Monday 23 November 2009

Toyo Returns Fire:

strong>* Ononokpono has lost touch
* Nelson Effiong won the primary*There is no PDP in AKS
* I was offered more than N250m to stop Akpabio
* APICO Ag MD is Akpabio's Cousin, so what?strong>
The immediate past state chairman of the ruling PDP, Arc Otu Ita Toyo is an interviewer's delight. He confronts any question with the forthrightness than earned him the name “Total Chair” when he held sway as party chairman. He responded to questions raised in our last interview with Elder Effiong Ononokpono. He also fielded answers to so many other issues. He spoke to Weekly Insight's Franklyn Isong, the man many now call Larry King of Akwa Ibom political interviews. Enjoy this “Total” serving.

Sir, you read in our last edition of the allegations made against your person by Elder Effiong Eso Ononokpono, that you sold out the chance of Oro nation in the 2007 PDP primaries for Eket senatorial seat to Senator Eme Ekaette of Onna LGA. What is your reaction to that?
I think his statement was consistent with his inconsistency in the entire interview, he says there is no PDP, but he also said that he is a member of PDP, I quite don't understand that. He made so many inconsistent remarks that am persuaded not to bother about them because, that may be just one of the inconsistencies but be that as it may, I don't have to deny anything from Effiong Ononokpono. He is talking about a situation which took place with over 30,000 people, so I have 30,000 witnesses, and all I ask is that he produce one out of 30,000 witnesses who will stand up and say I (Toyo) took bribe from him or her. It is just that simple. There is absolutely no basis for the allegation, it amazes me that a man who says he is a leader can talk like that, and he says he confronted me, I have not seen the man for 2 or 3 years now. I recall that when we were doing this thing he is talking about, my taking bribe, for very personal reason, I suspect he was indisposed. So if anything at all, he is even talking not out of first hand knowledge and he does not even have the courtesy to quote the person who told him, he is talking as if he knows what he is talking about, ask him, where was he during the nominations, during the elections? Ask him. I know he was indisposed.

How do you mean, he was indisposed?
He was not there, during the event (2007 PDP primaries); he had personal reasons not to be there. It is only him who will tell us whether he was there or not.

Did you actually sell out the chances of the Oro people to the Onna people in the 2007 PDP senatorial primaries?
In what sense?

Ononokpono alleged that the people of Ikot Abasi and Onna LGAs said that the 2007 Eket Senatorial seat was for Oro nation, but you sold it out to the Onna people.
This is the point am making. He says Onna people said they don't want it, so why did they take it? Then he said Ikot Abasi people said, they don't want it, then he said Oro people who now wanted it, I took it from them. Does that make sense? Whom did I take it from and gave to who? I took it from Oro who wanted it perhaps and gave it to someone who didn't want it. Would you take something you do not want? Let's leave that and go to the fact. The nomination for the PDP was won by an Oro son, his name is Nelson Effiong, and he was disqualified according to the rules of the party (PDP) on thuggery reasons. So, was I also the one who caused Nelson Effiong to indulge in thuggery? So that I can take it and give to Onna? So, this shows you the kind of logic running through what the gentleman (Ononokpono) said. It is completely illogical, if you get my drift. So, there was no such thing and Mrs Eme Ekaette is a very worthy Senator; deserving of the position and went through the nomination exercise, one of the most rigorous in the state. She was according to the party's findings denied the first chance because, her opponent deployed thugs, and according to the rules of the game, it was decided in Abuja (PDP headquarters), let that opponent be disqualified. So how do I come in there? I come in because I decided to do nomination and I was perhaps the only party chairman in the country who did nomination and my record as party chairman is impeccable, I do not need to talk about myself, the PDP has over 3 million members, go to the streets and ask them their opinion about me. Two years out of office, they will tell you what they think of me and that should be the definitive assessment of my tenure as the chairman.

Some of the people who called after the publication of Comrade Ononokpono's interview, also alleged that you took money from Governor Godswill Akpabio, they mentioned N250 million to buy the PDP governorship ticket in 2007. They alleged that, that was why the governor refused to support your south-south zonal chairmanship contest of the party, because according them; he has settled you in the efforts you made to make him the state governor. What is your comment on that?
Let us also state the fact, is it because Godswill gave me N250 million that he won the nomination? The facts on the ground are simply; Godswill Akpabio won the nomination in the full glare of the entire party. So, how could I have been the one who gave him the nomination with over 3,000 delegates voting? How does that square?

