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Tag: A’Ibom

A’Ibom abducted job seeker found buried in shallow grave
A young female graduate from Akwa Ibom, Miss Iniubong Umoren earlier reported missing when she went for a job interview has been reported murdered and buried in a shallow grave by her abductor.
The deceased was said to have last Thursday, went for a “job interview” at an undisclosed location on Airport Road on the outskirts of Uyo.
It was gathered that her abductor and prime suspect, Uduak Akpan, from Nung Ikono Obio in Uruan Local Council has confessed to his crime.
She was reported to have made a frantic phone call possibly while struggling with her abductor where she was heard screaming before the call was abruptly ended while phone line has been switched off since then.
As the social media went viral with her story after her friend who lived in Lagos raised an alarm over her disappearance, Nigerians on social media provided evidence, locations, contacts and almost everything needed to unmask her kidnapper with the hope that the intelligence provided would help in finding her.
The suspect was alleged to have taken the late Umoren to his house where an argument ensured and in the process, he used an object to hit her on the head resulting in her death. He was alleged to have hurriedly buried her in a shallow grave and ran to Oron to hide.
Following pressure by the Police and Nigerians on social media, Oron became uncomfortable for him and he ran back to Uruan where the Chairman of Uruan LGA, Surv. Iniobong Ekpeyong was said to have met his own cousin, a suspected accomplice in the case and asked him to bring the accused to him.
“When he was taken before the Chairman, he was asked to be truthful about what actually transpired. It was there he confessed to his Local Government Chairman that he actually killed and buried her in a shallow grave.
.”A shocked Surv Ekpeyong had no choice but to call the DPO of Uruan LGA and handed over the suspect to the Police for further investigation and prosecution.” A source said.
Meanwhile the police have confirmed the arrest of the 20 year old suspect for kidnapping, raping and murdering Umoren.
A statement from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon in Uyo on Sunday said that, “the Command received a report on the disappearance of the victim.
“Following available leads, men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Command, led by Csp CSP Inengiye IGOSI, consolidated on the initial great progress made by the DPO Uruan, SP Samuel Ezeugo and arrested the perpetrator who confessed to have lured his victim to his house in the guise of giving her a job, but ended up sexually and physically assaulting her which led to her death. To cover his tracks, he dragged and buried her in a shallow grave in his father’s compound.
“The deceased has been exhumed and deposited at UUTH for autopsy. The suspect confessed to have told his Local Government Chairman of his atrocity before escaping to Calabar and was never at anytime handed over to the Police by anyone.
“Suspect is a confessed serial rapist who has owned up to the raping of other victims. He will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Amienghene Andrew has called on youths and job seekers to be wary of the activities of scammers and other men of the underworld. While appreciating the efforts of the social media family and other fighters of injustice, he has condoled with the family and friends of the deceased.” The statement said.
Before the unfortunate incident the deceased had tweeted via her handle, @HinyHumoren, that she needed a job and some persons had suggested prospective employers to her.
“#AkwaIbomTwitter please I’m really in need of a job, something to do to keep mind and soul together while contributing dutifully to the organisation. My location is Uyo, I’m creative, really good in thinking ctitically and most importantly a fast learner. CV available on request.” She had tweeted on Tuesday.
May 2, 2021
Gunmen kill two policemen, burn patrol vehicle in A’Ibom
Unknown gunmen on Wednesday shot two police officers attached to the Divisional Headquarters in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
The gunmen attacked the station on motorcycles and also burnt a Volvo car attached to the division in a failed attempt to burn the station and cart away weapons.
Police Public Relations Officer, Macdon Odiko who confirmed the incident in a statement said the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme has already visited the scene of the attack at Ika.
Odiko said the deceased officers, a woman Lance Corporal, Esther Akpan and a Police Special Constabulary, Isonuyo Paul, were ambushed on their way home by the hoodlums who were armed with Ak-47 rifles.
