The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akpabio

  • PDP close to total reconciliation, says Akpabio

    PDP close to total reconciliation, says Akpabio

    •Briefs Jonathan on Southwest congress, others

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio said yesterday the ongoing reconciliation in the party was almost complete.

    Addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Akpabio denied any rift among the PDP governors.

    He said all the PDP governors were working for the progress of the party.

    Nigeria, he said, would continue to enjoy good governance under his party.

    Akpabio said: “All of us are there because it’s a national party. It belongs to all Nigerians. I am happy with the progress being made to ensure total reconciliation. I am hopeful that at the end of this exercise Nigeria will continue to enjoy good governance.

    “I have just met with the President to report on the progress we are making towards the Southwest’s congress that is coming up on August 24 and the national convention coming up on August 31. You know I am a member of the Planning Committee.

    “I am the Chairman of the Finance Committee and by 3pm this afternoon, the entire Finance Committee will be meeting so that by tomorrow we report to the entire body of the National Planning Committee towards a hitch-free congress in the Southwest and towards a hitch-free national convention. You know that even in the meeting, what we are talking about are part and parcel of the processes of rebuilding the party and ensuring total reconciliation.

    “All the steps being taken are in the right direction to ensure cohesion and bring back all the party faithful, particularly the body of governors. They need to come together to work as one in the interest of Nigeria and the interest of the PDP.”

    On the five aggrieved northern governors, he said: “I don’t know anything about any five aggrieved governors. I do know that all the governors of the PDP are working towards the success of the party.”

    “I am not aware of any five aggrieved governors. But one thing I can assure you of is that there are jitters in the camp of the opposition, with the meetings of the PDP governors and the national convention, which is coming up. This is because as soon as the PDP puts its house in order, you know the result is that Nigerians will follow.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Akpabio, victim of editorial diatribe?

    SIR: The Nation on August 8, dedicated its editorial column to fire unsavory salvos at Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State. In the piece entitled Tin god, it criticized Akpabio for relieving Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Akwa Ibom State of duty. According to the editorial, the raison d’être for the action was the declaration of the erstwhile SSG to vie for the office of governor of the state.  In its uninformed comment, it stated that Governor Akpabio was infuriated by that declaration hence the decision to show him the way out. But the aspiration of the former SSG was not new to anybody in the state including the governor who had also mentioned that aspiration liberally at different fora.

    Editorials represent the policy of the paper. Editorials deal with topical issues and canvass opinions on how public policies could be shaped. The language is often temperate and impersonal. It labours to rise above subjectivity, frivolity, animosity and personal feelings. The column is often known for exercising professional and civilized values being the window to that paper or magazine.

    The editorial under reference failed unabashedly short of all the isolated criteria. It is hard to conjecture how egg-heads sat in an editorial board meeting to decide that the editorial policy of the paper for the day should be hatred directed at Governor Akpabio. That is if the ritual of editorial meeting was observed. Or was it an individual who decided to exercise his/her warped fancy that did the editorial without consulting other members of the editorial board?

    The editorial employed clearly indecorous language. It made no pretence about its intention to disparage Governor Akpabio. It set for itself the disingenuous task of undertaking and completing investigation on the ousting of the erstwhile SSG, condemned the style and handed down a verdict of ignominy to the man it claimed called the shots for that ouster. It described the governor with all manners of sordid epithets depicting him as a tyrant which does not reflect Governor Akpabio that many know. By this editorial, The Nation has failed in holding out the proverbial mirror for the true reflection of man and society as expected of a dignified medium and journalism profession. It use of far-fetched examples to advance the cause of its defective submission about Akpabio only shows how hate can becloud reasoning.

