UMANA UMANA SACKED

Unknown to Obong Umana Umana and his supporters, while he was busy building and plotting how to take over the Leadership of the State by 2015, fresh indications emerged yesterday that the state Governor, Godswill Akpabio is no longer comfortable with both his services and his antics.

 

The state Governor Godswill Akpabio is said to be having a different view of the longest serving SSG of the state.

 

Like a hurricane that was never expected, workers in the Government House, Uyo were shocked yesterday when security agencies in uniform and in plain cloth stormed the office of Obong Umana Umana and barred all forms of movement ensuring that nobody moved either in or out of the place. They also barred all staff of the place from getting into the office for whatever reasons whatsoever. Even a plain paper was not allowed to be taken out.

 

Obong Umana who is said to have been away battling for some other issues, is said to have been informed of the development and then advised against putting up an appearance as his safety and security was not guaranteed. The newspaper gathered that the security operatives acted at the instance of the Governor, Godswill Akpabio who is said to have earlier on engaged in a heated argument with Obong Umana Umana on the 2015 ambition of the embattled SSG.

 

A Government House Source who was at the scene of the incident informed the newspaper that the action taken was to ensure that Umana Umana resigns from office as the SSG for daring to declare for the governorship position of the state without putting the governor in the know.

 

It could be recalled that few weeks ago, the relationship between Governor Akpabio and his embattled SSG had gone sour and there was a need for one to leave the Space for the other.

 

When it dawned on Obong Umana that the Governor was no longer looking into his line, he is said to have considered a resignation before the end of August especially as Governor Godswill Akpabio had declared that any body in his Cabinet who wants to contest should tender a resignation before the end August.

 

Sources who have been monitoring the situation in Government House told our reporter that when the news got to the Governor that Obong Umana was likely going to resign before the end of this week, Akpabio sensing that Umana’s action may rubbish him is said to have decided to take to the Mafia approach.

Akpabio warns Party Exco

 

In what many would describe as a deliberate and fresh humiliation of Obong Umana Umana after the said London trip issue, Governor Akpabio had last week met with the PDP Executive Council. The meeting was held at the Government House in Uyo. A mild drama occurred when the SSG stepped into the meeting venue, the Governor is said to have told Obong Umana Umana in clear terms that he should excuse him as he wants to have the meeting with only party Exco. Party officers who were present are said to have expressed shock over Akpabio’s decision to kick against the SSG from attending the said meeting.

Meanwhile, the Governor is said by a source to have appealed to the party Exco to please exercise patience with him over his inability to give them their due emoluments such as cars, and contracts.

The Governor is said to have made it clear to the party leaders that he will soon present to them their due emoluments.

The Governor being aware of the troubles in the party due to the denial of the rights of the party Exco and the 2015 succession battle warned that no member of the party acting for themselves and or on behalf of the party should attend any meeting with any of the aspirants.

A government House Source said the Governor had maintained that he has not anointed anybody to succeed him and that at the appropriate time, he will show the way.

Akpabio is said to have added that the party should tell any prospective aspirant who want to contest election to come and see them rather than them (the party) going to see the aspirant.

Meanwhile, THE INK gathered last night that Umana Umana intends to use the Special Adviser to the Governor on political matters, Mr. Godwin Ntukude to fight back.

Ntukudeh is said to have been billed for a meeting with party Exco yesterday. A source said, earlier Ntukudeh had maintained that he just wants to discuss with the party as he has not done that since he was appointed. As at Press time, whether the meeting had held was not known as information on this matter was shaky. But by next week, Ntukudeh’s intent must have been made known.

UMANA UMANA SACKED

Unknown to Obong Umana Umana and his supporters, while he was busy building and plotting how to take over the Leadership of the State by 2015, fresh indications emerged yesterday that the state Governor, Godswill Akpabio is no longer comfortable with both his services and his antics.

 

The state Governor Godswill Akpabio is said to be having a different view of the longest serving SSG of the state.

 

Like a hurricane that was never expected, workers in the Government House, Uyo were shocked yesterday when security agencies in uniform and in plain cloth stormed the office of Obong Umana Umana and barred all forms of movement ensuring that nobody moved either in or out of the place. They also barred all staff of the place from getting into the office for whatever reasons whatsoever. Even a plain paper was not allowed to be taken out.

 

Obong Umana who is said to have been away battling for some other issues, is said to have been informed of the development and then advised against putting up an appearance as his safety and security was not guaranteed. The newspaper gathered that the security operatives acted at the instance of the Governor, Godswill Akpabio who is said to have earlier on engaged in a heated argument with Obong Umana Umana on the 2015 ambition of the embattled SSG.

