“You Are A Failure, You Lack Zeal For Service,” Eket People Tell David Lawrence

 

 

Youths across the three geo-political zones of Eket State Constituency has risen against the Member representing the area in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon David Lawrence in what they termed as his ‘’ lackluster, insensitive and brainless representation’’.
The group, under the aegis of Eket National Youth Forum for Good Governance in a release signed by Iwaad Akpadiaha Udonsek, James Udotai, Mbre Monday, Udo Ekanem, and Glory Okposin among 15 others lambasted the lawmaker for not showing any interest to the plight of those who voted him into office.
They described him as a ‘’Lagos been to’’ and an opportunist who lacks the zeal for service’’, adding that he does not even pick calls put across to him by his constituents having derailed from his campaign promises.
‘’we are disappointed in Hon David Lawrence and we even regret voting out his predecessor Hon Ayang Akanimo Ayang who we have now realized performed better both in lawmaking and oversight functions’’, the stated.
The group said they have concluded plans to begin a recall process to remove him as their representative.
They revealed further that the people of Eket local government area wanted the lawmaker to sponsor a bill in the House for the compulsory establishment of government farms across the 31 local government areas of the State to address the issue of food insecurity but that the ‘’clueless Lawmaker’’ has over the past one year ‘’played hide and seek’’ including not picking calls.
‘’He even deceived market women including the entire people of Eket that he will build an ultramodern daily market for them within six months but unfortunately up till date, no sign of any development’’, they stated.
The group demanded to know the number of persons he has empowered in any form or scholarship he has granted any indigent student of the area.
You Are A Failure, You Lack Zeal For Service, Eket People Tells David Lawrence‘’ instead of representing us effectively, he is busy building mansions in Uyo for himself and family. We are really disappointed in him and we wish to let him know that he has no political future as long as the people of Eket are concerned’’, they said.
The group commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for the ongoing road rehabilitation in Eket.
They maintained that Eket State Constituency seat in the State Assembly was vacant due to the inability of David Lawrence to represent the area effectively in keeping with his campaign promises.

By Assam Abia

There is no man more corrupt in Nigeria like Godswill Akpabio – Robinson Uwak To Buhari

 

Is there a man more corrupt in our Nation than Godswill Akpabio? No not one!

The Anti- Corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari must start from Godswill Akpabio. We have waited long enough… One year and four months!

Picture:  Ita Awak and Godswill Akbpabio

Not a case of stealing deserves to be tried in our nation if the gargantuan, monumental and cold-hearted stealing of Akwa Ibom state resources (meant for the good of the ordinary citizens of Akwa Ibom State and Nigerians in general) by Godswill Akpabio and his family is not tried and concluded.

What happened to the several cases of killings,kidnapping and bloodshed of the very people who trusted the Akpabios with governance. The time to ask questions is now!

Get ready to sign up to the ” COALITION FOR THE ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF GODSWILL AKPABIO ” launching Friday the 23rd of September, 2016.

That Akwa Ibom may be free indeed….Ita Awak Facebook comment calling on the EFCC to arrest Akpabio for corruption.

Assam Assam Vows To Frustrate Akpabio’s Succession Plan.

Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and the Belarus, Chief Assam Ekanem Assam (SAN) has expressed his intention to resign to enable him contest the Akwa Ibom State governorship election in 2015.

Assam, who stated this at the weekend while addressing hundreds of his supporters from the 31 local government areas of the state at his country home in Idua, Eket LGA, disclosed that he would tender his resignation letter to President Goodluck Jonathan by next month (August).
Assam vowed to stop Gov. Godswill Akpabio from imposing a candidate on the people of Akwa Ibom state during the forthcoming governorship election.
He denied the rumour making the round that President Jonathan had asked him to withdraw from the governorship contest, maintaining he would go ahead and contest and win the race for the Akwa Ibom State Government House.
According to him, his entry into the governorship race would disrupt the succession plan of Governor Godswill Akpabio whom he said was hell-bent on imposing his successor on the people of the state.
“I have the energy, capacity and political will to stop Akpabio from imposing his successor because I have always said; Akwa Ibom people are too republican for an outgoing governor to impose a governor on them”, he boasted.
He asserted that the only person he was contesting the governorship office with was Governor Akpabio, adding that the day Akpabio withdraws from the race he would have no opposition to his way to the Hilltop Mansion.
“I want to tell you all that the only person I will contest the governorship with is Akpabio and the day he withdraws from the race I will have no opposition. Akpabio is the only obstacle to a free and transparent party nomination and election but I am glad because the People’s Democratic Party has started the process of a free and fair nomination and election”, Assam said.
Assam promised to revitalize and reposition education to international standards, localize the economy, industrialize the state, create jobs for the teeming unemployed people, fight corruption and stop capital flight if voted in as governor.

