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.

Time Check for Eket Senatorial District Now Or Never

By Matts Udoaka         

This piece in particular belongs to the discernible minds of the folks from the Eket Senatorial District. What these people have experienced in recent times leaves much to be desired in a political atmosphere that can make or mar the growth of a people.

As of now, the time of speculation has gone, and it should be consigned to the dirty bin forever. All hands should be on deck to pull the Eket Senatorial District turn to produce the next governor of the state. A choice has been made which people felt the procedure had failed the global best practice when considering what democracy stands for. But such procedure was not new in our political clime.

Obong Victor Attah, our resource control hero had tried it and failed because the fringes were not tidied by him. What remains, irrespective of what people may think is that a man from the Eket senatorial district (how be it) has emerged. He is not from another senatorial district to attract squabbling since he is qualified to lead the state, the senatorial district should sweep any discrepancy arising from his emergence under the carpet to avoid causing a bad luck to the senatorial district. Politics being what it is, and going by the spirit of agreement which made the other two Senatorial Districts to take their turn, nothing should be done for the people of Eket Senatorial District to forfeit their turn now. Otherwise the Eket Senatorial District may become the farmer who denied himself food.

Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, PDP govenrorship
Candidate in 2015 election

With all sense of modesty, the Eket Senatorial District is the only district that parades all-time qualified men – even up untill now. What is on top is to see the thin line and accept the best choice among the present three candidates. The calculation in terms of the best is the experience in public and corporate life, the ability to keep the head down when chased about with large sums of money and the ability to attract investors into the state. For every other thing, all the candidates are good.

Abak Rally: A Debt of Gratitude

By Joe Iniodu

 Memories of the PDP local government rallies have continued to linger especially in the manner each local government tried to outdo the other in attendance, support groups, quality of support, speeches, planning and mobilization. Abak Local Government Area being home to a notable opposition element proved that it had since been liberated from the servitude politics of yester years in which one man considered himself the imperial overlord armed with the franchise to dictate the collective destiny of the people of that geographical space. On February 7, 2015, the people of Abak, renewed in spirit and faith came out in their teeming numbers to re-enact the point that they are now the masters of their own destiny.

As early as 10a.m, the Abak Township Stadium located on Ikot-Ekpene road which was already wearing a carnival look had begun to receive its guest. Canopies of different shapes and sizes were erected to give vantage view to the podium which walk-way was draped in red carpet. The seats under the canopies were covered with the areas assigned to VIPs that accompanied Her Excellency, Mrs. Ekaete Unoma Akpabio who represented the husband and the PDP candidate, Deacon Udom Emmanuel receiving more attention and emphasis in the decoration. The podium was well elevated to ease visibility from any part of the field. As the human traffic flooded into the arena, many of the seats were taken up with a mass of people without seats reduced to standing.

By noon the atmosphere of the arena was evocative of a carnival spree. Support groups adorned in resplendent uniform filled the arena. While some of the groups had musical equipment to do their special songs, others danced to songs that were wafting out from the multiple large speakers that were placed at strategic places within the stadium. Cultural groups were also on hand to add verve to the fever laden atmosphere. The people who had been mobilized from 98 villages classified into eleven wards with 120 units wore bright faces to underscore their excitement and willingness to vote Udom/Moses ticket for governor and deputy governor respectively as well as vote other PDP candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

Uyo Bubbles as Prince Uduak Udo Kick-starts 2015 Campaigns

By Grace Umosen

The people of Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State got thrilled as their son, a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Uduak P.S. Udo declared his political ambition to represent them in the State House of Assembly and also to inaugurate his grassroot mobilization team which will help to foster peaceful co-ordination and success in the upcoming election in the state.

The event which took place at Ikot Udoro Oku in Uyo was attended by people from all spheres of life.

At the occasion, Prince Uduak Udo stated that his mission is to restore confidence in the lives of the citizenry and to change the political phase in Uyo Constituency by impacting positively on the lives of his people and the Akwa Ibom State at large. According to him, “no good leader swims in affluence while his subjects die in starvation”.

He further advised his people to always be on alert for change, since change is one of the few constants we have in the world. While urging the people of Uyo to embrace change, he added that, flexibility brings good reconstructuring in one’s life.