 

A Government House Source who was at the scene of the incident informed the newspaper that the action taken was to ensure that Umana Umana resigns from office as the SSG for daring to declare for the governorship position of the state without putting the governor in the know.

 

It could be recalled that few weeks ago, the relationship between Governor Akpabio and his embattled SSG had gone sour and there was a need for one to leave the Space for the other.

 

When it dawned on Obong Umana that the Governor was no longer looking into his line, he is said to have considered a resignation before the end of August especially as Governor Godswill Akpabio had declared that any body in his Cabinet who wants to contest should tender a resignation before the end August.

 

Sources who have been monitoring the situation in Government House told our reporter that when the news got to the Governor that Obong Umana was likely going to resign before the end of this week, Akpabio sensing that Umana’s action may rubbish him is said to have decided to take to the Mafia approach.

 

Nkari crises: Helen Ukpabio drags commission of enquiry to court BY JOSEPH OKON

 

The founder of Liberty Gospel Church, Evang. Helen Ukpabio has dragged the judiciary commission of enquiry set up by the Akwa Ibom State government to investigate the lingering crises in Nkari clan of Ini Local Government Area of the state to court alleging that the committee is illegal.

 

The case is billed to come up on the 1^st of August for first hearing at high court 10.  The Liberty Gospel proprietor is praying the court to declare the commission of enquiry into Nkari crises and any other matter that could be of interest to the commission set up by the state governor Chief Godswill Akpabio as illegal, null and void and unconstitutional whatsoever.

 

THE INK gathered that Helen Ukpabio had approached the court after his lawyers pulled out of the Commission following the summons issued by the Commission on her lawyer, Barr. Victor Ukutt to appear in the witness box and be cross examined since Ukutt had stated to the commission that he had investigated the matter.

 

But the Commission has said that the court case instituted against it by Helen Ukpabio will not stop the Commission from doing its work to unravel the truth behind the consistent crises in the area. The commission noted that it will not deter in its assignment of delivering on the mandate that was given to them by the state Government.

Ekpenyong Ntekim, ors may quit cabinet

 

Following the riot act read to the State Executive Council members by the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio that any member of his Executive Council that wishes to contest the 2015 governorship should quit by tendering a resignation, it has become quite obvious that his Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim and others who are eyeing the 2015 governorship may quit the state Exco.

 

Governor, Godswill Akpabio gave this directive after he is said to have watched so patiently the animosity that is existing in his Exco as a result of divergent interests in the 2015 succession battle.

Not less than four members of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council have indicated very strong interests for Akpabio’s job and this has seriously created cracks in the Executive Council leaving so much gossip and backbiting among Exco members with Secretary to State Government, Obong Umana Umana being the most accused.

 

Efforts by Governor Akpabio to take charge of his Executive Council as pertaining to the 2015 succession plan had often failed as his Exco members had been engaging in series of nocturnal meetings aimed at outwitting each other. The level of confusion rose so high that Exco members began to see each other as enemies instead of partners.

 

Some cabinet members almost became too powerful to a point were a noticeable vacuum in the State Exco was observed.  The challenge grew so high especially when the Governor almost abandoned Uyo for Abuja with the excuse that he is of the first line of defense of the President.

 

But unknown to the state Exco members, while they were locked in a battle of wits-intrigues and politricks, Governor Akpabio was being detailed and was following the in-house war with religious tolerance, THE INK had gathered from a top hierarchy of the PDP quite close to the state Governor.  When the Governor, according to a source was fed up with the war and the complains that came from the Executive Council, he decided to step up his acts and then called his Exco to order by reading this riot act of resignation to them.  This position of Governor Akpabio a source maintained has really rattled some of his Exco members who this reporter learnt have since retreated on their guber ambition.

 

At the last count, the latest Exco member to join the race is the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim. Although Ntekim has tried severally to deny his intent, he may be leading the pack of commissioners who will resign to prepare for the 2015 guber.

AKPABIO, UMANA UMANA IN COLD WAR

Events of the past few weeks have revealed that the once beautiful relationship that has existed between the State Governor, Godswill Akpabio and his Secretary to State Government, Obong Umana Umana appears to be beginning to come to an end.

 

This is not unconnected to the 2015 gubernatorial interest of Obong Umana Umana.  THE INK was informed by a close aide to the state Chief Executive over a month ago that Governor Akpabio is said to have told Obong Umana Umana that he is “sick and tired of this nonsense” apparently referring to the antics of his SSG on his 2015 guber interest.

Akpabio is said to be angry with his SSG because the Nsit ubium born ex-commissioner is alleged to have refused to take his advice of playing cool as the 2015 guber polls hot up.