    While one appreciates the dilemma of the medium being a mouthpiece of the opposition, it must not sacrifice professionalism to satisfy the fancies of its paymaster. It should at least pretend to be on the side of principle by not allowing politics to interfere and prejudice journalism career and dispose it as a tool in the hands of politicians. The sustained efforts by The Nation to see everything wrong in Akwa Ibom seems to be part of a calculated political agenda to discredit the state which has ascended enviable height these past six years to turn the once defeaning success story of ACN controlled Lagos State into a boring tale of drudgery. And as part of it, the star light of Akwa Ibom which is Akpabio must be dimmed with bad press. This in my estimation is unfortunate and a sad commentary on journalism practice.

    Recently, Punch carried a news item which it purported was a result of a press statement issued by a groups called Northern Emancipation Network. The group is reported to have advised President Jonathan to be wary of Akpabio. Curiously, it was only Punch that was at that press briefing out of plenteous newspapers in this country. And the purpose of that mischievous news report is stripped bare when papers further editorialise fiction in the name of reportage. Journalists must find the nobility to commend people that are doing well in other to encourage them as well as others to tow the path of progressive and accountable governance. It must also criticize when need arises to keep leadership in check. This is the only way journalism would be seen as partners in the all important task of nation-building.

    A newspaper of the standing of The Nation should not be seen to be parochial or holding jaundiced views against a person or section of the country. It should be seen as a true national paper. This is the only way it can continue to cultivate followership that would nurse this enfeebled adult nation state to a strong and virile one.

    • Joseph Ndedu

    Lagos

  • Tin god

    Tin god

    •Akpabio’s treatment of people indicating interest in certain public offices gives cause for concern  

    Celebrated British playwright, George Bernard Shaw had the likes of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State in mind when he wrote ages ago that the only lesson man learns from history is that he never learns from history. Or, how else does one interpret the recent gangster-like method of removing the former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Umana Okon Umana, from office.

    According to newspaper reports, plain clothed security men barricaded the former SSG’s office, moved from one office to the other, locked the doors and checked the hand bags of staff of the office before ordering them to leave.

    Umana’s crime, as defined by Akpabio, was the former’s‘effrontery’ in declaring his ambition to govern the state in 2015. After what he described as due consultations with stakeholders across the state, the former SSG declared: “I have decided to make public my intention to run for the office of governor of the state …” Akpabio, the all-knowing governor who sees himself as the best thing that has happened to the hapless state, would have nothing of that. How could anyone harbour such an ambition without his blessing? He sees it as part of his remit to decide who will take over from him at the end of his tenure in 2015.

    Akpabio not only knows what is good for the state, only he is imbued with the wisdom to determine the ambition of his people. In the infallible wisdom of the governor, Umana would do well as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. So he offered him what many would consider a juicy job. The oracle had spoken! To the surprise of Akpabio, the former SSG turned down the NDDC job. Hence, this resort to executive lawlessness!

    Keen watchers of the politics of the state will recall that Akpabio’s predecessor, Obong Victor Attah, did not send security agents after Akpabio when he indicated interest in succeeding Attah in 2007. Although Attah preferred his son-in-law to Akpabio for the gubernatorial seat, he never went as far as humiliating Akpabio or throwing decency to the winds as Akpabio has done in this instance.

    If the governor feels the former SSG’s public declaration to contest for the governorship of the state could distract him from his official duties, the next line of action is not a wanton display of raw power. There are accepted civilised ways of reliving a high public officer of his job.

    Governor Akpabio must be worried about what is increasingly becoming his trademark and should therefore be concerned about the verdict of history. When his former deputy, Nsima Ekere openly voiced a similar interest in governing the state come 2015, Akpabio forced him to resign his position as deputy governor of the state.

    Not too long ago, Governor Akpabio embarked on an elaborate charade to recall Senator Alloysius Etuk from the Ikot-Ekpene senatorial district. The senator’s ‘crime’ was that he openly declared his interest to seek re-election in 2015. Akpabio would have none of that. That is the same seat he is eyeing after his eight-year gubernatorial sojourn. And as he (Akpabio) unashamedly disclosed to a shocked audience, the senator didn’t win the party’s primaries, he it was, who substituted the name of Senator Etuk for the real winner. In other words, the governor rigged his party’s primaries in favour of another candidate!