Culled from Weekly Insight News

 

2015: Ibibio Elders Again Reports Akpabio To Mu’azu.

-As Concerned Akwa Ibom Citizens Carpet Anietie Ukpe For His Dinigration of Ibibio Elders

Ibibio chiefs

Ibibio Elders Forum has again reported the Akwa Ibom state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, for what they said was the governor’s penchant for unguarded utterances capable of causing problems to the state.
The elders had earlier in an advertorial published in The Nations newspaper edition vol, 9 no 2896 of Thursday July 3, 2014, called attention to statements credited to the state governor, where he was alleged to have told the congregation during the investiture of Bishop Cletus Bassey as an Archbishop. The governor was said to have told the people that “I must produce my successor, no matter what is your feeling and there is nothing anybody can do about it. I don’t mind whose ox is gored”
In that release signed by Sir Dr Okon Akpan Uko and Obong Dr Okon Ekanem, the governor was equally quoted as saying in another occasion that he would deploy the police, army, SSS, and every power at his disposal to ensure that he produces a successor. He was also accused of using the occasion of the burial of the state PDP secretary’s mother’s burial to say that he was going to ensure that certain aspirants would not be allowed to come close to where the PDP primary is going to take place.
In denying the accusations, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Anietie Ukpe accused the two signatories as “men with questionable intentions”. Continuing, Ukpe said that the Ibibio Elders’ Forum was “the campaign organization of a desperate politician”, noting that the grammatical errors in the advertorial by the elders portrayed them as men not capable of speaking for the Ibibios. The CPS said that what the governor said was deliberately distorted to suit preconceived “dubious intentions”
But in addressing the current petition to the national chairman, the elders reiterated their earlier stand and said they stood by every word they credited to the governor. They added that they were pressed to write to the chairman because they identify with his effort to enthrone democratic values and internal democracy in the party. The said that the governor’s utterances if not checked were capable of imperiling the chances of the party in the state.
“We are genuinely worried about the ills that such unguarded utterances portend, because the people are beginning to read strong adverse meanings to them. Most of these statements are unwarranted and constitute a threat to the PDP’s credibility. Therefore, we appeal to all to call Governor Godswill Akpabio to order on time”, the elders wrote.
The appeal to the PDP chairman was signed by notable Ibibio leaders, such as Sir Dr Okon Akpan Uko, Obong Ukpong Dan Umoh, Obong Dr Okon Ekanem, Otuekong Sunny Jackson, Obong Rita Akpan, Obonganwan Imo Isemin, Dr Maurice Ebong, Dr Ita Udosen, Barr Tony Mike Akpan, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, Obong B.A. Nyong, Col. Ededet Bassey, and Otuekong Kingsley Ifot

Culled: InsightNews

Akwa Ibom State Politics: Umana O. Umana Vindicates the Critics of Akpabio.

By Thompson Essien

Umana Okon Umana says Akpabio wants to kill him; this is no news for many people in Akwa Ibom State. It is not a secret that Akpabio will order his “boys” to kidnap, kill, or arrest anyone who disagrees with him.

Umana Okon Umana says Akpabio has a hand in the assassinations and kidnappings of his political associates; this is news!

It is news because the accusation comes from Umana Okon Umana. If anyone knows the intrigues of Godswill Akpabio, that person is Umana Okon Umana. Since 2007 when Akpabio was sworn in as a governor, Umana remained the Secretary to Akpabio’s version of a government, until July 2013, when Akpabio sent his wife to kick him (Umana) out of his cabinet.

Therefore, for Umana Okon Umana to send a petition to the human rights commission in which he accused Akpabio of having a hand in crimes of assassinations and kidnappings, the information in such a petition must be as authentic as the palms of a man’s hand and could not be far from truths.http://leadership.ng/news/377037/alleged-political-assassinations-umana-drags-akpabio-nhrc.)

Umana’s petition to the National Human Rights Commission, or NHRC, is also a vindication of the critics (including me) of Godswill Akpabio, who have all along been saying that Akpabio is responsible for all the heinous crimes in Akwa Ibom State. Be it kidnappings or assassinations, it will not happen in Akwa Ibom State without the knowledge and sanctions of the governor, who is not only the Chief Executive Officer of the State, but also the Chief Security Officer, who have been receiving billions of naira every year known as Security Vote.

It may be difficult to comprehend the magnitude of the allegations leveled against Akpabio. Below is a partial list of all the men and women—all of them peace-loving Nigerians—who have been destroyed by Godswill Akpabio and his administration since he became a governor in 2007. Any indigene of Akwa Ibom State, who goes through the list, will find it difficult to disagree that the crimes have affected him or her in one way or the other.

