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  • 2015: Akwa Ibom and Akpabio’s succession plan

    2015: Akwa Ibom and Akpabio’s succession plan

    Fifteen aspirants are eyeing the governorship of Akwa Ibom State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Correspondent KAZEEM IBRAHYM  examines the issues that will shape the contest.

    The stage is set for an epic battle. Following the release of the timetable for 2015 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the politics of succession assumed a new dimension in Akwa Ibom State, governorship aspirants have been declaring their interests. Many stakeholders have also urged Governor Godswill Akpabio to make public his succession plan.

    Many issues will shape the contest next year. At a ceremony in Awa, a rustic Ibibio town, two weeks ago, the governor revisited the debate on zoning. He said that in 2015, power should shift to the Eket Senatorial District. Akpabio explained that the zone had been left in the cold for almost 16 years.

    The governor’s support for zoning has been received with mixed feelings. Some politicians have described it as an attempt to edge out of the race, other aspirants without justification. But, others have hailed the governor, describing him as an apostle of justice and fairplay. Two prominent PDP chieftains from Eket District eyeing the seat are former Secretary to Government Umanana Umana and his successor, Udom Emmanuel.

    But, the people of Oron, who are spread across five local government areas in Eket District, are disturbed by the governor’s body language. They have argued that, since the state was created, based on the agreement among the Ibibio, Annang and Oron, zoning should reflect the ethnic composition, instead of the senatorial zones created out of political expediency.

    The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Victor Iyanam, an Oron man, is a champion of “zoning by ethnic bloc.” He said that Oron has been marginalised in the the state. “Oron people are charting their own destiny. If you cannot zone the governorship to Oron, we are better off in an open contest so that we can go and vote for who we like. Instead of deceiving us and making us to accept senatorial zoning and, at the end of the day, we lose out from that contest and have nothing for the next 24 years. It is better for Oro people to embrace an open contest and vote for who they like,” he said.

    Many Oron leaders share this sentiment. But, other leaders of Eket District are erecting brick walls on their way. For instance, the former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, disputed the Oron leaders’ claims. He said the “tripod story” had been debunked at the national level.

    “At the national level, we used to have tripod of Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. The same people agitating for tripod in Akwa Ibom State used the same tactics to snatch the presidency to the Southsouth, leading to the emergence of an Ijaw man as the president. So, zoning cannot be based on the ethnic bloc,” he added.

    Akpabio has also come under attack for alleged imposition of an aspirant, Udom Emmanuel, on the party. Emmanuel, a banker, succeeded Umana as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) last year.

    At a rally in Uyo, the state capital, Senator Effiong Bob, spoke against plans by the governor to anoint an aspirant. Bob, who had represented Uyo District in the Senate, advised the people to be vigilant. He said that imposition of an aspirant is anti-democratic.

    “We want everybody to come out for the overall interest of this state and the country. Anybody that wants to contest can contest. My general advice to the people of the state is that they should be vigilant. They should also be conscious about their rights. Their right to vote and be voted for. Also, the people must be able to shine their eyes to know what is good for them.

    “I am not going to suggest anybody for anybody. I believe that we are wise enough to choose an inclusive person that will lead the state and lead the people of the state, not an individual that will come and lead individuals,” he said.

    The former deputy governor, Chris Ekpenyong, was in the same frame of mind. He urged the people to shun fear and resist imposition.

    “To the Akwa Ibom people, it is time for you to start coming out. Nobody can impose any candidate on the people. I have seen poverty and I have seen riches. There is nothing anybody can give to me, ” he said.

    Third Republic Senator Etang Umoyo, who represented Eket District, also spoke at the rally. He described Akwa Ibom people as a republican people, saying they cannot be cowed.

    “When it is important, we will talk. We will not accept any form of imposition. We are republican people. We have never been cowed by anybody. There is no political barrier we cannot break,” he stressed.

    It is a crowded race. Apart from Umana and Emmanuel, other aspirants include Prof. Richard King, Nsima Ekere; Michael Onofiok, Ambassador Assam Assam (SAN), Ekpenyong Nkekim, Patrick Ekpotu, Bishop Sam Akpan, Effiong Abia, and Senator Helen Esuene.

     

    King

    Prof. King is a member of the Presidential Monitoring Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He is a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan. Thier relationship started 30 years ago. He is seen by many as someone who can consolidate on the achievements of Akpabio, based on his vast experience.