“On 27/4/2021, at about 7:00pm, some armed men on Motorcycles, heading towards Ika Divisional Headquarters vicinity, armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons with the intent to attack the Division and set it ablaze.
“They however met stiff resistance as the Divisional Police Officer and other Officers on ground fought gallantly and repelled the attackers who took to their heels with possible bullet wounds.
“Unfortunately, before heading towards the Station to attack it, they ambushed and killed a Woman Police Corporal, one Esther Akpan who had just closed from duty and was on her way home in company of a Police Special Constabulary, one Isonuyo Effiong Paul and burnt the Volvo vehicle attached to the Division.
“The Commissioner of Police, who was at the Division for an on-the-spot assessment, condoled with the families of slained female Officer and the Special Constabulary.
“He commended the gallantry exhibited by the DPO and his Men and was also very appreciative of the role played by the Youths of IKA, while urging them to continue partnering the Police in crime fighting.” The statement said.
The commissioner, the statement added has however launched a discreet investigation into the attack with the aim of bringing perpetrators of the crime to justice.
April 28, 2021
A’Ibom 4Point Hotels to commence operations, six years after completion
Akwa Ibom government has said that the 146 room FourPoint by Sheraton Hotels at Ikot Ekpene is 97% completed and is expected to commence operation before the end of this year.
The expansive 12 floor edifice whose construction started in 2013 was commissioned in an elaborate ceremony by the then Governor Godswill Akpabio shortly before his exit in 2015.
But the hotel has come under heavy criticism by indegenes and residents as a failed project because it was yet to commence operations more than five years after it was inaugurated.
Officials of the state government said the hotel was not technically completed before commissioning as most of its facilities failed to meet the standard and specifications of the the hotel managers, Starwood Group whose franchise was later taken over by Marriott.
Director of Projects in the state Ministry of Special Duties, Engr Ephraim Udosen told correspondents who visited the hotel to ascertain the progress and schedule of work yesterday that the current administration has made additions and carried out modifications and upgrades in more than 50 key facilities and areas to meet the standards of the hotel managers who have also opened their recruitment portal to demonstrate their readiness to commence operation this year.
Udosen said the hotel has become one of the most technologically advanced in the country after several facilities were added and modifications and upgrades carried out in several of its facilities including the power installations, water treatment process, fire suppression and fighting systems, cooling system and ICT, in line with the requirements of the hotel managers.
According to him, the present administration constructed the parking lots, 310m access and link roads around the hotel, completed outstanding landscaping, procured transformers with switchgears and constructed dedicated power supply lines from the National Grid to the Hotel, ensuring availability of constant power supply.
It also purchased thousands of equipments, funiture and utensils and procured all outstanding Operating Supplies and Equipment (OS & E), Furniture Fittings and Equipment (FF&E) and Information Technology (IT) infrastructure under the agreed US $7.2m released to the Hotel operator.
The administration also provided the first phase of Hotel Guest Room Management System (GRMS) involving the incorporation of setback temperature control devices in all guest rooms Fan Coil Units (FCUs) and certification of all installed Plants, Equipment and Systems like Lifts, Boilers, Chillers, Firefighting Equipment/Systems, Water Quality (Potable, Swimming Pool, Chill Water) etc by third parties as recommended by Marriott.
Others include installation of bomb blast films in all entrance glasses, replacement of Failed Mineral Surface Membrane (FELT) to water proof the concrete roof deck gutters of the main Hotel roof floor and mechanical floor and provision of additional PH correction dosing station for further purification of domestic water supply to the Hotel.
“We also installed Automatic Fire Suppression System (FM200), 20KVA inverter system and additional 12,000 BTU/Hr (3.5kw) – split wall type AC system in the IT room and procured active switches/accessories for the IP close circuit cameras to complete the installation of the CCTV system of the Hotel.
