles out N12.5m for small & Medium scale businesses

 There are strong indications that this year will end well for Oro youths. A good number of them are likely smiling to the bank and having their dreams of having small and medium scale businesses fulfilled as recently Hon. Robinson Uwak, recently donated N250,000.00 each  to 50 youths of his Oron Federal Constituency.

The event took place in Hon. Uwak’s  native land, Udung Ukpong in Okobo Local Government Area. The beneficiaries of the lawmaker’s largesse were said to have  developed and submitted business plans for their proposed business ventures after which a team of investment analysts assessed them and adjudged the business plans to be viable.

Hon. Robinson Uwak Addresses the people of Oro Nation

Uwak’s  kind gesture is believed to be a fulfillment of his promise to the youths of Oro nation prior to his election into the House of Reps.  The youths had told him of their poor income base but he assured them that he would work assiduously to enhance their earning power and the overall economy of the entire Oro Nation.
The federal legislator, shortly after hosting Oro youths in his Constituency Liaison Office, reiterated his commitment to the above stated cause, asserting his belief in the philosophy of teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fishes.
While presenting the cash, Hon. Uwak who was an entrepreneur before joining politics, identified Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as the engine room of all major economies and advised the beneficiaries to be prudent and hardworking. He also promised to impact on the lives of more Oro youths in the near future.
The youths who were highly elated by their Representative’s gesture thanked him for “working his talks”. They poured much encomium on Hon. Uwak, describing him as the best thing that has happened to Oro in recent times and promised to make judicious use of the grant.

Former Councilors Protest Non-Payment Of Severance Allowance

 

…Accuse gov. Akpabio of insincerity As they were tear-gassed by Policemen

On Wednesday November 14, 2012 former Local Government Councilors across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State who converged at the Wellington Bassey Way  End, entrance to the Government House, to peacefully protest non-payment of their severance allowance got more than they bargained for.

As early as 7am the Councilors had arrived their chosen location as their number grew with time, on a day Governor Akpabio was billed to be at the Civil Service auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, to present an opening address. The occasion was the public hearing  on  the Review of  the 1999 Constitutional currently going on across the Country.

A mobile police man dragging one of the protesters

All the Councilors were unanimous in their condemnation of government attitude towards their plight after several unfulfilled promises were said to have been made  by the government, a year and six months after they left office.

They lamented that they are being singled out for ill treatment after the same government, according to them, paid severance allowance to Commissioners and aides to the Governor two days before they left office.

The Waves gathered that there have been several meetings between Governor Akpabio who, at a point set up a committee to sort things out, and with the umbrella organization for former Councilors in the State. The last most recent was the one held on the 23^rd of September, 2012.  In that parley, they alleged that the Governor promised that their problem will be sorted out in two weeks – which has now elongated to two months without payment.

Rt. Hon. Victor Akan, who represented Ibiono Ibom Ward 1, emphasized that they are neither begging for favour nor contracts, but for what rightly belongs to them.

Diversity Of Opinion Trails Uyo Senatorial District Over Quest For New Nigeria

 

By Augustine Akpan

Following several public sessions on the amendment of 1999 Constitution review, held across the nation at various constituencies, senatorial districts and states, Nigerians have continued pouring out their different views on what could be expunged from or introduced into the Constitution in their quest of building a better Nigeria.

The Constitution review as directed by the National Assembly was extended to accommodate the opinions of Nigerians to make their inputs on perceived flawed areas of the Constitution for possible amendment.

As at penultimate Saturday November 10^th 2012 all the 360 federal constituencies gathered in their respective constituencies to vote for or against certain issues in the Constitution.

In Uyo Federal Constituency’s public session on the review of the Constitution held at Ultrafit Complex, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the centre of discussion was the advocacy for true federalism. Issues that received popular attention on the templates were need for local government autonomy, quest for state creation, state police, NYSC Act, Land Use Act, Resource Control, Central Independent National Electoral Commission, Immunity clause and Rotation of Executive office among many other nagging issues.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the public hearing session,  Gen. Edet Akpan(rtd) (OFR) charged participants to “read through the templates and see where the interest lies, whatever input you are going to make, I am saying, we need true federalism”.                            

