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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • APC youths kick against consensus candidates in Akwa Ibom

    As preparations for the 2015 general elections gather momentum, the youth arm of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has said they will not accept any consensus candidacy nor accept any form of imposition  by the party.

    Speaking yesterday at the party secretariat in Uyo, the state capital, the youth leader, Mr. Idara Udoh, said the youths are holding consultations with their peers across party lines and age brackets across the state to impress it upon them the need to embrace APC which he described as the train of change in today’s society.

    The youth leader said they have concluded plans to embark on state-wide tour for more sensitisation. Idara said from his interactions, youths in the state and the country are tired of the current situation and are yearning for genuine change which, according to him, only APC can bring about.

  • ‘There is zoning in Akwa Ibom’

    ‘There is zoning in Akwa Ibom’

    Chief Benjamin Okoko is a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State.  In this interview with reporters in Uyo, the state capital, he speaks about the politics of zoning and other partisan issues. Kazeem Ibrahym was there. 

    In 1999, 2003 and 2006 you contested for the governorship, but without success. Why are you contesting again?

    It is said that greatness is not in how many times you fall, but being able to rise each time you fall. 1999 is a story everybody knows. The 1999 election was supposed to be a coronation for me as everything was set. But, some leaders of the party approached me and prevailed on me to withdraw my candidature. I accepted it without any condition. In 2003, I ran and the party decided that the incumbent should have a second term. In 2006, we had about 60 aspirants. There was confusion, but the party decided it was Governor Godwill Akpabio that should have the ticket. He got the ticket and ran. In 2011, I didn’t run because I became wiser. I came to understand my party better, knowing that it is not easy to run against the incumbent seeking a second term. In 2015, Akpabio is finishing his second term. So, I feel I have to come out. With the experience I have the previous times, I really understand the politics better this time. I am quite optimistic. I will be successful this time and four is my lucky number.

    What is your position on the zoning of the governorship?

    I am not running because of zoning. I am running on my credentials as Benjamin Okoko for the governorship election. Talking about zoning, I want to say that it started with me. I made the supreme sacrifice for zoning. In 1998, the elders came to me and said they wanted to do zoning. When they brought the issue of zoning, I had my own idea about it. I accepted and advanced my reason and thinking and how I felt zoning should be done. For me, zoning is the basis for expansion and accommodation within the party.

    But, the leader at that time felt zoning should be done at the senatorial district. I allowed it. But, at the end, people were cleared to contest the primaries, but the leader said that I should allow Obong Victor Attah to run, that they wanted to start zoning from Uyo Senatorial District. I was a young man of 37. With that arrangement, we had Obong Attah from Uyo. He ruled for eight years. Governor Akpabio from Ikot Ekpene District is about to conclude his eight years. I am yet to see anybody from Ikot Ekpene coming to say he wants to run for the governorship. Even, when Uyo was finishing its turn in 2007, there were still some people in Uyo that came out to run, which was not right. In politics, you have the good the bad and ugly.

    The point is that good must always strive to dominate so that it overwhelmes the bad, the ugly and create a better society that is governed by law and order and allow stability that brings progress and prosperity. A situation where there is confusion, what does a statesman do? I want to be governor of Akwa Ibom State, governor of everybody. I have to show statesmanship. If there is confusion, I should try to create order and put things straight. If there is confusion, I should not add to the confusion. Two  wrongs do not make a right. Uyo did governorship for eight years with Obong Attah, Ikot Ekpene has done with Chief Akpabio. It should go to Eket. But, anybody from Uyo, who wants to run is allowed to run. I will defeat him. Even, if anybody from Ikot Ekpene wants to run, allow him to run. I will defeat him. I am running on my own merit and pedigree. I don’t want any affirmative action to help me to be governor. But, I made the first sacrifice. Zoning started with me in this state. It is not something I should talk about. You have not heard me giving a position paper on zoning before.

    But, zoning started with me. Some people are out to distort history to suit whatever reason. But, they will not be able because the charismatic people are still alive. The actors that were there in 1998/1999 are still around. We laid the foundation for the structure to prevail. If you want peace and order in the society, which is the basis for development, then, we should try and ensure accommodation within the polity. That is my position and I reason like a statesman. But, that is not to say one is afraid of the contest. Anybody is free to run. My aspiration is not because of Eket, even though the zoning is very right and correct. Anybody who wants to test his ability should come and he will be defeated.

    In the spirit of statesmanship, if you are called to make another sacrifice, would you accept it?

    That time, it was on the basis of zoning. That time, they said they wanted to start from Uyo; let me leave it. For me, power is service. What will the party tell me now? Already, the party has spoken. The party has  zoned it to my senatorial district.

    Now that you are coming out, what is your vision and blue print for the state?

    Governor Victor Attah was resource control, Governor Godswill Akpabio uncommon transformation; Governor Benjamin Okoko will be uncommon sacrifice. That is my vision.

    How are you going to achieve or go about this uncommon sacrifice?

