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Tag: Nsima Ekere

  • Elections Petition Tribunal receives 34 petitions in A’Ibom – Scribe

    The Governorship, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Uyo, Akwa Ibom says it has received no fewer than 34 petitions as at April 1.

    The Tribunal Secretary in the state, Mr Sidiq Abubakar made this known in a document made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Uyo.

    Abubakar said that one of the petitions was filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Mr Nsima Ekere against Gov. Udom Emmanuel of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the tribunal also received two petitions emanating from the senatorial election, adding that Sen. Godswill Akpabio of APC filed one against Mr Christopher Ekpenyong of the PDP from Akwa Ibom North West.

    The secretary tribunal also said that Mr Bassey Etim of APC filed another petition against Sen. Bassey Akpan of the PDP from Akwa Ibom North East.

    READ ALSO: Delta tribunal receives 51 petitions

    He said eight petitions emanated from the House of Representatives and 23 petitions from the State House of Assembly elections out of the 26 House of Assembly seats.

    “We have received 34 petitions, including that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Mr Nsima Ekere, two petitions from the Senate, eight from the House of Representatives.

    Others are 23 petitions from the State House of Assembly elections,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal also received one petition filed by the PDP House of Assembly candidate, Mr Gerald Umoh against Mr Nse Ntuen of APC from Essien Udim State Constituency.

    No date has been fixed for the tribunal to begin its sitting.

  • Ekere loses local govt as INEC cancels elections in his ward

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obong Nsima Ekere has lost his local government, Ikot Abasi to his opponent, Governor Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Emmanuel scored a total of 9,335 votes to beat Ekere who polled 7,549 out of 17,469 total votes cast in the election.

    The collation officer for Ikot Abasi, Dr. Edwin Nssien disclosed that elections in Unit 004,Ward 1 in Edemaya clan which is Ekere’s polling unit was cancelled.

    Elections were also cancelled in three other wards 2, 3 and 4 all in Edemaya clan.

    Read Also: INEC shocks politicians with late swap of Collation Officers in Imo

    Dr. Nssien attributed the cancellation to electoral malpractices including hijack of election materials.

    However, the APC agent for the governorship election, Archbishop Samuel Akpan rejected the result announced saying it does not a true reflection of the exercise which took place in Ikot Abasi on Saturday.

    Akpan also accused the collation officer for Ikot Abasi, Dr. Edwin Nssien of being a card carrying member of the PDP on a mission to work for the success of the PDP in Ekere’s local government.

  • Ekere promises to build new mechanic village in Uyo

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Obong Nsima Ekere has promised to establish a new mechanic village in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, if elected in Saturday’s election.

    Speaking during a visit to the mechanic village located at Afaha Offot, Uyo, on Thursday, Ekere decried the deplorable state of the village established more than 30 years ago.

    He said the proposed mechanic will meet the standards that obtain in advanced countries of the world.

    The APC flag bearer said he would construct access roads to the village immediately after his inauguration on May 29 because the location of the present mechanic village causes traffic gridlock in that axis of the city.

    Ekere criticised Governor Udom Emmanuel, who is also the PDP governorship flag bearer in the election, for failing to fulfill the promise he made four years ago to reconstruct the village.

    He said: “Akwa Ibom State does not need a lying governor. That is why we are embracing change.

    “Change has come to Akwa Ibom State. Akwa Ibom State is going to the next level.”

    Read Also: What Buhari said at Uyo rally

    Ekere charged the technicians to protect and follow their votes to the collation centres.

    Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Senator John Udoedehe, who is an indigene of Afaha Offot, wondered why Governor Emmanuel came to campaign at the mechanic village after failing to fulfill his promise to develop the village made four years ago.

    He added: “Any government that looks down on mechanics is a government of fools, because you are the employers of labour. Nsima Ekere’s government will retain and equip you.

    “I want you to be agents of Nsima Ekere, because Nsima Ekere is your future. Politics is a game of development. If Udom had performed, we would have nothing to campaign with.”