 

One of the sins of Umana reported to Akpabio a source said is that the SSG have been linked to acts of disloyalty. And that the Governor had become quite apprehensive of the allegations.

 

THE INK was informed that another factor that led to the anger of Akpabio with Umana Umana is the reluctance that was employed by the SSG on his consideration of the NDDC job which Obong Umana Umana is almost losing. 

 

A source told THE INK that during an Economic Summit hosted by Akwa Ibomites in London and Ireland, Umana Umana had wanted to travel back to the country with the Governor but that Akpabio rebuked him from flying with him.  An action that is said to have infuriated the Secretary to State Government who had doubled up efforts to ensure that he gets his victory. 

 

THE INK was informed by a source in Umana’s camp that the SSG is bent on contesting the governorship election of 2015 and that nothing and not even the Governor can stop Umana.

 

Meanwhile, impeccable sources have informed THE INK following the alleged frosty relationship that has crept up between Akpabio and his SSG, the later is considering a resignation especially as it is obvious that Akpabio must have finally succumbed to the pressure that Umana Umana should not succeed him.

 

THE INK learnt that the SSG is equally angry with the Governor because he feels the Governor plotted his near embarrassing situation in the NDDC only to set him up for a humiliation in the State Exco.  It appears the stage is set for war between Akpabio and his ‘main’ man.

 

Efforts to speak with Mr. Iboro Otongaran of Bestman media team who is Obong Umana’s spokesman failed to yield results as Mr. Otongaran did not pick his calls and a text message to his phone on whether Obong Umana was going to resign was not responded to as at press time.

NDDC MD/CEO – Presidency Rejects Umana

–    Presidency Rejects Umana

–    Edikan Eshiett Close to Landing the Job

 

Secretary to the State Government Obong Umana Umana’s alleged attempt to land the NDDC top job as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer was dealt with terribly over the weekend, THE INK can report.  A government House source told our news desk that Umana who was reluctant in submitting his CV for the job is not among the three lucky persons strongly considered for the position by the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan.

 

Although our source refused to state who the three considered nominees are, it was however revealed that Engr. Edikan Eshiett the current Executive Director projects who hails from Ibeno Local Government Areas looks set to pick the position.  The failure of Obong Umana to pick the job becomes the favour of Eshiett if events do not change as things remain now.

 

The presidency source and other power breakers is said to have opined that the SSG is not likely going to carry the day as according to them a high powered meetings of some Akwa Ibomites is said to have been held behind the SSG’s back where the idea of getting rid of the SSG was reached.  The newspaper gathered that some leaders of core oil producing areas in the region had met and stressed the need to fence Akwa Ibom’s SSG out of the position.

 

An NDDC source from Port Harcourt informed THE INK that the politics that played out and still playing out is high powered and that Engr. Edikan Eshiett has invested so much in the behind the scene moves that appears to favour him.  The ethnic agenda that was introduced in this agitation a source said was easy to sail through.

 

An Ijaw high chief who refused to be quoted for fear of presidential anger hinted our reporter that Engr. Edikan Eshiett had employed his Ijaw connection by appealing to very close persons to the president like Chief Oronto Douglas and Chief Edwin Clark and these ones in turn must have appealed to the president Dr. Goodluck Jonathon on why Eshiett should emerge.      

 

Further information monitored by the paper revealed that chances of Umana Umana picking the NDDC job is very slim as Engr. Edikan Eshiett has sold deeply into the heart of Nigeria’s corridors of power especially as an Ibeno man who one of his close associates said has succeeded in selling his Ijaw ethnic agenda.

Baring last minute changes, Enrg. Edikan Eshiett looks set to emerge the new MD/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

 

The NDDC board may likely be dissolved on the 6^th of August barely a week from now.

IMPEACHMENT THREAT DANGLES IN ITU ,Councilors Want Leader out, chairman to sit up

Aggrieved councilors of Itu Local Government Legislative Council may take the bull by the horns and send her leader, Hon Unwana Akpaikot packing, it was learnt.

 

The sins of the leader of the council according to them include but limited to reckless abuse of the office of the Leader, non-commitment to duties, too much romance with the council boss to the detriment of the councilors, conniving with the council chairman to finger the council’s treasury, amongst others, one of the aggrieved councilors confided in our reporter. .