    It has to do with my own value of life. How do I see life? What do I want in life? For me, great societies are built on the sacrifice of the people, who determine that the cause of history must go this way. If water is flowing toward a specific direction, you can say, no let it flow this way and change its cause. I like to go into history as the poorest man that left the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge after my tenure. What does that mean? I will give my own to the service of the people. Government will never have enough resources to do everything it should do. One hundred per cent of resources of Akwa Ibom I will commit to the development and well-being of the people of Akwa Ibom State. I hope that sacrifice of my stewardship will help  the cause of our people and inspire others who will come after me to truly see that there is greatness in giving your own and greatness in poverty.  There is greatness in contentment. After my tenure, if I leave office with a trouser I wear, I will be a happy man.  I will be a true soldier and die at my post, provided the needs and welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom are met and that is why I have christened my aspiration “uncommon sacrifice”.

    The governor may want to anoint a candidate. Will that not affect your chance?

    The governor is not a traditional ruler; the governor is not a religious leader. The governor is not even a judge that should not take side. The governor is a politician first and foremost. He is entitled to his own interest. As a politician, it is most unfair to expect a politician not to have interest. You come into politics with certain interest. For me, it is the legitimate right of every politician to take a position on any issue, whether to support this project, vote this way or any issue of legislation. Democracy envisages those things and defines how those things are resolved between the majority and the minority. It is the legitimate right of the governor or any politician to say that is his preference. The people will always have their say. The governor that takes that positon knows that it is his own position, that majority of the people will always have their way in democracy. If you look at the people, who want to succeed the governor now, anyone of them at one point or the other had sought for the support of the governor, either they were working together with the governor. And they did that conscious of the fact that the governor has the right to support anybody he wants. His vote is a strong vote because of the advantages of his position. But, it is God that enthrones. And God is a very jealous God. Whatever position anybody takes, at the end, God will enthrone.

    Some people have alleged that the insecurity in the country is due to the activities of politicians. What do you have to say?

    We always have this issue of insecurity, even during the period of the military. There were cases of uprising here and there. Leadership is supposed to ensure and guarantee the safety of the citizenry. In a democracy that is made by politicians and run by politicians, the buck stops on their tables. They should take the responsibility. If the polity is doing well, the administration gets accolade for it. If there are problems, they get a knock for it. But, I don’t think the political class will deliberately or has deliberately gone out  to create a situation that will bring the country to the insurgency and the insecurity that we have today.  It could be through the omission by the leadership or commission by leadership. But,I don’t think it is premeditated because they know that people will died and you don’t know those who will die. It could be anybody, a close friend or relation. It is just unfortunate the situation we have found ourselves. The political leadership is doing everything possible about it. I have the hope that, at the end, Nigeria will overcome it.

    What advice do you have for the people of Akwa Ibom as they prepare for elections? 

    They should support Benjamine Okoko to be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State so that, together, we will  build a state that will meet the needs and aspirations of future generation. I will unite the state, reconcile all groups, stop the political pressure, tension, insecurity, restore peace to the state, reach out to everybody. I will not leave anybody behind because Akwa Ibom needs us now more than ever before. The issue of unemployment, the creation of wealth in the polity, the industrialisation will be addressed through the provision of constant power supply during my regime.

  • Akwa Ibom signs contract with Julius Berger

    Akwa Ibom signs contract with Julius Berger

    Akwa Ibom Government has signed a 10-year contract with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the maintenance of Akwa Ibom International Stadium billed for commissioning by President Goodluck Jonathan on November 6.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio stated this Thursday when the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick and his team inspected the new stadium constructed and completed by Akpabio administration in the state.

    Commending the existing construction company for the speedy realization of the project, he remarked, “I must commend JB and congratulate the leadership of the new NFF President. This project is our modest contribution towards athletics and the game of sports. The stadium is built with sophisticated facilities and it’s a project that has challenged governance in Nigeria.

    “So, I call on NFF to use the stadium in the best way to give Nigeria a good image and I must let you know that training pitches are available in the state for athletics,” he enjoined.

    Speaking earlier, the President of NFF, Mr. Pinnick, had described the stadium as majestic, amazing with architectural edifice and the first of its kind in West Africa, stressing that the project is trendier, a pride to the Country and West Africa.

    He assured that NFF would partner the state government for realization of international sports to be played in the stadium, and called for the maintenance of stadia in other states and the need for other states to emulate the development achievements of Akwa Ibom State.

    Mr. Pinnick, who hinted that the match between Nigeria Vs. South Africa would be played at the stadium on November 19, this year, and stressed that the project was long lasting, appealing to next administration of the state to name the stadium after Governor Godswill Akpabio.

  • Outrageous electricity bills in Akwa Ibom

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Power, Dr. Victor Udo, has urged Electricity Consumer Committees in Akwa Ibom State to cooperate with industry stakeholders to sustain the improved power supply across the state.

    He spoke when the Chairmen of Electricity Consumers Committee (ECC) from communities across the 3 senatorial districts of the state met with him at his office.

    The ECC delegation acknowledged improvements in power supply across the State but they decried the outrageous bills being issued by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).

    It was alleged that excessive electricity bills were issued to communities in Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts on a monthly basis.They attributed this to estimated billing and appealed to the SSA on Power for urgent intervention.