“To tell you how committed Governor Udom Emmanuel is to this project, he ensured that the maintainance contract was reawarded to the original contractors to ensure continuity. The only hindrance now is in attaining the high standards of the hotel.managers in certain areas and in this regard we have attained between 97% and 98%.” He explained.
The FourPoint by Sheraton Hotel alongside the Tropicana Entertainment Complex were the two multi billion Naira entertainment and recreational projects embarked upon by the Godswill Akpabio’s adninistration.
First announced by the then Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, in 2014, the FourPoint by Sheraton hotel was expected to boost tourist arrivals to the state as well as drive the tourism industry upon completion.
Owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, the hotel became Starwood’s 10th hotel in Nigeria and its second hotel in Akwa Ibom after Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts has since been acquired by Marriott International Hotels in a deal that was wrapped up in September 2016.
April 28, 2021
IDS: A’Ibom tasks host communities
Akwa Ibom State government has urged host communities of Ibom Deep Seaport to cooperate for the smooth take off as the interests of the area were accommodated in the scheme of things
Chairman, Technical Committee for Ibom Deep Seaport Barr Mfon Usoro told a stakeholders Engagement weekend that the host Communities should weigh the option of the benefits of the project against antagonistic tendencies that could discourage foreign investors.
Usoro briefed the stakeholders on the components of the Sea Port Design to include 10 terminals, Marine Service Centre, Industrial City and other facilities that could make the project attractive to neighbouring countries such as Gabon , Central African Republic ( CAR) , Equitorial Guinea as well as other coastal counties in West African region .
She disabused the minds of the host communities’ leaders by stating that Ibom Deep Sea Port was a Federal Government project as all the processes emanating from the Technical Committee were approved by the federal government and captured under Exclusive List.
” Everything we do under this project is approved by the federal government as the project spans through 14,800 square meters of the dry land on Oron sea shore away from the Atlantic Ocean. The Federal Executive Council gave approval on 16, December 2020.”
” The procurement process of Ibom Deep Sea Port has been adjudged to be the best and adopted by federal government.” She explained.
Secretary to the State Government Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem lamented the animosity within the host Communities as a result of the name and location of the project adding that such matters should not arise at the early stage of the project.
Ekuwem explained that the name change from “Ibaka Deep Sea Port” to ” Ibom Deep Sea Port ” was done in good faith to reflect rebranding of state owned projects and institutions as obtained in other state government facilities in the state.
The SSG listed such projects and institutions such as “Ibom Air”, “Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura”, “Akwa Ibom State University -AKSU” , ” Ibom Hotels And Golf Resort” saying that rebranding government institutions and projects was in order .
Ekuwem emphasized that he can not be part of such politics to shortchanged his people being a bona fide son of Oro community and the site of the Deep Sea Port in particular and encouraged youths of the host Communities to prepare for opportunities that would be provided by Sea Port through businesses and employment .
” Why the name of Ibaka Deep Sea Port was changed to Ibom Deep Sea Port was to build a brand name for state owned institutions . Therefore , the nomenclature of the port of the port was a non issue. I have explained this to Oro people in 17 fora where stakeholders met to brainstorm on this name .
” The social media should desist from blackmail and cross check facts to have balanced information for the public instead of falsehood and propaganda about the name and location of Ibom Deep Sea Port.” He said
Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Sea Project Mr Akan Okon said over 300,000 jobs would be provided by the Ports to Akwa Ibom youths and urged the host communities to focus on positive impacts while planning to be relevant at the port than showing negative attitudes.
April 19, 2021
Hoodlums hijack, kill five on Federal Highway diversion in A’Ibom
Hoodlums have killed at least five persons this month at a diversion by Ikot Ebak village in Mkpat Enin Local Council of Akwa Ibom on the dilapidated Abak-Ekparakwa-Ikot Abasi federal highway.
The road was diverted following the excavation of soil on a 200m stretch by the contractor handling the rehabilitation of the highway, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, CCECC.