Constitution Review: Akwa Ibom State Vote Against State Police Despite Governor’s Plea

 

By Augustine Akpan

 Top on the agenda, among issues considered last Wednesday when the three senatorial districts; Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket respectively gathered at the Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat  Uyo to formalize the State’s position on the review of the amended 1999 constitution was that of the quest for state police.

The issue which reportedly generated a lot of heated debates across the ten federal constituencies and three senatorial districts in the state received lots of comment and explanation from eminent citizens and political leaders in the state before the issue was finally put to bed.

Commenting on the issue before the position of the state was passed, the state governor, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio (CON) relished the various juicy benefits that the establishment of State Police would offer and as well adumbrate the challenges the unitary and centralized police posed to checkmating crime in the state.

According to Governor Akpabio, having what he called decentralized police would empower the governor to forestall discipline and caution policemen who fail to discharge their duties effectively. He mentioned that it would help to check crime effectively in the society, “with state police there would be no arm robbery, the governor will have instrument of authority to control the apparatus that control crime”.

No Amount Of Restructuring Can Solve The Problem Of Nigeria – Air Marshal Nsikak Edouk

By Augustine Akpan

“There is no problem with the current federal system but insecurity in the part of implementation by leaders, therefore without honest leaders no amount of restructuring can solve the problem of Nigeria”. These were the words of Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok(rtd) during the recent public hearing on the amended 1999 Constitution review held in Uyo.

Air Marshal Eduok further emphasized the need to maintain principles of honesty and accountability as the basis to achieving development and good governance at any level in the society. “We don’t need to change the system but our heart; no excellent system can function in a corrupt society”, he said.

On the essence of state police, Mr. Eduok tersely commented that “it is only people who presses on for anarchy will seek state police; with state police Nigeria will collapse”. Stating that the problem posed by central police is enough headache for Nigeria , therefore bringing in state police would be disastrous.

Commenting on issue of state creation, Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok said that there is no need for further state creation. He said that the Nigerian government should place embargo on state creation, stating that it is development that Nigeria needs not creation of states.

Akwa Ibom State Police Command Smashes Tricycle Snatchers’ Syndicate

 

By Matts Udoaka

The Akwa Ibom State Police command has smashed a syndicate that specializes in snatching tricycle machines popularly known as ‘Keke Napep’ from their owners.

A source in Ikot Akpan Abia told this paper that a police team from ‘D’ Division, Itam, while carrying out the IGP’s directive of constant raiding of criminal hide outs together with surveillance of suspected areas, arrested two suspects, Henry Johnson, and Musa Kilanikola with the tricycle they snatched from one Nsikak Inyang John, of Ididep village, Ibiono Ibom on Saturday, 10^th November, 2012 at 11:00pm. It was learnt that after snatching the tricycle at Uyo, it was driven to Abak by a third suspect who is now at large.

 Also recovered from the suspects was a blue coloured Nissan Almera car with registration number ABJ 883 AA used by the suspects to carry out their operation.

In a television interview, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Etim Dickson confirmed the incident and said that the Police command is doing everything possible to tackle criminality head-long in the state, while investigation is on going as the syndicate is said to be operating from Port Harcourt.                 

Godswill Akpabio Knows His Worth

 

By Matts Udoaka

I have a high respect for Godswill Akpabio. He deserves an incisive commendation and heartwarming accolades. Not the flattering adulation from political jobbers and praise singers for mouth-watering contracts. Godswill Akpabio has to be eulogized for his worth. Like an American, Glen Backshaw, once said that the best way to ask for more good things is to appreciate [good things]. If one cannot praise his fellow man for his creditable performance who else should one appreciate? It is a matter of conscience, and of getting nearer and nearer to understanding the language of nature, as intoned by Kenneth Kaunda. For sure, I am proud of Godswill for his innate wisdom of delivering dividends of democracy to his people without let or hindrance. His natural knowledge of understanding the public needs is classified as inductive reasoning, so says the Philosopher. That ranks him top amongst his pearls. Godswill Akpabio is human, and he has human failings like any other person. He is not infallible, but at the level of the issues at stake, any discerning mind will agree with me that his policies have human face, and in most cases they are people-friendly.