Your accusers alleged that because of the N250m you received, you refused all attempts to have a re-run in the 2007 PDP primaries between Chief Godswill Akpabio and Dr Udoma Bob Ekarika based on the party's guideline.
(Cuts in) That is correct; there should have been a re-run.

And the N250m allegation?
Am I the one who now makes decisions for the party at the centre? Is it possible for a state chairman to sit down and say, there will be no re-run? Is this the only state that had no re-run? The reason there was no re-run is very simple. There was only 3 days between the re-run and the national convention, and they sat in Abuja, because this very people would not conduct themselves properly, so they took almost 2 weeks to do nomination, and by that time, they had caught up with the time. The correct people were ready for nomination but these story-tellers, kept going round and round and round. So, when Udoma (Ekarika) and Godswill (Akpabio) did not have the required 50%, we had to ask what to do, because in another 72 hours was the national convention, and the national said that every state which had not concluded their nomination exercise on time and have not sent in the result of that nomination exercise as at that moment, should send in the name of the highest vote-getter and that will be our flag bearer. It is simple; you see people talk out of ignorance and, I'm in sympathy with them really, because many of them do not even have any idea about how party works. So I can understand and I have sympathy for those who do not take time to unearth the issues. It is easy to say took money, what is N250 million? It is nothing? And for the records, I was offered a lot more than that to throw his (Akpabio) nomination, for the records I am saying, I was offered a lot more than that.

By who?
I don't have to say, I'm not like them that was an offer I rejected it, and that is the end of it.

Was it by those who opposed Chief Akpabio's nomination?
Naturally, it could not have been people who wanted his (Akpabio)'s nomination, who said I should take money and throw it.

They also brought up the issue of PDP local government chairmanship consensus in 2008?
(Cuts in) That is correct.

They alleged that you addressed all the PDP LG chairmanship aspirants in the party's state secretariat in 2008, and told them that Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate was the minimum qualification for their primaries. But that you did not follow your guideline to the letter; that those who latter emerged from your consensus arrangement, some of them do not even possess secondary school certificate, because of the money you took from them. What is your reaction?
What happened was that, even the people who are talking were too cowardly to defend their positions, even after I had given them a platform. They went home, all they wanted was the party to disqualify people and it did not work. You do not disqualify people who have been to the grassroots and earned their living, if they supported that issue, why did they not out manoeuvre the people who have no degrees? I'm not in support of the people who had no degree, because I was the party chairman, everybody knows that, but we are in a party and the party constitution does not say that you need a degree to go. I was just setting a standard for our state, and for them who are making the noise, to say this is a good thing, we will support it and we will have nothing less. It would have been possible, but they all sat there, it is easier to say, he had taken money. Who among the local government chairmen now, had up to N10, 000 before they became local government chairman? I mean no disrespect. So, how much would they have given to me?

They alleged that you acted the script of the state governor and that of AKPF, so that the governor could through that means compensate the AKPF members. That, the governor would not have got the 31 local government councils chairmen, if it were open PDP primaries. What do you have to say?
What are my records, the record says that in spite of the State Governor's insistence, I stood and opposed the changing of a nomination which took place in my state. My records are that in spite of AKPF significance, I went to their convention and told them that they were nothing, but a pressure group and have absolutely no influence over party issues. Those are my records, so what are they talking about.

Looking at the records of the 31 local government councils' chairmen in the state, its seems they are of the AKPF arrangement?
(Cuts in) I do not know members of the AKPF; I did not even recognise AKPF as a force in what we were doing. I did not see them at the elections; I did not see them anywhere. They probably were there, doing things for Godswill Akpabio as a candidate, beyond that I don't think they have any relevance. Those who now ascribe relevance to them should worry about that and not me.

I think, I have to agree with you that in your tenure as the State Chairman of the ruling party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom, there were no political groups as you have now….
(Cuts in) You couldn't have had it, because I insisted that they will not be there.

So, why do you now have over 200 groups working in your party, PDP, just for a particular aspirant in the state?
I don't speak for the party (PDP) no more! I'm just like you, looking and wondering what's going on. The party has a de-facto chairman, only he can speak on that.

In your opinion, do you think democracy can actually grow in Akwa Ibom state with the presence of these groups in your PDP....?
(Cut-in) If it was at the time I was the chairman, no! It wouldn't have worked well. But may be, things have changed and I must give it to the chairman to have his own style and also meet the demands of the environment he has met.