    The clowning in Akwa Ibom State has again brought to the fore the quality of people that have been thrown up since the commencement of civilian rule in 1999. As the nation moves towards the crucial 2015 elections, the political parties should be reminded of the need for internal democracy. Persons to be presented for public office must be fit and proper persons: in learning and character.

  • Akpabio visits SSG Umana’s residence

    There was a twist in the faceoff between Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the State Government (SSG)Umana Umana, as the governor yesterday visited Umana’s residence in Uyo, the state capital unannounced.

    Akpabio, who arrived the Ibom International Airport at about 3pm from Abuja, went straight to Umana’s Ewet Housing Estate home.

    The governor was at the SSG’s home with his brother, Emem Akpabio and some commissioners.

    Shortly after arrival, the governor went into a closed-door meeting with the SSG.

    The meeting lasted for an hour. What the duo discussed at the meeting was not clear. They did not tell reporters.

    After the meeting, Umana embraced Akpabio.

    The SSG’s spokesman, Iboro Otongaran, said he was yet to be briefed on the outcome of the meeting .

    His words: “I have not been briefed on the outcome of the meeting. The only information I can confirm is that the governor and the SSG met in Umana’s house. The outcome of what they discussed I don’t know.”

    A team of riot policemen on Monday sealed off Umana’s office.

    Civil servants working within the office were barred from the office, which is a few metres away from the Governor ’s Office.

    The workers were searched and asked to vacate the premises.

    Both Umana and Akpabio were said to be in Abuja at the time of the incident.

    About an hour before the police raided the SSG’s office, an unknown security personnel from the Government House hurriedly met with the Permanent Secretary in the office of the SSG, George Akpabio, and asked him to re-locate to his ‘new post’ in the Ministry of Transport.

    Akpabio was said to have asked the security personnel “Just like that? Is that how they move a permanent secretary?”

    The decision to remove the SSG, according to sources, is connected to his 2015 governorship ambition.

    The governor was said to be displeased with Umana’s plan as he has always said only God will determine his successor.

     

  • Akpabio sets off N24.9 billion Eket-Ibeno road

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday set off the dualisation of the long abandoned Eket-Ibeno road.

    The governor approved the dualisation of the road at a contract sum of N24.9billion.

    China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is to construct the road for a duration of 18 months and work is to begin immediately. The Eket-Ibeno Road is strategic to the revenue base of the country as it leads to the Qua Ibom Terminal (QIT) operated by Mobil Nigeria Plc.

    Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony, Akpabio urged the communities in Ibeno to protect the construction company in their domain in order to help them deliver in record time before the end of his administration.

    Akpabio said: “All I require from the communities, the youth leaders from the local government areas, their paramount rulers is to protect the company, so that they can do their work in record time.

    “They are likely to work day and night because I insist that I want to be the governor to inaugurate this road before I leave the office.”

    Akpabio also called on the chairmen of Ibeno, Eket and Esit Eket to mobilise the youths to support the company, saying that there should not be any incident of kidnapping and militancy in the area.

    He urged the security agencies to give the necessary assistance to the company while dualising the road.

    The governor pledged to rehabilitate the Eket-Ibeno road ahead of the child dedication of Tuface and Annie.

    His words: “For the people of Eket-Ibeno, I need to apologise because I am not happy with the state of the road. The road was given to NDDC, if not the state would have intervened in its construction.

    “I want to assure that during the child dedication of Tuface and Annie, we would have dualised the Eket-Ibeno road.”

    In his remark, the paramount ruler of Ibeno, Effiong Archinga, commended Governor Akpabio for his transformation stride in the state, saying that the road is a gold city for Nigeria.

    Archinga stressed the socio-economic importance of Eket-Ibeno road to Nigeria and the entire world.