The kernel of this epithet is to give the Akwa Ibom Governor kudos for understanding that besides controlling and directing human and material resources, governance is more about providing the necessary infrastructure for ordinary citizens. And this is where he stands out pre-eminently among his equals, especially in the South-South geo-political region.

I am an ardent traveller. I love going to places and other States. That broadens my knowledge of other people, their culture, environment and tradition. Therefore, when my cousin invited me for his traditional marriage at Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, I did not hesitate. Never did my cousin describe the ruggedness of the road we were to pass to Emohua to me. At least if that had been done, the fore knowledge of the road would have helped me to keep back my small car, and follow others with the bus. So, in company of some members of my family, in the convoy of friends from Port Harcourt, we set about the journey bona fide. None of my people hoped for a rough journey as many of us who started life in Rivers State are familiar with the East-West road that leads to Emohua. That of course, is the knowledge of about three years back. Still we knew that Port Harcourt journey to Emohua would experience a lighter traffic from Umukoro Junction. More so, knowing that from that Umukoro Junction to Emohua would not exceed one hour, everything put together, we expected no stress or fatigue. Conversely, the journey from Umukoro Junction to Choba that is not more than a kilometer turned out to be a nightmare, stressful with disgusting headache.

Human Right Abuse:

 

Akpabio’s Wife To Pay N5.5m To ESUT Student

Many months after Abasiama Sunday Peter, a Student of Enugu State University of Technology(ESUT) was shot by some Policemen in the convoy of the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs  Ekaette Unoma Godswill Obot Akpabio in Ikot Ekpene, in a consent judgement in the High Court (nine) of Akwa Ibom State presided by Hon. Justice Joy Uwana, via their terms of settlement, Unoma Akipabio has settled to pay N5.5m to the Applicant to assist him.

According to legal pundits, the judgement which pointed out that though the governor’s wife as the first Respondent in Suit No: HU/114/2012 had agreed to pay the sum of N5.5m to the Applicant in a consent judgement filed at the said High Court on 29^th of October 2012 as adopted by the Court, never meant admission of liability or guilt on the part of the governor’s wife.
In a “Notice of an application for an order enforcing fundamental rights” filed on the 10^th of February 2011 it was stated that the rights to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty and freedom of movement of Abasiama Peter, guaranteed by Sections 33(1), 34(1), 35(1) and 41(1) and (2) were contravened in terms of the reliefs sought.
In his Affidavit in support of motion Abasiama Sunday Peters said he was returning to Ikot Ekpene after attending a traditional marriage at Midim, Abak local government area on July 16, 2011 in his mother’s car driven by him with four persons in the car who were given lift by him.
He said at Ukana Iba he noticed a convoy ahead of him which he slowed down and followed at a safe distance up to Ukana Ikot Ntuen where the convoy slowed down signalling it was branching at a point, hence he overtook the convoy.
He stated that at Utu Edem Usung, on looking at his car’s rear mirror he discovered  a Hilux pick-up with full headlights on was  coming in the direction of Ikot Ekpene and those inside the Hilux opened fire and were firing in a sustained manner.
On arriving Ikot Ekpene, Abasiama said he stopped at Library Avenue, came out of the car he drove and immediately the Hilux pick-up pulled up and about five uniformed policemen jumped out of the Hilux and ordered the five of them to lie down on the road.

