Tag: A'Ibom

  • Akpabio, Speaker, Journalist win Senate seats in A’Ibom

    Akpabio, Speaker, Journalist win Senate seats in A’Ibom

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    Former Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio, State House of Assembly Speaker, Barr Aniekan Bassey and a journalist Barr Ekong Sampson have all won their Senate seats in last weekend’s National Assembly elections held in Akwa Ibom.

    Akpabio, of the APC polled 115,401 votes to defeat the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, who scored 69,838 votes in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District

    In Eket senatorial district, Barr. Ekong Sampson of the PDP polled a total of 79,327 to defeat Obong Martyns Udoinyang of the APC who came a distant second with 33,256 while a former Works Commissioner in the State and candidate of the Young Progressive Party(YPP), Mr. Ephraim Inyang-eyen came third with 19,336. Inyang-eyen.

    In Uyo Senatorial District, Bassey of the PDP polled 98,634 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Emeyeak Ukpong of the APC who polled 43,204 votes and Barr Useneobong Akpabio of YPP who polled 37,679 votes.

    In the House of Representatives election, the PDP won in Uyo, Eket, Ukanafun,  Itu, Etinan, Ikot Abasi and Oron while the APC won in Abak, Ikot Ekpene federal Constituencies.

    The result for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituencies was declared inconclusive as election could not hold in some areas due to violent disturbances.

  • 2023: Atiku wins in A’Ibom

    2023: Atiku wins in A’Ibom

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    Presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has won the presidential election held last Saturday in Akwa Ibom.

    Result from the 31 Local Councils announced  by the state collation officer Prof Emmanuel Adigie in Uyo on Monday indicate that the former Vice President scored a total of  214,872 votes  to defeat Senator Bola Tinubu of the APC who polled  160,620 votes

    Former Anambra Governor and candidate of Labour Party Mr Peter Obi scored  132,683 votes     to finish strongly in third place while the YPP and NNPP ganered   27,179  and 7796 votes respectively.

    Atiku won in 22 of the Local Councils while Tinubu won in six with Obi winning the urban cities of Uyo, Eket and also Ibiono Ibom councils.

    The state has a total number of 2,357,418 registered voters but only 594,450 were accredited to vote.

    The collation was however mared by series of protests from many of the parties who accused some of the electoral officers and LG returning officers in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District of manipulating election result in favour of the APC.

  • 2023: Atiku maintains strong lead in A’Ibom

    2023: Atiku maintains strong lead in A’Ibom

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has maintained a strong lead in the result of the Presidential election conducted in Akwa Ibom on Saturday.

    Result from 23 of the 31 Local Councils already released by INEC on Sunday in Uyo showed that the former Vice President won in 19 of the Local Councils.

    Alhaji Bola Tinubu of the APC won in three  of the councils released while Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party recorded his lone victory so far in Ibiono Ibom Local Council.