  • ‘Ekere still in the governorship contest’

    •PDP afraid of defeat, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has said the fear of losing the governorship election is pushing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to spread rumours of Nsima Ekere’s withdrawal from the contest.

    A statement by spokesperson of the APC campaign organisation, Eseme Eyiboh, reiterated that Ekere has no intention of backing out of the election as the APC was confident of winning.

    The statement reads: “Our attention is drawn to a petty drivel by agents of the PDP and its governorship candidate, Udom Emmanuel, saying APC’s governorship candidate, Nsima Ekere, has withdrawn from the contest.

    “The write up, which does not qualify as news or press statement, was allegedly signed by our spokesman, Eseme Eyiboh. But it is nothing more than the usual badly cooked up mendacious stories, which unfortunately has become the hallmark of the Udom administration and the PDP.

    “The write up shows the kind of men Governor Emmanuel has employed in governance – a mediocre government, populated by mediocre officials, which has led to the miserable and unfortunate performance Akwa Ibom people have witnessed.

    “The propaganda is coming out of a fear-stricken side, which already reckons with the certainty of defeat. Ekere has continued to enjoy the people’s support and endorsement; our people see him as the answer to the inept and incompetent administration of Governor Emmanuel. This is the fear that is driving them to such ridiculous and senseless propaganda.

    “We urge all APC members and our supporters to ignore the propaganda and focus on their resolve to elect Nsima Ekere as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.

    “Our people must reject the shenanigans between the PDP and INEC aimed at denying them the right to vote and allow their votes to count. We appeal to our supporters to remain vigilant and vote for Ekere.”

  • APC leaders assure Ekere of victory in Akwa Ibom

    The leadership of the APC on Wednesday reassured the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom, Nsima Ekere, of victory at the polls.

    The reassurance came in Abuja shortly after the presidential acceptance speech was given by President Buhari while receiving the certificate of return from the INEC Chairman, following his victory at the nationwide polls on Saturday.

    The state Chairman of the party,Ini Okopido also reteirated the  assurance of victory to the gubernatorial candidate.

    The Akwa Ibom gubernatorial candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere has campaigned across the length and breadth of the state, and vowed to return the state to its enviable place in the comity of states.

    Read Also: Ogun APC rally: Police arrest six suspects

    Also, the presidency has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the need to ensure free and fair elections, not only in Akwa Ibom but across the country.

    This became imperative following reports of alleged voter intimidation and violent activities by the opposition in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections, especially in Akwa Ibom State.

    Obong Nsima Ekere promised to lead the state into an era of collective progress and prosperity.

  • Ekere promises inclusive government

    Akwa Ibom State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Nsima Ekere has promised the people an inclusive and open government if elected.A

    Ekere gave the assurance when the Board of Trustees, Executives and members of the Akwa Ibom Community Association in the 19 northern states and Abuja met to endorse him.

    The event held at the Akwa Ibom House in Abuja at the weekend.

    Ekere told the gathering that he had mapped out a sustainable development plan that would involve Akwa Ibom citizens from every part of the world. He promised that his government’s blueprint would capture the very essence of participatory economic growth, which includes a N20 billion fund for strategic enterprise development.

    He said: “We are poised to give our people a government that would be responsive, responsible and all inclusive. Our people will be allowed to explore their entrepreneurship skills for job creation and economic empowerment.

    “I thank you for this love and support for the APC, and promise that we shall live up to the people’s expectations. I thank you for the sacrifices you have made so far, and enjoin you to come to Akwa Ibom and mobilise the people for a government that would take our state to the centre of politics in Nigeria.”

    President of the Association Comrade Tom Etim Okon extolled Ekere and pledged his support for his candidature. He described Ekere as a man who has the requisite experience and capacity to govern the state.

    Okon recalled that as deputy governor, and as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ekere performed above and beyond. He assured him of his members’ support, even as he noted that members of the association would mobilise for Ekere and will be in the state to vote for him.