Segregation In Power Distribution Fuels Anger In Ikot Abasi

By Matts Udoaka

The alleged segregation adopted in the power distribution in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, on Monday the 22^nd of October brought a sudden standstill in business in the local government area. The worst hit was the Rusal/Alscon and Aquacem whose staffers couldn’t be conveyed to the factory.
Following the segregation in power distribution in that local government, youths of some of the affected communities staged a blockade on the only major high way to Ikot Abasi urban, the only source of movement that leads to Aluminium Smelter Plant of Nigeria.
A source told this paper that there has been  widespread segregation in the distribution of amenities accruing from the multi-billion naira aluminium company right from inception in 1991. The source said of the two staff quarters built for the workers, the one decently built with all the facilities are occupied by the white workers, whereas the poorly built ones with no amenities called ‘soweto’ are occupied by the black workers.
The source continued that in Ikot Abasi the joy of having value from the derivatives of the gigantic multi-billion naira project cited in that local government was eluding some communities in the local government area. Rusal/Alscon is believed to be having five gigantic gas turbine that are capable of supplying light to all the communities in Ikot Abasi and Mkpat Enin. But due to what could be considered as nonchalance on the part of RUSAL, the company that won the privatization bid only accepted to supply one tenth of the power to only the immediate communities in Ikot Abasi leaving a large segment of other communities to remain in the dark. As this system continues relentlessly, it was gathered that the youths of Ette and Ikot Akan communities decided to press on their demand for power by blockading the main highway to Ikot Abasi.

BCS Oron To Have A Befitting Cathedral

Like Heba, and Solomon of old at each time built befitting temple for God, so did the people of Oron, on Sunday the 21^st of October, 2012 thronged the magnificent Oron Civic Centre in their thousands to launch for the building of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star Cathedral in Oron.

Led by the fold’s Leaders’ Representative, Apostle Etim Ante at about 10.00am, the hall was filled to its capacity. Among those who were not left out of the launching was the Oro nation Women Forum, which members were resplendent in their beautiful attire and were led by the President of the Advisory Committee, Elder Mrs. Jane Onwineng.

In his sermon at the divine service, the officiating minister, Christ Witness Ime Akpakpan, who drew his sermon from St. Luke  12:48, Matthew  25 :20-21, and Matthew 13:12 admonished the brethren to use one mind in doing the work of God. The minister sounded a note of warning that people should bring out all they have to do something for God, as hoarding the money can result in one losing everything.

The occasion that started immediately after the divine service was chaired by Pastor Joseph Etim. In his opening address the chairman enjoined all to take note of the gospel and donate generously for the building of the cathedral. He thanked the members who drove down all the way from Uyo and prayed God to reward every donor accordingly. The chairman also pour encomiums on the Oro Nation Women Forum for not disappointing their President, Obonganwan Deaconess Angela Atteh under a very short notice.

The Secretary General/Head of Administration of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Queen Ibum O. Obu, was represented by Bishop A. O. E. Ekanem, the Bishop incharge of evangelism of the fold.

In his message, the Secretary General prayed for the blessing of God on all. The Bishop took a particular note of Obonganwan, Deaconess Angela Atteh for her resilience, and for continuing to carry the banner of the service of God.

The Bishop blessed all and prayed for the blessing of God to the Oro nation, particularly, the Oro Nation Women Forum who came in to support Senior Deaconess Angela Atteh, and Apostle Etim Ante. The occasion rounded up with lots of blessings.

COMMISSIONER ENOBONG UWAH TOURS GAS PLANT, COMMENDS FRONTIER OIL LTD.

 

The Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Prince Enobong Uwah has undertaken a facility tour of the Gas Plant located at Ukpo in Esit Eket Local Government Area which is under construction by Frontier Oil and Gas Ltd.
Conducting Commissioner Uwah around the facility, Mr Joshua Ebeinwhi disclosed that the Gas Plant Project which was at 80 percent completion level and was meant to supply gas to the Ibom Independent Power Plant at Ikot Abasi to help achieve the target of Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio’s administration to provide constant uninterrupted power supply in the State to drive the industrial revolution efforts and economy of the State.
He further added that the Gas Plant was also designed to supply gas directly to the other Power Plant in Cross River State and assured that Frontier Oil and Gas was living up the challenge of building a world class State of the art Gas Processing Plant with the highest standards in view.