    Results released so far are as follows:Eastern Obollo LGA

    APC.     1674 

    LP.          1345     

    PDP.       2345

    ONNA LGA

    APC.       1396

    LP.            4745

    PDP.         8741

    OKOBO LGA

    APC.         3168     

    LP.             2490 

    PDP.          5273

    ITU LGA

    APC.         4134

    LP.             6001

    PDP.           7276

    ESIT EKET LGA

    APC.         3819

    LP.             2555

    PDP.           4484

    IBENO LGA

    APC.          878      

    LP.              2403

    PDP.           3246

    ETIM EKPO LGA

    APC.         5182

    LP.             1711

    PDP.           4733

    UDONG UKO  LGA

    APC.          1555   

    LP.              1068  

    PDP.            2701

    IKA LGA

    APC.       5511

    LP.           1054      

    PDP.        3750

    IKONO.  LGA

    APC.         6620

    LP.             5198

    PDP.          6731

    URUAN. LGA

    APC.        5287

    LP.            3024

    PDP.         9327

    YPP.         1621

    OBOT AKARA  LGA

    APC.         4477

    LP.             2542

    PDP.          8029

    URUEFONG ORUKO  LGA

    APC.          3697

    LP.              2010        

    PDP.           3419

    IBIONO IBOM. LGA

    APC.           3407

    LP.               7752 

    PDP.            5274

    YPP.             4622

    IBESIKPO ASUTAN  LGA

    APC.           6480

    LP.               3698

    PDP.            9326

    MBO.  LGA

    APC.           3204

    LP.               1456

    PDP.             3922

    NSIT IBOM  LGA

    APC.            5975

    LP.                2215

    PDP.             8176

    INI  LGA

    APC.            3943

    LP.                2894 

    PDP.             7740

    YPP.              1467

    NSIT ATAI  LGA

    APC.            2853  

    LP.               1067

    PDP.             8371

    ORON. LGA

    APC.           2443 

    LP.               3033 

    PDP.            3295      

    ETINAN.  LGA

    APC.         4505

    LP.             4180 

    PDP.          10,455

    YPP.            1485

    NSIT UBIUM LGA

    APC.         2792

    LP.             2329

    PDP.          11,308

    MKPAT ENIN  LGA

    APC.        2152

    LP.            4105

    PDP.         9441

  • 2023: IGP deploys three CPs, 10,102 officers to A’Ibom

    2023: IGP deploys three CPs, 10,102 officers to A’Ibom

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has deployed three Commissioners of Police and three Deputy Commissioners of Police to Akwa Ibom for this weekend’s national elections.

    He has also deployed a total of 10,102 officers and men from the Police, Customs, Correctional Services, Immigration, FRSC, NSCDC, and NDLEA to different parts of the State to provide security for the election

    A police statement endorsed by  the state Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Fridays said the commissioners are to take charge of the Command, the North West and East Senatorial Zones of the state. 

    The CPs and Deputy Commissioners according to the statement have already reported to duty and moved to their respective areas of responsibilities.

    The Commissioner of Police for election duty in the Akwa Ibom State, CP Mohammed Dankwara before deployment, charged them to be professional while discharging their duties.

    Dankwara however warned criminal elements who may want to jeopardise the process to have a rethink as the Command would not hesitate in  bringing them to justice.

    The CP has therefore enjoined residents to go out en mass to cast their votes for candidates of their choice as adequate security have been provided.

  • 2023: Court Sacks PDP A’Ibom Guber Candidate

    2023: Court Sacks PDP A’Ibom Guber Candidate

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked the Akwa Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Michael Enoyong, who recently emerged as the governorship candidate following a court order issued by a Federal High Court.

    Following the sack of Enoyong, the court ordered the mandate of Pastor Umo Eno, who had earlier emerged as the winner of the primary conducted by the party, be restored.

    The court in addition ordered Enyong to pay the sum of N1 million to the appellant as a cost.

    Enyong, who was reported to have emerged as the candidate of the party in a factional primary conducted by some statutory delegates of the party in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, was ratified by the order of a Federal High Court on January 20, 2023.

    The PDP in Akwa Ibom and at the national level had rejected the order and immediately appealed, it leading to the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    In the judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, the court voided the judgment of the Federal High Court on the grounds that it was predicated on errors.

    Justice Barka agreed with counsel for the PDP, Mr Paul Usoro SAN, and Uwemedimo Nwoko that the Federal High Court judgment was delivered in error and that the court was misled by the plaintiff in the matter to arrive at an unjust conclusion, especially on the use of statutory delegates which the party had disqualified from the process.

    The judge held, “The issue of statutory delegates who voted at the primary election is an internal affair of the party and that the lower court ought not to have inquired into the issue.”

    On that basis, the court sacked Enyong after his brief reigns as the PDP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State.

