Ibibio Caucus in APC shun Nsima Ekere

Sensing the imminent defeat of the All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in the state, Obong Nsima Ekere, caucus members of Ibibio extraction in the party have reportedly deserted the former deputy governor.

THE INK gathered from impeccable sources that following the massive defeat recorded by the party in last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, chieftains of the party have made a volte face in their support for the former NDDC Managing Director.

With the loss suffered by Senator Godswill Akpabio, sources say top shots of the APC are demoralised, adding that most of them are contemplating pitching their tents with Governor Udom Emmanuel and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Saturday’s results indicate that the deputy governorship candidate of the party, Amadu Attai, lost in his polling unit along with the state chairman of the party, Ini Okopido who also lost in his unit.

The results, a source said, has not gone down well with members of the party who feel the defeats faced by ranking members of the party in their units is a clear indication that they are politically weak and ineffective.

Chief Efemena Atutu commends Mike Igini

As AkwaIbom People and indeed Nigerians exercised their franchise at the polls, the Chairman of the Coalition of All Domestic Observer Groups in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Efemena Atutu has expressed confidence in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s REC in the State, Barr. Mike Igini to conduct the most free, fair and transparent elections ever in the history of the State.

Atutu who said that from their observation, INEC was ready to afford the electorate a level playing ground to exercise their franchise at the polls, harped on the integrity of the Resident Commissioner who he noted has over the years demonstrated unparalleled strength of character in conducting credible elections in any State he is saddled with the responsibility in Nigeria.

The Chairman of Observer groups arrived at this standpoint while exchanging views with newsmen in Uyo, the AkwaIbom State Capital City during the presidential and national assembly elections that took place across the country.

He stated that ‘We appreciate the arrangement put in place by the INEC in the State to ensure the security of sensitive materials and the arrival of the same at their respective Local Government areas and polling Units’.

Midim APC Leaders hail supporters over election

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Midim Ward 1 and Midim Ward 2 in Abak Local Government Area have expressed dissatisfaction over the cancellation of the results of election in Midim and called on the Electoral Officer (EO) in charge of the area to as a matter of urgency release the full details of the results.

In a well-attended Press Conference which took place at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chapter Office along Ikot Ekpene Road, Abak yesterday, the Leaders pointed out that it is not the duty of the Electoral Officer to cancel results as supplied to the Ward Returning Officers by the Units Presiding Officers and that the pretense of relying on the smart card readers only in Midim Ward One and Two is unacceptable, whereas elections were not cancelled in Abak Urban Ward 3 where according to them, the younger brother of the PDP Candidate for House of Representatives was caught by the Army snatching ballot papers and boxes.

In a text read by the APC Candidate for Abak State Constituency seat, Barr. Victor Nkanang and signed by prominent Leaders from the two wards, the Leaders wondered why elections were not cancelled in Afaha Obong Ward 2 where according to them, it is known that thugs of the PDP carted away sensitive election materials of unit 2, 3, 4 and 7 only to return them at about 2pm of the 24th February, 2019 and a strong petition was served on the Electoral Officer (EO) by the Elders of APC Afaha Obong Ward 1 to that effect.

Group end rally for Udom’s re-election

Group end rally for Udom’s re-election

The support base of the PDP in Eket Urban Ward 3 swelled when more than a hundred members of Mobil Filling Station Volunteers Group for Udom 2019 rounded off her mobilization and sensitization rally for the electoral victory of Gov. Udom Emmanuel and other PDP candidates in the coming polls. 

The group according to her National Co-ordinator Mr. Sunny Ekerete Wilson, averred, Udom has performed exceedingly above expected standards in view of the dwindling finances of the state, especially the financial ingenuity exhibited by him since assumption of office. 

While some state governments are battling with backlog of salaries and pension, Gov. Udom has proven himself as a financial guru in the management of state funds to the delight of opponents. 

He recalled the industrialization pledge had been redeemed with the establishment of numerous cottage industries across the state that has generated much jobs for our teeming youths. The co-ordinator fondly called “Eyen Udom,” emphasized the resolve of the group to undertake streets to streets mobilization and sensitization rally was to keep members and electorates abreast of the latest achievements of the Udom-led administration which has brought untold joy, peace and industrial harmony to the state. 