Earlier, the General Manager Operations, Wole Adefila, intimated the Commissioner that, Frontier Oil insists on safety as the supreme objective and policy of Frontier Oil. Engr. Adefila stated that the company was working to improve the economy of Akwa Ibom State. He revealed that the company was equally committed to its social responsibility to the host communities of Eket and Esit Eket and has invested heavily in the areas of Education, Skill acquisition, employment, healthcare and infrastructural development in the areas as part of the its Community Development Project. He expressed joy that since the operation of the company began in 2011, they have not recorded any accidents in the place due to their safety procedures and culture.

Responding, Commissioner Uwah expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of work he has seen. While commending Frontier Oil for their safety standards and conducive working environment, Commissioner Uwah said he was impressed with the outlay and work plan but however charged them to expedite action so as the complete the project on schedule.

Prince Uwah observed that Governor Akpabio was committee to creating a conducive business environment for private investors to come in and commended Frontier Gas for taking up the initiative and living up to the challenge.

He charged them to maintain healthy relationship with their host communities and ensure that in its recruitment and employment services,  Akwa Ibom people were not marginalized. He assured them that his Ministry will work hard to hammer out a workable memorandum of Understanding between the company and her host communities to further smoothen their operations and charged them to keep up the high standards they were reputed for.

HOW AND WHY NSIMA EKERE WAS PUSHED OUT OF OFFICE

The Politics, Intrigues and Maneuverings that made him resign As Deputy Gov.

Five years into Chief Akpabio’s expected two terms of eight years government, it is not yet clear how many Deputy Governors his administration will wean before his tenure ends.

The first term of governor Akpabio in office saw Engr. Patrick  Ekpotu managing to survive all the intrigues and manipulations in government house which pundits say were targeted at getting him butted out of office.  But Ekpotu survived perhaps because of his calm mien and unassuming approach to doing things.

Some had said Ekpotu was a fine politician who would not budge. This position of the right wing politicians of the state did not fall short from being verified when at one time the then Deputy Governor’s office was running without electricity light and yet Engr. Ekpotu never complained. 

The situation was salvaged when a local tabloid told Akwa Ibom people and others what their Deputy Governor was going through.  Just as the media would always help to correct society and redirect attention of government at doing what is right, an order “from above” helped the situation as a generating set was brought in the following day to restore light to the office of the man who got to office first as Information Commissioner during the Gov. Attah years by addressing  Governor Victor Attah as “the man of good will”, and never was tired, despite trials to sing his “one love keep us together” song till he left office in 2011.

Perhaps Mr Nsima Ekere could not have had headaches if he had played the good “boy” the “system” expected of him.  He is a  good Christian, but may have lost touch with biblical nominations that he that seeks to be master must first serve and he that seeks to lead must first be messenger. 

A servant perhaps does not argue with the boss and is expected to take directives hook, line and sinker.  Governor Akpabio may not have had problems with Nsima Ekere in the beginning, otherwise he would not have been referring to him as his “only beloved Deputy and brother in whom he was well pleased”.

Though one school of thought holds that the State governor could have been bent by the intervening political forces unleashed by a powerful member of his cabinet, it was not clear how the state governor could all of a sudden be enmeshed in the Deputy Governor’s problem.

2015 Governorship Race:

“Only God Will Stop Umana Umana From Being Gov.”

….Benjamin David, President Loyalty Group

A political group that calls itself  Loyalty Group had last week made spurious claims that only God will stop their principal, Umana Okon Umana from becoming the governor of Akwa Ibom State, come 2015.

The National President of  the Group made this position known to pressmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

He said his claim was predicated on the fact that the current Secretary to Akwa Ibom State government was the “the most loyal, most experienced, most detribalized, and the most friendly friend of Akwa Ibom State”, and that he was “the most tested, trusted and most deserved to be the Governor of Akwa Ibom State”.

Prince Benjamin David as he called himself , said to have headed a defunct political pressure group named Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice (ADV), condemned the most touted zoning principle of the PDP, arguing that  zoning has never been there or respected and that such was undemocratic.

 He stated that the end product of zoning was capable of producing a “tribal and weak leader without manifesto as manifesto will be argued on zoning”, adding, “we are totally against zoning, because we are democratic”.

