Latest Edition of THE INK NEWSPAPER, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Tension ahead N/Assembly elections * PDP, APC, ors in final fight * Those with chances of victory

The National and  Presidential elec tions will definitely hold on Saturday, the day after tomorrow if the position of INEC is anything to go by. Preparations have been in top gear by both parties towards who clinches the day at the end of the polls whose results are expected to be announced within twenty four hours after the election.

For the forthcoming National Assembly elections, the PDP and APC seem to be in top contention for the job and if research conducted by our reporter is anything to go by, then the ruling party is in top gear to get victory at the National Assembly elections.

PDP has done well for women - Mrs Umanah

A foremost grassroots   women mobilizer in   the State, Mrs. Maureen Aniekan Umanah, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shown sufficient commitment at bridging the gender gap in governance, through inclusion of more women in elective and appointed positions in the State.

Addressing a large crowd of women at the Abak Local Government Council Secretariat; venue for the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District’s free medical outreach programme organized by Friends of Martha Udom Emmanuel Organization, Mrs. Umanah called on women of the district to show gratitude for the many good gestures of the PDP led government in the State, by voting the party in the upcoming general elections.

How PDP takes over APC stronghold in Uyo - Promise to deliver GEJ, Udom Emmanuel, ors unopposed

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to win more support to clinch victory ahead of the 2015 general elections in the country. 

In Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital the party has now taken over ward 7 which used to be the stronghold of opposition in time past.
This came on the heels of a cross section of the then ACN now APC members who formally defected to the PDP at an enlarge campaign rally of the party in the ward held at St. Philips Primary School Use Offot last Saturday. 

The leader of the defectors decried their long suffering in the wilderness of APC as very regrettable and appealed for forgiveness from the ward, while seizing the moment to denounce opposition party, by burning their old dirty brooms from APC. The defectors were received by the PDP ward chairman Uduak Edim who later handed them over to the state PDP chairman Obong Paul Ekpo who admitted them into the party, and expressed happiness for the victory awaiting PDP at the polls. 

DPR denied youth’s allegation of crude of oil theft by Universal Energy

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), in Eket on Wednesday denied the alleged crude oil theft, by Universal Energy Resources Ltd. (UERL).
However, the allegation was made by youths from Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

Mr Asuquo Antai, the DPR Operations Controller in Eket, made the denial in an interview with newsmen in Eket Local Government Area.
Antai said that the trucking of crude oil from the UERL was very doubtful, saying it was difficult to believe that any responsible company would truck crude. 

Our Correspondent reports that youths from Unyenge community in Mbo, wrote a petition dated March 3, addressed to Managing Director of UERL was brought before the House of Representative for debate.

2015: Akwa Ibom Councilors adopt Udom Emmanuel, assure of victory in all 329 wards for PDP

Grass root legislators  representing the   329 wards in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of Conference of Akwa Ibom State Councillors, and their former colleagues, Tuesday, unanimously endorsed, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as their sole candidate in the April 11th, gubernatorial election. 

Conveying decision of the group to the PDP governorship candidate during a solidarity visit to his campaign office in Uyo, the Chairman of the Councillors, Hon. Charles Bassey, said the body which comprises Councillors from the 329 political wards in the state were confident in the ability of Mr. Udom Emmanuel to pilot the affairs of the state to the desired destination.

Why Nigerians will re-elect Jonathan - Ita Benedict

Despite the much  hyped opposition  mounted by the All Progressive Congress, APC against the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, an Akwa Ibom Young Professional and an aide to Governor Godswill Akpabio, Mr. Ita Benedict says, there is nothing to worry about stressing that Nigerians will shun all opposing interests and re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan.

Benedict stated this during a chance encounter with THE INK reporter in Uyo yesterday. He described President Jonathan as the bridge between the old order and a new Nigeria. Speaking further, he said that President Goodluck Jonathan by his position, deeds and actions, is an embodiment of a true democrat.

2015: Nsit Ubium people declares total support for Udom, PDP

As the 2015 general elections draws  near, the people of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area has declared their unalloyed loyalty and commitment to deliver PDP enmass in the coming Saturday Presidential and National Assembly election, and repeat same on April 11 Governorship and State House of Assembly election.