The APC candidate, Prince Udo also described his political group as the home for the homeless, saying, “the Party rationale is to bring positive change to every nooks and crannies of the nation, give voice to the populace and restore sanity in Nigerian politics”.

Prince Udo expressed optimism towards the kind gesture of his supporters for coming out massively to support the struggle, praying that God who protects the plants from being overrun by the weeds will protect them from all rancor, calling for their total support and solidarity in the forth coming election.

Guber Poll: Don Etiebet finally Adopts Umana/Ukpong

…Says there must be change in A’Ibom

It was a suspense-filled setting when the erstwhile Petroleum Minister, Otuekong Don Etiebet walked to the centre-stage and grabbed the microphone to make remarks, last Friday, at Ikot Ekpene after retiring from the burial ceremony of Mr. Ezekiel Asukwo, the late father-in-law to the immediate past Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area Chapter Chairman and Chairman of Chapter Chairmen Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sunny Ibanga.

Atuekong Don Etiebet, PDP
Board of Trustees member

Everyone seemed to be on tenterhooks to hear what he was going to say and as usual he did not mince his words.
Etiebet, who is one of the founding members of the PDP and a member of the Party’s Board of Trustees (BOT), has been in the news all through the build-up to the 2015 elections slated for 28th day of this month and 11th April for his fierce stance against  what he calls ‘impunity, irregularity and imposition of candidates in the party’. 
The PDP BOT member stated: “I’m one of those who formed the PDP in Abuja. Am I lying? After forming the party I became a presidential aspirant; I nearly became the president under the party but not for the fact that the party hierarchy decided that another person (Obasanjo) should go for the sake of peace. One cannot overlook things when they are not rightly done just because one is a member of a party!

BATTLE FOR AKS HILLTOP MANSION DEEPENS

-The Chances Of Candidates, Party Connection-How Electorates Will Vote In LGAS

By Joseph Okon

As the 2015 governorship battle for the control of Akwa Ibom state hilltop mansion gathers momentum in the state, more candidates have intensify their campaign strategies to win support from the electorates. This special report will examine the chances of all the four governorship candidates and their political parties contesting to succeed the incumbent Governor Godswill Akpabio, the support base of each Party in all the 31 local government areas, and council chairmen likely to betray PDP.

In the race for hilltop mansion is a renowned financial expert cum industrialist, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel who is the candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party PDP, former Executive Director in Zenith Bank Plc and a member in the board of African Finance Cooperation; Obong Umana Okon Umana - the longest serving secretary to the state government for 7 years is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Bishop Samuel Akpan - the immediate past State Deputy Chairman of the PDP, the International Coordinator of the defunct AKPF, and a strong grasrooter now the governorship candidate of Accord Party, and Distinguished Senator Helen Esuene, the incumbent Senator representing Eket Senatorial District who is the wife of the former Military Governor, Col. Esuene, is the governorship candidate of Labour Party of Nigeria.

Though they were all members of the ruling PDP as at last year and the PDP has the record of consistency in governance since it came to power in 1999, no opposition party has been able to unseat the PDP in Akwa Ibom state government house, but the likes of Umana Umana, Sam Akpan, and Helen Esuene who have been members of PDP for years and started their political career under PDP believe they will unseat PDP come 11 April 2015. They claim to have all the necessary strategies to defeat the ruling PDP having been in the party for years and know the PDP strategy.

Other governorship candidates who also work closely with the present administration seem to have seen the achievements of the present administration though without some short comings, but the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr Umana Okon Umana who was the longest serving SSG in the state since the return of democracy in 1999 seems not to see anything good about the present government having described Governor Akpabio’s government he served for 7 years as a complete failure and irresponsible.

In the midst of this war of words across party lines and candidates, the ruling PDP has dismissed all opposition claims in the state, and maintained that PDP is the only party to beat and the only formidable political party with the right candidates in Nigeria, assuring its supporters of total victory for the Party come 28 March and 11 April 2015.

2015 Drama Moves to AKHA: As Speaker Sam Ikon declares Four seats vacant:

The Peaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday March 10, 2015 declared the seats of four house members vacant.  The affected lawmakers are: Hon. Kufre Etuk(Uruan LGA); Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong(Mbo LGA); Hon. Bassey Etienam(Urueoffong/Oruko LGA) and Rt. Hon. Paul Owo(Ini LGA).

