Ikpoto A’Ibom inaugurates Etinan Federal Constituency chapters

Ikpoto Akwa Ibom, a socio political group in the state has inaugurated its ward and chapter executives for Etinan Federal Constituency  with a call on members to stamp out violence and other social vices in the forth coming Gubernatorial and general elections in the state.

The three local Government Areas chapter coordinators that make up the federal constituency include; Pastor Ini Udo Ekwere, Etinan, Mr. Godwin Etukudo Okokon, Nsit Ubium and Hon. Effiong Sunday Udoakang, Nsit Ibom.
 Performing the swearing in, the National Legal Adviser of the organization, Barr. Ndipmonguwem Umoh urged the executives and members to adhere to the tenets of the group.

He reminded them that their offices will be withdrawn from them if they found wanting or commit perjury. In his speech, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Nsima Uwak described the body as a socio political group aimed at reducing to the barest minimum the rate of violence and other social vices in election.

He expressed shock over the high level of bloodshed in 2011 election as reported in various media, pointing out that politics should not be so played. In order to ameliorate the rate of social vices, Mr. Nsima Uwak said that the group has so far organized seminars, congresses and has also identified with Non Governmental Organizations and peace loving members of the society.

He portrayed the group as Peoples Democratic Party inclined, stressing that; its membership is limited only to PDP faithful.

What PDP Man of the Year Award means to me - Prince Akpabio

As soon as Prince Ukpong Akpabio was decorated with the award as the Essien Udim PDP man of the year, THE INK set out to have an interaction with him to have the Essien Udim PDP man of the year air his mind on how he sees the award. What the award means to him and other sundry issues. Excerpts;

What does the award means to you?

The Peoples Democratic Party is the largest political party in Africa, whose followership is driven by the ideals of its founding fathers. In Akwa Ibom, His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Godswill O. Akpabio is the leader of the party whose uncommon transformation is driven by the ideals of the party. Thus, this honour given me by the Party in Essien Udim chapter has encouraged me to continue my selfless efforts in complementing the efforts of theuncommon transformation agenda of His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON. I feel a sense of belonging in the uncommon transformation team. This award means a lot to me, especially as it is coming from my home. You know they say charity begins at home and if your home front has found it fit and necessary to honour you, then it is a feat. It is a milestone. I will forever value and treasure this award. I commend the organizers and I will do the best I can to ensure that I keep contributing my very best to the development of the Party and human resources.

Did you ever envisage the award coming to you?
No! I never knew about such an award. It came to me by surprise. Ordinarily, I would have rejected the award but party discipline is enshrined firmly in our code of conduct. I had to accept it. Furthermore, my contributions to the growth of the party at all levels were not borne out of any expectation for reward. What my friends have encouraged me to contribute to our party is part of our character. Hence, whether or not I won the award this year is immaterial. I am a loyal party man.

What will the award do to you, will it motivate you to do more for the party or will you be convinced that with the award, your works for the party has been noticed and hence no need to contribute to the party again?
The award is a booster. It has encouraged and will encourage me to know that no good effort goes unnoticed. Like I said earlier, His Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio’s uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom state is a testimony of PDP’s performance. So I have a burden to support, promote and compliment this legacy anywhere I find myself andEssien Udim LGA is my home town and I have by the grace of God I have created an impact there because “Charity, they say begins at home”. This award will not only inspire me alone to do more, but will also act as a catalyst for our great party men and women, to continue to work for our party.

Who are you dedicating the award to?
The answer is not farfetched. I am dedicating this award to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief (Dr.) Godswill O. Akpabio, CON, whose uncommon passion for development cannot be over-emphasized. And also to Her Excellency, our “Mother Theresa”, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio, whose motherly love and support has seen me through my years in the uncommon transformation team.

What advice do you have for the younger people who are looking up to you as a role model?
Firstly, I advise our young people to draw closer to God. My life as a politician has been shaped primarily by my relationship with God who is greater and wiser than all men. “Righteousness exalts a nation”, so, let our young people seek God and his righteousness and shun all negative vices that will do them no good.

Secondly, focus. Every individual has unique life goals which are achievable when he or she is focused. When you work hard and focus on your goals, success is not far from you.