Written by
Ikpafak Thompson Essien
The Voice of the Poor Masses
Defender of the Oppressed
A native of Ibibio nation of Ubium Republic extraction, now living in the safe and beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, where no AKPF, ADUMA, ADV, and Akwa Ibom State politicians can reach.

GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO: Governor of Akwa Ibom State
NAMES OF KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN AKWA IBOM STATE: Names No. Year/ month–Not in Alphabetical Order:
1) Abel Daminas children (2) 2008
2) Mr. Ubong Obot (1) 2008 (Ibibio)
3) Mr. Mustag Obot (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
4) Senator Aloysius’ wife (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
5) Chief Nelson Effiong (1) Feb. 2009 (Okobo)
6) Ita Enyong- Entaco (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
7) Apostle Uwa (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
8) Nse Ntuen (1) 2009 (Annang)
9) Aniefon Aniedi Abasi (1) Feb. 2009 (Annang)
10) Mrs. Iniobong Ekpenyong (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
11) Pa. Kevin Edet (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
12) Mrs. Michael Bush (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
13) HOP, Nsit Ubium (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
14) Opulopm Ettes’ Wife (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
15) Russians (2) 2009 (Expatriate)
16) Russian Employees (6) June 3 ,2007
17) Stemco Staff (6) 2008 (Expatriate)
18) Uwemedimo Archibong (1) feb.2009 (Ibibio)
19) Mrs. Adrina Uko (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
20) Mrs. Anne Enoidem (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
21) Dr. Owen R. Owen (1) June 2009
22) Mrs. Jumbo (1) June 2009 (Ibibio)
23) Pastor Akan Weeks (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
24) Awak Treasurer, o/Akara (1) 2008 (Ibibio)
25) Mr. Ikpe Ukpe (1) 2008 (Ibibio)
26) Mr. Clement Uwemedimo (1) July, 2009 (Ibibio)
27) Mr. Fiokedu Okorie (1) July 2009
28) Miss Edikan Okon Ufot (1) July, 2009 (Ibibio)
29) Daughter of Okon Usoro (1) July, 2009 (Ibibio)
30) Expatraites’Wife(abducted toNturukpum) (1) Mar. 2009
31) Mr. Eseme Essien (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)
32) Eld. Nse Ikpe (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)
33) Jackie Jay (1) Sept. 2009 (Annang)
34) Ediomo Udoko (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)
35) Iniobong Sunny Jackson (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)
36) Adiaha Eka Sunny IBANGA (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)
37) Pst. Jonah Solomon Akpan (1) Oct. 2009 (Ibibio)
38) Mrs. Eshiet –Etinan (1) Nov. 2009 (Ibibio)
39) Mrs. Sunny Daniel (1) Nov. 2009 (Ibibio)
40) Bishop C.O Akpan (1)Dec. 2,2009\ (Ibibio)
41) Mr. Usen –manager, UBA (1) Dec. 2009 (Ibibio)
42) Hon. Hogan Ita (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
43) Mr. Michael Nkono (1) Oct. 2009 (Ibibio)
44) Mrs. Michael Nkono (1) Oct. 2009 (Ibibio)
45) Dr. Uwem Umoh (1) Nov. 2009 (Ibibio)
46) Chief Inyang Eno (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
47) Gen. Edet Akpan (1) Jan.31, 2010 (Ibibio)
48) Hon. Mike Dan (Itu) (1) Jan.2010 (Ibibio)
49) Miss. Edikan Udo (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
50) Mr. Ita Onyong (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
51) Mr. John Akpan (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
52) Mr. Okon Mkpong (1)2010 (Ibibio)
53) Paramount Ruler –Okobo (1) 2010 (okobo)
54) Prof. Akaninyene Mendie (1) 2010
55) Chief Obosi- clan head InI LGA (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
56) Prophetess Mercy Inyang (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
57) Prophetess Mercy Effiong (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
58) Mrs. Elizabeth Philip (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
59) Mrs. Godwin Udoaka 1st Bank (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
60) Mrs. Godwin Bassey Eton (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
61) Prof. Imo Ukpong (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
62) Dr. Austin Edet (1) 2010 ( Ibibio)
63) Chief Emmanuel Ntukidem (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
64) Mr. Samuel Inyang-PDP Ini LGA (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
65) 83 yr. old retired civil servant, Mbiabong Ikpe Annang (1) 2010 (Annang)
66) Mrs. Rosey Jack Udota (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
67) Joel Francis- Governors’ driver (1) 2010
68) Anthony Akpanobong (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
69) Barr. Archibong’s wife (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
70) Stemco employees (4) May 5 2010
71) Rev. Ntia I Ntia (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
72) Deacon Sandy NtuenUbok (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
73) Rev. Ime Iyire (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
74) A female church member of Imeh Uyire (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
75) Mrs. Iwakeowo Bassey Essien (1) 2010 (Ibibio)
76) Obong Mike Ene (1) 2009 (Ibibio)
77) Mr. Essien Ewoh (1) 2008 (Ibibio)
78) Late Ntia’s Children (2) 2010 (Ibibio)
79) Dr. Uwah (1) July 2010 (Ibibio)
80) Mrs Comfort Enwang—Sept.2010 (Ibibio)
81) Mrs. Lydia Tom Bush –SEPT.2010
82) Mr Enwang’s Personal Assistant— Oct.2010
83) Mr Enwang’s Driver—Oct.2010
84) Mr Mike Eduok —Sept.2010 (Ibibio)
85) Imeh Ekpo (July 2010) (Ibibio)
86) Nsifre Andrew (August 2010)
87) Bishop (Pa) Okon Enyong (Ibibio)
88) Rev. Inno Idiong (Annang)-questionable-Jan.3, 2011(may be staged).
89) Dr Memfin Ekpo (Ibibio) – JAN.16, 2011
90) Elizabeth Jerry Emah (Ibibio)
91) Udo Mma Obot (Ibibio)
92) Chairlady of Onna LGA (Ibibio)
93) Proprietor of Eket Polytechnics
94) John Nta (Onwer of Treasury Island) Feb.11 2011 (Ibibio)
95) Pa Etukudo (Ibibio)
96) Dr. Francis Okon (Oron) — 2009
97) Dr. Inyang Ukot (Ibeno) – 2010
98) Dr. Ofonime Johnson — February 2011
99) Professor Amanam A. Uko — (Vice Chancellor of Obong University)–March 2011
100. Chief Mathias Okonta –Chairman Effiat Council of Chiefs— February 2011
101) Felix Ukpe (Ibibio)
102) Sammy of Nsit Atai (Ibibio)
103) Felix Uko, aka Femo. (Ibibio)