The hoodlums according to residents of the area, have resorted to robbing and kidnapping unsuspecting commuters plying between Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River states who regularly use the road.
Some of the residents told newsmen who visited the area yesterday that the bushy diversion, also lack the presence of security personnel while the narrow road has also become dilapidated due to a sudden increase in vehicular traffic.
The residents who lamented the activities of the hoodlums claimed that hundreds of unsuspecting commuters have either been robbed or abducted by the hoodlums who exploit the commuters’ ignorance of the terrain to intimidate them.
They told newsmen that in one of the incidents, a kidnap victim who recognised one of his abductors was killed by the hoodlums after the sum of N200,000 was allegedly collected from him.
Two other abducted commuters were said to have been killed by their abductors on Thursday last week because they could not part with an undisclosed sum of money demanded by the hoodlums.
The residents harped on the need for adequate information and deployment of security personnel on the diversion while calling for a more motorable diversion or alternative road.
Some of the drivers said most of their colleagues have resorted to using the Etinan-ONNA- Ikot Akpaden road though longer but safer as they could no longer guarantee the safety of their passengers on the Abak-Ikot Abasi route.
State Police Public Relations Officer, MacDon Odiko in a telephone interview said such reports were yet to reach the command but promised to work on the information.
The Federal Comptroller of Works in the state, Nkeruwem Ukpong did not give details on the progress and schedule of work on the road but in replying to a text message from Correspondents said that, “I am just from the site, the contractor is working.”
The bad state of the Abak-Ikparakwa-Ikot Abasi highway would compound the woes of commuters between Rivers,Akwa Ibom and Cross River states as the Calabar-Itu highway, another federal road passing through the two latter states has become almost impassable.
Also with no concrete assurance from the Federal Government and the Police on plans to either conclude rehabilitation works soon or provide a better diversion and secure the diversion, the woes of commuters on that road is bound to continue.
April 16, 2021
A’Ibom reiterates commitment to safe environmental practices
Akwa Ibom government has reiterated its commitment towards promoting healthy and safe environment for residents and investors in the state.
Commissioner of Environment Mr Charles Udoh stated this in an address at the first- ever workshop on environmental health standards organised by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Nigerian Environmental Society, yesterday in Uyo.
Udoh said the rationale behind the workshop was to educate food and hospitality operators on the new environmental health standards needed to effectively run their businesses to ensure safety of citizens
“The present administration led by His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel placed priority attention on the safety of our environment and promotes healthy living among citizens .
“As we all know, our environment begins with us, the people, so we reasoned that one of the ways of keeping us safe is to educate us on the set out environmental health standard needed to run our business effectively without having to endanger one’s health.” He said.
The commmissioner who expressed satisfaction at the turnout expressed his conviction, that now is the time to revive the environmental health programme of government which has gone extinct for decades.
He used the occasion to restate government commitment to ending illegal dredging in the state and revealed that the initial plan of government was not to prosecute offenders, but to show them reasons why they should desist from their illegal activities.
According to Udoh such practice has continued to pose great threat to the environment, destroying critical infrastructures in the state adding that the plan changed when government encountered resistance and threats from offenders.
The Commissioner advised food and hospitality operators in the state to adhere to the environmental health standards as strict enforcement of environmental health guidelines would commence soon across the state.
Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Environmental Society, Prof. Comfort Etok, who gave a paper presentation on the basic food safety rules, said that on a yearly basis about one million two hundred thousand people die from food exposed to chemicals exposed to food.
To minimize or eradicate this menace, food and hospitality operators Etok insisted must follow food safety rules.
Chairman of the State Hotels Management and Tourism Board, Mr. Ini Akpabio opined that considering the danger posed to human health through unsafe food consumption, it was expedite for government and other critical agencies to meet with the food and hospitality operators towards chatting a new paradigm.
April 2, 2021
Insecurity: Women now go to farm with riffles- A’Ibom LG Boss cries out
Chairman of Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Isreal Idaisin has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the protracted Nkari boundary crisis, as members of the communities now move about with weapons.