    King, an Eket man, is favoured by the zoning arrangement being canvassed by the governor. The don, who holds traditional titles of Okuku of Idua Clan, Eket and Obong Ikkike of Uyo, is not relenting in his efforts to get the ticket. He has begun consultations with traditional rulers and others that matters on his plan to succeed the governor. Recently, he has opened his campaign office in Uyo. His structure, the Divine Mandate Organisation, is also waxing stronger.

    King is building a formidable political structure that would make him coast to victory in the election, if he gets the PDP ticket. The feeling is that the President will also support his bid for power in the oil-rich state.

    But the question is: Will the don get the governor’s support? King is perceived as a dark horse in the race.

     

    Emmanuel

    Emmanuel is a banker-turned politician. He was not in contention, until he became the SSG. Until his appointment, he was the Executive Director of the Zenith Bank. It is believed that the governor has made up his mind to anoint him as the candidate. Emmanuel is favoured by the zoning arrangement. He is hails from Onna, the heart of Ibibioland.

    As a dependable ally of the governor, the SSG now has adverssaries. He is perceived as an outsider waiting to wear the crown without much political labour. The political foes of the governor are ganging up against him.

    Recently, he organized a thanksgiving service in his Awa-Iman hometown. To observers, the ceremony marked the first phase of the succession endorsement. Many gig wigs witnessed the event. Akpabio, his commissioners and special advisers and federal and state legislators were guests. For Emmanuel, the thanksgiving ceremony marked the beginning of a turbulent journey to the State House. Will he get the support of the political class while riding on Akpabio’s back to the throne? Time will tell.

     

    Umana

    He is a former ally of Akpabio. He was the SSG for six years, until he was booted out. He was a powerful and influential politician. But, there ends the story. Although he is not favoured by zoning, the Nsit Ubium-born politician is bent. He has supporters across the three districts.

    His political platform is suspect. The reality has dawned on his supporters that the PDP may not field him. If he defects, many of them will not follow him to the new party.

    Umana has built a formidable political structure across the three senatorial districts. He is wealthy. Many see him as a game changer, if there will be a free and fair primaries in the PDP. It is distressing to his associates that he was removed from office as the SSG. The sack jolted him out of the delusion that he was the closest ally of the governor.

    Like a soldier on the battle field, Umana is still combative. He has experience. But, how he intends to get the ticket without the governor’s support is the major challenge.

     

    Ekere

    He is the former deputy governor. Ekere resigned his appointment in 2012 in a controversial manner to avoid being impeached by the House of Assembly. Although he claimed that he resigned on personal grounds, his resignation is still a subject of discussion .

    Ekere has not deserted the political battle. He has a formidable structure. He emerged as the consensus candidate of the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency few weeks ago. Many have described the politician as a large-hearted and forgiving person. He is said to have reconciled with Akpabio, who applauded him for his forgiving nature.

    Ekere’s public acceptance is not an issue, compared to other aspirants. There are speculations in some quarters that he may emerge as the governor’s second option, since the governor has narrowed down his choice to the Ibibio of Eket Senatorial District.

     

    Onofiok

    He is a chartered shipbroker from Oron. Although Onofiok is new in politics, he is favoured by zoning.

    He is a new comer to the Akwa Ibom political scene. But, he has vowed not to chicken out of the race. Onofiok is one of those agitating for zoning, based on the Ibibio-Annang-Oron arrangement. He explained that that was the agreement evolved by the founding fathers of the state. He also said that zoing based on the senatorial district, was propounded by the governor.

    The aspirants said that there are many benefits and opportunities in the maritime sector. He promised to explore them, if elected as the governor.

    The question now is: will Akwa Ibom people support a person who pundits have described as a “novice” in politics? Will he get the governor’s support, since he is not from the Ibibio axis of the Eket District?

     

    Assam

    He is the Nigerian Ambassador to Russia. He has served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under Akpabio. He is a strong personality for the job and he has experience.

    In terms of zoning, he is favoured. He is also one of those campaigning against imposition. He said the move will fail.

    Assam may not have the governor’s support. Other stakeholders may not also support him because he has a strong personality.

     

    Ntekim

    Ntekim is the former Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) during the tenure of former Governor Victor Attah. He is now the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. He has served as the Commissioner for Transport. He is believed to be one of the political godsons of Atuekong Don Etiebet. The zoning arrangement favours Ntekim. He is from Oron. But, the fear in some quarters is that he may not be accepted by entire Akwa Ibom people.