    The SSA on Power said: “Power is being supplied to communities across the State because transformers have been installed in the various communities along with Low Tension and High Tension lines.

    “Since power is being supplied and consumed, an effective billing system needs to be implemented to pay for the energy consumed through proper metering.”

    He therefore urged the ECC to cooperate with the Business Managers of PHEDC to implement a more effective revenue collection process.

    Dr. Udo appealed to the ECC to discourage members of the community from tampering with power installationsin the communities. He said: “People should not endanger their lives by tampering with power infrastructure in the community.”

    The SSA invited the delegation to join the power sector stakeholders meeting held monthly in his office. He urged them to nominate 3 persons to represent each senatorial district at the meeting to work on billing and other power related issues across the state.

     

  • Students’ N1m endowment fund for Akwa Ibom

    The leadership of the Akwa Ibom State Graduate Students’ Association (AKWAGRASA) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has launched a one million naira endowment fund to support educational programmes in the state. The endowment fund launching, which coincided with the swearing-in of the new leaders of the association, was held at the CES Auditorium of the university.

    Speaking after his inauguration, the president, Rankin Ndipmong, said the educational endowment fund was established with a view of supporting the free and compulsory education programme under the current leadership of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    Rankin who appealed for support and donations from public-spirited individuals and organizations, noted that through the endowment fund, educational materials and facilities such as textbooks, notebooks, desks and other writing materials were made available to public primary and secondary schools across the state.

    Rankin expressed the belief that the educational materials, when provided, would go a long way in contributing to functional and qualitative education across schools in the state.

    The Deputy Dean of Postgraduate School, UNICAL, Prof Margaret Okon, applauded the brainchild of the administration, describing the gesture as effort in consolidating the achievements of free education scheme of the state.

    Other members of the new executives were Uko Itohowo, Vice-president; Ekong Asuquo, Secretary General; Ibanga Okon, Financial Secretary; Udoh Oliver, Treasurer; Nta Ubong, Director of Socials and Ebito Amanam as Provost  Marshal.

    John Akpan, a member of the association said: “the initiative of the new leadership will play a significant role in promoting education in the state. Education is paramount, hence, all and sundry must attach importance to it.”

  • Crowded governorship race in Akwa Ibom

    Crowded governorship race in Akwa Ibom

    Akwa Ibom State Governor  Godswill Akpabio will bow out of office next year after completing his two terms of eight years. The succession battle is in the air in the oil-rich state. Correspondent Kazeem Ibrahym examines the issues that will shape the contest and the chances of the aspirant.

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio will complete his second term in office next year. Ahead of next year’s election, many Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are jostling for the number one seat. They are warming up for the primaries, which may hold next month.

    In 2007, 58 aspirants fought for the PDP ticket.  At the shadow poll, Akpabio emerged as the winner

    In many towns and villages, billboards and posters of aspirants are competing for space. No fewer than 30 aspirants are warming up for primaries. More may still join the crowded race.

    One of the issues that will shape the contest is zoning. It is believed that the PDP has zoned the slot to the Eket Senatorial District. But, aspirants from other zones are insisting that they must participate in the spirit of democracy.

    Aspirants from Uyo Senatorial District are of the opinion that in the history of governorship in the state, there has never been zoning. Citing the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections as examples, they argued that the contest has always been open to all aspirants across the state.

    Even during the reception organized for former Governor Victor Attah by the Ibibio nation, the former governor was not categorical whether the party will stick to zoning or not. Attah said even though zoning will be a major consideration, other compelling determinants cannot be sacrificed on the altar of zoning.

    Akpabio, who many of the aspirants have accused of trying to impose his SSG on the people, has also assured the aspirants of a level-playing field during the party’s primaries, scheduled for November 29.

    In fact, the governor has called on more persons to aspire for the plum job, saying such would showcase the beauty of democracy. As the number of contenders for Akpabio’s seat continues to increase by the day, all the aspirants that have so far shown interest in the top job are working round the clock in order to emerge as the party’s standard bearer.

     

    Gladiators in the race

    The aspirants include the Secretary to Government, Udom Emmanuel, Presidential aide, Prof. Richard King, former Secretary to Akwa Ibom Government, Umana Umana, Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Ekpenyong Ntekim, former Commissioner for Finance, Bassey Albert, former Deputy Governor, Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor Patrick Ekpoutu, Senator Helen Esuene, House Leader Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Okpolupm Etteh, former House Leader in the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Jerome Isangedihi, Envoy Assam Assam (SAN), former Commis-sioner for Rural Development, Effiong Abia, Ime Albert, former National Publicity of PDP, Benjamin Okoko, Dr. Peter Esuh, Justice Nya Ebito, Asuquo Okpo, Michael Onofiok, Mike Sebastian, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, Effiong Usin, Bishop Sam Akpan, Engr. Larry Esin, Kufre Inyang, Pastor Ita Udoh,.

     

    Albert

    Albert is popularly referred to as OBA among his supporters. He is the youngest aspirant. Albert became the Finance Commissioner in Akpabio’s cabinet in 2007 at the age of 35. He held the position for seven years until he was booted out of government, as a result of his ambition to succeed Akpabio. Today, he has won the hearts of many youths and women in the state because of his philanthropic gestures. “Albert gives to a fault,” said one his supporters. He is intelligent, meticulous and a go-getter. He hails from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area in Uyo Senatorial District.