  • ‘I will be governor of Akwa Ibom people everywhere’

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere, has assured the state indigenes of inclusive and open government if elected into office as governor on March 2, 2019.

    Obong Ekere gave the assurance when the Board of Trustees, Executives and members of the Akwa Ibom Community Association in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, met to endorse him as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.

    The event which took place on Sunday February 10, 2019 at the Akwa Ibom House in Abuja, attracted thousands of the state indigenes from the 19 Northern State and Abuja.

    Obong Ekere told the ecstatic gathering that he had mapped out a sustainable development plan that would involve Akwa Ibom citizens from every part of the world.

    He assured that his government blueprint would capture the very essence of participatory economic growth, which includes a N20 billion fund for strategic enterprise development.

    Ekere who insisted that it was foolhardy to rely on outsiders to develop the state, noted that when experienced indigenes are mobilized, adequately empowered and creatively involved, development would not only come faster, but will be more sustainable.

    The Akwa Ibom APC flag bearer urged the people of the state to support the APC because it had the credibility and the experience to deliver the state from under performance, clueless governance and crass ineptitude.

    He said, “We are poised to give our people a government that would be responsive, responsible and all inclusive. Our people will be given the opportunity to explore their entrepreneurship skills for job creation and economic empowerment of our people.

    “I thank you for this show of love and support for the APC and promise that we shall live up to the expectations of our people.

    “I want to register my sincere gratitude for the sacrifices you have made so far and enjoin you to come to Akwa Ibom State and mobilize the people for a government that would take our state to the center of politics in Nigeria.

    “As a state, we will gain so much with aligning with the power at the center. We cannot benefit from playing opposition in a country like Nigeria today.”

    President of the Association, Comrade Tom Etim Okon, in his presentation, extolled the qualities of Ekere and pledged his support for his candidature.

    Okon described Ekere as a man who has the requisite experience, and capacity to govern the state.

    He recalled that as deputy governor, and lately as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ekere performed to the admiration of all Akwa Ibom people and beyond.

    Okon further assured the APC governorship flag bearer of the support of his members drawn from the 19 northern states and Abuja.

    Read Also: Mass defection hits Akwa Ibom PDP

    He noted that the members of the association would not only mobilize for the APC candidate, but will be in the state during the election to cast their votes for him.

    The highlight of the meeting was the motion for the adoption of Obong Nsima Ekere as the choice of all the people of Akwa Ibom State in all the 19 Northern States and Abuja, which was moved by the President of Akwa Ibom Community Association, Abuja Comrade Tommy Etim Okon and seconded by Lady Carolyne Ndaeyo.

    The motion was followed by a unanimous affirmative voice vote.

    In attendance at the event were, Obong Nsima Ekere, APC governorship candidate; Senator Godswill Akpabio – former governor of Akwa Ibom State and coordinator of Campaigns; Senator John Akpan Udoedehe – former FCT Minister and Deputy coordinator of Campaigns; Senator Ita Enang – SSA to President(National Assembly- Senate) and Director General of Campaigns; Lady Ime Okon – SSA to the President, Infrastructure; Engr Ben Ukpong – National Population Commissioner; Chief Fidelis Etim – Federal Civil Service Commissioner and  Hon Eseme Eyiboh – Chairman, Cross River Basin Development Authority and Spokesperson of APC Campaign Council, Akwa Ibom State.

  • Ex-militants urge Buhari to dissolve NDDC board

    Ex-militants on Saturday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately dissolve the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) following lack of youth empowerment by the commission.

    The ex-warlords under the auspices Third Phase Federal Government Amnesty Programme urged Buhari to relieve the Managing Director of the commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere, of his appointment to enable him to focus on his political ambitions.

    They accused the board of insensitivity and loss of focus in evolving policies and programmes to empower the youths and curb criminality in the region.

    The Secretary-General of the Third Phase, Mr. Karo Edor, aka OBJ, in a statement in Yenagoa claimed that  Ekere allowed his personal political ambition to undermine the collective interest of the youths in the region.