  • A’Ibom: Police teargas depositors at CBN as businesses reject old Naira notes 

    A’Ibom: Police teargas depositors at CBN as businesses reject old Naira notes 

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    Thousands of Akwa Ibom residents who on Wednesday thronged the Uyo branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria to deposit their old Naira notes were teargassed by the Police to avert a stampede. 

    Newsmen gathered that the crowd became unruly following the inability of CBN officials to control them, even as police officers attached to the bank could not bring order hence the use of teargas to disperse them.

    The residents had turned out early in their numbers following a circular purpoted to have been issued by the apex bank  as most commercial banks in the city has since closed their doors against their customers due to “non availability” of the new Naira notes.

    Most ATMs have also since stopped dispensing cash leaving residents to the mercy of POS operators whose charges have become exploitative and unbearable to people.

    Meanwhile, most commuters have were stranded today following the rejection of the old naira  by transporters in Uyo.

    Before today, many filling stations and corporate business outlets did not accept the old naira notes despite the fact that they would remain legal tender until February 17, according to the CBN.

    A check showed that commuters were unable to get to their destinations including public sector workers who were stranded along the major roads in the city as buses and taxis including tricycle operators rejected the old notes.

    The rejection came amidst the growing scarcity of the new naira notes as customers continued to besiege banks with no avail looking for the new notes.

    Some of the bank customers spent several hours daily without being able to carry out financial transactions particularly to make withdrawals from their accounts with some banks disbursing between N3,000 and N5,000 to customers only.

    One of the bank customers told our reporter that he left his residence early in the morning to withdraw some money for his family saying he has spent all day without any success.

    According to him, the bankers were loading money in bits saying that at the end of the day, customers could only withdraw two thousand naira at a go.

    Checks also showed that apart from transporters and filling stations rejecting the old notes, pharmacies and traders in the metropolis have also  not been accepting the old notes despite the nonavailability of the new notes.

    It was also gathered that some filling stations that have rejected the old naira notes have reduced the price of petrol per litre and also rejected debit card transactions, selling at a reduced price with the new notes.

    The currency squeeze also affected the yearly valentine day celebration which was marked yesterday as it took a different outlook from those of the previous years.

    According to the check, many youngmen and women were said to have retired home early until in previous years while the use of red gowns and dresses were not dominant yesterday just like many relaxation spots were without the usual hustling and bustling activity.

  • CLO Decries Excruciating Economic Crunch in A’Ibom

    CLO Decries Excruciating Economic Crunch in A’Ibom

    By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo

    The Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, in Akwa Ibom has expressed disgust over the failure of governments at all levels to live up to its billing to ensure the welfare and security of its citizenry, following the harrowing economic experience in Nigeria.

    In a statement yesterday in Uyo and endorsed by its chairman, Comrade Nsemeke Udoakpan and Secretary, Barr Eseme Philip, the organization decried the scarcity of new Naira notes, epileptic electricity supply and galloping inflation currently experienced by Nigerians.

    “It is all the more shameful that there appears to be no coordinated response from the appropriate authorities to address these issues. Noteworthy is the fact that State Governments appear helpless in the current situation.

    “We call on the Akwa Ibom State Government to intensify efforts to ensure that petroleum products meant for Akwa Ibom State are not diverted to another State.

    “Also, we urge the State Government to work in synergy with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that the new Naira notes are distributed fairly by commercial banks operating in the State to its customers to ease the hardship currently faced by the masses.” The statement said.

    The organization said it would continue to monitor its national body for a co-ordinated response to the developments even as it had received reports of protests in some cities, some of which have degenerated into confrontation with security agencies, especially in Ibadan and Benin.

    “The Akwa Ibom State Branch of CLO commends residents of Akwa Ibom State for their resilience in spite of obvious provocation. We shall keep the people informed of our next steps.” It concluded.

  • A’Ibom residents raise alarm over Banks’ rejection of Old Notes 

    A’Ibom residents raise alarm over Banks’ rejection of Old Notes 

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    Residents of Akwa Ibom have expressed worry over rejection of the old Naira notes by some commercials banks, few days before the January 31, 2023 deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to phase out the notes.