You said chairman, do you have a chairman of your party, PDP, in the state?
We've always had one, I handed over to Uwem Ita Etuk.

But there is a controversy surrounding his nomination or his chairmanship position in the state PDP?
(Cut-in) There is not any. His chairmanship was approved by the party, the processes which went to making him chairman was constitutional. In fact, there was no opposition to his chairmanship until lately, so how come he has stayed 2 years and then suddenly it is discovered that he is no longer the chairman, how come?

The former state Governor, Arc. Victor Attah, said that he and other stakeholders of PDP from Uyo senatorial district, where the position is zoned to, were not present when Uwem Ita Etuk emerged through a consensus to be the State Chairman of the party, and that they do not recognise him as the chairman of the PDP in Akwa Ibom. What is your position…?
(Cuts in) Let me put this to you. I am not the consensus person; I am an ex-party chairman working according to the constitution of my party. We issued forms, people bought forms, according to the guidelines of the party, and they went filled the forms. The consensus was now a community thing, because there is a party and there is a community. Don't forget, if the community now calls its people and say to them; listen, we don't want too many people, let us now solve it between ourselves. How am I supposed to worry about that, when we went for congress, those who returned forms, came out as party chairmen, or party executives, and for 2 years there was silence, until people returned from Abuja and started making noise?

You emerged from Abuja front to be the PDP chairman in Akwa Ibom state, why don't you support the present move by call it: “Abuja front” to also produce the chairman of your party in the state, after you left office?
I'm quiet because, I watched that exercise and I know it's a ….. I emerged as a result of a counter congress which was legitimately held, approved by the party hierarchy in Abuja. I did not emerge from Abuja group, no sir; I emerged from a properly constituted congress of the party in this state, which voted me in, as chairman, which perhaps made it easy for the sitting Governor at that time to accept me.

Senator Ike Nwanchukwu's Elders reconciliation and peace committee visited the state to reconcile these factions within the PDP, were they able to achieve their targets?
As far as I could see, there was total reconciliation.

But, Obong Attah personally spoke to me, that he told the Ike Nwanchukwu's panel that the apologies tendered to him by Uwem Ita Etuk and his state exco were accepted, but Uwem Ita Etuk is not recognised as the chairman of the PDP in Akwa Ibom state…?
(Cut-in) Who cares? I don't have the qualifications to comment on His Excellency's statements. As you recall, he is my master and he probably knows what he is talking about, the much I can say is that, I know that he (Attah) accepted the reconciliation, and from my own point of view, there was no controversy over who the Chairman is? Because, I know he emerged legitimately. So the reconciliation could have been on other issues, which bothers on certain actions which caused the old man (Attah)'s displeasure and he is a ranking member of our party; a founding member of our party; a viable member of the board of trustees. There may have been things which made him unhappy and apologies offered for that, and I suspect, he gladly, as a father, accepted those apologies. I was not involved in the business of controversy over the party's executives, because what I know is that, there is a legitimate party executive in the state.

Is there any parallel exco in Akwa Ibom state?
There can't be any. We are in the PDP, of course, there can't be.

Let's move to another issue that came up.....?
(Cuts in) Let me even ask you. The man (Ononokpono) had 2 full pages of interview and about 10 lines about me, how come I took over the interview?

(Cuts-in) Well, it has to do with interviews….
General Laughter

There is this issue of APICO where you happened to be the Chairman of the board, what is happening in APICO at the moment?
APICO is busy trying to sort out the housing issues of the state. We are still working with the ministry of Housing and Urban Development with the Governor and when there is housing development in the state, you will see what we have done.

It is widely speculated in the state that APICO have been starved of funds by the Governor, because he doesn't want you to function effectively in your position as the Chairman, so as to frustrate you. What is the position?
Well, I think the Governor is the best person to answer that question. I'm not aware that he has starved me of funds, but people have their own opinion, so, I suspect that you should ask that to His Excellency.

Where is the managing director of APICO?
He is on leave.

Compulsory leave?
He is not on compulsory leave. In fact, he has leave that extends to January next year.

Is he under any kind of probe or investigation?
I do not know that, there is any investigation going on in APICO.

So, who is now your acting MD?
The acting MD of APICO is Barr. Aniedi Akpabio.

It is also widely rumoured in the state, that your acting MD is Governor Godswill Akpabio's cousin. Can you contradict that?
It's certainly, he is.

Is it justified that the governor's cousin should be the acting MD APICO?
He is the most senior AGM who have been in APICO; he was even senior to the current acting managing director when he was side stepped. Now, tell me because you have the same surname with the Governor, he should not be on your birthright? Why are our people like this?