The lawmakers were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. After losing out in the last PDP primary, they sought greener pastures in other political parties. While Kufre, Alice, and Bassey defected to the APC, Paul went to Accord Party.

Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon, Speaker AKHA

The kicking out of the four lawmakers is said to be in line with House Rules. A letter, multiple sources say, was sent to the House and addressed to Speaker Ikon by the PDP requesting the declaration of the seats vacant on account that the occupiers had defected to other parties.

Surprisingly, Hon Sarah Elijah of Nsit Atai was not listed. Sarah was elected on the PDP platform but defected to Labour party to contest for a second term.

By this order, none of the four lawmakers will be allowed into the chamber as lawmakers henceforth. But there seems to be more to this than the legality of the removal.

Why South-South Should Reject APC

By Joe Iniodu      

The ownership of APC, the major opposition Party in Nigeria is no longer debatable. Its metamorphosis from Alliance for Democracy, AD, when it was jointly owned by Yoruba people to Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN when it became Tinubu’s investment to All Progressive Congress, APC that he is currently the sole proprietor, depicts a business concern with profit as the sole motive. And the target is the wealth of the South-South which is oil. It is the oil wealth that he is plotting to use APC as a platform to control if the latter wins the presidency.

The action of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu should not be a surprise to those who have followed Nigeria ’s political history. The Yorubas as a race have always undermined the rest of the country. They have innate arrogance and believe that they are a superior race. During the days of Northern and Southern protectorates, they exhibited this complex in their dealings with other sections of the South. When Calabar was made the capital of Nigeria by the colonial masters, the Yorubas using their famed advantages, employed all kinds of subtleties and subterfuges to have the capital relocated to their enclave in Lagos . We lost that and still trusted and maintained them as allies.

                                        

When our nation launched for independence in the early fifties, the Yorubas played a leading role not totally in the interest of others but for the reason that a country where they would have control because of the advantages that accrued to them was about to be born. This perception was given credence when the colonial masters leveraged their hold on the country and paved the way for self determination. The Yorubas refused to join cause with Namdi Azikiwe who lived in their community and worked with them. They formed a Yoruba party and attempted to force it on the rest of Nigerians. But Nigerians knew better and consistently denied their leader who ironically was then the best for Nigeria political leadership. It was true reward for the attitude he and his race consistently exhibited towards others. For instance, it is a known fact that their leader introduced ethnic politics into the nation’s polity.

Senator J. J. Akpan Udoedehe and Obong Umana Okon Umana: Poser for All Progressives Congress in 2015

By Matts Udoaka

There is the common notion that two captains cannot navigate a ship. This assertion portends a grave danger to the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, when weighed against the backdrop of the fierce, dangerous missiles paraded by the two leaders of the APC in the state. The two heavy weight personalities are Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe, and Obong Umana Okon Umana, the penultimate SSG to the Akwa Ibom State Government.

Senator John James Akpan Udoedeghe
APC  guber aspirant(2015); former ACN
guber candidate(2011)

Only a distant watcher can falter or dismiss the potentials of these heavy personalities because of money or frayed popularity. The reason is that the two powerful men can command the crowd to their best advantage at any time.

For those who have studied the two of them, must agree with me that there is no difference between the content of the marrow of one with another, and their all out instinct to outwit each other and become the ultimate governor of the state. Yet, it would take a serious time of fence mending for the APC convoy of rapprochement to reconcile the duo.

It all began from last state congress/nomination exercise of APC when one of the contending figures was reported to have ceased the materials for the delegates election, and the others had to contend with the out-modeled option A4 system of voting as was said to be the directive of the APC supervisory team. This dissatisfactory conduct might not be unconnected with the outstanding political feud that instigated Senator Udo Edehe to label Obong Umana as a man who started stealing government money since he was the Director of Budget. Such unguarded utterances were made when the 

Bloodbath in Akwa Ibom State!