 

Our source said the leader of Itu Legislative Council Hon Unwana Akpaikot has shown flagrant and complete ignorance to his position in the council and that has led to him doing the biddings of the council chairman Michael James Etim which according to them is build on greed, selfishness and over zealousness.  Our source told THE INK on condition of anonymity that following the failure of the leader to mobilize and coordinate the legislators to check the excesses of the council Chairman Michael James Etim, it is about time the legislators rise in unison and pass a vote of no confidence on the leader and then proceed on his impeachment if he fails to resign.

 

Already, the newspaper gathered that some councilors have begun the process of collecting signatures amongst themselves with the aim of getting rid of the leader.  A councilor in one of the urban wards of Itu told our correspondent that at the moment the council of Itu is being run at the beck and call of Michael Etim who rather than sit down in the council to do the work of the people who elected him have since abandoned his duty post and is now running the 2015 gubernatorial ambition of a certain aspirant.

 

THE INK gathered that majority of Itu councilors are willing to sign an impeachment notice against the leader.  They believe that once the leader is out, another who will do the work effectively will step in and the house will then gather the courage to call the chairman, Michael James Etim to order.  “We are already collating signatures of Honourable members of this legislative council, I mean sincere ones that are willing to take the bull by the horns, we want our leader unwana Akpaikot to either resign or be impeached since he is incapable of leading us.  We want the chairman, Michael James Etim to sit up and we want a vibrant leader, who will know his onions not this one who is ignorant and confused”.  An aggrieved councilor said.

Efforts to speak with the Leader of Itu Local Government Area failed as his mobile phone number and he failed to pick up and a text message to his phone was not responded to as at the time the paper went to press.

NSIT IBOM PEOPLE RAISE ALARM OVER ENEN NSIT ROAD. Says it's a Den of Criminals

If Governor Godswill Akpabio is today fanning himself that he has been able to give a facelift to the people of Nsit Ibom courtesy Enen Nsit road and that the Enen Nsit road’s rehabilitation will help to check the rate of crime in the area, then he is not living in the reality of times.

The road which was constructed by SINOENG under the Akpabio regime has actually helped commuters and other road users by easing their transportation challenges.  But unfortunately, Enen Nsit has since become another terrorist den and not fewer than seven lives must have been whisked away recently and some even in broad daylight as investigations has revealed.  

The rate of crime in the area had risen so high that some residents had sent SOS to the police calling on them to ensure a patrol of the region and beef up of security in the area.  The people who spoke to our crime reporter when the reporter visited the area informed that strangers that are always unlucky to be kidnapped along the area especially at Obiokpok Nsit have always had tale of woes to explain if they come out alive. 

 They added that some unlucky victims of the hoodlums never live to tell their story.  One of the text messages sent to the mobile phone of THE INK reads “please Mr. Editor, inform the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State that there is the need to open a police station along Enen Nsit precisely in Obiokpok Nsit village.  The proposed police station should be located near the Primary Health Centre and the Customary Court to check jungle justice given to unsuspected visitors to that village.  For more information, you can send a team of your crack reporters to make investigations about a killer squad in that village.  Thanks for treating as important”.

 

Meanwhile, the police have promised to wade into the matter and ensure that the area is crises free. The Police public Relations Officer, Etim Dickson in a telephone chat assured that the security agencies will do something about the area and security challenges there will be arrested.  Etim Dickson speaking with this reporter said it is the determination of the police command in the state to ensure that they ensure that peace and order is maintained.  He also appealed to citizens to always make useful comments and contributions that will help the police in tackling crimes. On the issue of citing a police station at that area, the PPRP said there are procedures in citing a police station. He added that if the people are ready, the Police will aid in citing a police station there.

 

It could be recalled that irate youths from Nsit Ibom had destroyed a thank you billboard that was positioned in the area when the Governor was earlier meant to commission the road.  Over two times the commissioning of the road had been cancelled without any official excuse given.  While some had cited security reports, some say the Governor had an emergency to attend to.  The police are however expected to do their best to restore calm to the area in order to justify Government’s expenses on the road.

2015: EKPENYONG NTEKIM EMERGES Begins grassroots mobilization

While the Peoples Democratic Party and the State Governor Godswill Akpabio are yet to make a clear cut statement on zoning of the forthcoming 2015 governorship election in the state, confirmed reports reaching the news desk of THE INK newspaper reveals that the former commissioner for Transport and currently the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim is already having his eyes on the trough and is ready to fight to a standstill any opposition that may stand on his way.

Ntekim who hails from Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State is working silently to get the backing of relevant stakeholders to queue behind his ambition. His aide however confided in our reporter that Akpabio had given Ntekim the backing to join the race with a promise that he will stand by him to the end. 

With this assurance, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim is said to have begun high powered consultations beginning from his home town of Okobo Local Government Area.  In the past few weeks, Ntekim is said to have met severally with different groups that he feels will have the political muscle to deliver him by the next PDP primaries and subsequently the election proper.

