The incumbent Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, Mr. Iniobong Robson, has won the Chairmanship ticket of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in the just concluded PDP Local Government Chairmanship Primaries.
Iniobong Robson, who is the current ALGON Chairman in the state won during a peaceful Local government congress, held at the Uyo Township Stadium with 239 votes defeating Mr. Eseme Udi, who scored only Four votes.
The congress, which was conducted in strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocol and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), AKISIEC and the Press as observers had in attendance, the State Commissioner Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, State Legal adviser of the Party, Barr. Akpadiaha Ebitu, Chairman, Governing Board, Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia jnr, State Organising Secretary 11 of the PDP, Hon. Enobong Harry and other members of the National Assembly from the State, Chief whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmauel Bassey Ekpeyong, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, Member Representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constiuency at the State House of Assembly and other party bigwigs who were delegates from various LGAs.
Voting commenced immediately after a peaceful accreditation of delegates, which was conducted by the Congresses Coordinating Committee and the State Secretariat of the Party headed by Rt. Hon. Udo Ekpeyong.
Robson, who had Mr Udi as the only contestant challenging him in the party’s Primaries for the Chairmanship ticket, scored 239 votes and was declared winner of the PDP primaries for Esit Eket LGA by the Congresses Coordinating Committee.
Speaking with news men at the venue of the primary, Mr. Robson, said his emergence reflects the decision of the entire poeple of Esit Eket.
He reiterated his commitment to the peaceful coexistence, unity and development in the LGA even as he called on all sons and daughters of Esit Eket to partner with him for the purpose of faciliting progress in the area.
Speaking, Chapter Chairman of PDP in Esit Eket, Hon. Elder Eddy Etangkanga, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Project monitoring and Special Assistant to the Governor on Project Monitoring, Pst. Isiah Abia, said “Iniobong Robson is the credible and capable to lead the LGA and sustain its present state of socio-economic and Infrastructural development”.
Agents for Iniobong Robson, Mr. Enobong Asubop and Eseme Udi, Mr. Godwin Effiong all affirmed to the Congresses Coordinating Committee result which declared Iniobong Robson winner.
“I would maintain that ‘thanks’ are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder” G. K Chesterton
Nature has gradually made humans feel entitled even of the things they naturally may not deserve. Therefore, constant self and group assessments is key in order not to long for what one should only hear of.
In the past few weeks Esit Eket have had to reaffirm that ‘patience is a virtue’ which everyone should embibe. We can’t Thank His Excellency enough for clearing the air of the false claims that the Political Leader Elder Ben Udobia is clanish, nepotistic, selfish as few weird minds would say.
While I may not want to delve into rolling out all the appointments in the area, naysayers have had reasons to thank the Governor for appointing a daughter of the area Dr Ini Adiakpan as Commissioner. ‘Clanish’ thinking should have made the Political Leader take it to his village. ‘Selfishness’ shouldn’t have allowed him recommend Barr. Ime Dan Abia as Chairman Governing Council, College of Education who is from a different zone. The recently appointed Special Assistants and board members that are spread through the three zones should have been from his home for ‘selfishness’ sake.
The hatred we have for good things should have a boundary because if over stretched, it becomes witchcraftcy. It takes hatred to bite the fingers that fed you claiming it wasn’t washed.
Whatever the reasons for the backlash, common sense should guard some utterances as words spoken can’t be taken back. has politics taken the place of common sense? Has it negated the fact that Elder Ben Udobia is a father even to the revolutionist before the revolution?
On Ward creation; when Elder Ben Udobia mobilized people for voters registration and even called a meeting to drum it to everyone to take the exercise serious most people went to bed expecting him to come to their villages and beg their cousins to go register. Units are given on the basis of voters strength in a particular area not on how many villages and how big your land mass is. But no, he took the only ward to his village like you’ll bring to his’ if you were in his shoes?
On the Chairmanship issue, anyone who is ready for election should ensure he picks the form, fills, submits, campaigns and present himself for election. The people will use their votes to settle the zoning issue. If zoning is a criterion, let the people decide.
I dare to say that the ALGON Chairman position that’s been given to the current Chairman Hon. Iniobong Robson is not a fluke, I just hope that sends a signal to self acclaimed politicians and unit defenders.