…Says Apostle Johnson Suleiman Claims Gov. Akpabio will not produce successor  A fierce Christian prophet in Nigeria, Apostle Johnson Suleman has reportedly said that Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State will not be able to install a successor in the state in 2015.  Johnson Suleman, the President of Omega Fire Ministries Inc., said this on Monday at Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Hall, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo while ministering during a programme organised by his church. Think Akwa Ibom! gathered from a Christian worshipper who attended the programme that Suleman said to a cheerful congregation “tell the current governor that no matter how much he tries, he cannot sit another governor before he leaves office.” Apostle Johnson Suleiman The hall erupted with shouts of joy from the congregation as soon as Apostle Johnson Suleiman made the ‘prophetic remarks’, Think Akwa Ibom! An online media platform had learnt. The Apostle is reported to have said that he foresees people’s heads being cut off and bloodbath in Uyo, Akwa Ibom because of the 2015 elections. (culled from thinkakwaibom.blogspot.com) In a related development, in a face book post done recently, the Apostle revealed as follows what he believes would happen in this New Year. One of his prophecies is that the 2015 election would be a replica of June 12. He says Jonathan should be prayerful as there are plans to kill him.

2014/2015 Miss Akwa Ibom Crowned

As NUJ Chairman Preaches Against Nudity

The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council has called for concerted moral education to stem the rate of nudity by girls and ladies in the tertiary institutions and the society.

Elder Patrick Albert who bared his mind recently at the official crowning of Miss Akwa Ibom 2014/2015, Miss Blessing Usen, by the Akwa Ibom State Hotels and Tourism Board, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, observed that the rate of nudity in the society was becoming worrisome.

Albert, who is a patron, Association of Beauty Queens and Kings in Akwa Ibom State pointed out that daily on the social media platforms – internet, face book, etc, indecent dressing  has become a style and must be discouraged, urging the new crowned Queen, Miss Usen, to campaign against nudity during her reign.

He encouraged her to take the message to girls and ladies that Akwa Ibom admires beauty in decency and not in nudity.

NUJ Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert with Miss Akwa Ibom
Beauty Queen, Miss Blessing Usen soon after her crowning
Monday February 23, 2015

According to the chairman, it is a thing of concern that universities and colleges are filled with half-naked girls and ladies, urging the queen to join in the campaign against indecent dressing and to ensure that the State has responsible children.

He noted that as leaders of tomorrow, the society would not appreciate a half-naked man or woman as senator or governor, appealing to the Queen to take this issue as one of her programmes, while also stressing the need for parents, especially mothers to do a lot on their young girls.

Weeping for Failing Election is Another Great Lesson to Nigerians

By Matts Udoaka

Whether we like it or leave it, it’s never a secret that a towering retired General-turned politician had wept publicly for failing to win the election he had prepared himself for his swearing-in, on May 29, 2011 as the President of this great country.

This childish debacle, and debased re-action did not come from none other than a prowling personality of General Muhammadu Buhari(retd), the change personage of recent times whose military antecedent alone is capable of swaying his feeling from warped out-burst that could bring his image to ridicule. The General did not know that to weather a political storm has more to it that scares away the timid than firing a bullet to kill an enemy.

Though politics is a game of uncertainty as accepted by James Hadfield, better for those who started the political gamesmanship in the campus as Student Union Government (SUG) leaders than those who were recruited into army. By that the student activist knows how to skillfully avert landing on a misplaced turf of political speculation when getting to a wider society.

Making friend with a strange bed-fellow is what has brought about a public disgrace to a statesman. In other words, the student who started his political career in the campus has a leverage and courage to absorb sarcastic and tendentious fall out than the lad who was freshly recruited into the army. To put it direct, the former was trained to lead in government and the private sector and to stomach the opium that goes with the rudiment of leadership; whereas the latter learns only how to defend and at best to reproduce the language of the coupes and revolutionary. One can notice why ‘change’, a borrowed word from Obama Campaign Organization in 2008 infiltrated into Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s political lexicon. That is the word he remembers as a soldier, and such a harsh principle that fails to convince the enlightened in the present circumstance; unless the General means changing from the Sharia concept he holds to a more generalized liberal concept.

Obasanjo's Depraved Conscience, Goodluck Nigeria!