     

    Ekpotu

    Ekpotu is a former deputy governor under Akpabio. During the turbulent 2006 PDP primaries, the party’s reconciliation committee headed by Chief Tony Anenih brokered peace among the warring politicians. The peace accord gave Attah the opportunity to nominate Akpabio’s deputy, when Attah’s bid to install his son-in-law and former Commissioner for Health, Bob Ekarika, failed. Attah nominated his Commissioner for Information, Ekpotu, as the running mate. Akpabio was not comfortable with the idea. According to analysts, Ekpotu’s emergence was to give the Ibibios, the largest ethnic group in the state, a place in Akpabio’s government. But, the governor later dropped Ekpotu to pave the way for Ekere, his preferred choice. original running mate.

    To many people, Ekpotu is making a feeble atttempt. They alleged that he is trying to act a spoiler to Ekere’s governorship ambition because both of them are from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency. Already, Ekere has been adopted as the consensus candidate of the constituency.

     

    Abia

    He is an Oron man. He is the Commissioner for Rural Development. He has worked with Akpabio for 11 years. He was Secretary to the Council of Chiefs. He was also Secretary, Finance and General Purpose Committee (FGPC) and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. When he was at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, he built a solid political structure. The council chairmen were rooting for him. He is believed to be riding on Akpabio’s back Abia will compete with other strong aspirants from Eket.

     

    Esuene

    Senator Esuene is the only female aspirant. She was the wife of the former military governor of the old Cross River State, Chief Udokaha Esuene. She was appointed the Minister of State for Health in July 2005. She later became the Minister of Environment in January 2006. After a cabinet reshuffle in January 2007, Esuene was given an expanded portfolio as the Minister of Environment and Housing. She left office in May 2007. She was elected into the Senate from the Akwa Ibom South (Eket Senatorial District). Analysts are of the view that Senator Esuene stands a chance of becoming the next governor because she is close to the Presiency. But, many do not take her seriously because she is a woman.

     

    Okpulupm Ette

    Okpulupm Ette is a two-term member and Manjority Leader of the House of Assembly. Sources said that the Ibeno-born politician is a grassroots man That is perceived as an added advantage. He is favoured by zoning. But, he may not get the governor’s support.

     

    Akpan

    Akpan is an agitator for power shift to the Eket District. The politician fron Onnan is the International Coordinator of Akwa Ibom Peoples’ Forum (AKPF). His group worked for the victory of Akpabio in 2007. Akpan was became the Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs. Many council chairmen were loyal to him. Thus, he was popular at bthe grassroots. When he was dropped from the cabinet, he became the deputy chairman of the PDP. His senatorial ambition crumbled in 2011. He was asked to step down for Mrs. Esuene. Currently, he is the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Road Maintenance Agency. Unlike before, he has lost grip over the political structure in his Onna Local Government Area. He may be asked to step down for the SSG, who is from the same area.

  • Child-trafficking: Akpabio urges military to support police

    Child-trafficking: Akpabio urges military to support police

    GOVERNOR Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has called on the Nigerian Army to provide the Nigeria Police Force with the necessary assistance in tackling child-trafficking in the country. Akpabio, who made the call yesterday when the Commander of the 13th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier Ibrahim Attahiru, paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Office, Uyo, said the crime has assumed a new dimension, stating that the assistance would bring the situation under control. The governor, however, applauded the Nigerian Army in Akwa Ibom State for cooperating and assisting other security agencies in fighting crimes for the peaceful co-existence of the state. According to the governor, “The peace we are experiencing in the state today is due to the cooperation between the army, police and other security agencies in the state through the team work. And I must thank the army for assisting security operatives to ensure adequate security in the state.” Akpabio thanked the Nigerian Army for the recent training of its officials, which he said, has made them more adequate in combating crime in the country, and also commended the 6th Motorised Batallion at Ibagwa in the state for assisting in protecting the state from criminals. Governor Akpabio then congratulated Brigadier Ibrahim Attahiru of the 13th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Calabar, who is also foreseeing the command in the state on his recent appointment, stressing that state would partner him and continue to work with the army. Earlier, Brigadier Attahiru applauded the governor for his uncommon leadership and transformation of the state, hinting that his visit to the state is to partner the state government in providing security and to cooperate witsh other security agencies for the socio-economic development of the state.