While Thanking His Excellency Deacon Udom Emmanuel for what he has done, we even thank him in advance for the things to come. Elder Ben Udobia is best for every well thinking human. If outsiders should ask that he be loaned to them, we should be much more grateful having him as a father in Esit Eket.
Godwin Elijah writes from Ekpene Obo, Esit Eket LGA
An ancient philosopher, John Quincy Adams once opined, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” This aphorism aptly describes the leadership style of Hon. Iniobong Robson as the executive chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area.
I am not of the intent to sweet talk or sway a censer of praises on the person of Iniobong Robson, I am rather set out to simply bring to the fore his leadership prowess and political feats across the key sectors especially since he assumed office in December 2017 as the executive chairman.
SECURITY: One could easily deduce that Hon. Robson had been dogged on annihilating any factor that could pose a threat to the life and safety of his people, as he made clear thus: “I have come in to serve my people; one of the things I would not joke with is security of lives of my people and property. If you are a cultist, pick-pocket, thief, armed robber, assassin or involve in anything that is a threat to life and property, the best option left for you now in Esit Eket is to denounce it or relocate from Esit Eket to elsewhere.”
It is on record that when he made this statement, he was neither bluffing nor pulling a show of braggadocios. As a man of his words, he ensured the safety of the lives and property of his people. Orderliness, tranquility and peace became the new normal. This is not just some hyperbolic utterances to score cheap political points. It is without doubt that during Robson’s reign, safety and peace have come to replace the former informidable security system.
HUMAN EMPOWERMENT: Experience has shown that one of the best things a leader can do for his/her followers is to empower them. This, according to Howard Schultz, a great scholar, is the best form and great attainment of leadership. Within the space of two and half years, as the helmsman of Esit Eket, Hon. Iniobong Robson has invested in human capacity development more than ever envisaged. Interestingly, he attained this beyond the available resources at his disposal. As a result of his uncommon human empowerment, a good number of Esit Eket youths are today beneficiaries of different companies operating under subsidiary of Exxonmobil, many have functional skills to use in search of Job. Most of them own houses, cars, business of their own; many are excelling in the civil service. A good number of Esit Eket students in the Tertiary Institutions are on scholarship across the Country and so on. Due to the paucity of job demands from different oil firms to Esit Eket, in order to rein in the insidious rate of unemployment in the area, he placed a bounty which permits him to secure legitimate jobs from employers for the unemployed yet qualified youths of the locality. This sort of penchant to uplift the people’s life could no doubt, only come from a leader who has the sole interest of his people at heart, and Hon. Iniobong Robson has proven himself to be such in the past few years of his leadership.
INCLUSIVENESS: Inclusiveness is one of the stellar qualities of good governance, just as ingrained in the Nigerian constitution that the best form of leadership is that where everybody is carried along especially at the grassroot level. The transparency is worthy of emulation especially as the people of Esit Eket can easily be aware of the amount of money coming in from the State Government as monthly allocation, number of slots coming in from all the operational companies linked to Esit Eket. The latter are virtually shared equally to those earmarked for such jobs. Hon. Robson has also ensured that everybody is involved in every activity in the Local Government as people have unhindered access to the council chairman which enable them make known their concerns without any form of bias or segregation. He pays attention to people across party lines. In a nutshell, Hon. Iniobong Robson makes sure, everybody in Esit Eket, irrespective of class, political party or qualifications, feels the impact and dividends of his leadership.
INFRASTRUCTURE: It is not a hidden fact that a take home monthly allocation for the maintenance of the Local Government is nothing to write home about and yet, in the past few years, Hon. Iniobong Robson had judiciously made good use of the meagre fund made available to him. This is just one way to prove that despite how paltry the monthly allocation seemed, Robson was never deterred in serving his people thereby leaving an age long legacy for his people. It is pertinent to bring to mind that Hon. Robson started building state-of-the-art Legislative Chamber; a beautiful edifice which when completed, will stand a test of time. Between late 2019 and early 2020, Hon. Iniobong Robson fixed and put to use all the already existed boreholes across villages in Esit Eket. He made sure all the vandalized boreholes with solar panel abandoned for years were fixed. Needless to mention individual houses he has helped build to completion.