    Some Banks’ customers made this known yesterday when officials of the CBN led by the Branch Controller in Uyo, Mrs. Mercy  Ogbomon-Paul visited some communities to monitor the ongoing Cash Swap by money agents dispatched to the rural areas of the state.

    Some of them who spoke to newsmen on  the issue said they felt worried and sad whenthey were refused to deposit their old Naira notes by some Banks located in the rural communities.

     One of them who simply identified himself as Dr Ekpo lamented: “This morning at about 9:00am I went to the bank to deposit the old notes that I have, but the person in charge told me that they have stopped collecting the old notes, that I should go to Eket LGA to deposit the money.

    “And  I asked why I should go to another location to deposit a little amount of money when there is bank here. So I felt so bad about that because we know the CBN directive says that the exercise will terminate on the 31st of this January”

    Similarly, a commercial tricycle operator from Ikot Ekpene, who simply identified himself as Okon who thanked the CBN for the CashSwap initiative, however, appealed to them to extend the deadline to help the rural people.

    “If the CBN refused to extends the deadline to at least another one week many people in the communities will lose their money because I learnt some commercial Banks in the rural areas stopped collecting the old Notes from their customers, but we are told that people can deposit old notes till January 31st”, Okon lamented.

    The rural areas where the CBN staff visited to monitor its recently launched Cash Swap Programme were Ikot Ekpene, and Ibiono Ibom local to areas, Odobo market in Okobo LGA, the Crayfish market, the Oron beach in Oron LGA, and Nto Ndang community in Obot Akara LGA.

    Other communities the CBN staff monitored  on Thursday to ensure the rural dwellers facing challenges of returning the old notes, especially the unbanked people, did so before January 31st, were Ikot Edibom, and Palace of Okuibom Ibibio, in Nsit Ubium local government area, and Itu LGA.

    At Nsit Ubium, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM, Solomon Etuk, who commended the Naira swap initiative, however,  again appealed  to the CBN to extend the deadline to enable rural dwellers deposit all the old notes they have.

    The royal father made the passionate appeal while fielding questions from newsmen after the CashSwap exercise organised for the underprivileged/unbanked people in his community. 

    His words: ” I am thankful to God for this Cash Swap initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The management has done very well  by identifying the challenges of people in the communities. This is a relief.  The people are delighted.

    ” I am speaking as the voice o the people I appeal again to the management of the CBN to please extend the deadlinefor phasing out the old Naira notes, because if they don’t our people are going to lose a lot of money”

    Addressing traders in Okobo and Oron LGAs, the Uyo Branch controller of CBN, Mrs. Mercy   Ogbomon-Paul advised them to ensure they took all the old notes to the bank and appealed to unbanked ones to  make sure they open a bank account immediately.

    Meanwhile, after the Spot checks carried out by officials of the CBN in the state last week, newsmen observed that all the commercial Banks especially in rural communities are now dispensing the Newly redesigned bankotes from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) points.

  • NSE to check quacks, prevent further building collapse in A’Ibom 

    NSE to check quacks, prevent further building collapse in A’Ibom 

    By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) in Akwa Ibom, Engr Uwem Akpan has said that the society has set up a committee to monitor construction sites in Uyo city and across the State as a measure to check quackery and eliminate further incident of collapsed structures in the state. 

    Akpan told newsmen in Uyo yesterday that the society in Akwa Ibom decided to set up the committee in the wake of the collapsed four storey building in Uyo last September, an incident which  occurred one month after his inauguration.. 

    The chairman said it was a challenge for him to take up the responsibility of ensuring that quacks are completely eliminated in Engineering profession to avoid such carnage in future . 

    ” I was sworn- in on August 2022 as the state Chairman of Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) . The unfortunate incident happened in first week of September .When we hear about building collapse , it shows that there is a failure somewhere either structurally or otherwise. 