  • Akpabio backs Jonathan for 2015

    Akpabio backs Jonathan for 2015

    … We will poach from APC – Mu’azu

    The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday pledged his support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid and called on the President to declare his intention to run without further delay.
    With the call, Akpabio, regarded in party circles as one of the President’s die hard supporters, appeared to have belled the cat on Jonathan’s re-election bid.
    Akpabio’s call is coming on the heels of a resolve by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to poach prominent members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to counter the gale of defections from the ruling party to the opposition.
    The Akwa Ibom governor promised to deliver to the President all the delegate votes from his state, just like he did during the party’s 2011 presidential nominations.
    “We did it in 2011 and I assure Mr. President that Akwa Ibom will do it again. We were the first set in 2010 to announce our support for him to go for his first tenure in 2011.
    “We did that and other states followed. We are again the first state in 2014 to urge Mr. President to go back for a second term in office.
    “We are a monolithic group in Akwa Ibom, although you may have one or two people who want to test the political waters here and there,” he added.
    Although the President has yet to openly declare his interest in the race, his body language over time, has continued to reinforce the general belief and suspicion among party chieftains that he might be scheming for the 2015 presidential ticket of his party.
    The sustained scheming by the President’s close aides and loyalists for the party’s ticket ahead of the 2015 poll was one of the factors that sparked the lingering crisis in the ruling party.
    The crisis has led to a gale of defections, with five serving governors and a number of federal legislators elected on the platform of the PDP crossing to the APC last November.
    The five Governors are – Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).
    37 PDP members in the House of Representatives had, in late December, also defected to the APC.
    No fewer than 17 serving senators of the ruling party are also waiting to join the defection train.

  • Society honours Akpabio’s wife

    Society honours Akpabio’s wife

    The National Executive Council of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has decorated the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, as a patron of the Council.

    National President of the NCWS, Mrs. Nkechi Mba, said the honour was in recognition of Mrs. Akpabio’s consistent support for the NCWS and her achievements for women in the state.

    The national leadership of the NCWS was in the state to conduct the State Congress and Elections of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Council held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo.

    The election finally brought to an end the crisis that had been rocking the NCWS in the state recently.

    Commenting on the conduct of the elections, Mrs. Mba lauded the state chapter of the NCWS for conducting a free, fair and well-organised election, which according to her, would be a model for other states.

    Responding, Mrs. Akpabio thanked the national EXCO of the NCWS for the honour done her.

    She also urged women leaders in the state to use their leadership roles as a platform for living the change they want to see in the society.

    The governor’s wife congratulated the incoming members of the executive led by the new state President, Mrs. Menyene George Nkwo on their success at the polls and also commended the outgoing President, Obonganwan Geraldine Etuk and her team “for their excellent service to the women of Akwa Ibom State.”

    Etuk had thanked the women of Akwa Ibom State for the opportunity to serve them and prayed God to guide her successor in her endeavours to take the Council forward.

    The new state President, Mrs. Menyene George Nkwo promised her unfailing commitment to the empowerment of women, adding that “the Council will continue to complement the wife of our governor in her efforts to empower our women, socially, economically and politically”.

     

  • The world has lost a role model, exemplary leader— Akpabio

    The world has lost a role model, exemplary leader— Akpabio

    Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has described the death of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, as the loss of a role model and an exemplary leader.

    Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Mr Jackson Udom, said: “A titan is gone. Mandela lived, suffered humiliation and imprisonment for 27 years and made history by forgiving his traducers.”

    He added: “Mandela became president, and unlike a typical African and certain world leaders, voluntarily ceded power to South Africans.

    “The world has lost a role model and an exemplary leader. Madiba shall forever live in the hearts of true Africans and lovers of peace worldwide. Rest in peace Madiba.”

  • My grouse with aggrieved governors – Akpabio

    My grouse with aggrieved governors – Akpabio

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday maintained that disrespect for the office of the President of Nigeria is central to the crisis in the party.

    Seven aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors had during the last mini convention of the party in Abuja stormed out of the venue to form the “New PDP.”

    They had protested against alleged lack of internal democracy in the party and demanded for the sack of the party’s National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, among other demands.

    Speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja on Monday, Akpabio said that governors can only get respect from people and institutions under them only when they respect people and institutions above them including the office of the President.

    Asked when the problem and demands of the aggrieved governors would be finally addressed, he said, “Well, I’ve seen newspapers clips where they said the rebellious governors, the G-7 and so on and so forth. In any rebellion, we can resolve it through dialogue and I think that that’s what the President is doing, that’s what the PDP leadership is out to do to see how it can dialogue and bring the situation to a close.”