ACCOUNTABILITY: The leadership of Hon. Iniobong Robson has animated and conscientised the Esit Eket people to come to terms with the fact that no Esit Eket person can be victimized or treated with disregard. This is exemplified in the local based company Frontier Oil, where he discovered that Esit Eket was not given its due by the company. As such, he placed an embargo that instead of accepting crumbs from the company, they should continue to operate without bothering to pay MOU the agreed annual entitlements until when the court will decide. And today, the court case between Frontier Oil and Esit Eket is still pending and Hon. Iniobong insists until the right thing is done by the company and accountability rendered from day one by the company to the people of Esit Eket, a dime will never be accepted from them. Hon. Robson has proven beyond every reasonable doubt that nothing in the seat of power in Esit Eket can be done without being properly accounted for. He has exhibited resilience, transparency, sincerity, accountability, humility, fear of God, accuracy, and pragmatism in his dealings.
Hon. Iniobong Robson has not only fulfilled all his 2017 campaign promises, he has done beyond expectations.
Today, Esit Eket people in one accord say, it is either Iniobong Robson (Etebe Again) or nobody. They say they want Hon. Iniobong Robson to stay in office till 2023 to bring to completion the good work he had started since 2017.
Comrade Unwana Assam is a Social Commentator, Politician a Blogger and writes from Esit Eket.
For the past 8 years, the Peoples Democratic Party under your watch has been nothing but successful. Your service to the Party was sterling and your commitment unwavering.
As you bow out today, I wish you an eventful future even as I congratulate you for leaving the PDP on a stronger pedestal.
The Orchestrated Attempt To Destabilize Our Peaceful Coexistence Using Protest As The Yardstick
The People Democratic Party (pdp), Esit Eket Chapter condemns in strong terms an orchestrated attempt to hide behind any form of protest to destabilize the peaceful coexistence of our people in the local government.
The party particularly expressed concern on the general well-being vis-a-vis health of our people occasioned by the outbreak of Covid19 where social distancing was neither adhered to nor anyone seen putting on nosemask during the futile exercise. We hope this careless and unnecessary protest should not cause outbreak as we strive to cushion the effect of the novel virus.
Nevertheless, various inscriptions on the placards portray ulterior motives on the side of the organizer(s). We observed those hired protesters did not really know what they were asked to do, or protesting for.
As a matter of fact, the purpose of that gimmick cum protest is evidenced by their actions which they resorted, via placard and songs, to abuse notable leaders who have contributed heavily to the social and political stability of Esit Eket LGA.
On the purported truncation of zoning, the party position is succinct: the elongation of tenure does not in anyway mar or truncate the existing internal sharing formula of our party. However, rest assured that the party won’t disenfranchise any aspirant in the forthcoming primaries.
On this note, we refer all chairmanship aspirants to the guidelines on the forthcoming primaries as enshrined in the current party constitution. The processes is simple: each ward is entitled to three delegates, 17 ward Executives,18 chapter Executives, all serving councillors and all former LGC chairmen and MPs. These are the ones to vote in the forthcoming primaries.
Instead of resorting to unnecessary protest, abuses and name calling which isn’t part of our guidelines, the party urge those who may wish to contest to show seriousness/readiness as our indefatigable chapter chairman, Hon. Elder Eddy Etangkanga will create a level playing field for all.
Signed : Comrade Michael Alfred Chapter Publicity Secretary People Democratic Party Esit Eket LGA 29/07/2020
*calls on Inspector General of Police to investigate her attempted abduction
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike today rescued the Immediate Past Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), Dr. Joi Nunieh from an attempted abduction.
He has therefore called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the circumstances that led to over 50 armed policemen storming the Port Harcourt residence of Dr. Nunieh at 4am on Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Governor Wike was on ground to frustrate the attempted abduction , berated those self styled armed policemen who claimed to be members of the Inspector General Monitoring Unit.
The governor said under a civilised society, the proper thing to do is to invite her to answer to any allegation.
But to storm her residence at such an unholy hour , the governor said, suggests some sinister motive that should not be tolerated.
“What has happened today is a disgrace. Who knows what would have happened to her if they had gained access to her main room. I went there personally to see things for myself and rescued her.
“She is supposed to testify before the House of Representatives Committee and here we are having armed men wanting to abduct her.