Idaisin said that the age-long attack on the people of Nkari community by the neighbouring Usaka Uko Community in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State has over the years conditioned the minds of the people to resort to self help.
In an interview with newsmen in Uyo yesterday, the chairman lamented that women and children from Nkari Community now go to farm with either short or long riffles to protect themselves.
He cautioned both Federal and State governments that the situation, if not nibbled in the bud would breed a future generation of bandits who could become thorns in the flesh of government.
“The daily crisis we have in Ini Local government area is the Nkari crisis. The people there, including women and children now go about with weapons to protect themselves. Everyone there is either with a long or short riffle to protect themselves from the Ikwanno people.
“The people of Ikwanno in Abia State usually stay in the bush, using gorilla warfare’s approach to ambush, shoot and kill our people.
“That is why we are appealing to the Federal government to take over the disputed land or do proper demarcation to forestall further loss of lives. Thousands of people have over the years lost their lives to this same crisis”. He explained.
Idaisin, in the alternative also suggested to the Akwa Ibom and Abia State governments to come together to facilitate the demarcation and also seek possible ways to rehabilitate members of the affected communities whom he said have become wild and untamed.
“Their way of life is no longer normal. If something drastic is not done to arrest the situation and rehabilitate the people, we may be breeding a generation of future bandits and government may not be able to penetrate that area if something is not done fast.” He warned.
March 31, 2021
A’Ibom Police nab 7 persons for murder, attempted murder
Akwa Ibom State Police command has arrested four suspects including a woman Christiana Wilson for the murder of a 19 year old boy, Edidiong Wilson in Eket Local Council of the state.
They also arrested three other persons for the attempted murder of a middle aged woman after abducting her two children for sale.
State Commissioner of Police Mr Andrew Amiengheme while parading the suspects on Friday in Uyo said that the deceased was also beheaded by the suspects, one week after he was killed for haunting them.
The middle aged woman in the murder case is said to be the step mother of the deceased while she was said to have given the other suspects N1,500 to entertain themselves after the act.
“Investigations revealed that the principal suspect, Christiana conspired with four others and abducted her step son to a nearby bush at Ikot Usekong where the victim was beaten to death.
“The suspects buried the deceased in the said bush and later went back to exhume the decomposed body, cut off the head and buried it separately on 30th of December, 2020 at about 7pm on the grounds that his ghosts was disturbing them. They there after fled to Ondo State.
“Christiana stated in her statement that sometimes in September, 2020, she gave the deceased N100,000 being part of the proceeds from the sale of the late husband’s vehicle to keep for her, but when she demanded for the money from the deceased, he told her that he saved the money in a micro finance bank in Eket and never returned same.
“This prompted her to contact her son in law, one Saviour Peter who came with other suspects to abduct the victim. All the suspects have confessed to the crime and will be charged to Court.” Amiengheme explained.
The suspects however said that they did not murder the deceased but that he died while they were beating him after complaining of ulcer pains.
According to the commissioner, the three other suspects, Benjamin Okon, Gideon Edet and Ekemini Akpan were all arrested by the Police with the cooperation of youths in Mbiabong, Ibiono Ibom Local Council following a distress call.
“Investigations revealed that on the 20th of March, 2021, one Grace Sampson Edem visited her sister in-law in company of her two male children, who were eight years and nine months old respectively.
“While on her way back, the boy friend of the sister in-law, one Gideon Anthony connived with two others, one Benjamin Essien and Inemesit Asuquo Okon and c one Johnny now at large, matcheted the victim on the neck, believing her to be dead, abducted her two sons.
“The Police in collaboration with the youths conducted a search in and around the area where they arrested the said Gideon Anthony and recovered the said children from him that same night.
“Investigations further revealed that the said Ekemini Akpan had already contacted a nurse, one Joy tosell the children. All the suspects have confessed to the crime.” He explained.