    However, Albert, who is from Uyo Senatorial District is not favoured by the zoning arrangement of the PDP. But, he believes that his popularity among the youths and elders in the state would work in his favour.

     

    King

    Prof. King is a member of the Presidential Monitoring Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He is believed to be a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan. King’s relationship with the President spans over 30 years. Besides, he is seen by many in the state as someone who can consolidate on the achievements of Akpabio, based on his vast experience within and outside the country.

    Prof. King, who is from Eket, is favoured by the zoning arrangement being canvassed by the governor and the state executives of the PDP. The don, who holds the traditional titles of Okuku of Idua Clan in Eket and  Obong Ikkike of Uyo, is not relenting in his efforts in governing the state. To this end, he has established a campaign office, the Divine Mandate Organisation, at the former PDP secretariat along Ikot Ekpene Road. He has since commenced consultations with traditional rulers and those that matters in the state on his plan to succeed Akpabio.

    King is also building a formidable political structure that would give him an edge in the election, if given the PDP ticket. Expectations are that he would ride on President Jonathan’s back to get the ticket. But, the question on the lips of many in the state is, would the don get the governor’s support in his drive to govern the oil-rich state? He is a dark horse to watch out for in the race.

     

    Emmanuel

    Emmanuel is a banker-turned politician. Little could be ascribed to Emmanuel’s political development up till when the erstwhile Secretary to the government (SSG), Umana Umana, was booted out of office by the incumbent governor. It was at this juncture that Emmanuel made a foray into politics, as the SSG. Hitherto, he was an Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc. He is seen by many as someone the governor is positioning to take-over from him. Emmanuel is hoping to achieve this through the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA), an outfit saddled with the responsibility of selling the banker-turned politician’s candidacy to members of the public. He may be a newcomer to the political scene, but he is favoured by the zoning arrangement; being an Onna man (Ibibio), from Eket Senatorial District.

    Emmanuel has gone far with his consultations across the three senatorial districts in the state. Due to his vast experience and his international connection, many see him as a good product for the office. But, majority of the people resent the fact that he is widely perceived as Akpabio’s godson, who may be given the baton of leadership, against the wishes of some sections of the state.

     

    Umana

    A former ally of Akpabio, Umana was the SSG for six years until he was booted out. He is not favoured by the zoning of the governorship seat, but the Nsit Ubium-born politician is bent on contesting the governorship poll because of his interest that cuts across the three senatorial districts.

    But it is still uncertain under what platform he would be contesting, given the governor’s insistence that Eket Senatorial District must produce the next governor. Umana is an Ibibio man from Uyo Senatorial District.

    He is seen as a man that has built a formidable political structure across the three senatorial districts of the state. He is wealthy and a dark horse to watch out for, because he is widely perceived as a man who may emerge as a game changer in the governorship race; if the contest is thrown open by the ruling PDP. Umana is widely acceptable to majority of the people in the state. So, selling his candidacy to the people will not be a problem.

    Like a soldier in the field of war, Umana is still fighting on as a loyal party man, because he believes he has gathered enough experience to govern the state. How he intends to do this even without the governor’s support is what remains to be seen.

     

    Ekere

    Ekere contested the 2007  primaries with Akpabio, but lost out. Akpabio later picked him as his running mate, but he was dropped when the former governor Obong Victor Attah’s camp insisted on having the deputy governorship slot, after losing the governorship position. But, providence brought Ekere back in 2011, when he won the joint ticket with Akpabio. However, the romance between him and Akpabio only lasted 17 months. He resigned his appointment in 2012 in a controversial manner to defuse the impeachment plot hanging on his neck. Even though Ekere claimed that he resigned for personal reasons, his resignation is still a subject of discussion till today.

    He has staged a comeback into the state’s political scene with his formidable political structure. Many have also described the Ikot Abasi-born politician as a large-hearted and forgiving man. “He is so forgiving to the extent that he has fully reconciled with Akpabio, who praises his forgiving nature repeatedly,” an observer who does not want to be named told The Nation. Ekere’s public acceptance is not an issue compared to some of the aspirants.

     

    Onofiok

    Onofiok is a chartered shipbroker and a maritime expert from Oron. Although, he has not had a long history of involvement in politics, he is favoured by zoning of the governorship seat to Eket senatorial district.

    Onofiok is a former councillor, who tried unsuccessfully to become chairman of his native Udung Uko Local Government Area. He has however decided this time around to go for the plum job. Outside his little experience as a councillor, he has not held any political office.

    To that extent, he is a newcomer to the Akwa Ibom political scene. But, he has promised not to chicken out of the race. He is also one of those agitating for politics of zoning, based on the three nationalities that make up the state: Ibibio-Annang-Oron. This is predicated on the original agreement entered into by the founding fathers of the state; as against the politics of senatorial district as propounded by the governor.

    Onofiok believes there are lots of benefits and opportunities in the maritime sector and he has promised to explore it, if given the opportunity to govern the state.