“We came out to protect our daughter and we will do so to every Rivers citizen. That is the oath of office I swore to. It doesn’t matter the political affiliation. We will not allow anybody to destroy Rivers state.
“It is so unfortunate and I cry for this country concerning the ways things are going. They didn’t have a warrant of arrest, but would storm somebody’s house, in fact, the State Commissioner of Police is not aware.
” So, tell me how something will happen in a state and the Commissioner of Police is not aware. They said it’s the Inspector General Monitoring Unit. So, we have such a Unit taking over the responsibility of crime fighting in a state and the Commissioner of Police is not aware. I can also assume too that the Inspector General of Police is not aware. He should investigate it, ” he said.
The governor also called on governors of states that make up the NDDC to ensure that their citizens do not have a hand in the planned abduction of the former Managing Director of NDDC.
“If there is any allegation of crime against her, I will not back her, but you can’t kill her for no established crime. I don’t know who’s responsible, but whoever is behind it should not take Rivers state for granted because we will fight back.
“From what has happened now, I want to say that Rivers State is fully out. Anybody who is responsible for this attempted abduction of our daughter, should know that enough is enough.
“They can’t treat her as a common criminal. I am sure that President Muhammadu Buhari is not aware of this.
“All the Niger Delta States should find out if any of their citizens have a hand in the unfortunate incident and call on such people to leave our daughter alone. She is no longer the Managing Director of NDDC.
“The way things are going now, it seems people want to destroy Rivers State and it is unacceptable.
“Using the police to carry out abduction of citizens should not be encouraged. A similar incident had happened in this state before when they wanted to use the same style to abduct a serving Judge.
Dr. Joi Nunieh who thanked Governor Wike for coming to her rescue, said the armed policemen came about 4am, broke into her premises but were stopped by the security door leading to her main room.
“Those who told me the Commissioner of Police was downstairs, lied because it was his deputy that actually came. I opened the door, and they wanted to grab me, I now pushed back the door and locked it and went upstairs.
“So, my Governor came, asked them for the warrant of arrest and why they did not invite me to the police station instead of attempting to abduct a woman like a criminal.
“The governor took me away in his car and I am taking refuge in Government House. I want to thank His Excellency for keeping to his word that nothing should happen to a daughter of Rivers State.
“I was supposed to be going to Abuja today to make my submission before the Committee of the House of Representatives. I am sure the motive was to stop me,” she said.
Paulinus Nsirim Commissioner for Information and Communications
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has been arrested by the Department of State Services.
He was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties and that he was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.
He was arrested at the Wuse II office of the DSS on Monday afternoon and is now undergoing interrogation at the DSS Headquarters In Aso Drive.
The DSS in a 2016 report revealed that accused of living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.
“In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service.
“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.
“Investigations show that the acting EFCC chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet owned by Mohammed.
“In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns,” the DSS report said.
Magu is yet to be confirmed as the substantive chairman of the EFCC despite occupying the position in acting capacity for many years.
In celebration of father’s day, I directed that little 9 year old Master Joseph Oluomachi Opara, the viral Imo State-born singer be contacted as I announce my intentions to adopt him as my own child and to undertake, personally, to sponsor him from primary school level (his current educational level) to Catholic priesthood (his career choice)
Master Opara made waves in the internet at the weekend with videos of his unique rendition of some catholic hymns/songs which marked him out as a specially talented kid singer. This attracted instant applause and commendations from the public.
I believe in harnessing skills and talents and grooming them to be of better use to mankind and to this end, I directed that the family, through the Imo State commissioner for information, Hon. Declan Emelumba be informed of my intention to adopt their son as my own child and to personally take over the full responsibility of his training until he becomes a Reverend Father, which he said is his life ambition.
It is my expectation and prayer that little Oluoma attains his full potentials in God’s time.
Before I proceed, a minute silence to honour the memory of Hon. Ibanga Etang, Executive Director of Finance, for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and a former Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area is in order.
His tragic death accounted to the mounting toll of COVID-19 adds to the unsettling untimely deaths of person’s who served as Chairmen of Esit Eket, including, Friday Nelson Inwang, Udo Edukere, Imo Udobia and Victor Isangidigehe. Pray for Esit Eket as no other Council in Akwa Ibom State shares that troubling and unenviable record. It must stop.
Currently, things are falling apart in the Political firmament of the same which is boiling precariously.