This was the unanimous decision of all Nsit Ubium people who pledge their resolve to vote PDP based on the developmental leadership of PDP administration in the area since it came to power in Akwa Ibom state in 1999. The people stated this last Tuesday during a unit to unit campaign tour of the area led by their political leader, distinguished Senator Effiong Dickson Bob and the Chairman of Nsit Ubium local government area, Hon Ekpedeme Amos Akpan to sensitize the people on how to thump print correctly on the ballot papers to avoid void votes.

G22 Governorship aspirant formally surrenders structure to Udom Emmanuel …Says Anybody who wants to cry can cry

 

The Candidacy of the  PDP Governorship  hopeful in Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Tuesday in Uyo received a major boost as a governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP and member of the Group of 22 governorship aspirants in the state, popularly  referred to as ‘G22’, Rt. Hon. Jerome Isangedighe, formally led several thousands of his supporters from across the 31 local government areas of the state to a public endorsement rally in support of Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

At a colourful ceremony held at the Udom/Moses2015 Campaign office, Uyo, Chief Jerome Isangedighe who is currently representing Oron/Udung uko in the state House of Assembly, told the PDP governorship hopeful that his campaign group which goes by the name, ‘Nation Builders Assembly’(NBA) of which he is the grand patron, decided to hold a rally in support of Udom, having come to the conclusion that the continuous unity, development and progress of the state must be cherished and upheld by every well meaning citizen of the state.

Supporters commends TIEIP for effective grassroot campaign

The Transformation  Initiative for Empowerment of Ibom People (TIEIP) has been commended for embarking on massive sensitization and education of voters across the State in readiness for the forthcoming general elections in the country.

Ika Chapter coordinator of TIEIP, Hon. Marshal Udonsek, who made the commendation when the officials of the socio-political group led by Joseph Tombere met with the leaders of the 10 Wards and its canvassers at Urua Inyang, Monday, noted that “Ika people are happy with the Transformation Initiative for working so hard for the success of Udom Emmanuel as the next Governor.”

Udom/Moses 2015 campaign organization condemns political violence

The Udom/ Moses2015 Campaign Organization condemns in no uncertain terms, the political violence that led to the reported death of Rt. Hon. (Obong) Okon Uwah, a former deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly and APC Candidate for  Ukanafun State Constituency in the forthcoming elections.  

We have always stated our revulsion and abhorrence to the deployment of violence as an instrument for settling political scores or the advancement of one’s electoral fortunes. Political contestation should be an enterprise that is based on ideas and a persuasive platform that is people-centric. That philosophy informs and shapes our campaign which is broadly outlined in our Platform and Five-Point Manifesto that includes: 

AK. Gov’s wife takes door to door voters sensitization to wards in Essien Udim

Wife of Governor Mrs. Ekaette  Unoma Akpabio has taken her voters sensitization to polling units in Essien Udim LG canvassing for votes for all PDP candidates in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and President Goodluck Jonathan in the forth-coming polls.

Among the villages visited were Ikot Udo Nsek, Ukana Ikot Nwoh, Ukana Akpautong, Ikot Udo Etim and Ukana Ikot Ideh,where the governor’s wife was received by  indigenes of the area with jubilant cheers.

Baby factories... please, help!!!

BY GLORY JACKSON

Monica, 17, ran out of the house with a  N100 note into the street to buy two  cups of gari for the family’s afternoon meal-as her mother instructed. Suddenly, a vehicle pulled beside her as she entered a kiosk to buy the stuff. Unsuspecting, she answered a few questions from the three occupants of the vehicle, collected the N1,000 handed to her, nods in agreement and runs excitedly home with the gari. 

A few hours later, the same vehicle was seen parked a few meters away from where she lied with her mother and four other siblings. A tall middle-aged man looked around expectantly. Oh, here she comes-with an overstuffed bag; obviously with clothes. She entered the vehicle and off they went!
Days ran into weeks... no sign of Monica. “Mama Monica, where is Monica, your daughter?” Neighbours asked. “She has gone to stay with her uncle for a brief period,” she replied. After eleven months, Monica resurfaced, a bit robust, but withdrawn and erratic. The N150, 000 she handed to her mother on her return was like an ill-wind, for peace and happiness developed wings and flew out of the house. 