Other suspects arrested include one Utibe Ezekiel, an Engineering student of Akwa Ibom State University for unlawful possession of firearms, two other for attempted child stealing in Uruan Local Council and one other suspect, Daniel Okon from Mbo Local Council for the kidnap of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nkeruwem Ukoh.
March 27, 2021
Militants want oil companies to vacate A’Ibom
Militants under the aegies of Unyekisong Akwa Ibom have asked all multinational oil companies operating in the state to vacate the area with immediate effect.
In a statement by the Leader and the Deputy of the group, General Dede Udofia and Major Ibanga Ekang, obtained by newsmen in Uyo on Sunday, they said the vacation notice became necessary due to unwholesome atrocities perpetrated by multinational oil companies on oil producing communities.
Unyekisong Akwa Ibom is a coalition of freedom fighters in Akwa Ibom State comprising, former members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Movement for the Actualization of the Niger Delta Republic, Niger Delta People’s Salvation Force, Niger Delta Avengers, Niger Delta Liberation Force and Niger Delta Movement for Justice and Niger Delta Warriors
The statement also expressed displeasure over what it described as passive response of the current administration in the state to the constant cries and yearnings of the suffering masses from these communities whose sources of livelihood, property and lives have been completely destroyed as a result of the operations of these oil firms.
“As a result of the refusal of the oil firms operating in the territorial waters of Akwa Ibom State, apart from ExxonMobil & Savannah Petroleum, to locate their operational bases in the State, and their refusal to implement their Corporate Social Responsibility as well as the provisions of the Nigerian Local Content Law in their employment and contract policies, we hereby advise them and their subsidiaries/partners to vacate Akwa Ibom State with immediate effect.
“It is very sad to observe that since the commencement of operations by Addax, Moni Pulo, Chevron, Century, Oriental Energy, Savannah Petroleum, Total E & P, SEEPCO, AFREN, AMNI, etc. and their subsidiaries/partners in the various oil fields in Akwa Ibom territorial waters, they have enjoyed relative peace without any hostilities to their projects compared to other oil communities in the Niger delta region, but our people have not derived any substantial benefits from these oil companies, rather we have been subjected to unwholesome deprivations and marginalization.
“It is also indeed very painful and regrettable to witness the high level of suffering, hopelessness, degradation and poverty that the people of the oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State have been subjected to as a result of the industrial activities of the various oil firms since their commencement of operations.
“We also express our utmost displeasure at the companies’ insensitivity to underdevelopment and degrading living standards of the people in the oil producing communities, due to their many years of oil exploration and exploitation in the area with the attendant environmental hazards.
It expressed disappointment to the insensitivity of the oil companies and the state government to the plight of the oil bearing communities.
“As the economic nerve-centre of the country and the highest contributor to the annual earnings of the country, we in Akwa Ibom State are also totally shocked and disappointed at the passive response of the present State government to the constant cries and yearnings of the suffering masses from these communities whose sources of livelihood, property and lives have been completely destroyed as a result of the operations of these firms.
“The matter has been made even worse that after collecting the 13% oil derivation funds for these past six years, the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel cannot account for how the funds were used, neither has the government any project to show for in the area of provision of social amenities in the oil producing communities rather the people have continued to suffer high level of marginalization, neglect and poverty. There are no functional schools, portable water, markets, access roads, health facilities, etc. in the affected communities.
“The oil companies have totally abandoned their Corporate Social
Responsibility which shows that they came to Akwa Ibom State in order to worsen the condition of the already deprived people of the region instead of development. It is no more news that the companies have been drilling several barrels of oil per day from the rigs located in our territorial waters, but do not see the need to provide basic amenities to their immediate host communities and catchment areas who suffer the adverse effects of their drilling operations.” It said.
It also said that over ninety percent of their employees were from outside their host communities and the state while the companies intentionally refuse to do business with indigenous contractors/suppliers asking them to vacate the state since they are not ready to fulfill their cooperate social responsibility.