Akwa Ibom IPAC condemns anti-Igini campaigns ...Restates confidence in State’s REC, INEC

Akwa Ibom IPAC condemns anti-Igini campaigns  ...Restates confidence in State’s REC, INEC ...As party leaders dissociate from protest

Leaders of political parties in Akwa Ibom State, under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), have reaffirmed their confidence in the State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, describing the call for his removal as uncalled for and an attempt by one political party to overrule the 59 others in the State.

The State Chairman of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Publicity Secretary of IPAC in the State, Reverend Aniebiet Emmanuel, made the position known while responding to pressmen, after their meeting in Uyo.

Emmanuel said IPAC, after its investigation of the alleged protest by political parties in Akwa Ibom State, calling for the replacement of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, has established that what happened was just a gathering of one political party. Hence, he said, IPAC has resolve that no one political party can take a decision for the entire political parties in the State. 

The IPAC Publicity Secretary further decried the scenario that out of sixty political parties in the State, cook e up a kind of protest against a man who has been ascertained by IPAC, being the umbrella organisation for all political parties and other major stakeholders in party politics, one with the integrity to conduct a free, fair and credible elections.

In his words: “This is uncalled for and as IPAC we rise up against that and we say no. One man cannot determine the fate of all political parties in this State. It is not possible. We are not taking sides with any political party. We are saying that Mike Igini has no question mark, as far as the 2019 election is concerned”, Rev. Aniebiet Emmanuel said.

Former APC bigwig commends Akwa Ibom PDP for victorious outing during elections

BY ASSAM ABIA

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been adjudged as the most organized, purposeful and ideologically focused political party in Nigeria, bearing in mind its victorious outing in the just concluded Presidential and national assembly elections. 

Chief Samingo Etukakpan a former chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Akwa Ibom State, who defected from the party few days to Saturday’s Presidential and national assembly elections, gave the verdict in Eket on Sunday while analysing the result so far gathered from units in the State. 

He congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Akwa Ibom State for its performance and peaceful conduct during the elections, even when faced with provocative and intimidating actions from the APC. 

Chief Etukapan who delivered his unit in Ward 4 Urban Eket with overwhelming votes for the PDP said he was optimistic that with the result so far gathered, the PDP will be victorious in all the elections in the State. 

Etukakpan, popularly known as “the people’s General of Eket politics” said further that the All Progressive Congress, APC, Akwa Ibom State, was an emergency conglomeration of desperate politicians who are out for their selfish interest, without having any thinking for the generality of the masses.

Champion Breweries unveils New Magazine

As part of her efforts to keep staff, customers, consumers and the general public abreast of events at the budding breweries,  the management of Champion Brewery, Uyo yesterday unveiled a new all glossory magazine as part of its re­positioning efforts in projecting the brands on the stable of the company into the national and international market.

Addressing newsmen at the company’s premises, the  Managing  Director o fthe Company Mr. Patrick Ejidoh said that the magazine which is a content developed material of all the staff is expected to promote the image of the company and ensure that the brands on the stable of the company remains on the limelight both nationally and internationally. 

He said that in the last two months, the concept for the production of themagazine has been collective with contributions from key stakeholders and heads of various departments of the company and that the magazine titled ”Champion News” is a novel concept that will boost marketing mileage for the company. 

Mr. Patrick Ejidoh re-affirmed that Champion Brewery is now fully resuscitated and fully functional in all capacity with the new caption of its Sazzy Sexy and Sleek looks of the new bottle shape to attract customers.

PDP candidates sweep polls in Akwa Ibom ...as Chris Ekpenyong floors Akpabio

PDP candidates sweep polls in Akwa Ibom ...as Chris Ekpenyong floors Akpabio

BY KENNETH JUDE

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has swept last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Its closest rivals, the All Progressives Congress (APC) were the biggest losers in the contests.

The PDP recorded resounding victories at various levels to cement its place as the dominant party in the state.