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

     

    Assam

    Assam, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is the Nigerian Ambassador to Russia. He served as the state’s Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice under Akpabio. With his years of experience and his strength of character, he is well qualified for job. Assam, who has officially declared his intention to contest the governorship poll is said to have been made an ambassador to put the spanners in his governorship ambition. In terms of zoning, he is favoured. He is also one of those campaigning against imposition in the governorship race this time around.

    What observers believe is that he may not have the full support of the governor and some of the stakeholders in the state because he is perceived as a non-conformist. Besides, he does not have a visible structure like many other aspirants.

     

    Ntekim

    He is the former chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) during the tenure of Attah as governor of the state. He is the current Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state. Before this, he was a former Commissioner for Transport under the current administration. He is believed to be one of the political godsons of Don Etiebet. Zoning favours Ntekim since he is from the Oro nation, but the fear in some quarters is that he may not be accepted by entire Akwa Ibom people. Many even see him as Akpabio’s Plan B in case the Emmanuel project fails. To this, Ntekim has put his campaign machinery into motion. He is currently consulting across the state.

     

    Ekpotu

    Ekpotu served as the deputy governor during Akpabio’s first term. He emerged as deputy governor following the turbulent 2006 PDP primaries in the state, when the PDP reconciliation committee headed by Chief Tony Anenih brokered a peace accord that gave Attah the opportunity to nominate the deputy to Akpabio. Ekpotu was not in the picture initially, but the scenario changed when Attah’s bid to install his son-in-law, in the person of former Commissioner for Health, Bob Ekarika failed. Attah then nominated Ekpotu, who was his commissioner for Information, to become Akpabio’s running mate.

    Ekpotu was not the original running mate to Akpabio in the election. According to political analysts, his emergence was to give the Ibibios, the largest ethnic group in the state, a place in Akpabio’s government during his first term. Akpabio dropped him later to pave the way for Nsima Ekere, his original running mate. Ekere, who worked with Akpabio as deputy governor for some period later resigned his appointment in 2012 on personal grounds.

    Though Ekpotu has not officially declared his intention to run, pundits believe that the Ikot Abasi-born politician would do that soon. Many see him as someone who is only making a feeble attempt to act as a spoiler to Ekere’s governorship ambition, because both candidates are from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency.

     

    Abia

    Abia is an Oron man. He was the immediate past Commissioner for Rural Development. He stands a good chance of picking the ticket, because he was among the three aspirants endorsed by the State Executive to contest for the 2015 governorship election before he was booted out. He has worked with Akpabio for 11 years. He was Secretary of the State Council of Chiefs and also Secretary, Finance and General Purpose Committee (FGPC) and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    Many believe that Abia has built his political structure and support base during his stay at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, by going into some sort of alliance with some of the council chairmen ahead of his yet to be declared ambition. He is also one of those believed to be riding on Akpabio’s back in getting the PDP ticket. Abia will have to compete with other strong candidates from Eket.

     

     Esuene

    Senator Esuene was the wife to late former military governor of the old Cross River State, Chief Udokaha Esuene.  She was appointed as the Minister of State for Health in July 2005. Later, she became Minister of Environment in January 2006. After a cabinet reshuffle in January 2007, Esuene was given an expanded portfolio as Minister of Environment and Housing. She left office in May 2009 at the end of the Obasanjo’s tenure to become a Senator representing Akwa Ibom South (Eket Senatorial District).

    Analysts are of the view that Senator Esuene stands a chance of becoming the next governor of the state as a result of her closeness with the Presidency. But, her gender may be her greatest disadvantage. Majority of stakeholders in the state, it is said, may not be disposed to a female governor for now. Rather, they would prefer a male aspirant to be the governor, while the deputy governorship position may be given to a female, as it is in the state at present.

     

    Ette

    Ette is a three-term member and leader, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. Many believe he is one of the aspirants to watch out for in the 2015 governorship election because of his perceived effective representation of his constituents. He was Chief Whip in 2007 to 2011 and House Leader since 2011. He is seen as a stabilizing factor in the House. He is close to the grassroots; with a solid structure all over the state. He is from the coastal town of Upenekang in Ibeno Local Government. Many also see him as someone who is well grounded in the politics of the state. He is favoured by the zoning arrangement of the PDP. Many see him as a dark horse to watch out for in the race.

     

    Akpan

    Akpan, a former lawmaker, became influential when he emerged the international President of Akwa Ibom State Peoples Forum (AKPF), a platform that claims to have brought Akpabio to power. Known as ‘bishop’ of politics, Akpan was appointed political adviser to the governor and later deputy chairman of the state chapter of the PDP. He initially used the AKPF platform to control council chairmen and councillors in the state, a development that made him so powerful.

    But, Governor Akpabio gradually whittled down his influence, by encouraging the emergence of another parallel group, the Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice (ADV). The new group gave those who were disenchanted with his style of running the AKPF another platform.

    Akpan, who is currently the chairman of Akwa Ibom State Road Maintenance Agency, is from Eket Senatorial District. But, his ambition to govern the state may be undermined by his lack of the enormous resources required for the governorship project.