Reports have it that your staff salaries have not being paid for some couple of months now?
As far as I know, they have been paid their salary.

(Cuts-in) To be precise, some of your staffers have complained that for the past 3 to 4 months now that they have not been paid their salaries. What is really happening in APICO?
I leave them to worry about that actually, because my records speak that they have been paid.

You contested the PDP south-south zonal chairmanship position….
(Cuts-in) That's correct.

What happened, how did Chief Edet Mkpubre emerge?
Well, I did not contest, that is the point, there was a controversy over my contest and I did not come in for the contest, eventually and just because I didn't take it up, it died a natural death because, for me, offices come and go. I use offices for service and not the other way round. So, if I cannot get an office, I can do service in another platform. So that was it.

You said there was controversy over your contest, what was the controversy?
Well, I got a letter from the National Chairman, which said; I was disqualified from running because there was a petition against me. Now, how do you disqualify a man over porous petition, who had not been shown the petition till this day and had not even been asked to defend himself at all? Does that sound correct? Well! Our party has its own hiccups and I am a party man, if am anything at all. So, I knew that this was just going down a tunnel that will lead to unnecessary rancour. Whereas it really doesn't matter who becomes the chairman of the South-South, as indeed you have seen. The gentle man ably qualified as south-south chairman emerged and I believe he is doing the job very well. I didn't have to be there for the job to be done, it is being done by another man.

Did you protest your disqualification from contesting the position in anyway?
I didn't, it died a natural death, because I did not, have you not seen me in a party at national and local level doing things. It was just rascality by those who didn't want my face.

It is said that the Governor personally opposed you from becoming the south-south chairman of your party, PDP, because he has settled you with N250 million for given the party's ticket to him….
(Cuts-in)That itself is something the Governor should answer, it is not a question for me, Franklyn, I do not know about any N250 million and if it is said that it came from the Governor, then maybe somebody took it midway and it didn't get to me.

This issue of Oro nation endorsing Governor Akpabio for his second term bid in 2011 is actually what lead to the interview with Elder Ononokpono. What is your position on that issue?
That is correct. My position is that I was in the stadium on the 6th of December last year (2008), in Oron in which the entire Oro structures as I know it; traditional, political women, youths went there and in their address read by the Oro union president, indicated that they want Akpabio to go for a second term. I am an Oro man, and I know those signs. So, if anybody says Oro people did not adopt Akpabio for second term, I leave the person to worry about that and show me why he or she says so. I stand on the platform of what we did as a group; as a people on the 6th of December last year (2008).

Do you have a copy of that address with you, I mean, the one presented to the governor on that occasion?
No! I don't. Where were you? It was covered in the whole state. Oh! Insight, my goodness, you don't have a library or something?

But, in the cause of our interactions with some Chiefs and Elders of Oro nation, they said that the adoption of the governor was not in the agenda and programme of the December 6, 2008 event, you are talking about. While an informed source in Oron LGA who incidentally was in the planning committee of the occasion, said that in the speech that was presented to the governor in the event, which the Governor has an advance copy, there was no issue of his endorsement or adoption. Rather, that the endorsement issue only came up when one Barr. Bassey Abia Bassey, whom according to source, was Governor Godswill Akpabio's Law teacher at the University of Calabar, when he read out a piece of note drafted by him in the event to say that, “Oro nation have endorsed Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio”, against Oro peoples' wishes. That Barr. Bassey did that at about 4pm when Chiefs have left. What is your reaction to that insinuation?
Is it the Chiefs who said so? No, no, no, I wonder if it was the Chiefs, who said they were not there. Because, I have just told you that when this thing happened my Chiefs were there and the people. Now, that is a difficult one now. Because, if you are telling me now, that you have been to the Chiefs and the Chiefs said they were not there, I am in a difficult situation because I saw them and if they say they were not there, of course, you know the Chiefs can't lie. Except, that I know what I saw and (general laughter). So, I don't know whether it was the Chiefs who told you, but I know that the Chiefs were there and this proposition was made and acclaimed by everybody and up to this date, I have not seen an organized group from Oro come out and say that that was not what happened.