The people of Essien Udim are not blind. Men and women and children from all nooks and crannies have tested His Excellency’s uncommon transformation. By the grace of God, in my little capacity, I am only complementing the efforts of His Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio. So I was not surprised to see all the troops that came out to celebrate with me. My prayer is that I will not fail them and God will continue to bless them and the whole people of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio’s family celebrate prince over PDP Man of the Year honour

* He deserved it, says Essien Udim PDP Chair
* I never knew my works for the party were noticed  - Awardee

The Akpabio’s family has united to celebrate the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on General duties, Prince Ukpong Akpabio following the recent conferment on him as the PDP man of the year, Essien Udim Chapter.
The peoples Democratic Party in Essien Udim had after a thorough assessment of the qualities and attributes of the Political Science graduate found him worthy to be decorated as the PDP man of the year for 2013 in an event that was attended by all the stalwarts of the PDP in the state led by the Party Chairman Obong Paul Ekpo.

The event was held penultimate weekend and attracted the who is who in the Akpabio’s family and beyond,they all had kind words for Prince Akpabio who is being regarded as the pillar of Essien Udim youths.
Ibanga Akpabio in his goodwill message noted that the decision of the PDP in Essien Udim to honour Prince Akpabio with the PDP man of the year 2013 could not have come at a better time than now.

AKHA crisis escalates As Anti Ikon Members shun siting

                 Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon                Obong Paul Ekpo, can he tame the rising tide against Ikon?

                                                               Hon. Bassey Etienam leading lawmakers against Ikon?

 * Speaker conduct plenary with 8 members’ holds secret talk with PDP

What started as a crisis of confidence in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has taken a different dimension as members refused to attend house plenary leaving the speaker, Elder Samuel Ikon helpless and embarrassed last Tuesday before visiting Ugandans.

Although the speaker has always denied that there is no crises in the State House of Assembly, it became apparently clear last Tuesday when almost all the members of the House exception of Onofiok Luke and Ekaette Ebong Okon who were out of the state were all present at the executive session which lasted for some hours, but after the executive session most members instead of moving to the chambers for plenary, headed to their offices and from there move to their individual cars and went home without attending the sitting for the day. 

To serve his face from the imminent embarrassment due to the visiting legislators who came from Uganda to visit the state Assembly, the speaker, Sam Ikon was compelled to conduct last Tuesday sitting with just 7 members including himself to make  it 8.

Pay your dues! Paul Ekpo tells PDP appointees * Hails Prince Akpabio

The state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr. Paul Ekpo has charged elected officers and appointees of the party to pay their outstanding dues. The charge was made recently at Essien Udim party secretariat during the conferment of the award of PDP man of the Year on Prince Ukpong Akpabio.

The State Party Chairman noted that the reason for the presentation of the award was because of the recipient’s benevolence to the party and people of his environment as well. He also stated that though, presentation of award is not in consonant with the party’s norms; award as such can and will be given to those who the party sees and deem fit as a show of their appreciation and encouragement of good deeds. 

He also commended Prince Ukpong Akpabio for his philanthropic deeds and urged others to borrow a feather from him.
He harped on the need for the offset of party dues after presenting the award; admonishing that the fees were needed to put certain structures in order especially as the election time draws closer. 

Present at the occasion were: the State Governor, Represented by the state Secretary, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Chairman, ALGON, Hon. Nse Ntuen, member representing Essien Udim in the House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Akpan, Sir. Emem Akpabio, Chief Afangideh and others. 

Prince Ukpong Akpabio in his response thanked the people of Essien Udim for the support given him and for finding him fit for the award of the PDP man of the year 2013. He also thanked the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for making him who he is. He stated that the award will spur him to work more committedly to the service of his people. He charged fellow politicians to follow the steps of the Governor who he said has shown the way through his transformation agenda.  He dedicated the award to the state Governor and his wife who he said has been a mother to him. 

In his speech, the state Governor, who spoke through the state Secretary, Mr. Udom Emmanuel thanked the people for their love and cooperation in the party as well as the support given to him. He also charged the people to follow his leadership while promising that his administration would deliver more dividends of democracy to them.