2015 ENTERS INJURY TIME

By Osondu Ahirika

How do I define injury time? Well, for every football enthusiast, injury time supposes that period, when the match becomes more intense and players from competing teams draw up every trick in the hat and throw at each other to kill off the game and win it. It is more so, if one side is leading by a slim margin, usually by a lone goal, and it is 10 to 15 minutes left to play. In our football culture where fair play rules don’t wield much difference, the players resort to what in bar lingo, they say: “if you miss the ball, don’t miss the man.”

Injury time gets worse when we have added time on to the 90 minutes of regular time. It is not altogether rare that, most players get seriously injured or sent off with a red card, due to dangerous play during this critical time. That is where we have landed in the race towards 2015 governorship elections in Akwa Ibom State. We have been coerced into injury time. Difference though is, unlike as in football, this injury time has barged in on our body polity, way too early.

An aphorism teaches that, if you put your ears to the ground you will hear the whisper of ants. Folks, every ear that is down with the currents of politicking in the land will not just hear whispers, but Babel of rumour, insinuations, allegations, and blackmail as well as the rupture and eruption of strife, disaffection and divisions in high places. Opponents have finally crossed swords and conflicting interests are beginning to crack and heat up the system.    

Chief among the causal agent of this perilous switch is gossip, blackmail, name dropping and slander. As power play and scheming politicians draw their plot, the game is, pull one down when you can and install yourself. A thug of war is being reinforced around leading gladiators in the gubernatorial contest. Each acolyte, hanger on, bootlicker, briefcase politician, busy body and thug is sweating to endear and entrench himself in the structure as the lead actor. The route to achieving this is to engage in the most deadly acts of smear campaigning against perceived or real threats to that aspiration. As a matter of fact, blackmail is the oil that greases the wheel of politics.

Gov. Akpabio’s ‘Inlaw’, Okonwko Risks The Hammer of The Law If…

 The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prod Integrated Services Limited, Mr Sylvester Okonkwo alleged to be the In-law of Gov. Akpabio is soon to be charged to court for inability to pay the sum of N855,500.00 to Fearklass Nigeria Ltd since February 2011 for electrical materials purchased from the said company.

In a Motion Ex Parte brought before Justice Edemekong Edemekong in the High Court of Akwa Ibom State in Suit No: HU/648/2012 dated October 10, 2012, an order to issue Writ of Summons placing same in an undefended list for hearing and determination was sought.

The Writ to be issued according to the Ex Parte Motion, should  be served on the Respondents at their Corporate Headquarters, Old Nnetim Akamkpa Quary, Akamkpa local government area, Cross River State by substituted service.

Justice Edemekong Edemekong on 22^nd October 2012 ordered that Writ of Summons be issued, marked Undefended and placed on the UNDEFENDED LIST for hearing and determination.  He granted leave to the Plaintiff to serve the Respondent at their Corporate Headquarters by substituted means and that the filing of delivery note shall be proof of service.  He adjourned the case to 26^th day of November 2012 for mention.

Meanwhile The Waves  learnt that Mr Okonkwo “refused and neglected” paying the said debt “in spite of several demands to pay the Claimant the money due to it consequent upon the Credit Sales”.  Invoice Nos. 001509 (for N58,500.000) and 001508 (for N797,000.00) showed a total amount of N855,500.00 which Mr  Unebgu Ugochukwu claimed was owed to his company, Fearklass Nig Ltd by Okonkwo’s firm.

Investigations showed that the Claimant’s lawyer, Emem Adams Esq wrote a letter dated September 20, 2012 demanding the said sum from Okonkwo on or before  the 28the day of September 2012 for onward delivery to Mr Unebgu but no response was got from Mr Okonkwo till the time of filing this report.

In the said letter the Solicitor had warned that where his Client’s legitimate demand would be treated with levity as done in previous times by the CEO of Prod Integrated Services Limited that a legal action in the appropriate Court would be initiated for redress including interest on the held over sum without any further recourse to Mr Okonkwo.