LIST OF THOSE WHO ESCAPED KIDNAPPING
1) Paramount Ruler Etinan, HRM Edidem Ime D. Umoette (Ibibio)
2) Madam Grace James Akpanudoedehe (Ibibio)
3) Mrs. Mfon Kenneth (wife of Etinan council Chairman). (Ibibio)
4) Engrs. Obinna and Bobby, staff of Vich Resources Nig. LTD. (Ibibio)
5) Proprietor, Life care clinic. (Ibibio)
6) Chief Donald Etiebet (Annang)
7) Engr. Iniekong Udonwa (Governorship Aspirant) (Ibibio)

MURDERED/ASSASINATED VICTIMS
1) Barr. Imo Udonwa (Ibibio)
2) Miss Aniefon Aniediabasi(Ibibio)
3) Engr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong (Submarine) (Ibibio)
4) Mr. Mathias Ekpenyong (Ibibio)
5) Barr. Benjamin Udoekpo (Ibibio)
6) Two women at Qua Iboe Church, Iwok (Ibibio)
7) Dr Austin Edet (Ibibio)
8) Daughter of Paramount Ruler Abak (Annang)
9) Mrs. Marie Ikpe (Ibibio)
10) Ezekiel Peter Ebere (Episco) (Ibibio)
11) Chief Paul Inyang (Ibibio)
12) Mrs Philomena Udonwa (Ibibio)
13) Anthony Akpanobong (Ibibio)
14) Mr. Daniel John Ekanem- (Ibibio)
15) Mr. Mathew Inyang – driver of Mrs. Tom bush (Ibibio)
16) Police orderly to Mrs. Lydia Bush
17) Dr Akpanudo Feb.2, 2011 (Ibibio)
18) Pastor David Ieunuoluwa (pastor of living faith church ikot ebido )
19) OKU IBOM III, Edidem Robert James Obot Jan.30, 2011 (Ibibio)
20) Miss Faith Asuquo Udo, December 22, 2010 (Ibibio)
21) Chief Albert Ukpanah (2014) Annang

LIST OF THOSE FALSELY INCACERATED BY AKWA IBOM STATE GOVTERNMENT.
1) Hon. Fabian Ekpenyong (only surviving Ekpenyong brothers) incarcerated for refusing to testify falsely for the government. (Ibibio)
2) Dr. Chris Ekong accused of killing the Ekpenyong brothers. (Record shows he was in South Africa when the murder took place) (Ibibio)
3) Mr. Davidson Uboh substituted for the real killers of Ekpenyong brothers who were let out of jail. (Ibibio)
4) Mr. Otu Ekong substituted for the real killers of Ekpenyong brothers. (Ibibio)
5) Mr. Itoro William substituted for the real killers of the Ekpenyong brothers (Ibibio)
6) Chief Ononokpono incarcerated for asking questions of the governor in the media (Oron)
7) Dr. Chris Nyong charged with treason but released on bail (Ibibio)
8) Amb. Sam Edem falsely accused of stealing and charming the governor- acquit­ted by a judge (Ibibio)
9) Chief Imeh Umanah—Oct.2010 (Annang)
10) Senator John James Udoedehe (Ibibio)
11) Thomas Thomas—Journalist—July, 2014 (Ibibio)
12) Albert Ukpana’s son—2014—(Annang).
13) Imeime Jerome—Journalist —2007— (Ibibio)

Threat to Akpabio’s Life: Dr. Ime Umanah Wins Again.