     

    Okoko

    Okoko is from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. He was former Commissioner for Works in the state under Navy Captain Adeusi. In 1998, the elders of the PDP pleaded with him to leave the PDP governorship ticket to Obong Victor Attah. At the time, Okoko was more popular than Attah, and if the choice of the PDP flag bearer then had been subjected to primaries, he would have emerged the winner. But the party insisted on rotation and that the Uyo Senatorial District, in the person of Obong Victor Attah, should take the first slot.

    Okoko had served as the second National Publicity Secretary of the PDP. He was one of the founding fathers of the PDP. He has now staged a comeback to the political scene, believing that with his structure presently spreading across the three senatorial districts in the state, he will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in the next primaries, which is billed to take place next Monday.

     

    Esin

    Esin is an Oron man from Eket Senatorial District. He was former Commissioner for Tourism in Cross River State. He also served as Special Envoy of Cross River State on Investment in Washington DC, United States of America. In 2006, Esin joined the governorship race three weeks before the primaries and came third under the platform of the PDP. He left the PDP to become the National Chairman of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). He resigned sometimes in 2010 in a controversial manner and joined the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He contested the 2011 governorship seat under the platform of the defunct CPC and lost. After the election, Esin left politics, only to stage a comeback recently. He has been re-admitted into the PDP, and he has now joined the governorship race.

     

    Albert

    Ime Albert is said to have been drafted into the race by Akpabio to curtail the popularity of his younger brother, Bassey Albert (OBA), who is loved by the youths in the state. He has started his consultations across the three senatorial district in the state and has established a campaign office within Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the state capital. His campaign platform is tagged Covenant Mission 2015. The citing of the office is another reassurance that the Ibiono Ibom politician is serious about succeeding governor Akpabio in 2015.

     

    Sebastian

    Until recently, Sebastian was the Vice President of Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA). ACA is the group rooting to deliver SSG Emmanuel as the governor in 2015. After leaving ACA, Sabestian formed another group known as “The God Factor Group” in his drive to pick the PDP ticket during November 29 primaries. He is from Ikot Abasi and an in-law to the Akpabios. Many see him as a dark horse to watch out for.

     

    Udonsak                                  

    Udonsak is from Eket. He is from the Eket zone. Therefore, he is favoured by the zoning arrangement. Udonsak, a Port-Harcourt-based medical practitioner and two-time governorship aspirant in the state, said his intention to contest for the 2015 governorship polls is as a result of his love for his people.

     

    Udoh

    Udoh is an Eket man. He is the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. Before now, he was Special Assistant to Governor Akpabio on Education Matters and also a former Commissioner for Youth and Sports. Udoh, who hoped to resign his appointment by end of the month, said he would focus on human capacity building, job creation for youths and women empowerment in agriculture, if given the opportunity to govern the state in 2015.

     

    Ebito

    Ebito is from Eket. He retired from High Court three years ago in the state. Before his retirement, he had served as Chief Magistrate and Chief Registrar. Little could be ascribed to Justice Ebito’s political journey in Akwa Ibom state. He has told his teeming supporters that his government will be that of ideas, if given the opportunity to govern the state.

     

    Esuh

    Esuh, a university teacher from the Oron, is consulting widely with the hope that he will pick the party’s ticket. He says he is on a divine mission to reposition the state in order to withstand contemporary challenges.

     

    Usin

    Usin is an engineer who says he has what it takes to be the next governor of Akwa Ibom state, having lived, worked and studied in Nigeria. He is still consulting with party elders and stalwarts with the hope that he will be given the opportunity to fly the party’s flag during the governorship elections.

  • Akwa Ibom at 27

    Akwa Ibom, located in the south-eastern corner of the nation, wedged between Abia and Rivers states in the west and Cross River State in the east is 27 today.

    The struggle for the actualisation of the dream and yearning for self-determination began in 1928 when the founding fathers in what was then known as mainland, came together to form a formidable forum called Ibibio Union.  The Ibibio Union, seen then as a minority group, became the seed of the present day Akwa Ibom State. The union tabled the agenda for discussion at the 1957 London constitutional conference although the struggle did not see the limelight until 1967, when General Yakubu Gowon at the beginning of the Nigerian civil war, created South Eastern State of which Akwa Ibom was part.

    The South Eastern State was one of the pioneer 12 states created by Gowon’s military administration in 1967 following the military intervention of January 1966. The setting up of political bureau in 1986 by Babangida administration provided another opportunity for the founding fathers to submit another memorandum demanding the creation of Akwa Ibom State.

    This came on September 23, 1987, after over three decades of unrelenting efforts.

    However, with the fulfilment of the people’s demand, the young but dynamic state then faced the challenge of development, particularly the immediate task of turning a local government headquarter into a state capital.

    Today, the state has since grown in leaps and bounds under different administrations from the pioneer military governor, then Colonel Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha, Cololnel Godwin Osagie Abbe, Wing Commander Indongesit Nkanga, late Obong Akpan Isemin, Lt. Col. Yakubu Bako, Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi, Col. John Ebiye, Obong Victor Attah and now Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio.