By Osondu Ahirika 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo a.k.a OBJ, is both a tragic and a comic figure, Nigerians are condemned to endure. Such curious blend of phlegmatic melancholy couldn't trouble a man much more than it has OBJ.
It amuses me that, many Nigerians still don't comprehend OBJ's greatest obsession: that of being seen as the CONSCIENCE of the Nation. 

Failing to get a greedily sought third term at the end of his tenure in 2011, OBJ who grudgingly ingratiates himself as the only man worthy to lead Nigeria devised a Plan B. To (pl)ease him out, stakeholders agreed to amend the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution, paving way to make him Life Chairman of the Party’s Board of Trustees. In his warped logic, the amendment provided that he will serve as the CONSCIENCE OF THE PDP. 
In exercise of that bogus Office, OBJ felt he could throw his irritable weight about as the moral ombudsman of leaders in the nation. That isn't a bad idea, as every nation needs a conscience and men who serve as the compass to measure its morality. The stink is that, OBJ is the very antithesis of that prudent idea. Truth is, OBJ that we have come to know at his best flaunts a DEPRAVED CONSCIENCE, if at all he still has one.
A synopsis of the type of Conscience OBJ has troubled this nation which can be traced to his memoirs, books and speeches. Overly concerned with erecting a cult-like image or demi-god status for himself, OBJ has remorselessly and ruthlessly deployed his razor-sharp tongue to tear down every other rival in the evolution of our nation’s pantheon of leaders.
Back in 1979, as an exiting Military Head of State, OBJ bequeathed the nation a flawed General Elections. Alhaji Shehu Shagari emerged President in an election many believed Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his(OBJ's) townsman won. A pugnacious OBJ shouted down at the nation: THE BEST CANDIDATE MUST NOT NECCESSARILY WIN AN ELECTION, he said. That nailed it for Pa. Awo. It did not matter what the rest of the nation thought.
It still shocks me that, in reaction to the subsequent criticism of the Nigeria Press against his shoddy administration and disengagement from power, OBJ who responded by posting the infamous, NO DOGS AND JOURNALISTS WANTED HERE on his Otta Farm House gate, still enjoys the spotlight of the people he so despised and ranked as dogs.
The man who will not tolerate any correction soon tackled Shagari with his acerbic tongue when they fell out. Though he didn't leave any sound bite against Shagari, his eventual ouster by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari made OBJ wear a wry smile. Buhari didn't last long enough for OBJ's famous tirades to rain, but Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida(IBB) who kicked Buhari out got a full dose.

Editorial: 2015 Election, The National Conference And The Survival of Nigeria

The 2015 Election which is by the corner  is tending to create unnecessary tension and panic such that the Director General of PDP presidential campaign council Dr. Ahmadu Ali, was quoted in the recent past as saying that if APC wins the presidential election he would leave the country.  The issue of 2015 election has caused most Nigerians  who were deemed not vocal to talk and others who have been talking to talk louder.  The situation appears as if the country has not gone through the experience of transiting power to a new administration before.

Though reasons for such behaviours may not be unconnected with the recent postponement of the February elections, other pundits have tenaciously referred to the June 12, 1993 elections which Chief Moshood K. O. Abiola was said to have won but was not declared, as the basis for their worry. However, while Prof. Attahiru Jega had told the House of Reps members two weeks ago that he could not guarantee the new election date of  March 28 and April 14, 2015, the President and Defence authorities have assured that elections would be held, in defiance to the continuous threat by the leadership of the Boko Haram Islamist sect that they would unleash 30,000 fighters to scuttle elections in the North-Eastern part of the country. The good riddance is that the Nigerian military is recently bombarding Baga, which has been recaptured by our gallant soldiers cum the Multinational forces.

The fact that the peoples of multi-ethnic backgrounds have been brought together, whether willingly or unwillingly, under a defined territory called Nigeria with a federal government makes Nigeria a nation, not short of kegs of an atomistic society, which is perpetually at war with itself.