    “But, you see, it all depends. But for me, I believe that you cannot be a good leader unless you’re a good follower and I believe also strongly that leadership comes from God. So the question of rebelling against leadership does not occur because if I rebel against the leadership at the federal level, I should expect somebody also to rebel against my leadership at the state level, may be from my own local government or thereabouts,” he added.

     

  • Akpabio calls for Ibom Airport privatisation

    GOVERNOR Godswill Akpabio has called for the privatisation of Akwa Ibom International Airport in partnership with Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for greater result and productivity.

    Akpabio made the call Friday when a 13-member committee on the “Production of Scheme and Conditions of Service for Akwa Ibom Airport Development Authority” headed by Mrs. Cecilia Udoessien, the state’s Head of Civil Service presented the report to him at the Governor’s Office, Uyo said, “My suggestion is that in future, the airport needs to be privatised in serious partnership with the aviation sector”.

    He remarked: “The Ibom airport is a state-owned organization, but airport business belongs to the Federal Government where all aviation agencies of the Federal Government are involved.” Agreeing that the airport was over-staffed, Akpabio allayed fears of workers by saying the state was not going to retrench.

    “The State Government is giving the airport staff confidence that you won’t be left behind and would make sure your interest is protected,” he said. “And while we are struggling to build the airport, we would not want you to grow old before promotion as you had already waited for five years now.

    “For now, we have frozen further employment at the airport until the staff are properly placed, which some of the staff would be sent to the state civil service depending on their disciplines and some who are professionals in their field could be sent to Akwa Ibom State University.”

  • Akpabio, zoning and Akwa Ibom politics

    Akpabio, zoning and Akwa Ibom politics

    Zoning has become a very useful word in the Nigerian political lexicon. At national, regional, state and even local levels, offices are distributed with the aid of the zoning principle. It is regarded as a means of ensuring justice and equity in the polity. True, not everyone agrees with it. It is said to retard progress since merit is thus sacrifices, but in a multicultural setting like Nigeria where people are easily swayed by primordial consideration and ethnic line is the default point,

    In many parts of the country, the perceived injustice arising from monopoly of office by a group of people is causing social tension and threatening peace. Advocates of zoning are quick to dismiss the contention that zoning is a clog in the wheel of progress. They point out leaving contest open has never guaranteed that the best candidates emerge.

    In many states of the federation, 2015 is likely to open wounds again. In Kogi, since the state was created in 1991, the Igala dominant group has ensured that the Okun (Yoruba) and Ebira ethnic groups were kept off the governorship radar. Following the first election, the Igala used their numerical superiority to get Alhaji Abubakar Audu elected governor on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He was elected again in 1999 on APP platform and succeeded in 2003 by Alhahji Idris who, after two terms, got himself succeeded by Alhaji Idris Wada. Wada, at the next election, is likely to offer himself for reelection.

    In Oyo, it is largely Ibadan, except for the opening that came with the illegal impeachment of Chief Rashidi Ladoja that allowed his deputy, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso to have a one-term go at the office. In Kaduna, the minorities in the Southern district have always complained about marginalization. It took the appointment of their governor, Namadi Sambo as Vice President to allow his deputy move up the ladder. The situation is no different in Benue where the majority Tiv dominates the political scene. Since 1979, only the Tiv have supplied occupants of the Makurdi Government House. Aper Aku, Moses Adasu, Akume and Suswam are all from the stock, leaving the Idoma gasping and whining

    Akwa Ibom was created out of old Cross River State as response to the cry for justice by the peoples of the new state. The Ibibio, in particular, felt crowded out in the configuration in the old state. The Anang agreed and the Oron and others in the Eket senatorial district acceded to the request. It was believed that a new state would provide a level-playing field for all. But, no sooner was the state created that a new majority, and thus new overlords, emerge in the Ibibio. Akpan Isemin was first to mount the throne, then in 1999, it was the turn of Victor Attah. As Attah was stepping out of the stage, the clamour for someone of Anang extraction to step in became too loud to ignore, so, Attah wanted his son-in-law, Bob Ekarika, to succeed him. He didn’t quite succeed, but an Anang nonetheless was elected. Akpabio became not just the governor but assumed absolute power.

    His body language, at first indicated that he could be succeeded by another Ibibio from Uyo, but, the peoples of Eket have kicked. They have shouted and argued about a bid to exclude them from playing a major role in the politics of the state, despite the zone supplying almost all the crude oil that makes Akwa Ibom an oil producing state, and thus prosperous. Now, they are contending that it is not just about ethnic groups; it is about geo-political configuration. The Eket district is said to be the largest in terms of local government distribution.