Letter to Valerie Ebe: Few days to go, are you proud of yourself?

BY UBONG SAMPSON

Compliments of the season, Your Honour and  may the looming peace and redemption of  mankind that comes with the approaching Easter season rest entirely with you.

Let me start by congratulating you, Your Honour, for an anticipated successful completion of your tenure as deputy governor. It is no mean feat doing what your predecessor could not do, moreso, taking it to a logical end. The last of this kind of record was when Roberto Di Matteo took popular English club, Chelsea half way from Andre Villa Boas and ended up conquering Europe. As easy as it sounds, try asking Avam Grant, the man who earlier attempted making similar history and he will tell you a flipside experience. Your Honour, if these names and events sound strange to you, I will understand, but since there are more than a million and one football fanatics out there, with a perceived few even close to you, consulting one of them in this regard, me-knows, would be no less a helpful venture.

Eight Ethnic Nationalities in A’Ibom promises 300,000 votes for Goodluck Jonathan, Udom Emmanuel

The wind of endorsement  currently sweeping  across the length and breadth of Akwa Ibom state in favour of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and it’s candidates in the upcoming general election, Tuesday, recorded another feat for the winning team of Udom Emmanuel/Moses Ekpo governorship ticket, as a group of 8 ethnic nationalities resident in the state have endorsed the PDP Presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, Governorship candidate of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and other candidates of the party as their sole candidate in the general elections.

Among the groups include, Arewa Peoples Assembly, led by Alhaji Sanni Abdullahi, Hausa Community in Akwa Ibom, led by Alhaji Sadauki, Ijaw community led by Barr. Japhet o. Japhet, Yoruba community led by Alhaji. Olukayode Oyekunle who is also the leader of the Yoruba Consultatuve Council.

ACA to A’Ibom Monarchs: Learn from Ijebu Monarch, stop questionable endorsement

Traditional Rulers in Akwa Ibom State   have been urged to learn from the Awujale of Ijebu Land and stop questionable and “chop money” endorsements of candidates for elections.

The Akwa Ibom Change Ambassadors (ACA), a frontline socio-political group whose members cut across PDP, APC, APGA, Labour, Accord and other political parties in the country who desire a change in the socio-economic and socio-political situation of the state, made this known at the weekend following the Awujale’s speech while receiving President Goodluck Jonathan in Ijebu-Ode recently.

According to ACA, the Awujale had told the President: “In Ijebu here, it is not possible for any Oba, not even in Ijebu, in Yorubaland to go out and say vote for this, vote for that. That person is looking for trouble. But they should give them the opportunity to present their programmes, so that the people can make up their minds on what to do.”

Uyo Vice Chairman embark on house to house campaign, laud’s Unoma Akpabio on rally

Sequel to enthusiastic determination to  secure an overall victory for the People Democratic Party in Uyo State Constituency, the Vice Chairman of Uyo Local Government, Dr. Roberta Edem has embark on ‘House to House’ Campaign to enlighten and educate the people on the need to vote the PDP and candidates at all level in the forthcoming general elections.

Fielding questions from journalists during one of the Campaign in Uyo, the vice Chairman, Dr Roberta Edem said it was necessary to sensitize the voters in order to put them in right direction of voting. She said what triggers her to engage in house to house campaign was that, in today’s politics no chance should be overlook especially during this era  of political challenges.

Maritime Rector tasks committee on societal peace

The Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria,  Oron, Ambassador Joshua Okpo has inaugurated a Peace Trust Fund Committee (Ambassador Joshua Okpo Peace Trust Committee) with a charge on members of the Committee to promote peace in the society.  

Speaking during the inauguration of the Committee at the nation’s prestigious maritime institution, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, last Friday, the Peace Ambassador expressed concern over the tense atmosphere surrounding the forthcoming general elections and urged members not to relent on their role of being agents of peace in their spheres of influence.