It was however not clear why Ntekim hopes to ride on the back of Akpabio to emerge as Governor.  Meanwhile, as part of his plans to ensure that he creates a political impact in his place of origin, a source close to Ekpenyong Ntekim had told this reporter that the state Attorney General is gradually moving to close ranks with his council chairman Mrs. Felicia Bassey whom he had hitherto had a frosty relationship with.  The frosty relationship between the council boss and Ntekim is as a result of the inability of Ntekim who claims to be the political leader of the area to produce the council chairman.  Information monitored from Okobo Local Government Area indicates that Ntekim had earlier had another person in mind but since the state’s first lady Unoma Akpabio was interested in Okobo with Felicia Bassey, the Attorney General had to accept his inability to rival Felicia Bassey, Ntekim a source said had not been able to keep a straight face with the council boss especially as Felicia Bassey is quoted in some media cycles to have continuously maintained that she owes nobody any explanations to her actions except the Governor’s wife who was quite instrumental to her emergence as the chairman of Okobo Local Government Area.

Again, a legislator in Okobo council further intimated this reporter that the council chairman ran into fresh trouble with Ntekim following her refusal to allow the Attorney General’s candidate emerge the leader of the council.  A source said one Humphrey Abia was earmarked by Ekpenyong Ntekim to emerge the leader of Okobo Legislative Council but that the chairman kicked and had to settle for Edet Akwa.  The alliance between Felicia Bassey and Edet Akwa has greatly attempted to relegate Ekpenyong Ntekim to the background in the affairs of Okobo Local Government Council.  And this had hitherto deepened the animosity between Ekpenyong Ntekim and Felicia Bassey, it was learnt.  But as Ntekim’s gubernatorial ambition gets some prominent backings, the Attorney General is said to have been advised to go back home and settle his spat with the home front. The Attorney General is said to be considering staging an empowerment for members of his Local Government Area and will then proceed to make it for the whole of Oro people. This calculations from Ntekim’s camp observes will put the Governorship hopeful in a good stead for victory.

Meanwhile, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim will not have a swift ride as there are so many forces behind him. A principal member of the state Ministry of Justice told the newspaper that the state Attorney General is being hunted by the ghost of the staff of the ministry he retired prematurely through facebook without due process. 

Our source reminded that one of the retired personnel had since died as a result of the shock of the untimely retirement. To make matters worse the Attorney General is also allegedly linked to some unfortunate happenings in Oro as was reported some time ago in a state based tabloid (not THE INK).  Apart from that, Ntekim will have to fight his kinsman and serving Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Ita Ewa who is said to have placed men in strategic positions in his local government area. 

 Ita Ewa is presently serving the Federal Government and is one of those seriously contending for Akpabio’s job come 2015. Will the entrance of Barr Ekpenyong Ntekim change or alter the landscape of the political system in the state? The people await the level of influence Ntekim will bring into the race.

NDDC APPOINTMENT SPARKS ROW IN AKWA IBOM AKPABIO UNDER PRESSURE

JONATHAN MAY MAKE SOLO APPOINTMENT

WAS SIR EMEM WITHDRAWN OR REJECTED?

Following the near expiration of the tenure of the serving Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Christian Oboh and Akwa Ibom’s turn to present the next MD for the Commission, state Governor Godswill Akpabio has been thrown into confusion as he intensifies the search for whom to present to the presidency for clearance into that position.

It was gathered that the tenure of Oboh may soon come to an end and shortly before Oboh’s tenure run full cycle, he will have to proceed on a terminal leave and from there he will exit the stage.  After Oboh, the next MD will have to come from Akwa Ibom State.  The state Governor Godswill Akpabio is expected to send not more than two nominees to the presidency for subsequent ratification, approval and confirmation. While attempting to do this, he has landed in trouble as politicians and their likes have mounted several pressures on the state Governor.

THE INK was informed that the State Governor Godswill Akpabio is strongly considering his serving Special Adviser on Technical Matters, Engr. Etido Inyang and the MD/CEO of Mutual Alliance Company, Mr. Okon Amasi but with the former being highly preferred by Akpabio.  Etido Inyang hails from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area while Okon Amasi hails from Oron LGA.

Sources within the ranks and file of Akpabio’s kitchen cabinet have also hinted the newspaper that Akpabio is also considering his brother and Secretary to the PDP in the state, Ibanga Akpabio in the line-up.  Another person who has also been linked to the job as one of Akpabio’s likely proposed is works commissioner, Don Etim.  But a source from the Ministry of Information argued the Don Etim’s link stressing that the Governor is comfortable with the man serving in the works ministry of the state. As according to him Don Etim knows how to handle the likes of Julius Berger, CCECC, Setraco and other construction companies currently working in the state.