At the centre of this turbulence, is the Member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency and Chairman Committee on Rural Development and Public Utilities Rt. Hon. Dr Usoro Akpanusoh. Perhaps, the duality of this very Constituency is the precipitate for the seething crisis. I shall explain in the latter part of this essay. Let me establish my premise.
At the Magistrate Court Fulga Street, Uyo, on Thursday, June 4, 2020, the Police arraigned, one Mr Samuel Friday Alfred for reportedly, defaming the character of Hon. Akpanusoh, through Social Media, by a post which read: “Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh is a stupid man(MP), lack quality (sic) of a good leader”. He made the said post on May 15. In my view, that was vulgar.
Akpanusoh the claimant, found this offensive, and a contravention of Section 383(1)(b) and punishable under Section 384 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38 Vol. 2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria 2000 so he filed charges against his accuser. Alfred was granted bail.
That was a politically induced face off. A few days earlier, precisely on May 23, Hon. Akpanusoh’s office issued a LETTER OF DISCLAIMER/PUBLIC NOTICE, wherein, the Honourable Member issued a rebuttal to a resignation letter by Comrade Jerry Edoho, withdrawing his services as his media aide.
Frowning at what he said was, the underlying political undertone and misrepresentation to the public, Akpanusoh said, neither he, nor his Office had, at any time since 2015, offered Edoho, or any other person, an appointment, orally/officially, as Media Aide.
The terse statement signed by Elder Eyo Etteudo as Special Assistant to the Honourable Member, attributed the said resignation, as being, “… politically motivated by some persons in Esit Eket Local Government Area with the sole aim of tarnishing the image and integrity of the Honourable Member for their own selfish political gain. And they have found Comrade Jerry Edoho as a Pawn in their game and agenda.”
The loose ends have tied up. The Politics of Esit Eket and indeed 2023 is the crux of the matter. Interestingly, all these happened shortly after the Ward and Chapter Congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State, subsequent of which, Hon. Akpanusoh has rejected, resisted, revolted and is leading a rebellion, claiming dissatisfaction over the conduct of the Congresses in his native Esit Eket.
In the beginning, the State PDP Congress Coordinating Committee led by the State Party Chairman, with the State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Comrade Ini Ememobong as Secretary, had approved the appointment of people and constituted the Local Government Congresses Coordinating Committee’s for respective Local Government Area’s For Esit Eket, the Council Chairman, Hon. Iniobong Robson emerged as Chairman, with Barrister Dan Abia as Secretary.
After the conduct of the Ward Congresses on May 8, Akpanusoh reportedly rejected results in his Ward 5, Ward 1 and Ward 7. Following his protest, the State Congress Coordinating Committee sent a Committee led by Hon. Imowo Okpokpo and Dr Godwin Ntukude to conduct a rerun. The outcome of the rerun was hardly altered from that, which he earlier rejected.
Again, the Chapter Congress which was originally billed for March 21, was marred by violence and therefore, rescheduled for the 23rd. This time, and following the direct intervention of the Leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, as arbitrator, the State Congress Coordinating Committee, supplanted the Local Government Congress Coordinating Committee and conducted the Chapter Congress.
Obong Paul Ekpo personally led all members of the Committee, except, Comrade Ememobong, who was unavoidably absent, to oversee the said Chapter Congress from accreditation to voting, and Hon. Elder Eddy Etangnkanga emerged Chapter Chairman.
Case closed? Hmmm! Not really. Barely a week after, Rt. Hon. Akpanusoh in a Letter dated March 30, 2020 and addressed to the State Chairman of PDP, rejected the entirety of the Congresses.
He alleged breach of guidelines for the conduct of the Congresses as stipulated in the Party’s Constitution. He complained of disenfranchisement of qualified party men that wanted to participate in the exercise. He cited disruption and violence and argued, internal democracy was not upheld in the exercise. He specifically accused the Secretary of the Esit Eket Local Government Congress Coordinating Committee, Barrister Dan Abia of being compromised. He prayed the State Chairman to review the entire exercise.
Right or wrong, all stakeholders are shocked, that even the Governor’s deference to his petitions did not defray his misgivings, even after the reruns held at his instance and insistence.