BY NDON ASIAN

The Akwa Ibom State Government found itself at a cross road in the ongoing trial of Dr. Ime Sampson Umanah as Hon. Justice Ifiok Ukana ruled to reject the statement of the first accused person in the trial within trial. This is the second time that the same statement has been ruled upon and marked “rejected” in a second trial within trial.

The first was by the Honourable State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Idongesit Ntem Isua, whose earlier ruling has now been vindicated. Hon. Justice Ukana in a detailed and very well considered ruling captured every argument, evidence led, cross examination and important issues relevant to arriving at the conclusion in the mini-trial. Much of what rendered the case of the state against Ime Umanah and Ikemesit Iyire in the trial within trial hopelessly doomed included evidence of what transpired at the place of arrest of DW 1 (Mr. Ikemesit Iyire) before the departure from Ikot Ekpene to Uyo and inside the bus, which were not challenged nor contradicted.

It is instructive to observe that throughout the trial within trial the state either failed or neglected to have any of the operatives who effected the arrest of the first accused testify as one of its witnesses.

Again, the Court noted that the only version of event which transpired before and after DW1 was taken before the state Director of SSS is that of DW1, concluding that the state failed to cross-examine DW1 in respect of his narration of the event, that is the meeting with the Director. “The prosecution is divided as to whether the two pages of the statement are in the same ink. There is no evidence from the prosecution particularly PW1 (Uche Nwokolo) who said he supervised the taking of the statement that as the statement was being written by DW1 he encountered problem with the writing material he was using.

That evidence should have come from him but he did not offer any such explanation”, the Court pointed out on the issue of different shades of ink on the two pages of the alleged confessional. On the mutilated date on the confessional statement form signed by PW 3 (DSP Moses Eno), the Court had the following to say, “I have looked at the said confessional statement form. Directly after PW3 signature is his rank DSP next to it is the mutilated date. It shows a superimposition of 5 on 3 with 2 in front of 5 to achieve 25.

Thereafter you find a doctoring of 0 to 1 with another 1 in front obviously to change 11 to 10, all to present to this Court 25/10/2010 as against 3/11/2010. I have said that every document speaks for itself. What the confessional statement form has spoken with respect to the date written by PW3 is that it is mutilated, changed from 3/11/2010 to 25/10/2010”. And for the second time PW3 was said not to be a truthful witness. “Using this to assess the evidence of PW3 is without wasting words, is to say that PW3 is not a witness of truth. I cannot believe him”, the Court noted.

On the urge by lead defense counsel, Samuel Ikpo Esq. that the Court should expunge the evidence of Uche Nwokolo from the record of proceedings in the trial within trial, Justice Ukana ruled that “PW1 was listed as a witness in the main trial to that extent he could be accommodated in the trial within a trial. However given his reaction to the statement filed along with the notice of additional evidence on 12/7/2013 where PW1 distanced himself from the statement credited to him PW1 cannot be the person through whom any document considered fit can be admitted as exhibit in the main trial”. In the end the Court held that, “Arising from the totality of the foregoing I hold that the statement of the 1st accused person who is DW1 in this trial which statement is dated 25/10/2010 was not voluntary. It was a product of inducement. If the statement of 25/10/2010 is not voluntary, the confessional statement form cannot validate it and cloth it with a toga of voluntariness given its own problem.

Consequently the statement credited to the 1st accused and dated 25/10/2010 and the confessional statement form shall both be marked rejected”. The ruling has not only laid to rest the controversy which surrounded the statement but has additionally limited the options of the state to four. The state may proceed to appeal in what may certainly amount to an exercise in delay and waste of time or it may continue into the main trial without any exhibit to found a conviction.

The state may also wish, as a face saving measure, to enter a nully prosecui through the Attorney General, to discontinue the case or commence the trial afresh in another Court, but this option may be impossible to explain to Court why there should be no end to litigation. Speaking shortly after the ruling one Daniel Uko from Abak among the many consistent faces that had followed this trial who spoke with Weekly Insight praised the boldness and forthrightness of the Judge whom he described as “very intelligent and acting without fear or favour”. Uko also praised the defense team particularly Samuel Ikpo Esq. and wondered why the government should not read “the handwriting on the wall and save itself from the embarrassment of losing after this many years in court”, to withdraw. The state was represented by Mary Okobo (Mrs) while Samuel Ikpo Esq led a team of seven layers for the defense.