Further checks by this paper reveal that since Akpabio is not to send more than two nominees to the presidency for that position, he is at least for now very much comfortable with his two nominees of Etido Inyang and Okon Amasi. The belief in some quarters that the present commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in the Board of the NDDC Engr. Imaobong Inyang may be elevated was dashed as it is not in the plans of Governor Akpabio to nominate him for a bigger portfolio in NDDC. The newspaper gathered that the best the governor can do for Engr. Imaobong Inyang is to re nominate him to represent the state at the board where he is currently serving.

The imminent snub of Engr. Imaobong Inyang whom our reporter learnt had been working behind the scenes to get a higher calling has not really gone down well with the Esit Eket born Engineer.  But those close to Inyang in an interaction said Imaobong Inyang is still on top of his game and may likely emerge if as according to them, he plays his cards well. By playing his cards well our source who is a staff of NDDC in Rivers state said Engr. Inyang must have build a network of friends in the NDDC and the presidency and if he can lobby very well, he will get the nod from the presidency.

Earlier, there were reports (not in THE INK) that Sir Emem Akpabio was rejected by the presidency for that position.  It was however not confirmed as at press time. But a likely source told the newspaper over the weekend that Sir Emem Akpabio was actually not rejected as the name couldn’t get to the presidency. Our source told our reporter that Governor Godswill Akpabio was advised against sending the name of Emem Akpabio his brother to the presidency and after the Governor was roundly convinced by a presidential source on why the name of his brother Emem Akpabio should not be sent to the presidency, the Governor had to immediately withdraw Sir Emem for someone else. Political calculators and even supporters of Sir Emem Akpabio had argued that the sending of Emem Akpabio to the presidency by the Governor for approval was not in the best interest of the state. One of the political leaders from Abak told our reporter that nominating Sir Emem for the NDDC top job will mean Governor Akpabio has taken nepotism too far.   Checks by this reporter concerning Don Etim being linked to the job was shaky. 

Normally, the tenure of NDDC officials is always four years but following the abrupt dissolution of the previous Exco, the present serving officers of NDDC was brought in to complete that tenure.  Akwa Ibom State this time will have to produce the MD of the body.  But this will not stop the state from having a representative at the board.  And for this reason, a lot of lobby has been going on between members of the state who have an interest in any of the positions. 

For the serving commissioner Imaobong Inyang, it is likely he may not get a reappointment if information available to this reporter is anything to be relied upon.  A Government House source hinted THE INK on condition of anonymity that Akpabio is less than satisfied with the representation of Imaobong Inyang to deserve a reappointment. But the newspaper learnt that there are behind the scene moves that Engr. Imaobong Inyang is employing and if the moves sail through, then that may help Engr. Imaobong Inyang get his reappointment straight from Abuja especially if he plays his cards well.

Engr. Etido Inyang and Okon Amasi are silently working hard to get favour from the presidency.  As the battle shifts gradually, an Abuja source informed THE INK that the nation’s first lady Dame Patience Jonathan has become interested in the NDDC positions and that politician and their surrogates have began intensive lobby to the first lady for favour.

Speaking on the composition of membership of the MD, chairman and state representatives of the commission, a source close to the seat of power in Nigeria maintained that state Governors will always send nominees and that the presidency have always honoured such.  He added that for the position of the Chairman and MD, state Governors are always encouraged to send nominees but that it is the exclusive prerogative of the president to pick either from the nominee of a state Governor or the president can look elsewhere and pick someone of his choice from the state such position is zoned to.  It could be recalled that during Obasanjo’s tenure as president of the country, the state was to produce the chairman of NDDC. 

 Obong Attah had sent the name of Major (Gen.) Edet Akpan (rtd) to the presidency but Obasanjo had gone ahead to pick Ambassador Sam Edem for the NDDC Chairmanship.  And with this, if President Goodluck Jonathan will go ahead to name his MD from Akwa Ibom State outside the Governor’s nominee, it won’t be the first time and it won’t be illegal and out of place.

The tenure of the present team of NDDC is to expire by next month.

WHY SAM EDEM WILL NOT SUPPORT UMANA-AIDE

One of the very close aides to Ambassador Sam Edem had over the weekend informed THE INK newspaper that former NDDC boss Engr. Sam Edem will not and may never support Obong Umana Umana’s gubernatorial election bid.