The bottom line is the politics of 2023 which is proving to be the Grand Mother of all elections. Esit Eket has a complex Political make up. While the share and rotate the State Constituency seat with Ibeno Local Government Area, the Chairmanship rotates between three zones, delimited as, A, B, and C.
The incumbent Chairman, Hon. Robson is from Zone A which is also the Zone of the Political Godfather of Hon. Akpanusoh and Deputy Chairman of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization, Elder Ben Udobia. Akpanusoh is from Zone B. Feelers are that, going by zoning, the next Chairman after Hon. Robson should come from Zone B. However, with Akpanusoh still in the State Legislature, and on a second term, this would amount to Zone B grabbing everything to the exclusion of others. Akpanusoh however does not welcome the notion of Robson having a second term.
More serious, is the fact that, Akpanusoh is believed to be seeking reelection to run a third term. The calculation is that, Ibeno had three terms between 2003 to 2015. So, for Esit Eket to have her equal par of three terms, he can stay on from 2015 -2027. That political fact happened by default. The sudden death of Hon. Ernest Ukochio in 2005 threw up Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh who went ahead to complete his tenure, before going on to have two full terms.
The circumstances are at variance for Akpanusoh in the Esit Eket configuration. For the records, nobody from Zone A has ever occupied the Constituency seat before, whereas, apart from Chief Bassey Essien who hails from Zone C, the 3 other persons who had previously served as House Members from Esit Eket were all from Usoro’s Ward 5, namely: Late Hon Ofobi, Late Hon Victor Inuaeshiet, and Hon Barr Enobong Frank Eyo.
The argument in Esit Eket is that, while they can on basis of equity and fairness lay claim to a third stint on the Constituency seat, Akpanusoh should graciously make way for someone from Zone A to make it go round. That’s the proverbial ‘Gordian knot’ which needs be untied.
If I were Rt. Hon Akpanusoh, I’d undertake a thorough self interrogation and keep my ears on the ground to hear the loud whisper of ants in my Constituency. A man should be smart enough to know when his community have had enough.
Trust me, I see the unrestrained Egungun heading to the express in this case, if Akpanusoh continues on this path. In his letter, rejecting the Congress, he hinted on a resort to the option of protracted litigation, impliedly, when he posited, in paragraph 10, “My desire is to by all means possible discourage and avoid litigation.”
I was shocked to sight in his protest letter, a subtle indictment of Governor Emmanuel when he alleged in article 9, that, “…in order to subvert the will of the majority of party members, heavy security presence allegedly drawn from the FSARS, Police Mobile Force(PMF), and the Nigerian Army, with the tacit support of GOVERNMENT HOUSE SECURITY WERE DRAFTED IN TO INTIMIDATE AND MANHANDLE PARTY MEMBERS” Many were beaten up, brutalized and hospitalized. Others had their phones and recording devices damaged or confiscated just to implement a sham congress.”
Nobody, the Governor, the PDP, the long suffering security agencies who came to maintain the peace were soared his ‘righteous’ indignation and tar brush. In his rage, he lacked the sobriety of reflection on the far reaching implication of this outburst on the image of the Governor and the security agencies.
Nobody needs a soothsayer to discern that, the Lawmaker is poised for a legal battle either in person or through proxies with his party, the PDP.
The opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Esit Eket Chapter are keenly watching this clash of the Titans. Their supporters are already celebrating and making insinuations that, the crisis will ferment and bolster their ranks with possible defection. Suddenly, they celebrate Akpanusoh as a hero and are already predicting, he will jump ship and join them.
But, as I wind down on this unavoidably long chronicle of the festering crisis in Esit Eket PDP family, I have a counsel for the Rt. Hon. Akpanusoh. It is the now famous, Egungun be careful na express you dey go o!’.
Fact is, a third term gambit, although legitimate, is highly volatile, morally flawed and hardly flies with the people. That Rt. Hon. Udo kirean succeeded with it in Oruk Anam was herculean but providentially midwived by the same need for delicate balancing in the share of political offices between the two political blocs of Oruk and Anam. That is the lacuna in the case of Esit Eket which doesn’t favour Akpanusoh much. Going forward, I counsel that, he avoids the lure to fight his party in the shot term or the defect to another party in the long run, in pursuit of a third term.