    ” When I heard about the collapse , I rushed to the scene . The first we did was rescue mission to save the victims.  Later we picked samples of the collapsed building from inside and analysed to see what was the cause of the collapse , was it because of the columns , beams, foundation or whatever? 

    “Once we finished with the analysis, we now came up with the report . I informed the National President of NSE and he arrived Uyo the following day.” 

    Akpan lamented  that some buildings in the state are supervised by quacks without Engineering qualifications but handle high rise building in various parts of the state . 

    ” I saw a highrise building under construction along oron road and when I stopped and asked for the engineer in charge , a man surfaced but once I introduced myself, he escaped.” He said.

    He said the committee would ensure that these quacks are fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.

    Akpan lauded the quality of projects currently executed by the incumbent governor, stressing that from assessment they are of high quality and durable, adding that, “most of the issues of substandard projects are seen in the private sectors where owners are cutting corners owing to the high cost of materials in the market.” 

  • 2023: A’Ibom women declare support for PDP

    2023: A’Ibom women declare support for PDP

    By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo

    Women groups drawn from the nine Local Councils of Uyo Senatorial District have endorsed all the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, for the next general elections in the state.

    This is even as wife of Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel has appealed to the women under the umbrella of Uyo Senatorial District Forum, USDWF, to secure their PVCs and vote for all the candidates of the PDP at the polls.

    They made this known at a solidarity rally for the party’s gubenatorial candidate Mr Umoh Enoh and other PDP candidates in the senatorial district.

    Emmanuel lauded the women for openly endorsing all candidates of the PDP in the district including the gubernatorial candidate, 

    and also appealed to those yet to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC)  to do so without further delay.

    “The choice of Pastor Umo Eno as the gubernatorial candidate and Dr. Akon Eyakenyi as deputy, presents women opportunity to leverage on the gains recorded by current administration in empowerment and women inclusion. 

    “I am optimistic that the Pastot Umo Eno/ Eyakenyi ticket wil offer Akwa Ibom people sustainable peace, progress and development. I also urged the women to vote for all the Party’s candidates at the polls.” The First Lady said.

     She advised the womenfolk to close-rank in order to ensure the PDP remained the ruling party in the state, describing Pastor Eno as the best gubernatorial candidate that would sustain the development effort of the current administration.

    Responding on  behalf of all the PDP candidates, Speaker of the House of Assembly and Senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom Northeast senatorial district, Mr. Aniekan Bassey, thanked the women for the massive show of support, and assured that they would deliver the dividends of democracy to the district when elected into office.

    Earlier in her welcome remarks, President Uyo Senatorial District Women Forum, Dr Ekaette Ebong Okon said it was politically and morally expedient for them to support all the party candidates in order to maintain peace, and continue to witness development in the state.

    She prayed God to grant thr PDP success in all ramifications, saying,”today Uyo Senatorial is grateful to His/Her Excellencies for keeping to their promise to make Akwa Ibom great; today we share in the hope and joy that things have turned around for our favour.

    “16years of waiting has brought us great joy as we take our share of the cake of an auspicious opportunity to serve the people of this great state as the incoming Governor. We thank you for the choice of the golden boy , father and friend, Pastor Umo Eno and Wife Mrs. patience Eno to serve as incoming Governor and first Lady after you.

     “Thank you for a promise kept and as women of this Senatorial District, in line with earlier agreement of our husbands and brothers wish to declare our unflinching support and readiness to assist them achieve success at the polls. We today endorse them and all the 13 candidate of the PDP family as our candidates and Ambassadors”

    Other political leaders of the senatorial district in their separate contributions at the event held at Ibom Hall grounds Uyo, including  Senator Effiong Bob, urged the citizens not to allow opposition take of Akwa to if they want to continue to enjoy the prevailing peace, and ethnic harmony in the state.