    The first civilian governor of the State, Obong Akpan James Isemin, heralded a new dawn in the democratic governance of the state; though his regime lasted for a year and 10 months but the apostle of “Structural Mental Adjustment” changed the people’s perception to thinking and dreaming big.  He initiated the struggle for abrogation of the obnoxious onshore/offshore oil dichotomy.

    Obong Victor Attah, the second democratically elected governor of the state made significant efforts in the provision of infrastructure for the people. He came with a mission statement: “To create prosperity for our people and communities by developing the infrastructure and processes that will support the responsible exploitation of our natural endowments for growth and sustainable development.”

    He laid the foundation for the development of the state. Incumbent governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, readily admitted the sterling role Attah played in the development of the state at his inaugural speech on May 29, 2007 when he stated: “To my predecessor Obong Victor Attah, Akwa Ibom applauds you for laying a solid foundation for future development.  I will complete all the ongoing projects and initiate new ones for the benefit of our people”.

    Despite the achievements of the six military and two civilian governors, infrastructural development was still at its lowest ebb.  The urban and rural areas were still without access road, electricity and some other infrastructures.  Akwa Ibom children were generally regarded as domestic helps as many hardly passed through primary and secondary education.  School structures were decaying and many could not afford the school fees.  Consequently, the Akwa Ibom child seemed to have lost hope, thus the massive movement to seek menial jobs in the cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt among others.   Akwa Ibom was in such situations until Godswill Obot Akpabio was elected in 2007 as third civilian governor of the state.

    First, he realised that he who starts a race late would have to run faster in order to catch up with his peers and that the progress of a nation depends first and foremost on the progress of its people. As part of his human capital development strategy, Akpabio declared free, compulsory and qualitative education for both primary and secondary thereby eradicating the menace of gatemen, drivers and domestic help syndrome that the people of the state were noted for.

    Today, with two federal institutions of higher learning plus the state university and a polytechnic including a college of education, the state is taking a front seat in the realm of education.

    Nigerians generally have commended the pace of hard core infrastructural development under the dispensation of Chief Godswill Akpabio. True, the pace of infrastructural development under him has put Akwa Ibom State on the same developmental plane as the first generation states in our country.  In the same vein, projects not completed by his predecessor like Ibom International Airport and Ibom Power Plant are no longer in an embarrassing state as the governor has since completed and put them to use for the benefit of the populace. It may still be early in the day, but it could just be that when the developmental history of Akwa Ibom State is chronicled, it will fall into two eras: pre- and post-Akpabio. Akpabio has so rewritten the history of infrastructural development in Akwa Ibom.

    It is the first time in the annals of the State that we have an administrator who has worked like a hurricane.  Akpabio has taken the state like a storm.  His advent has pulled down old notions of development and installed an approach that while seeing a new Uyo, it also picturing the opening up of every corner of the state as potential Uyos.

    He is etching a difference by landing the presence of government and governance in every part of the state.  The state has since secured the indispensable access such as air access by way of a modern airport.  Most of the roads have been dualised while several parts of the state are now linked by well-laid roads.  Several roads in the town which constituted an urban blight are now motorable.  A marine access is also in the works – Ibaka Seaport.

    Akwa Ibom State, the oil-rich and pacific oasis of the South-south is 27 years old and Uyo has become one of the best cities in Nigeria. It is a moment of celebration for the dreams that have come true. But the anniversary should provide opportunity for a sober reflection on where the state is coming from, where it ought to be, and where it will be in the next five years. This should be our focus. Hence the state should look for individuals be it man or woman, passionately committed to developing the abundant resources of the state. In the next dispensation, we expect to see a state where knowledge would constitute yje springboard for development; where oil would no longer be regarded as the soul of the state, as if without it the state won’t survive.

    While wishing Akwa Ibomites a happy and eventful anniversary, my humble advice is that we must avoid polarizing the state along ethnic lines to cover up failures and misdeeds.  The ethnic diversity should be seen as a strength rather than weakness. The recriminations among the ethnic groups are unnecessary.  The energy should be channelled to more productive issues that will cause the state to be cynosure of all Nigeria.

    A great Akwa Ibom is ours to build through our individual and collective efforts. Happy anniversary!

    • Udiong, a communication consultant wrote in from Uyo

  • ‘Traffic bill will create employment in Akwa Ibom’

    ‘Traffic bill will create employment in Akwa Ibom’

    The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Transport, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, has won National Assembly award as outstanding commissioner. In this interview with Kazeem Ibrahym,  Udeh explains the motive behind the award and how the state won the war against illegal parks.

    You joined the Akpabio’s cabinet about a year ago and today you have been honoured as the most outstanding commissioner by the House of Representatives Committee on Inter- governmental Affairs. How did you achieve that?

    I must first dedicate this award to God and my church leader of Heaven Light Assembly who is incidentally a prophet in my life, whose prayers have lifted me in life. His intercessory prayers have prompted me to do the unusual and uncommon things I have done. I will not forget to dedicate this award to my dear Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio for the opportunity given to me out of his conviction on my abilities to serve the state well. When I came on board his executive council, people taunted me that I have been posted to the wilderness (Ministry of Transport) where I will achieve nothing but the governor knew my capabilities, he sent me here because he was optimistic I will deliver on the mandate he handed over to me and for his confidence and love for me I dedicate the Award to him.