He can learn from how fiercely, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Akpan and Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ukoette were roundly thrashed when, in furthering their third term quest’s, for Essien Udim/ Ikot Ekpene/ Obot Akara and Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituencies respectively, they defected to the APC.
The same failure was met by Distinguished Senator’s, Ita Enang and Aloysius Etuk of Akwa Ibom North East(Uyo) and Akwa Ibom North West(Eket) Senatorial District’s respectively, in their daring bid for third terms. I can now connect why Alfred and Edoho had issues with Akpanusoh.
I will recommend to him the fortune of his predecessor in office, Rt. Hon. Etteh who, didn’t pursue a third term, failed in his Governorship race, but stayed loyal to his party, supported others to emerge, bid his time and today sits pretty as the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties.
His friend and contemporary in the Legislature, Rt. Hon. Moday Eyo is another example. Unable to earn his much coveted second term ambition for the Uyo State Constituency seat, he withdrew the Court case he instituted against his party and it’s candidate, Hon. Anietie Eka. Today, he is the Executive Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission.
Both men had something in common. They respected the mediation of Governor Emmanuel in their respective peculiarities. As the saying goes, in my father’s House there are many mansion’s. If Akpanusoh heeds my call and flee the Egungun syndrome, he can never lose out. Selah!
I came in peace. I so depart.
Governor Udom Emmanuel. Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Hon. Moses Paul Ekpo. PDP State Chairman Akwa Ibom State.
Elder Benjamin Udobia. Esit Eket Political Leader. Hon. Iniobong Robson. Executive Chairman of Esit Eket LGA .
Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, member representing Esit Eket /Ibeno State Constituency in AKHA.
PDP Commiserates With Gov. Ikpeazu Over Commissioner’s Death
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commiserates with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state over the death of the state’s commissioner for environment and the governor’s best friend, Mr. Solomon Ogunji.
The PDP comforts Governor Ikpeazu, who had been thrown into deep mourning over the loss of his most trusted ally and associate, who exhibited uncommon commitment towards the success of the administration through his dedication to all assignments given to him.
Ogunji was indeed a hard working official and very loyal compatriot, whose roles in the infrastructural development of the state, especially in execution of landmark road projects in strategic parts of the state, testify to his commitment towards the success of the PDP-led government in the state and the wellbeing of the people.
The PDP commiserates with Governor Ikpeazu and prays God to grant the Ogunji family, the government and people of Abia state and the PDP family in the state the fortitude to bear this huge loss.
Usoro Akpanusoh Fumbles Again…On A Direct Collision Course With The Governor And The Leadership Of PDP At All Level
Taking cognizant of this perilous time, the PDP, Esit Eket Chapter, is shocked to see a Petition credited to Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh, against the peacefully concluded PDP Ward and Chapter Congresses and yet to be conducted State Congress.
Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh who is also a returning Member Representing Esit Eket And Ibeno State constituency, by this action, has exposed his political naivety for the whole world.
The party frowns at the MP postulation that “only one man” bought over the whole forms for the State. Such postulation is a direct collision course with the State Governor and the leadership of the PDP at the National level.
The party also frowns with Akpanuso’s poor analysis of the addendum to the Congress guidelines, which he hastily opined that our respected Statesman and Congress Secretary in Esit Eket, Chief (Bar) Bassey Dan Abia Jnr. contravened the guidelines by openly queued behind a supposed candidate.
The party wish to remind the House Member that the addendum to the guidelines had excluded and relieved the Congress Secretary of whatsoever responsibility, by appointing the congress Chairman as electoral Officer and a returning officer from the State as Chief collation officer. And these two, by the addendum, were only signatories to the Congress results.
This explains why the Secretary reverted to his constitutional status of a ‘statutory delegate ‘(not ad-hoc). And whatever additional status left was doused by Usoro and his thugs on that day.
The House Member was busy quoting sections of the Congress Guidelines, but didn’t see Article 15(ii) which stipulated thus:
“The petitions must be received by the Appeal Committee in writing within 24 (twenty four) hours”. Base on this, his petition is a stillborn, dead on arrival, incurably time-barred and legally flawed.
The party further urge the Governor not to watch as the sinking MP try to rubbish the party under his leadership. He should direct the Speaker of AKHA to suspend him from the house for 6 (six) months with immediate effect.