If as a nation’s politics is believed to be the process to get authorized access to supervise and also engage in sharing of the wealth of the nation for the good of all, then how does violence, killings, disruption of campaigns of the ruling and opposition Parties, theft, hoarding and buying of Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs), alleged distribution of PVCs to some traditional rulers in the north-east by INEC Chairman, insults to the President by every Tom, Dick and Harry, be the only known and sane way of seeking to transit power in Nigeria? Why should a man who sat on the throne of Nigeria turn round, in a jiffy, to desecrate the seat and the occupant of the very seat he sat all in the name of being called the baba of modern Nigeria?

The intrigues of the 2015 elections have tended to threaten the continuity of what is called Nigeria causing even cross-carpeting in the nation’s lower chamber of the National Assembly, nay the executive arm of government.  The ruling Party seems not to have lost sight on the push by the key opposition Party to clinch on the power valve through the ballot during next election. However, while some political pundits argue in favour of change, the ruling Party and its numerous supporters acquit the ruling PDP government of having done well for the north.  The effort of the current administration in building 150 Almajiri Schools in the north, development and expansion of electricity infrastructure across the country via Integrated Power Project,  revivification and construction of new railway lines and provision of trains to ply most of the routes, federal appointments of northerners, up to the Chief Security Adviser of the President, and many more have been canvassed by the ruling Party as a tip of the iceberg of President Jonathan’s effort to keep the country going.  Though it has been alleged that the northerners are angered by how power slipped off their hands, the statement allegedly credited to the Presidential flag bearer of the key opposition Party in the country, is believed to have fuelled the Boko Haram crisis which appears to be an albatross to the smoothness of 2015 elections.

APC, UOU in Political Limbo as Andem Andem Decamps to PDP

-Says opposition in Akwa Ibom is bad market - Ita Enang is ungrateful opportunist – APC lawyer

Mr Umana Okon Umana, APC guber
candidate, Akwa Ibom State

The leadership of the All Progressive Congress APC and it Governorship candidate, Mr Umana Okon Umana suffered another major political setback in their bid to rule Akwa Ibom state last weekend during the PDP governorship rally in Etinan Local Government Area as the controversial APC lawyer, Barr Andem Andem who had been defending the party since in the days of the defunct ACN till the present APC defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP.

He described the opposition party APC in Akwa Ibom as bad market that cannot profit anybody, and advised that Akwa Ibom people should shun all forms of opposition in the state as such will not profit them, but should always key into the mainstream politics by supporting the ruling PDP because opposition will never win in Akwa Ibom state.

Ekperikpe Ekpo blows hot, Insists on taking Abak-five turn

 Backs Uwem Udoma for Reps

Former Federal House of Representatives member and Accord Party Senatorial candidate, Obong Emem Ekperikpe Ekpo has explained that his encouragement to aspire for the 2015 Senate seat is due to the motivation he received from the entire people of former Abak Division known as “Abak- Five”.

Speaking in an interview recently, Obong Ekperikpe Ekpo lamented that he dropped his 2011 Senate ambition because of Governor Godswill Akpabio’s appeal for me to wait for “my turn in 2015, so that Senator Alloy Etok should go for second term under Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District”, pointing out that he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of the failure to keep to promise.

Hon. Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, Senatorial candidate for
Accord Party, AKS

“I am contesting for Senate under the platform of Accord Party, a party which stands for agreement, justice and equity. With my experience as a former member of the Federal House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, I will be a ranking Senator when I go to the National Assembly this 2015. No matter how top a position you have, if you go to the National Assembly for the first time, you will be regarded as a fresher and not a ranking Senator. When you look at the credibility of the candidates listed by Accord Party, you will see the possibility of the party sweeping at the Polls in Akwa Ibom State. So I am so sure that Accord will win and shake the state. After all, we are the people that made PDP tick,”  he said.

Pioneer Chapel Passes Vote of Appreciation on NUJ Boss

As the present leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council enters into its second year in office, its Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert has continued to receive accolades and applauses by members on his sterling performances and leadership acumen.

The latest came from his Chapel, The Pioneer at its January Congress held recently in the Features Room of the Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation, Information Drive, Uyo during which stakeholders and members applauded him for performing creditably well since assumption of office on August 1, 2013.

Albert’s commendations were based on his ability to draw dividends of governance from the Akwa Ibom State government to members of the Union in the State, with The Pioneer Chapel inclusive, ranging from Toyota Hiace buses for Chapels, GOTV Decoders and Laptops for members in the 13 Chapels that make up the Union in the State as well as Forum of Past Chairmen, League of Veterans Journalists and Planet FM.