    The monarch appealed to the youths to lay down their arms and join hands with the company to protect the project, noting that at the completion of the project, the community would be the end users.

  • Why Nigerians abroad must return home, by Akpabio

    Governor Godswill Akpa- bio has urged indigenes of Akwa Ibom State in the United Kingdom (UK) to return home to manage some of the projects being packaged by his administration.

    He implored them to set up a consortium to bid for the running of the projects.

    Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by Mboho Akwa Ibom State Association (MAISA), UK and Ireland in London, Akpabio called on the indigenes to be part of the changing story of the state by bringing their professional skills to bear on development.

    He said he saw the diaspora community as a vital part of the state’s development.

    Akpabio said healthcare was an area where he needed the expertise of the Akwa Ibom diaspora.

    He said: “One area I want the diaspora to come home and participate in is the healthcare delivery system as post-surgery care in particular is very bad in Nigeria. For instance, some people are already prepared to put together a consortium to run the new ultra-modern hospital we are building and we need you to come up with projects like this.

    “We are prepared to take equity in your companies and we are also prepared to guarantee loans for bankable projects, so we want to see you participate in such projects. We also want you in the diaspora to put companies together and get people to come and run other facilities we are building as for instance, Hilton has just agreed to run our new hotel.”

    The governor said Akwa Ibom was developing fast noting that his administration’s plan is to embrace industrialisation in a holistic manner.

    On the strides of his administration in the power sector, he said: “ we should become the first state in Nigeria to achieve 100% connectivity to the national grid, which we hope to achieve by 2015 as we currently have 87% connectivity up from a paltry 36% in 2007. In the area of drainage too, last year, when we had flooding in Nigeria, Uyo was the only state capital that was not affected, thanks to our pipe jacking drainage system.”

    Akpabio asked the diasporans to join hands with his administration to develop the state, saying: “You are the ones with the skills and expertise and we are just holding the home front for you, however, you must be bold enough to change your world. It takes one person to change a generation.”

    Akpabio said his administration was training 150 young people in India in information communication technology and healthcare as part of its manpower development programme.

  • NGF leadership saga: Governor Akpabio assures of stronger forum

    NGF leadership saga: Governor Akpabio assures of stronger forum

    Governor Godswill Akpabio has assured that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum would come out of the present fracas as a stronger and more formidable organisation to foster development and progress in the country.

    Akpabio who stated this when he received the executive members of Association of Movie Producers led by its President, Mr. Zulu Okafor at Governor’s Office, Uyo, added that the Forum was planning to merge soon.

    According to him, ‘’People think that Nigerian Governors’ Forum is divided, we are not because we know ourselves. We are His Excellencies, so we will come back in a very excellent manner than we were before because we are all committed to Nigeria.

    ‘’It is unfortunate that what is happening is attracting much attention and people are writing and writing. But maybe we will be able to put fact straight so that Nigerians can actually see the perspective. As leaders, our job is to ensure peace,” he said.

    Governor Akpabio, while advising Nollywood to guide against internal rancour, he applauded the industry for restoring Nigeria’s image on the global scene, noting that before the advent of Nollywood, the story about Nigeria was all about fraud.

    “You people have done so much that today the entire world is watching Nigeria. You have changed the story of Nigeria. Before Nollywood, the story of Nigeria was all about 419. I am sorry about the piracy. That was why I applauded what the President did when he organised a dinner for you to celebrate Nollywood at 20 and made a donation of about N3 billion to develop the industry. I find out that we should institute a prize to encourage producers, actors and actresses,” Akpabio opined.

    “I pledged a token to support the President’s action. I want you people to use this small token to encourage the growth of the industry. My meeting with you today was just to redeem that pledge because I think it was taking too much time.”

    Akpabio, later presented a cheque of N50 million to the President of the association, Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor.

    Okafor described the infrastructural renaissance in Akwa Ibom as a symbol of how a state should be in Nigeria.