The party have it on good authority that Usoro is heavily backed/sponsored by the APC to fight the State. Information at our disposal have it that an official apartment of one “Unwana Foundation” (owned by APC leader) in Esit Eket has been handed over to him to be used as PDP parallel chapter office.
We can further say on good authority that Akpanusoh never wanted the Congress to be conducted because he knew he won’t have a chance. All he wanted was for the offices to be shared amongst the “big 4” as he puts it (Elder Ben, Badanz, Etebe and himself).
We have a recorded conversation of Usoro Akpanusoh on Sunday, 22/03/2020 preceding the rerun Congress of Monday, 23/03/2020 and will never hesitate to release it to the public when necessary.
Finally, it is amazing to think that a person representing a people could find time amidst the prevalence of Covid-19 to indulge in such negative enterprise of petition writing, rather than finding ways of ameliorating the hardship, hunger and trauma brought upon his constituents by the pandemic. The party is seriously considering recalling him…
Signed: Comrade Michael Alfred PDP Chapter Publicity Secretary (elect) ESIT EKET LGA. 07042020
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday resumed office after being away for about two weeks, saying he has learnt his lesson.
At the end of the meeting that lasted for about five hours, Oshiomhole announced the lifting of the suspension on the party’s National Deputy Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu and the National Vice Chairman (North West), Inuwa Abdulkadir. The suspension of Shuaibu and Abdulkadir by the Oshiomhole-led NWC was part of the issues that fuelled the crisis rocking the party.
Members of the NWC who were perceived as anti- Oshiomhole at the meeting include the acting National Secretary, Chief Victor Giadom, National Vice Chairman (South West) Bankole Oluwajana, National Vice Chairman (North East) Comrade Mustapha Salihu, Deputy Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim and National Vice Chairman (North West) Inuwa Abdulkadir.
Those in Oshiomhole’s camp who attended the meeting are; National Deputy Chairman (South), Abiola Ajumobi; National Vice Chairman (South South), Prince Hillard Eta; National Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ogala; National Organising Secretary, Emma Ibiduro; National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu; National Women Leader, Salamatu Hassan Baiwa; acting National Auditor, Paul Chuwkuma; National Treasurer, Abu Adamu Fanda; National Welfare Officer, Ibrahim Masari; and Leader (Physically Challenged), Misbau Didi.
Shuaibu and Bulama were conspicuously absent at the meeting.
Oshiomhole said the decision on the two members of the NWC was taken in the spirit of the ongoing reconciliation in the party. He said the two party chiefs can now resume their duties.
“I have asked everyone, whatever they consider to be my shortcomings, for forgiveness and they have forgiven me. Whatever I considered to be anyone’s shortcomings that irritated me I have also forgiven and I believe this is the way it should be so that we can provide a united and cohesive leadership for our party.
“I was so humbled yesterday at the court. We went to court and what was reported more was the fact that the court granted a stay of execution that suspended me as chairman by a lower court but more profound for me was the remark of the judge when he said ‘political parties in Nigeria should learn how to manage their differences in-house’. Those were the powerful words of that judge and if a judge goes beyond who is right or wrong and is giving advice, I am humbled,” he said.
Asked about the fate of Architect Waziri Bulama who was appointed as the National Secretary of the party at the peak of the crisis, he parried the question, saying he has answered all questions he needed to.
Amidst tight security, massive crowd heralded the arrival of Oshiomhole at the party’s secretariat earlier in the day. Oshiomhole was received by 17 chairmen of the state chapters of the party around 1pm.
In his opening address, Oshiomhole said the disagreement among chieftains of the party should not be seen as a surprising development. “So, today we have come here to remind people, members nationwide, that this NWC is not divided. It is true we have had arguments. It is true some tempers may have been high. It is true some people may have been provoked to try to approach the court, but it is also true that deep in our hearts no one of us wants to destroy our party.
“Let me also say that I am the first to admit that I am not the best chairman in the world and I will never be. But no one can fault the sincerity of my purpose. My style can only be my style. But, I recognise that I must reconcile my style to others so that we can meet in the middle of the road.
“The weapon against suspicion is more dialogue and more dialogue. People probably need to be reassured that I am not capable of being bias by the very background that I come from, and I recognise that one tree can never make a forest,” he said.
NaijaDaily
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has confirmed another case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Lagos.
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