Udom Emmanuel will be a Puppet Master.

By Clayton Bane Udoh

” Udom Emmanuel is a banker; he knows how to count money he doesn’t know how to connect with the people…”

It is said that Triopas, king of the Thessalians, was so determined to complete and roof his own house that he tore down the temple of the Gods, built by the men of old. Hence he was punished with a far more damning fate of insatiable hunger, than the people devoid of a temple.

Tearing down the social fabric of the society by creating man made artificial scarcity is anathema. In the name of building a greed laden future for oneself as a member of a highly corrupt administration in Uyo. Only to release crumbs for the masses in the election cycle that they may scramble and do the bidding of the corrupt and morally inert politicians.In the process tearing down the establish wellbeing of mankind as mandated by God.

We are beginning to see that there is a problem of ignoring the people and hoping that political and financial elitism will save the day. This is especially relevant in the case of Akwa Ibom State where the political and financial elite think that the masses are stupid and deserve no better, than to kneel and worship them all day long. However the people still matter and are more dangerous than any hit squad on earth. Yes they will dump you for a plate of rice.

Eh…, I mean literally. The danger of being the only cock to crow and making sure that only your family and wives and cronies see the money and the rest float in poverty is that rice will defeat you in the elections.

I mean oily Jollof rice without meat in it, being giving to the hungry masses. Go and ask about what happened in Ekiti State!

 

For how long does the present political class in Akwa Ibom State think that they can impoverish the society? Then cover your system with spin and propaganda?  Yeah there are fine roads but how many people will ever drive on them? The Banquet Hall will be accessible for what kind of people? How many people will ever enjoy Le Meridian or the new Hilton that is to be built? Myriads of people will never board a plane in the Airport in Uyo! How many people will ever have the cash for treatment in the Millennium Hospital?  How many people will be able to afford watching an International match in the stadium at Uyo? Then like true Neanderthals you turn on the people groaning about their lot in life. Living a life of disregard for those who supported the present administration with all their resources and insulting all and sundry who refuse to be intimidated or forced to view things myopically as most backward politicians do. Yeah because of the artificial scarcity you guys have created, There will be a tip in the balance and the election will not go the way your evil mechanizations are targeted.

 

For primitive individuals that become elite corrupt politicians, the perpetuation of poverty is good business because this determines and separates the commoner from the elite “Akamba Owo”.

You guys create artificial scarcity that financially punishes the masses, then you finally release funds during the election time for the hungry youths and masses and mark my words that system is tired and outdated. This time around most of the political elites will spend a fortune and fail.

 

The people are tired of Bigmanism and greedy politicians that are invested in milking the state like cows for all eternity.The next scene of political reanimation will be Akwa Ibom State with the victory of the Hon Albert Bassey at the polls. I predict this because of two reasons namely;

 

Firstly, Godswill Akpabio has become blinded by hubris. I talked about this when he ignored the USA to go to funny places seeking for investment, when the USA is the Headquarters of global investment. I talked about this when he blew smoke about his fabled 31 industries with the impoverished masses. I also talked about this extensively when he decided to employ AIDN as the political Slave Masters for Diaspora and their historic trip to Slovenia for investment in Nigeria. I talked about this when he made the House of Assembly his rubber stamp group and later got his odious pension law passed. I have talked about a lot of things for those who like to keep record and then finally he wants to create a dynasty. Victor Attah who tried it, should tell Akpabio over a glass of beer what happened to him when he tried it!

 

Secondly, the person being given the candidature is as stiff as it gets. I have not seen any attempt by this individual to flow with the people. No contact with the people and stiff like ice! I do not even remember seeing a picture of him smiling with people not related to government etc. I have not seen any of his interviews or forays into town hall meetings etc. It seems this individual in question as a SSG is too busy to interact with the electorate.

Thirdly, we curse to the pit of hell the attempt to create a dynasty for the greediest set of administrators we have seen in recent times. We reject Udom Emmanuel’s administration alias “Gov Akpabio extension”. Already the very fact that Udom Emmanuel is so desperate to become Governor that he is ready to become Akpabio’s stooge and lapdog is regrettable. No puppetmasters!!!!

Simple Question; how can you solve the problem of the masses, when you cannot interact with them? Is he going to work to win the hearts of the people or is he going to walk like a king handpicked for Hilltop Mansion? I repeat Udom Emmanuel is as cold as ice, stiff as ice. Udom Emmanuel is a banker; he knows how to count money he doesn’t know how to connect with the people. Akwa Ibom’s version of Mitt Romney.  Enough of the big man-that-puts-everybody-in-poverty movie. We need elections that are Free and Fair that makes candidates connect with the masses.