    “I am saying that Akwa Ibom is a symbol of how a state should be in Nigeria. If you go round, you do not only see constructions, what you see is incisive thinking, meticulous partnership and decisive execution of projects. What I see is neat finishing of projects and I think this is a legacy that posterity will come and doff their hats for their leader at this particular time,” he said.

  • NGF crisis: PDP governors set to reconcile Jonathan, Amaechi — Akpabio

    NGF crisis: PDP governors set to reconcile Jonathan, Amaechi — Akpabio

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have launched a peace initiative to reconcile Governor Rotimi Amaechi with President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the ruling party.

    Governor Amaechi is currently on suspension for allegedly suspending the chairman and councillors of Obio/Akpor Local Council.

    The national leadership of the PDP wants the suspension of the council reversed.

    The governor declined, saying the suspension was imposed by the state House of Assembly to enable it investigate the alleged corruption in the council.

    The PDP Governors’ Forum is led by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State who was drafted by the party leadership to chair the newly created forum apparently to diminish the influence of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and its chairman, Amaechi, who was bent on running for a second term.

    Amaechi went on to win the NGF election by 19 votes to the 16 for Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau who was highly favoured by the Presidency and the PDP.

    Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State who was also suspended for insubordination to the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, was recalled last week.

    It was gathered yesterday that the PDP governors are desperate to end the feud between Amaechi and the party with a view to healing the wounds inflicted on the PDP by the face-off.

    The reconciliation is said to have been categorised as priority by the peace initiators.

    However ,the planned talks may come with some strings attached.

    Akpabio, speaking to reporters in Abuja yesterday, said: “The forum is working round the clock to ensure all outstanding issues are resolved and all its members brought back to the forum to enable them participate fully in all activities of the party.

    “The reconciliation among the governors is already ongoing. If you noticed yesterday (Thursday’s NEC meeting), we had almost all the governors of the PDP there. You saw almost every governor was there; even the recently recalled governor of Sokoto State attended the meeting.

    “So, almost all the PDP governors were there. If there was any PDP governor that wasn’t there yesterday, he was probably on official duty for the Federal Government and for the nation.

    “I know that the governor of Benue State, Governor Suswam, is a member of the NIPP Committee, running around, looking for investors in the power sector and I think they travelled to Hong Kong.

    “So, he wasn’t there and I think his deputy was there too. So, you can see that peace is gradually returning to the fold of the entire PDP and I assure you that all issues will be resolved.

    “A pressman asked me the other day that, yes, you have recalled the governor of Sokoto State through the National Working Committee; what about the governor of Rivers State.

    “And I pointed out that the governor of Sokoto State didn’t go to court and that the other matter, regarding my brother, the governor of Rivers State, is in court and was, therefore, subjudice.

    “But we are exploring all means to ensure out of court settlement and to bring back everybody to the fold. It is important to note that we are very determined in the PDP Governors’ Forum to bring our brothers back together.”

    He said the PDP is determined to increase the number of its governors and not to deplete it.

    His words: “The intention of our forum isn’t to lose a single governor; instead, we want to increase in the number. Because when I came in as a governor in 2007, we had almost 29 governors in the PDP.

    “But through various court judgments and internal wrangling, the number depleted until we are now about 23.”

    He stressed the need for the party to put its act together before the November governorship election in Anambra and the 2014 elections in Osun and Ekiti states. The three states are being controlled by the opposition.

    “I can tell you we are lucky that we have elections coming up in November in Anambra State. We have two elections coming up in Osun and Ekiti states next year (2014) and the PDP is ready to work together, put its house in order and go out there and face the electorate.

    “And you know very well that outside internal wrangling, Nigerians believe in the PDP.”

    Akpabio said the last meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) signified the progress in the party’s reconciliatory efforts.

    The camp of Gov. Amaechi declined to speak on the peace proposal last night.

    The governor’s chief press secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, said he had no comment to make on the matter when contacted.

