AKS: APGA Fields Candidate for 2015 Gov’ship Election

By Ephraim Ikpe

As the struggle to take over and occupy the Hill top Mansion white house in Akwa Ibom State intensifies, the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) last week, in a primary election held at the Party’s office at the Plaza, Uyo, nominated Obong Godwill Okon Richman(JP) as the Party’s governorship candidate for the 2015 elections in Akwa Ibom State.

Obong Godwill Okon Richman
Guber candidate of APGA in AKS for 2015

According to our reporter who monitored the exercise which was said to be orderly and peaceful, out of a total of 2300 delegates of the Party, 1800 voted for Obong Godwill Okon Richman while 500 votes were voided.

The primary election of the Party was supervised by officers of the Party from the APGA National headquarters in Abuja named Mr Muhammed Sampson and Mr Ita Ekpo(a chieftain of APGA in Akwa Ibom) and, assisted by the State Chairman of APGA Mr Uwem.  

2015 Guber Race: Bishop Akpan Picks Accord Party Ticket

By Ephraim Ikpe

Out of a total of 690 persons who participated as delegates in the governorship and other elective offices primaries of the Accord Party for the nomination of candidates for 2015 general elections, Bishop Samuel Friday Akpan polled a total of 650 votes to emerge the gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party.

Okon Iyanam who called during the accreditation to indicate that he bought the Accord Party governorship form polled a total of 17 votes coming second. The void votes were 23.

Bishop Samuel Akpan, 2015 Governorship candidate of
Accord Party, AKS

The accreditation of delegates which started at about past 1pm ended at past 2pm and voting, sorting and counting of votes and declaration the winner of the primaries ended at past 7pm.

For those running for Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly, their nomination was done by voice votes since they had no contenders.

In his response after being declared winner of the primary, Bishop Samuel Akpan said, “when God is loud, then all the spirits must fear.  The loudness of God has shaken the foundations of the realities of men.  No wickedness can stop the kindness of a people and once you are the chosen one, none can reject you. 

“I labour all through in 2007 and 2011 to enthrone the sitting government and this is the best bet I can get from that government, but I have gotten same from Accord Party”  Akpan stated.

Continuing he said, “it was not to be there, but today it is here now.  That is why I want to thank God for today’s openness to the processes of the primaries.  Accord has come to teach the generality of Akwa Ibom people how to do due process and we have now come to redeem the real deep values of democracy.  Today we have come together to warn any organization or Party that has shrouded their result in secrecy that democracy is an open affair”.

Bishop Akpan thanked his beloved Party for giving courage and strength, assuring that he mounted the Party’s platform with total determination that he and the Party members would cruise home with victorious in 2015.

I Lament For President Goodluck Jonathan

By Matts Udoaka

It is unfortunate that Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian charismatic leader who supposes this second time around, to have an easy walk into the State House in Aso Rock, is in the web of blistering logjam and utter confusion from his Party, the PDP. Our President in his secured official residence does not understand that it is not all the glittering things are gold. Many are fake flying materials that deceive men to believe that they are gold.

Despite the leverage in his performance over his predecessors, both military and civilian, despite his short period of delivery of the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, even though with his minor shortcomings as a human being, the President is dwelling in delusion, since he cannot decipher his real followers who actually want his success, from the imaginary ones who are mere actors that believe in what they can get than the corporate success of the ruling Party. The President maybe living in fools’ paradise if he actually claims that all the states in the south-south region are solidly behind him. Of course, having such a deceptive mind is very common with leaders who do not pin down their ears to listen to what transpires in different strata of the polity.

Federal Road Safety Men Require Some Ethical Orientation

By Matts Udoaka

Actually, apart from being an employment agency for teaming Nigerians, and the employers of my good friend from Cross River State, it is my candid view and that of millions of other well meaning Nigerians that the organization known as the Federal Road Safety Commission, should be disbanded forthwith, for lack of competence and focus, as well as attitudinal and ethical lapses, coupled with uncoordinated service delivery to the public.

 Without fear of contradiction, the Federal Road Safety Commission is only good at vehicle particulars checks and coding up of charges to contravened offenders. By right, the Federal Road Safety Commission of any state Command should replicate the sign-post of what this flamboyant organization stands for, in the Federation. But the reverse is the case in the case of ethical re-orientation of the operators of this organization. What then is the FRSC good for, more than being a shameful, virulent organization that values high stakes as a condition for hiding up offenses?