In his Writ of Summons the Claimant’s solicitor sought, among other things, interest rate of 19 and a half percent per month on the owed sum of N855,500.00 from 3/2/2011 till judgment is delivered and thereafter till the entire sum is liquidated as well as N200,000.00 cost of action in favor of his client.

Our reporter sent sms to Mr Okonkwo asking whether he was the Chief Executive Officer of Prod Integrated Services Ltd, whether he bought electrical materials worth N855,500.00 from Fearklass Nig Ltd since 3/2/2011 and has not paid and what was his reply when the lawyers of the Chief Executive Officer of Fearklass Nig. Ltd wrote to him; but he chose to remain silent until the time of going to press.

2015 Guber Poll: Sam Udonsak Declares

-----    Says Eket Zone Deserves More

Three years to the 2015 gubernatorial election in the country, a Port Harcourt-based medical practitioner and two-times governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Samuel Ndede Udonsak, has formally indicated his interest to run for the seat in the 2015 polls under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) platform.

Udonsak who made his intension known in a consultative meeting he held with executive committee, Elders, stakeholders and members of PDP in his Eket Urban Ward 4 at the weekend, noting that the time was ripe for Eket senatorial district to seek and occupy the Hilltop Mansion in 2015.

He added that it was unnecessary to heat up the state’s polity with the debates of zoning and which zone should produce the state chief executive in 2015 when it was cleared that Eket zone would produce the governor.

The medical doctor further explained that in 1999 all aspirants cross the state, contested for the governorship seat of the state to decide which zone would occupy the seat, saying that when former governor Victor Attah emerged, it was cleared that Uyo senatorial district had taken its turn on the seat, and in 2007, when Attah had completed his eight years in office, aspirants for the seat were majorly from Ikot Ekpene and Eket zones and that when, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio emerged, it was cleared that Ikot Ekpene senatorial district has taken its eight years turn that would be completed in 2015.

He argued that the two zones of Uyo and Ikot Ekpene had taken their slots and that in 2015, the seat would be occupy by aspirant from Eket senatorial district which, he said he was the best amongst others, because, according to him, he has the requisite experience to provide the people of the state with good governance.

“You may recall that I had on earlier occasions presented myself to be elected Governor of Akwa Ibom state. At those instances the argument was that the times were not ripe, considering the already entrenched rotational arrangement, regarding the governorship of our state. Up till now, that aspiration of mine has not waned, and you will also agree with me, that this time around, 2015 can be said to be a time, both ripe and auspicious. Based on these and other good grounds, I want to inform you most respectfully, of my resolve to contest the office of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, come 2015,” the Eket-born-politician declared, saying, “my decision is based on my conviction, that I have what it takes; the vision, the experience and the character traits and I am determined to provide good governance in the state to consolidate and build upon the very significant gains our incumbent governor has achieved.”

Earlier, the chairman of PDP Urban Ward 4, Mr. Bassey Usoro Akpan, had told the gathering that the meeting was at the instances of the governorship aspirant and that the ward party would support his (Udonsak’s) ambition because he was very qualified for the office of the state governor and promised to mobilize the party members in support of Udonsak in 2015.

The chairman of the occasion and leader of PDP in Eket local government area, Gen. Anthony Etukudo OON, (Rtd.) said that he decided to allow the premises of his private residence to be used for convening the PDP meeting to show the people of Eket his total support in the aspiration of Udonsak, noting that the time for the zone to produce the state governor would be in 2015 as, according to him, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts have already taken theirs.

Speaker after speaker declared support for Udonsak’s ambition and called for a synergy among the people of the zone to enable it (Eket zone) succeeds in the contest.

Present at the event were: serving counselors, supervisory counselors in Eket, Eket council secretary, Mrs. Enem; Dr. Etuk Etuk, Barr. Akpadiaha Ebitu; and PDP Woman Leader in the ward.

Others were: Mr. Ime Assam; Dr. Okon Essien and Mr. Ekanem Willie among several chieftains of PDP in Eket.