 

We have heard of the touch that Hon Albert Bassey has with the masses even on this side of the Atlantic. A touch that is strong enough for us to hear the report of his good deeds over here. Too many to numerate. It is of no surprise to us because he has been like this for years now. I am proud to say that Albert Bassey was my classmate in Uniuyo and a damn good footballer too! One thing I will never forget about him was that he always had a heart for the guys and he loved helping people and he still does that today. If you needed help from Hon Albert Bassey he would not turn you down and in really heart wrenching conditions he would surrender the last thing he had to you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we need a Governor that understands the importance of human capital and is ready and dedicated to lifting people up and bringing them to a place of empowerment that will cascade to others. We do not need a Financial Mogul like Udom Emmanuel that has spent most of his life handling transactions for the rich and the mighty.  He is a financial elite and a nightmare in the making.

 

Hon Albert Bassey knows the hunger we felt in the boys dorm of Uniuyo because he was one of us. He knows what it means to have your school fees paid just at the nick of time because of financial struggles. He knows what it meant to finish playing soccer in the field and then struggle to find water to take a bath after that. He knows what it means for us to be straining our eyesight with lanterns when there was no light for reading in the night at Uniuyo. He knows as a Youth Corper what it means to manage with sums of money that is barely enough to survive on. He can connect with the plight of the people. Hon Albert Bassey is down to earth and his experience has been the experience of so many young men in the society today. He knows what it means to agonize for the lack of a job with a living wage. This guy can connect with the plight of the people.

 

Udom Emmanuel was a Manager at PriceWaterhouseCooper. The kind of place in which only the rich invest. Even here in the USA only the top 1% of the population invest in such places that rival other notables like Charles Schwab,Edward Jones,Goldman Sachs etc. He has been a director in Zenith Bank and I wonder how many people of Akwa Ibom extract have been able to get great incentives from this bank through Udom Emmanuel. I repeat he is as cold as ice and can easily be defeated by Jollof rice like in Ekiti State.

 

One of the characteristics of Democracy is that it was designed to bring in a breath of fresh air to the citizenry once tenure of a particular administration is over. Every good thing has an ending. Then we now see the desperation of the greedy megalomaniac politicians of this administration that want a dynasty for the sake of their Stomach Infrastructure politics. They forget the masses are part of the system. So we in Diaspora do not care if Team Akpabio takes it personal or wants to kill somebody. We will take the lead and demand for an open election process with lots of candidates. Udom Emmanuel,Umanah Okon Umanah, Hon Albert Bassey etc. A lot of people feel the way we do including the Presidency that Governor Godswill Akpabio takes money to.

 

Since we are not interested in collecting money from each candidate we meet, we shall take sides early and leave the monkeys to do that . My ideal candidate is Hon Albert Bassey. The rest are so disconnected from the masses that they can be defeated by Jollof rice and I mean it literally.

 

Clayton Udoh, a socio-political analyst based in Mesa, Arizona

Breaking! 4 Best Graduates At Dillard University USA Are all Nigerians.

*Michelle Obama tells Dillard University graduates hunger for education creates future geniuses

Senior class president Nicole A. Tinson takes a selfie with first lady Michelle Obama during Dillard University’s commencement ceremony in New Orleans, Saturday, May 10, 2014. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)

Associated PressMay 10, 2014Leave a Comment SHARE

By CHEVEL JOHNSON, Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A hunger for education should continue beyond graduation and should be used to guide and inspire “the next generation of geniuses,” first lady Michelle Obama said Saturday.

In her commencement address at Dillard University, the first lady described the 226 graduates of the historically black college as a “sea of young geniuses” and told them they have opportunities and skills that their parents and grandparents never could have imagined.

“Imagine the impact you will make,” she said. “You have no excuses to stand on the sidelines. Education is still the key to real and lasting freedom. It’s up to us to cultivate that hunger for education in those coming after us.”

 

Mrs. Obama noted how people “scrape and claw” their way to an education, acknowledging the parents who work three jobs to give their children a shot at a better life.

“This is the realization of the dreams of so many who came before you,” she said. “You should be so proud and so happy and so excited, but you shouldn’t be satisfied. Ask yourselves, ‘What about all those geniuses who’ll never get this chance?’ … When people fall behind in school, they fall behind in life.”

She pointed the more than 200 Nigerian girls who were recently kidnapped “for wanting an education and wanting to go to school,” and 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who survived a gunshot to the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 for advocating education for girls.

The first lady ticked off statistics about the high rate of unemployment and poverty in the black community and the number of people from that community in prison or who are victims of violent crimes.