The Peoples Democratic Party won in all the 31 local government areas in the presidential election, including Ikot Abasi LGA where the APC governorship candidate in the state, Nsima Ekere, hails from. Akpabio also failed yo deliver Essien Udim for Buhari.

In the race for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial district, Bassey Albert of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated his opponent, Bassey Etim of APC.

OBA, a returning Senator, polled a total votes of 147, 731 to defeat Bafil who scored 60, 930 votes.

Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi of the Peoples Democratic Party upstaged Senator Nelson Effiong in the Eket Senatorial district race.

Governorship Candidates in Akwa adjudge Saturday’s Election most free, transparent

Governorship Candidates in Akwa adjudge Saturday’s Election most free, transparent

Governorship Candidates in Akwa Ibom State, have declared that Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is acceptable and meet the criteria of being free and transparent.

The declaration was made in a communique issued and signed by the Governorship Candidates on Monday.

The candidates under the aegis of Forum of Governorship Candidates in Akwa Ibom State (FORGAK), expressed satisfaction with the commitment made by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, political parties, security agencies and various entities on the electoral process.

Gov. Udom Emmanuel not providing soft-landing for the defeated Senator Godswill Akpabio

Gov. Udom Emmanuel not providing soft-landing for the defeated Senator Godswill Akpabio

Our attention has been drawn to a malicious propaganda in the social media platforms by Senator Akpabio’s media hirelings that having been roundly rejected by the people of Akwa Ibom State North West Senatorial District in his bid for re-election to the National Assembly, that he has negotiated a soft landing with Governor Udom Emmanuel.

We wish to tell the good people of Akwa Ibom State and indeed the world that this is FALSE and a LIE FROM THE PIT OF HELL.  Governor Udom Emmanuel is happy that the wishes of the people of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District have been BOLDLY expressed through their votes and is particularly glad to note that the devious and devilish plans by enemies of our State to truncate our democratic process and the wishes of the people have been mightily resisted.

Governor Udom Emmanuel looks forward to working with the soon-to be- Senator (Engineer ) Chris Ekpeyong as he works to advance the welfare, development, peace and prosperity of the good people of Akwa Abasi Ibom State.

Arrest, prosecute Akpabio now, PDP urges IGP ...As party alleges plans by the ex-governor to set INEC Offices ablaze

BY KENNETH JUDE

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Senator Godswill  Akpabio for several offences including violation the electoral act.

The party says the former governor who announced himself winner of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial election held last Saturday contravened Section 27(2)(e) of the Electoral Act which provides that the Returning officer shall announce the result and declare the winner at the Senatorial Collation centre

In a press statement in Uyo on Monday, Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the former governor had held a party in his Ukana residence on Sunday where he reportedly declared himself winner of the Senatorial poll in violation of known laws.

The statement which reads in part says: “we call on the Inspector General of police to immediately arrest Senator Godswill Akpabio for conduct likely to breach public peace and violation of section 27(2)(e) of the electoral act. He should be prosecuted immediately so that upon conviction,the provision of Section 123(4) of the electoral act will be activated.

The party also alleged that Senator Akpabio has been making frantic efforts to upturn the results of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district which, from the nine local government areas released so far, shows that the former governor is trailing the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chris Ekpenyong, by over 50, 000 votes.

According to the PDP spokesman,  “the truth is that collation of results have been done in 9 out of 10 local government areas areas in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and three out of four of the House of Representatives seats declared by INEC as having been won by the PDP with a wide margin of more that 60,000 votes. The only LGA left is Essien Idim, which INEC is currently working on.”

NGO condemns sponsored protest against A’Ibom REC

The recent calls by the oppositions political party in Akwa Ibom State, the All Progressives Congress, APC for the redeployment of the Residence Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Mike Igini has continued to suffer massive condemnations from individuals and civic society organizations. 

The recent condemnation is coming from the Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR), an NGO in the State.

The group, in a statement signed by the President, Al Mustapha Emem Edoho and made available to journalists in Eket who described the the call for redeployment of the Residence Electoral Commissioner as uncalled for, going by his previous track records of excellent, credible and peaceful conduct of elections across the States in the country.