Sam Edem’s aide was speaking in reaction to the previous publication of the newspaper that the former NDDC helmsman was set to join forces with Senator Effiong Bob to fight his fellow kinsman Obong Umana Umana to a standstill. He opined that Ambassador Sam Edem is a nice man of no mean cut but that the NDDC boss ran into trouble with the Akpabio authorities when it was mentioned that Edem will be interested in the Hilltop mansion in the year 2011. 

Continuing further, he alleged that the Secretary to State Government Obong Umana Umana had during that time joined forces in fighting Ambassador Edem to a point that the man completely lost relevance in the scheme of things. In his words “Editor, I am referring to your story on Ambassador Edem, how did you get that info. The story is completely true and correct.

 Let me inform you also that my boss His Excellency Ambassador Sam Edem cannot and will never support Obong Umana Umana. The reason is that Umana set up my boss, you remember all the travails my boss went, through to an extent of being liked to voodoo, we later discovered that Umana Umana was behind it, so it is now time for us to revenge and His Excellency Ambassador Sam Edem's body language is that of vengeance now that Mr Umana Umana is looking for something” he concluded while pleading for anonymity.

It could be recalled that Ambassador Sam Edem ran into political travails that forced his supporters to desert him. The circumstances that the ex NDDC boss later found himself was as observed by a political and social strategist too dirty for a man of Ambassador Sam Edem's pedigree.  However when contacted, a source from Obong Umana Umana's camp who is a member of Akwa Ibom Renaissance denied the involvement of the Secretary to State Government in the calamity that befell Ambassador Sam Edem. 

While extolling the qualities of Umana Umana which our Renaissance man described as rare, he added also that the camp of Umana is not interested in the likes of Amb. Sam Edemm whom he described as someone being hunted by the past. Our source maintained that Sam Edem and his aides can go to hell as the Umana Umana train will crush them if they intend to stand on their way.

UMANA UMANA MEETS EX-COMMISSIONERS OFFERS 1,000 DOLLARS EACH.

Secretary to the state Government Obong Umana Umana in his quest to woo former commissioners to support his gubernatorial ambition has extended his financial muscles to them. A former commissioner who served in ex governor Attah's cabinet told THE INK that Umana  Umana have never indentified with the forum ever since its formation but that the SSG'S quest to emerge the governor of the state had led him to the group.

Our source who spoke to this reporter shortly before travelling outside the state on grounds of anonymity said that Umana Umana had met with the group about a forthright ago in a certain location and solicited their support for his governorship ambition. The source maintained that only four members of the group were not in attendance as every other member was present.

Umana Umana is said to have given each member of the group a thousand dollars for their transport with a promise that he will make his consultation, on them a routine exercise. Upon collecting one thousand dollars each, ex-commissioners THE INK gathered were not excited. They refused to make a categorical statement on whether they will support the secretary to the state government’s ambition to govern the state. Umana Umana is said to have also promised to ensure that he carries them along in his government if he emerges victorious at the end of the 2015 political scenes.

Our source maintained that with the way and manner Umana addressed them and with the way his colleagues reacted after the said meeting, it is evidently clear that they won’t back Umana. He called on the people of the state not to lose hope as according to him, God will bless them with a leader of their hearts.   

 

PDP Stalwarts Decried Imposition Of Umana Okon Umana

State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Obong Paul Ekpo has come under severe criticism and attack again over the recent endorsement of the 2015 ambition of the Secretary to State Government Obong Umana Okon Umana in his home by a section of Etinan federal constituency.

 Penultimate week some faction of Etinan federal constituency comprising of Etinan, Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ubium Local Governments had met at the instance of Umana Umana in Etinan Local Government Area where they plotted amongst other things the politics of Akpabio’ successor. Those in attendance at the constituency finally resolved to throw their weight behind the aspiration of Obong Umana Okon Umana. They declared after the meeting that they have adopted Obong Umana Umana as the sole candidate for the governorship position by 2015. A position that was communicated the SSG who is said to have given them a pat on the back.

While the outcome of the meeting was to the excitement of Obong Umana Umana, the heat of the meeting has now been transferred on the state Peoples Democratic Party boss Obong Paul Ekpo. The newspaper gathered that the state Governor, the leadership of the party at Wadata Plaza and even some exco members from the party in Akwa Ibom State have vented their anger on Paul Ekpo whom they accused as lacking control over his federal constituency to have allowed such an exercise to have taken place at this early point of the 2015 struggle. It was gathered that the Governor, Godswill Akpabio felt that action of adopting Umana by a faction of Etinan federal constituency amounts to a complete insult and a total disregard of his office as a Governor especially as the state Chief Executive had earlier warned political aspirants for 2015 to avoid hitting up the party by political campaigns. It was gathered that Obong Paul Ekpo was in the know of the meeting but did nothing to stop it. A situation that was described as a calculated attempt to undermine the powers of Governor Godswill Akpabio. 