  • Re: Again, the Akpabio jinx manifests

    Re: Again, the Akpabio jinx manifests

    Thanks for telling the truth. Now that Akpabio has shown his rump as undemocratic by telling the whole world that the man who lost an election was the winner, what will happen to his truckload of awards as a performer? I was in a friend’s house when Channels Television showed clips of what happened at the NGF election. While we were watching, my friend’s wife barged into the sitting room and angrily took her three kids away. I asked why she did so, and she said she would not want them to copy the ways of touts who parade themselves as His Excellencies.

    Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyi.

    Your piece on Governor Akpabio made my day. All you have said about him is true. The bible says by their fruit you shall know them. He is an apostle of do-or-die politics. God bless you.

    Chief Isaac, Aba, Abia State.

    How did Amaechi manipulate the Governors’ Forum’s election result? Does that mean he turned himself into the returning officer to announce the result of the election? In the interest of Nigeria, all the aggrieved governors should support Amaechi as their chairman rather than creating factions.

    Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos.

    •You are funny. Are you talking about somebody that keeps winning his own elections with relative ease? Let Amaechi call a meeting of his own Governors’ Forum and let us see the true winner. You mentioned Samuel Peter and Super Eagles’ loss as if it was Akpabio’s. Was it not Nigeria that lost? If I may ask, who did you support between Samuel Peter and Klitchsko and between Nigeria nad Argentina? You write like a comedian. Then, again, are you a Nigerian?

    Goddy Ekanem

    Vincent, my brother, the governor is on a fight for survival, trying to use Jonathan as a soft-landing pad after office. Embezzlement in Akwa Ibom is monumental and Akpabio needs Jonathan’s protection. So, it is not about Jonathan but Akpabio. – 07032260…

    Akpabio betrayed the man that installed him. Now his is busy preparing the ground for a life after his tenure in 2015. It is not that he loves Jonathan but he has his own agenda. If Jonathan does not distance himself from him, he will infest him with ill-luck. – Seye, Akure.

    God will never abandon the righteous and will never support the wicked. Akpabio is a leaf chased by the wind. He is a bread and butter politician. He would do anything to retain his position. Such a man can never be on the side of the truth. Unfortunately, the President shares the same mentality. Hence, they will always flock together in defeat. It is shameful for the president to have fuelled the NGF crisis. He wants to rule at all cost.

    This is the beginning of his imminent fall come 2015. The APC must be vigilant on subsequent state/national elections. The power drunk party can never win any good election except through rigging. We are yet to embrace true democracy.

    Pastor Odunmbaku

  • Why Amaechi is still suspended – Akpabio

    Why Amaechi is still suspended – Akpabio

    The National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party has explained that the suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers was not lifted because of a pending case challenging the action.

    The party organ gave the explanation late on Tuesday after a meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    In a chat with State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting which ended at about 11 p.m., the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Mr. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, said the body was briefed on Amaechi’s suspension.

    Akpabio explained that reversing Amaechi’s suspension from the party would amount to over-reaching the decision of a competent court, sitting on the case challenging the action.

    He said that it was easy for the National Working Committee (NWC) to lift the suspension of Sokoto governor Aliyu Wamakko because the matter was not in court.

    “The PDP National Caucus was fully briefed on all issues pertaining to the party.

    “We made an appeal to the NWC to look at the suspension but the Rivers State governor’s case is sub-judice because he has gone to court.

    “The one of Sokoto did not go to court and so the suspension was lifted,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Akpabio as saying to journalists.

    Amaechi was suspended on May 27, over his refusal to heed the party’s instruction to reinstate the elected council chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council in Rivers.

    Wamakko, who was suspended on June 5 for alleged serial disobedience to PDP authority, had been recalled by the party.

    Akpabio said that the meeting also deliberated on the lingering crisis within the party and agreed that a high-powered team headed by the president should immediately embark on reconciliation.