2014 NUJ Press Week: Celebrating Media and Service Excellence

By Patrick Albert

To the glory of God, this Dinner/Awards Night is the climax of our   2014 NUJ Press Week which kick-started on Friday, November 21, 2014 with the theme “The Media and National Unity in an Emerging Democracy.” We are happy and grateful to the Almighty God that all the activities lined have been very successful. The Lecture Session with the topics: “Professionalism: Media Ethics and Responsibility in Sustaining Democracy” and“Free Press, Democracy and Sustainable Development” on Monday, November 24, 2014 was most educative and rewarding.

Interestingly, great minds and notable scholars namely: Dr. Etim Anim of the University of Cross River State and Monsignor (Prof.) Slyvanus Udoidem of the University of Port Harcourt were the intellectual stewards at the Lecture Session, which was ably chaired by our media pearl, Mr. Ray Ekpu.

Elder Patrick Albert, NUJ Chairman, AKS

As the Fourth Estate of the Realm and the Society’s Watch-dog, engaging on such a Lecture Session, was to further preview media practice in the State in line with our drive for professional proficiency and adherence to our Code of Ethics as well as examining critical public issues with a view to proffering solutions towards the peace, law, order and good governance of the society.

Another Mass Defection Hits PDP this Week

Am moving to APGA with 1.2Million Akwa Ibomites – Godwill Richman

As the ruling People’s Democratic Party’s claims and counter claims by its gladiators over the last House of Assembly Primaries keep raging on, another mass defection is likely to hit the PDP this week as one of those seeking to take up the mantle of the state leadership, Obong Godwill Okon Richman has concluded plans with the National leadership of APGA to join the said Party with about 1.2million Akwa Ibomites.

Obong Godwill Okon Richman, 2015 guber aspirant

Speaking to our reporter from his Abuja residence on phone, Mr Richman said, “the big fish is moving to APGA and all have to move with him”.  He boasted that about 1.2million Akwa Ibom voters would join him in APGA.

He stated that he has concluded arrangements to defect to APGA to fulfill his governorship ambition as he has no confidence in the leadership of the PDP in the state as regards respect for internal democracy.

I am not seeking AKS Gov’ship in 2015 - Prof Etok Ekanem

A former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in the State, Prof Etok Okon Ekanem has debunked claims by a state-based tabloid(not The Waves newspaper) that he is seeking for the Akwa Ibom State governorship in 2015 under the platform of Labour Party.

Prof Etok Ekanem, former Commissioner
of Agric & Nat. Res. AKS

In a press statement dated December 1, 2014 and signed by the erudite scholar entitled, “IT IS NOT TRUE. I AM NOT CONTESTING FOR AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNORSHIP POSITION IN 2015”, the Professor of Food Technology said, “The purpose of this Press Statement is to state, categorically, that I am not running for the Office of Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015, whether on the platform of the Labour Party (as alleged in the story) or that of any other Political Party whatsoever. I have indeed, never contemplated vying for the seat of Governor in 2015, talk less of mentioning or discussing this with anybody or the Media. I am indeed, not contesting for any elective public office in 2015”.

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AKS PDP Primaries of Troubles!

…Etiebet, Ekpenyong, Assam, Ekere,Ors Reject Results…Say Massive Defection May Hit PDP if…

By Ephraim Ikpe

Atuekong Don  Obot  Etiebet, CON, a founding member of the PDP  and permanent member of Board of Trustees and other aggrieved elders have condemned and rejected the result of the House of Assembly Primaries election done on November 29, 2014 describing it as fraught with “inconsistencies and irregularities” which Etiebet said violated the Electoral Law and the PDP Guidelines for such elections.  

Etiebet had said, “I am not satisfied with what happened as regards PDP House of Assembly Primaries in the State”.

Obong Nsima Ekere, 2015 guber Aspirant

Speaking to Journalists in his Ewet Housing residence in Uyo on Sunday December 1, 2014, he complained that on the 1^st of November, 2014, Ward Congresses meant to be held in the State were not held, but he heard names were sent to the national leadership of the PDP purported to have been elected at the said Ward Congresses.  He said that he complained through petitions to the national body of the Party and alerted the Press, got assurances that the issue raised would be addressed, but such was not done.