“You may be thinking those numbers are terrible, but I’m not a part of that problem … but folks like you and me, we can’t afford to think like that ever, because we’re the lucky ones.

“We got here today because of so many people who toiled and sweat and bled and died for us … people who never dreamed of getting a college education for themselves but who worked and saved and sacrificed so that we could be here today. We owe them. We owe them. And the only way to pay back that debt is by making those same kinds of sacrifices and investments for the next generation.”

She encouraged the graduates to start small, such as through volunteering as a tutor or by rallying their communities to start a mentor program, but she didn’t reject the possibility of larger contributions, such as serving on a school board, in Congress or as president.

“Let’s turn that pipeline to prison into a highway to college,” she said.

“I want you all to keep raising your bars,” she said in closing. “Let the next generation know that there is no greater investment than a good education.

Obama also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university as did U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, who joined Obama for a meeting later Saturday with spouses of veterans at an event at the National World War II Museum.

The top four Dillard graduates all coincidentally come from Nigeria. The 20-year-old valedictorian, Merrilyn Akpapuna, who comes from the southeastern corner of Nigeria, plans postgraduate study at Western Michigan University in the fall.

Paramount Ruler of Eket, Chief Oduonyi, Passes On.

The Paramount Ruler of Eket, and Clan Head of Ekid Afaha, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Nathaniel J. Oduonyi is dead. A family source who preferred anonymity said yesterday.

Edidem Oduonyi, the source said, died early April in an undisclosed hospital in Eket after he suffered a major stroke and brain aneurysm.

“I am categorically confirming to you that His Royal Majesty, Edidem Nathaniel Oduonyi had passed away.” Said the  source.

On whether Chief Oduonyi was laid to rest according to traditional rite or not, the source persistently declined to make a categorical statement.

“It’s not my place to tell you that. You can only hear that from the council of chiefs. I don’t want get into that.”

Speculations are common that the Eket monarch was already laid to rest according to traditional rites.

Chief Oduonyi ascended the throne as a paramount ruler of Eket in 2011 after the demise of Edidem Timkingiko Papaudo Enodien who was the former Eket traditional helmsman.

Meanwhile, consultation has already begun for the selection of the new Paramount Ruler of Eket. So far two contenders have emerged for the highest traditional stool.

The Clan Head of Idua Ekid , Chief Etim  Charles D Abia and Chief Sunday Otu Assam-Udo, the Clan of Ekid Offiong, are already earmarked by the core leaders of Eket Council of Chiefs, where one of them will finally emerged through an election. But speculations are already rife that Chief E. C. D Abia would be the likely winner giving that he is the most senior clan head alive in Eket Local Government, Akwa Ibom State.

Source: GlobalVillenews.com

Call To Ban Helen Ukpabio Escalates in UK

Popular woman of God and movie actress cum producer, Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio, has been described as being a danger to children and may be banned from entering the United Kingdom if their media have their way.

The Founder and General Overseer of Liberty Gospel Church who is renowned witch hunter has been at logger heads with the Akwa Ibom State government since she began her campaign of catching alleged child witches.

The government had accused her of torturing, maiming and even causing the death of some children in the event of forcing them to confess to being witches and wizards.

 She was once reported as saying;

If a child under the age of two screams in the night, cries and is always feverish with deteriorating health, he or she is a servant of Satan.

This statement of hers has made many to see her as an enemy of children and the British press are against her negative believes about children which they see as being detrimental to them.

The Independent newspaper in the UK wrote this about her:

The Home Secretary Theresa May, is being urged to step in to prevent a Nigerian “witch hunter” returning to the UK after she flew in to preach to congregations in London.

Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio, founder of the controversial Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries, is believed to still be in the capital after addressing three gatherings last week.

The Pentecostal preacher claims to have been betrothed to Satan as a teenager before being rescued from a cult at the age of 17. She now specialises in liberating captives in “deliverance sessions” that critics claim are little more than crude exorcisms.

Among her advice to parents is the suggestion: “If a child under the age of two screams in the night, cries and is always feverish with deteriorating health, he or she is a servant of Satan.”

Campaigners say such beliefs, prevalent in some parts of the developing world, can put children’s safety at risk. They have written to Ms May to urge that the pastor be banned from the UK after the current tour.

It is important that the UK authorities send a message to the world that branding children, or anyone, as a witch, is beyond the pale.

Lady Apostle Ukpabio has been in the forefront of hunting for witches in her native Akwa Ibom and her target happens to belittle children and sometime, frail old men and women.

She has also been fingered in the torturing of these helpless kids so as to make them confess to being witches.

Most of her movies have been on the activities of witches and wizards operating and causing limitations in people’s lives.

Do you think the British press is justified in wanting her banned from entering their country?