    What is the traffic bill before Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly seeks to achieve?

    The bill when passed into law will first offer employment to our teaming youths as traffic managers stationed at strategic locations to manage traffic and ensure compliance to all the reforms the new traffic system will offer, the bill will provide legal backings to the reforms and people will be officially designated as traffic managers. They will ensure complete sanity on our roads in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) since we cannot do it alone. So their job will complement the FRSC but our outfit will go beyond the capital city of Uyo to other areas of the state with considerable vehicular movements. The traffic officers who will be well trained are expected to ensure total sanity on our roads.

    Your predecessor tried to solve the problems of illegal parks and terrible loading and offloading by commercial vehicles along the road but failed, how do you tackle this menace?

    First you should be aware that no two persons are the same. For instance, Governor Godswill Akpabio is not the first Governor of Akwa Ibom but his administration is tagged uncommon because he is able to do unusual things. He has made the impossible become possible even within a time frame. This is one government that initiates projects of big magnitude and accomplish it within a targeted time frame. So as people who have understudied him and strongly believe in his ideology coupled with the fact that we have tapped into his spirit, we have to bring in those virtues that brought about his lofty achievements into activities. We as a team here drew up a template with genuine commitment moved into the scene regardless of threats to our lives and with total believe in God we moved against touts and illegal parks that dotted around the capital city and unlike the usual attempt of chasing them with security personnel, we went with full dialogue and preaching and perhaps the voice of God prevailed against forceful ejection and they complied. Some of them afterwards could not come to terms on how they complied with our directives this time but the important thing is that they have moved to designated parks. Today our designated parks are now booming and have offered employment to many while a lot of people’s enterprises have been rejuvenated. Several empty shops in the parks built with public funds are now filled and generating revenue while other little business thrives.

    Now people who are traveling know where to go to get vehicles and don’t stand on the road anymore for touts and thieves to waylay them. We have done biometric capturing on all the tricycle’s operators in the city in such a way that when there is any problem they can be traced and we have given the routes for them to drive and areas to avoid. We have made it possible for tricycle drivers to access every part of the city.

    One of the major problems that nearly kick start unrest in the state was complaints by tricycle operators of exploitation by government, how do you navigate through the problem?

    In this case I must commend the governor for his generosity and intervention. Upon the relocation to the parks, operators who commended our actions which brought sanity lamented that they are carrying burden of higher tariffs. We upon investigation, we discovered that an average tricycle man pays about N250 per local government and you know that the Uyo capital city have about four local government areas sharing boundaries and they pay about N1,000 daily. We pleaded for the council’s consideration of their plight but they remained adamant and we suspended the charges for seven months to study the situation and come up with acceptable tariff. We worked with tricycle operators and settled for N400.

     

     

  • Akwa Ibom: Ibibio elders back Emmanuel for governor

    Akwa Ibom: Ibibio elders back Emmanuel for governor

    A group, the Ibibio Elders’ Fo-rum, has endorsed the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for next year’s governorship election.

    The forum said the aspirant will defend the  growth, unity and development of the state.

    The forum is made up of elders from Ibibioland. It explained that Emmanuel is a humble and committed administrator.

    When some of the elders visited the SSG in his office at Uyo, the state capital, they urged him to declare his intention to run for the office.

    They said Emmanuel has lived up to expectation as a technocrat before he was appointed as the SSG.

    Hailing his patriotism, they said: “those who got jobs through Emmanuel’s assistance have established themselves to the envy of their contemporaries in other states.”

    Noting that Emmanuel is the only Ibibio son on the board of African Finance Corporation and the highest ranking Akwa Ibom son in the financial sector, they wondered “why Akwa Ibom should go to war with a mere recruit when they have a ‘General”

    Former Minister of Lands and Housing Chief Nduese Essien said the SSG will be a worthy successor to Governor Godswill Akpabio.   He said: “It is on this basis that the entire Ibibio elders of Akwa Ibom State have realized that we need someone like Udom Emmanuel as Governor, come 2015, because he is the right choice and truly deserves the seat.”

    The Chairman of the Forum, Dr Okon Uko, decried the  falsehood,  propaganda, blackmail and the “pull him down syndrome” that have characterised politics in Ibibioland.

    Uko extolled the sterling qualities of the SSG, saying that he will be a good governor.

  • Ebonyi understudies Akwa Ibom plans

    The Ebonyi State Government is understudying the development strategies that have led to the development of Akwa Ibom State, particularly Uyo, the state capital.

    The Chairman and other key officers of Abakiliki Capital City Development Authority (ACCDA) of Ebonyi State at the weekend concluded a two-day visit to their Akwa Ibom counterpart, the Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA).

    The Ebonyi State team, led by its chairman, Mr Edward Nkwegu and General Manger Justin Ogedo, held an interactive session with the UCCDA last Thursday at their conference hall at Esuene Street, Federal Housing Estate, Abak Road, Uyo. They were received by UCCDA Chairman Imo Edet Inyan and his team.