    At first, the body language and lips of Governor Akpabio suggested that the contest within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would be thrown open, which would have been a clever way of suppressing the demand of the Eket people. A combination of Akpabio’s support, Uyo conspiracy and Anang indifference would have swayed the game in favour of Umana Umana, an Uyo man and a former strong man of the Akpabio administration.

    Now that Akpabio has thrown his weight behind justice and equity by backing the emergence of an Eket man (or woman), nerves are likely to be soothed. The Uyo senatorial district has been over compensated. It produced such military rulers as Sam Ewang and Idongesit Ikanga, in addition to the first two elected governors who ran the state for about 10 years. Akpabio, from the Ikot-Ekpene zone would, by 2015, have been there for eight years. Now, for equity, justice, fairness and peace, Eket should be allowed to pick a PDP candidate. The reality in other political parties will unravel as the election draws nearer.

    Other states, too, as soon as possible, especially where the incumbent has run a full race, should expand the bracket and draw others into the governance net.

  • Akpabio’s prayers

    Akpabio’s prayers

    Fresh from his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and still overwhelmed by what he saw in the Holy Land, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has called for a day to be set aside as the National Day of Prayer. He probably means this in the symbolic sense. But whether a day or week of prayer, it is hard not to support such a call, for in a country so engrossed in religiosity, everyone truly needs prayers. Chief Akpabio’s effusive religiosity is, however, difficult to place in view of the scriptures he is very familiar with.

    First is the fact that any prayer not preceded by deep contrition is completely sterile. And second is the plain fact that God would rather have obedience than sacrifice. The reason prayer in Nigeria remains sterile, and the country is in such a huge mess, is simply because leaders have either managed to draw a thick line between their wicked actions and God’s laws or inoculated their faith against propriety. What prayer, for instance, could a governor who rejected and subverted a small election among fellow governors offer to God without repentance?

    Europe hardly prays, and many churches are empty, but their countries are so well run that life expectancy keeps rising. Let Nigeria’s pilgrims and praying governors take a cue from Europe rather than present us the atheistic dilemma of choosing between faith and works. Indeed, it is hard to understand why the enthusiastic profession of religiosity by governors and other elected officials has never for once lured them into the decency and propriety that many who do not fear God or man have long had the common sense and judiciousness to embrace.

  • Akwa Ibom boat operators: pirates are disturbing us

    Akwa Ibom boat operators: pirates are disturbing us

    Boat operators and traders in Oron, Akwa Ibom, have decried the increasing rate of piracy activities around the Calabar creeks.

    The operators and traders told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Oron that attacks on boats and vessels have been the major challenge in their business.

    NAN gathered that the development had led to a hike in water transportation charges as the operators claim to be operating under risks.

    Mr Ime Etim, a boat owner, told NAN that piracy was affecting water transportation in the area.

    “If pirates attack us, we give them money. Sometimes, they seize our boats or the goods of the traders,” Etim said.

    Mr Taju Balogun, another boat owner, corroborated Etims’ complaint, saying that pirates not only seized boats, but sometimes killed passengers in the boats.

    Mrs Ndi Okon, a fish trader, told NAN that boat owners have increased their fares because of the activities of the pirates.

    “Before now, we paid between N400 and N500 within the Calabar creeks, but now, we pay N1,200 per trip. This is affecting the cost of business,” Okon said.

    Sources told NAN that vessels navigating within the Calabar creeks, around 40 nautical miles from the Fairway Bouy, up to the Calabar Port, have been operating in fear.

    The source said that reports of attacks on vessels and boats around the port have increased in recent times.

    According to the source, who pleaded anonymity, there are several islands around the passage leading to the port.

    These islands, the source said, served as hideouts for militants who carried out illegal operations on the water.

    “The problem with the passage is that there are several islands, like Parrot Island and Snake Island, where militants used to hide.

    “Even ordinary boats crossing the islands have increased their fares because of the activities of pirates,” the source said.

    The source said that Nigerian waters had yet to attain a satisfactory level of security, in spite of measures being taking by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    “Recently, NIMASA arrested some oil tankers and handed them over to the EFCC, but nobody has been prosecuted.

    “NIMASA is struggling, but at the same time, there are people sponsoring these pirates,” the source said.