One of Akpabio’s spokesmen who confided in this newspaper maintained that the Governor’s anger on the said meeting stems from the fact that the federal constituency is capitalizing on their vantage position as the party chairman Obong Paul Ekpo comes from there. The Governor is said to have maintained that he is not surprised over what happened and added that the state party boss has failed to control his federal constituency.

The National leadership of the party a source said is worried that Paul Ekpo has not really put down his feet to work and maintained that Paul Ekpo’s ineffectiveness in managing the party is a cause of concern to them. Wadata Plaza is said to have directed Governor Akpabio to call his party chairman in the state to order.

Members of Paul Ekpo exco who spoke to our political desk maintained that the state party chairman have failed to address issues as it should. They questioned rhetorically why Paul Ekpo should contribute financially towards the said Nkana meeting which was held in Paul Ekpo’s village at the residence of Paul Ekpo’s uncle.

The air of apprehension in Etinan federal constituency after the meeting that adopted Umana Umana is tension soaked even as some major stakeholders of the region have vowed to frustrate Umana’s ambition. A member of Umana Umana’s camp in defence of his principal said, he is speechless. On the action of Paul Ekpo, an Etinan born political activist told this reporter that the party chairman should be pardoned as Paul Ekpo is still learning the ropes of politics. Amongst those who attended the Etinan federal constituency meeting in Nkana was Otuekong Sunny Jackson, the convener, ex-speaker Anietie Etuk, former Deputy Speaker Aniefiok Thompson, Obonganwan Grace Inyang, and Chairmen of Local Governments amongst others.

WE ARE STILL ANGRY WITH PAUL EKPO

But meanwhile, there is apprehension in the state Executive Council of the party as members have vowed to frustrate the Party boss and the Governor at the appropriate time. Reasons being that the party Chairman has denied them the opportunity of seeing the Governor even as they maintained that the party boss is yet to attend to their earlier request of granting them official cars and contracts. A source in the party told our newspaper that the Chairman of the party Obong Paul Ekpo is unfit and ill informed to lead them. Our source maintained that the party chairman is getting all he wants from the Governor but has refused them to get theirs, even to meet with the Governor is a herculean task our source lamented. 

The newspaper gathered that most of Paul Ekpo’s Exco members are very uncomfortable with the way and manner the state Chairman is running the affairs of the party and have vowed to ensure that they take their own pound of flesh when the time comes. It was gathered by this newspaper that ever since the present Exco of the PDP was constituted, the team have not been able to see the Governor and the state Party Chairman has not done anything to get the Governor who is the leader of the party to meet with members of his state Exco. “We need to meet with the Governor, so that we can tell him our problems and the numerous challenges we have. He is the leader of the party here in the state and his continous running away from us is a problem that will not help us nor himself, my brother, you know all these are caused by our inefficient chairman Obong Paul Ekpo. How can he lead a group of people and he does not even care whether they are feeding. It is wrong that we have not been able to see the Governor ever since our inauguration and I must tell you our colleagues are not happy. We have our game plan and if the Governor and his stooge Paul Ekpo does not address our challenges within the shortest space of time, we will teach them a small lesson” our source threatened.

On the vote of confidence that was passed on the party Chairman last week our source maintained that it was a fake vote of confidence that did not go anywhere. “My brother as a journalist is that how a serious vote of confidence is always passed, votes of confidence are passed after a meeting had been conducted and a resolution reached. That vote of confidence was just cosmetic; do not allow anybody to deceive you. 

It was not done wholeheartedly.” Our source thundered. Our source who attended the briefing where some Exco members of the party met to pass the cosmetic vote of confidence on the Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo had report that the party Exco met at the party secretariat and after a brief discussion, they came out with a mocking laugh and asked where are the pressmen, how many are there? Upon sighting the pressmen, the Deputy Chairman of the Party who himself is eyeing the Federal House of Representatives for Oron, Hon Nse Ekpenyong said gentlemen we have passed a vote of confidence on our chairman, there is no problem in the party. 

The party however failed to reach a resolution to back up their claims of a Vote of confidence. The refusal of the state PDP to pass a real vote of confidence on her Chairman Obong Paul Ekpo and the criticisms that has trailed the Nkana meeting has really put Obong Paul Ekpo and his Exco members in a cold war which is waiting to explode with time.

by Nsibiet John,Uyo, Aks