Speaking at the Congress, the former Secretary of NUJ in Akwa Ibom State Council and a stakeholder in the Chapel, Obong Ime Isuaikoh enumerated some of the achievements of Albert in the last one year and some months of his administration, and commended him for the feats.

Elder Patrick Albert, NUJ Chairman, AKS

Isuaikoh pointed out that there was need for The Pioneer Chapel which Albert belongs, to celebrate his achievements regularly as their own, as he has made the Chapel proud in offering quality leadership at the State Council.

He maintained that though Albert has done a lot for the Union and members, it behooves on him to do more for his own Chapel, The Pioneer, bearing in mind that the members are his backbone.

The former State Secretary appealed to the NUJ Chairman to pay particular attention to his Chapel and to ensure that the members are always carried along in his scheme of things in the Union at the state level.

Isuaikoh, who heads The Pioneer Newspapers’ Crime Desk, opined that the leadership of the Union should liaise with other parastatals that operate at the Information Drive, Uyo and see how they could offer remedial repairs of the road and make it better for use while waiting for the State Government. He said these acts would add credits to him as the Chairman of NUJ.

ExxonMobil’s New Media Helmsman Visits NUJ, Pledges Partnership

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council has called for mutual cooperation with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil.

 The state chairman of NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert made the call when the new manager, Media and Communications, Lagos of the multinational firm, Mr. Ugochukwu Udeagha paid a courtesy call on him and members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of NUJ at the Press Centre, Information Drive, Off IBB Way, Uyo.

Albert said the Union wants to see a more robust partnership between the oil firm and journalists in the State in areas of training and retraining, provision of facilities and development of its International Press Centre while assuring the company of its continued cooperation and objective reportage of their activities.

According to him, journalists in the State deserve the attention of the oil firm in view of their years of exploration in the State and the cooperation journalists often extend to them in the reportage of their activities, adding that Mobil producing Nigeria Unlimited has over the years been a good corporate citizen in the State.

“If one is to make an objective assessment of the performances of Mobil producing Nigeria Unlimited in community relations and project execution, it would be seen clearly on the scale that it has performed above average in the state and beyond,” he said.

Albert recalled the gesture of MPN to NUJ in 2014 where it donated 75 pieces of laptops to members of the Union, adding that the gesture was followed by the State Government, which also gave 100 Laptops to members.

He urged him to consider additional Laptops and I-Pads to members to improve the ICT know-how of members and to aid them in their reportage.

The NUJ chairman, who expressed happiness over the visit of the new officer and his colleagues barely two weeks after his appointment, said such is a character of a true manager who seeks to survey and evaluate the strength of the formation to know areas of possible support, weakness and strength in order to be guided when he commences work.

Uyo Stands Still as Helen Esuene Officially Declares to Succeed Gov Akpabio

Commercial and economic activities as well as vehicular movements were temporarily grounded to a halt on Thursday in parts of Uyo, the State capital, when the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, Senator Helen Esuene, visited the State Secretariat of Labour Party in Uyo, to acquaint them of her preparedness to win the 28th February governorship election.

However, at about 10 am, a mammoth crowd of Supporters had besieged Esuene’s convoy from her Campaign office along Udo Udoma Avenue in Uyo, causing traffic gridlock, following the distinguished Senator all the way to the LP State secretariat in Ekpo Obot Street, Uyo.

HE Senator Mrs Helen Esuene, Guber Candidate
Labour Party, AKS

In a well attended official declaration ceremony, Esuene who was accompanied by her running mate, Pastor David Okpon, Director-General, Esuene/Okpon Campaign Organisation, Sir Effiong Archibong, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barrister Bassey Essien, amongst other echelons, made her declaration before Labour party stakeholders and members as well as 17 candidates of the party in this month's general elections.

Addressing the people, Senator Esuene said coming to Labour Party is just not the best way but the only way available to continue the fight to free Akwa Ibom from hands of one family who has grounded the wealth of the State, stressing her readiness to take over the Hiltop Mansion post-Akpabio administration and build Akwa Ibom of our dream.