Aniekan Umanah may quit

If information reaching our desk is anything to go by then, the state commissioner for Information Mr. Aniekan Umanah may resign his appointment from the Akpabio led Exco sooner this year. 

A competent source told our reporter last week that the state Governor had read a riot act to members of his Exco that anyone who is interested in the 2015 election should tender his resignation and move on. Being fully aware of this and in other to have time to prepare for his alleged 2015 House of Representatives ambition Aniekan Umanah is said to have planned towards his resignation which may likely come up by March, April or May a reliable source informed our political correspondent.

Jonathan, Attah hold fresh talks

Reports reaching THE INK Newspaper from Aso Rock, the nation’s sit of power indicates that the president Dr. Goodluck EbeleAzikiwe Jonathan may have considered handing over the south- south structure of the Peoples Democratic Party to former Governor of the state Arch. Obong Victor Attah. The president is said to be contemplating this in view of his earnest desire to harmonize the Party and unite discontenting voices.

 A source told our reporter that the meeting between Obong Attah and Dr. Jonathan which was earlier reported by THE INK Newspaper last week in addition had also noted the president considering handing over the south-south zone of the party to Obong Attah especially with the need to ensure total unity in the party ahead of the 2015 general elections and the need for the president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to emerge the nation’s president by 2015. 

Esit Eket celebrates Akpabio over Dan Abia’s appointment

The people of ward ten in Esit Eket Local Government have commended the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and the nation’s President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for the confidence reposed on their son, Sir (Barr) Bassey Dan Abia, KJW by making him the MD/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The people made their position known last week when the MD/CEO of NDDC hosted them in his hometown at Afaha Ekpenedi in Esit Eket Local Government Area.

Attracting guests from all over the ward and beyond, the event had personalities from traditional institutions which was led by the secretary of the Esit Eket Traditional Rulers Council, who also doubles as the Village Head of Afaha Ekpenedi, Eteidung A. A. Bassey, the ward chairman, Apostle Victor Joe Usen, Chief Etim Mark Edoho, Prince Edet Inyang Bassey, Assistant secretary, PDP Esit Eket, Mr. Christian Inyang and Eteidung Sunday S. Ekpo – Village Head of Odoro Nkit.

THE INK GIRL:Comfort Ejukwa

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Etienam urges unity among Nigerians ..Dismisses APC as formidable opposition Party

As the battle for the political position in 2015 gathers momentum. A vibrant lawyer and member and member representing Urueffong /Oruko state  constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Barr. Bassey Etienam urges the people of Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigerians in General to put the continuous unity, peace and corporate existence of nation as their priority above partisan politics.

In the same vein the lawmaker cautions against any form of violence and blood shed stressing that Nigerians through years of co-habitation and marriages are virtually interwoven in one close knitted relationship or the other.

Big trouble in Umana Umana’s team * Over sharing of port folios

Umana Umana, immediate past Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government and a likely gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2015 general election is losing grounds ahead of the poll. There is crack in his campaign organization following the dissatisfaction of some Ibibio elders who confided in our reporter that their interest will be shortchanged again given how handlers of Obong Umana’s gubernatorial campaign operate. The team according to our source has more of Anangs, Oros the Igbos and the Hausas who sources claimed are out to and have been suppressing the interest of Ibibios around the governorship aspirant.

The murky waters of zoning: What Nigerians think

 

Zoning is not a  new vocabulary in the political landscape of Nigeria. Political pundits would recall that the word originated with the advent of the Peoples Democratic Party who thought the ideology of zoning will help to stabilize the Nigerian policy.

Perhaps the founding fathers of the party originally meant well for the country. But in recent times the extent that the word has been used to scheme out certain groups of people from occupying certain offices in the country has made the word to become a bitter pill for some people who feel cheated and marginalized through zoning. Little wonder why the stakeholders meeting recently convened in the state under the auspices of Uyo senatorial District Youth Forum almost degenerated into fisticuffs when some apostles of zoning dared to air their view openly in support of zoning the 2015 governorship office to the Eket senatorial District. This forms the crux of this piece, where the Rendezvous sought the views of Nigerians on this subject and their views are here presented.