    He said: “We frowned on the lukewarm and nonchalant and divide rule tactics of the NDDC boss and his inability to attract any meaningful and fair development to the youths.

    Read Also: Buhari, IGP meet in Aso Villa

    “We wish to remind Mr. Ekere, that he has not deem it fit to rally the NDDC and its board to award surveillance jobs, water hyacinth contracts and other road repair jobs in the region. We also condemn sabotage against the ex-militants”.

    Edor said the group was aware that a file containing the names of new NDDC board was being withheld by some presidential aides.

    He accused such aides of subverting the progress of the youths in the region and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and ensure constitution of a new board.

    “We are urging the President to release enough fund to the new board of the commission to enable the incoming board to carry out their constitutional functions to effectively impact on the youths and the region”, he said.

  • Akwa Ibom CAN denies endorsing APC governorship candidate

    The Akwa Ibom state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has denied endorsing the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obong (Dr.) Nsima Ekere.
    State chairman of CAN, Rev(Dr.) Ndueso Ekwere in a press briefing in Uyo on Saturday said the association has not endorsed Ekere or any other governorship candidate of other political parties.
    Ekwere said he was misrepresented by some sections of the local media that it endorsed the APC governorship candidate when he paid a consultation visit to him and members of his executive.
    He said the consultation visit by the APC governorship candidate was devoid of any political connotation, adding that he merely  advised Ekere and his team to play politics with godliness and decorum.
    “On the matter of political parties and endorsement of candidates by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), that is going virile around the state and beyond in print and social media particularly alleging CAN’s endorsement of the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Nsima Ekere.

    Read Also: ‘I won’t play politics with Akwa Ibom’s development’

    ” Let me say here unequivocally that CAN, Akwa Ibom state has not at anytime made such endorsement.
    “CAN is apolitical and an open church for all denominations and individuals who are Christians by their worship conduct.
    ” Every church has a mixed membership and I have not seen or heard any church so far that carries out accreditation before their worship session to know those that belong to certain political parties and then screen them out”, he said.

  • NDDC plans industrial development centre in A/Ibom

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)  says it will establish an industrial development centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
    Managing Director of the commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere disclosed this on Tuesday in Ikot Ekpene during the flag-off of the entrepreneurship/agricultural disbursement grants for Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District.
    The grant is initiated and sponsored by the representative of the senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
    Ekere said the NDDC was collaborating with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to set up the centre, located opposite Champion Breweries on Aka – Nung Udoe Road, Uyo, with the aim of training, mentoring and empowering the youths of the state for job creation.
    Ekere said, “NDDC is about development and creating jobs to banish poverty. This is what NDDC is all about.”
    The NDDC boss commended Akpabio for also working with SMEDAN to empower over 400 indigenes of his senatorial district to start businesses.

    Read Also: NDDC boss gets kudos for Akwa Ibom road

    “What would you have expected from the uncommon Senator,” he said. “Little wonder the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District declared that wherever you go that they will go with you. I’m not surprised that this senatorial district loves Senator Godswill Akpabio.”
    Ekere, who is the Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, expressed delight with the overwhelming show of support for him by the people of the senatorial district, declaring that, with similar support from the other two senatorial districts, his victory in the 2019 election was assured.
    He promised, on becoming Governor, to complete the Ikot Ekpene – Uyo Road, to open the Four Points-By-Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene and to build the international market in Ikot-Ekpene, three projects the present State Government had failed to do as promised.
    “We must showcase Ikot Ekpene as the commercial city of Akwa Ibom State,” Ekere pledged. “Dry bones shall rise again.”
    He enumerated some of the landmark achievements of Akpabio, as Governor in his first term, and pointed out that the incumbent Governor had nothing to show as similar achievements but rather had failed to complete or maintain infrastructure and amenities he inherited.
    His words: “Virtually all the things that made us proud as a state have been destroyed by the present State Government.”