“At this juncture, UNYEKISONG wishes to inform the affected companies that since they are not prepared to work in accordance with the provisions of the Local Content Act and Corporate Social Responsibility, we therefore warn them to immediately evacuate all the innocent workers from their operational bases and rigs both onshore and offshore within our territorial waters to avoid casualties and damages.” It added.
March 21, 2021
A’Ibom 2023: Group makes case for Ibiono/Itu Governor
A socio political group, the Eastern Ibibio People Association have appealed for the support of the Ntisong Ibibio for Itu /Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency to produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom state come 2023.
Members of the association made the appeal yesterday in Uyo during an advocacy visit to the Ntisong Ibibio 111, Obong Essien Ekidem and his council in his palace.
Leader of the group, Barr Eteyen Archibong while addressing the Ibibio Patriarch lamented that the people of Eastern Ibibio comprising of four local government areas in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo senatorial districts, Ibiono Ibom, Ikono, Ini and Itu have over the years been marginalised by successive administrations in the state in terms of sensitive political appointments and sitting of development projects.
Archibong called for support for the people of the area to produce the governor of the state in 2023 even as power returns to Uyo senatorial district.
He explained that Uyo and Etinan federal constituencies have had the privilege to produce democratically elected governors in different dispensations adding that it was fair, and an act of justice to allow Itu/ Ibiono Ibom federal constituency in Uyo senatorial district to take a shot at the top job of the governor.
“Fairness, equity and justice demand that the two other federal constituencies of Uyo and Etinan having had the privilege to occupy the governorship seats at different times, that Itu/ Ibiono Ibom federal constituency be supported to produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom state in 2023.
“That is why we decided to come to you and members of your council today to solicit your support as fathers and elders of Ibibio land”.
He lamented that the area has not produced a deputy governor or a minister since the dawn of the present political dispensation.
“Your majesty, it might interest you to know that the people of Eastern Ibibio have never produced a deputy governor, a federal minister, not to talk of producing a governor.
“We are not coming for war; all we want is to seek for your intervention and support to use your position to talk to the people of Uyo and Etinan federal constituencies to support their brothers from Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency in the 2023 governorship position. This will bring fairness and unity to all zones in Ibibio nation”. He said.
He stated that in the spirit of political inclusiveness which is a cardinal point in the development agenda, it was natural for other zones to support the governorship aspiration of the Eastern Ibibio people adding that Ikono/Ini federal constituency was one of the areas in the state with the highest number of bad roads in the state.
“Today, Ukana in Essien Udim Local Government Area is a developed town courtesy of the former Governor Godswill Akpabio. Awa of yesterday is a developed town with modern infrastructures courtesy of the present governor, His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel.
“We need such infrastructural development in Eastern Ibibio nation. This will be made possible through your support for our struggle to the governorship position in 2023.” He further stated.
In his response Ekidem lauded the maturity of the association in the presentation of their case, and charged them to maintain and sustain the tempo.
The Patriarch stressed that the stool was not partisan, and would continue to remain politically neutral, but, that members of the council were not barred from expressing their views on the political and economic development of the Ibibios in particular, and Akwa Ibom state in general.
The Ntisong opined that the 2023 governorship election was capable of addressing perceived cases of marginilisation and political exclusion if the political class would subject themselves to the wise counsel of the elders.
He maintained that the next governor of the state should be that person that would adopt a holistic approach to the development challenges facing the people of Akwa Ibom state in addition to being accessible, reliable, and acceptable by the generality of the people.
He urged the political class to always consult with the traditional institution on issues of power sharing and resources allocation in order to accentuate political inclusion.
“The office of the governor of a state should be strictly for a man who has developmental blueprint for the entire Akwa Ibom . We need an outspoken man, a performer and giver. So if you don’t have go and train one before 2023 election,” advising them against any form of violent agitation.
March 17, 2021