Akpabio wanted my hotel demolished ...also attempted to kill me - Ekarika

- Akwa Ibom will vote for APC - Bob Ekarika

 Dr Udoma Bob Ekarika is a man whose name readily rings a bell in the state having been a commissioner for eight years in Obong Victor Attah’s administration first as a Commissioner for Health and later Commissioner for Works and Transport. He served both offices with distinction before he resigned voluntarily to seek the number one seat in the state; an adventure that did not go quite well. Today, he’s a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is cocksure the party will change the fortunes of the state if it wins the elections. In this no-holds barred interview with KENNETH JUDE, he recounts his time in government, the Akpabio-led government and why APC is the party to be

Sir, for the sake of the readers who may not really know you can you tell us in  a nutshell who you are?
That’s a very good and interesting question because I have said time without number that the life of a man does not start from marriage because people in Akwa Ibom wants to start writing my history from where I married because I happen to marry the daughter of the former governor and I have been telling them that is very, very wrong. You must start the history of a man from birth. I was born into a family of late Chief Bob Ekarika and late David Bob Ekarika of Ikot Ntuen of Ekparakwa Clan in Oruk Anam on the 22nd of May 1959. 

Thereafter, when I grew up, I started primary school, finished very successfully, finished my secondary education in 1972 at Qua Iboe church secondary school, Ika Annang and entered the university in 1981 to read math statistics. In 1983 I moved to the university of Calabar and succeeded in changing it to read Medicine and Surgery because that was my heart desire of becoming a professional so that I can stand up any day, any time to speak and challenge any situation I feel is against my person. Before this time in 1979, I was employed as a clerk and I worked there between 1980 and in October 1981; I left and before that time, I was confirmed a staff and was given study leave without pay.

Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency: Usoro Akpanusoh stands tall

* He is the best man for the job- ex council boss
* Why we will vote him- Felix Udoh
 BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The people of Esit Eket Local Government  Area have unanimously agreed to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates at the polls during the forthcoming general elections.

They made their position known publicly on Tuesday and Wednesday during a ward to ward campaign of the standard bearer of the Party for Esit Eset/Ibeno State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh in the area.

The campaign which attracted PDP State and Chapter officers of the area, Stakeholders, Women, Elders of all the wards, Youths, past and present political office holders of the area, took place at different village squares of the wards.

Umana Okon Umana’s issue based campaign (3)

BY UKPONG UKPONG

For the umpteenth time, focus of this  conversation is on the need to take  education of Akwa Ibom youths a notch higher reason being that one cannot exhaustively discuss huge potentials embedded in providing qualitative education to any society. According to United Nations Education Scientific & Cultural Organization, UNESCO, the development of coherent policies and plans to bring about REAL and SUSTAINABLE CHANGE in education systems is essential as it connects to other sectors such as employment, health, finance and family, among others.   

This perception explains why we must  critically consider Umana Okon Umana, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, who consistently talks about education in his campaign. He spends more time harping on his plan to better finance education, which appears to be one of the flagship agenda of his empowerment programme for Akwa Ibom people.

Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio condemns assassination of Okon Uwah

It is with sadness that the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers, Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio-in-Council, receives the shocking news of the assassination of the former Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Obong) Okon Joseph Uwah on Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

The ugly incident according to information available to us, took place in Nkek village, Ukanafun Local government area.

Now, the polls

No, it’s no longer the time of  going on the roof top to holler piercingly thus: “unprecedented crowd at APC’s rally,’’ “voluminous crowd at PDP’s rally,’’ “sea of heads at...’’ the time is gone. It’s time for action and results. Not the politics of crowd. It’s time to make wise use of your PVC, that is, if those ‘sea of heads’ that thronged those rallies have one. I won’t be surprised if some of them do not possess the Voter Cards. Did you just yawn in wonderment? No, don’t be taken aback. It’s possible!

Let’s fast forward to the Saturday polls. Very quickly, for the presidency, it’s a straight fight between the much vilified Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and  the current Aso Rock landlord and ex shoeless Otuoke born soft spoken politician, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). All the parties have upped the ante and are seriously in last ditch efforts to sway the minds of the people anyhow and with anything.