Is politics of adoption of a particular aspirant by a particular group(s) against many other aspirants and even before election is healthy for Akwa Ibom State political atmosphere?
I don't think adoption precludes contest. This is the thing about folks who don't understand this thing; adoptions just say this is my preference end of story. If you think that doesn't work, you go contest. If I come to you and I say, I prefer Mr. A, I adopt Mr A, you can say to me, go to hell. You will contest under the law; under the constitution. I will go and of course, I will vote for Mr A; you get the people, who will vote for you. Why does that border you, if I adopt somebody? In fact, it is absolutely democratic and constitution.

One of your sons, Engr. Larry Esin, has left the PDP to the PPA; don't you think that his action to join the PPA was in protest of that action?
Let me just ask you a question, did Larry Esin mention that he went to PPA in protest?

This is the assumption in the minds of people?
No, no, no, you see people assumed. They assumed I took bribe, they assumed Oro did not adopt Akpabio; they assumed things. Now, it is important to reach Larry and say Larry, are you in PPA as a protest against PDP? Then, I can take that.

Reports have it that Governor Akpabio frustrated the coronation ceremony of the Ahta Oro V three times and that the very December 6, 2008 reception, which you said he was adopted, that he didn't honour it, rather that he sent his deputy, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu to represent him in the event. What is your take?
Ok! The reception of the Ahta Oro V, the Governor was not there. I know and that happens in many instances. I don't know why the Governor didn't come. I was not a member of the organizing committee, so I can not really insinuate that there were frustrations and none of that. I don't know anything about that. I just know that you are correct; the Governor was represented by the Deputy Governor and for me that happens.

In your own assessment, do you think Governor Akpabio deserves a second term?
This is when you are talking now, and my answer is absolutely yes!

What are your assessment indices?
I will name them. Governor Akpabio is pound for pound perhaps the most successful governor infrastructurally in Nigeria; he has done those things perhaps which take some boldness to do. As you can see, he is only two years in office and commissioning things. This is in direct contrast to our experiences and you can understand why. I mean, he has got some money alright, but he also got the will. You can see his boldness in the projects he has under taken: the roads, the hospitals, the free education, if you don't have a heart of steel, you can pick it on. (Late Michael) Opara tried it in the Eastern Nigeria it collapsed; only men of steel like (Late Chief Obafemi) Awolowo could succeed. So, these are big things. I predict to you that in 25 to 30 years Akpabio's free education will win a Nobel price.

That brings us to the assessment of the free education in the state. Comrade Ononokpono who is an Awoist, in his critical analysis of the state government free education, concluded that there is no free education is Akwa Ibom State. What is your reaction?
I can assure you that Ononokpono did not tell you, he was among those who planned the free education in the time of Awolowo and certainly, he did not plan it. Because, he has absolutely no qualification to plan it for (Late Chief Obafemi) Awolowo. I am assured, he did not say so. He has no qualification to do that and having said that, following on what I have just said, Ononokpono certainly does not have the qualification to assess Akpabio's free education. We are talking of a dialogue of a deaf now.

How do you mean, Ononokpono is not qualified to assess governor Akpabio's free education?
Except in general terms, like you and I, and that can't be taken as the valid judgement of an expert.

But, he is one of your leaders in Oro nation?
Oh! Precisely, he can talk about the people he leads. I am sure he has qualification for that. Is he an educationist? Is he remotely concerned with any educational project ever before? I don't think so. So we should limit ourselves to what we know. If he had talked about it in a general way, you could say well! He is not satisfied with certain things as a citizen who has the right to be or not to be satisfied.

His assessment was based on the statistics….?
(Cuts in) Does he have those figures? If he doesn't have those figures, then he has no right to pass judgement.

In your opinion, is the free education working in Akwa Ibom state?
I think, it is working; I think, it is in the infancy; I think, the beginning of a dream; I think, it will come to fruition eventually; I think, there will be more schools; there will be more teachers; there will be more everything; I think, it takes time; and I think, (Governor) Akpabio should be praised for the courage to institute it. And, one thing that endeared me to this free education is, it is for the people of Akwa Ibom State, not for indigenes; it is for everybody who lives here (Akwa Ibom State). So, even if you are Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo the moment you step foot in Akwa Ibom State, you have free education. Isn't that wonderful? And, you say the man doesn't deserve a second term? I will give him a third term. If he is going to give education to my people, because that is all we need, education. Tar Solari said, even if the very devil gives you free education take it, take it! Because, it is the foundation of everything. So, if Akpabio is looking for third term, he has a candidate in me, I will give him, provided he gives us free education.

So, what is your final word to Ononokpono?
I don't comment on people. I am extremely disappointed that a man of his calibre, as he indeed tried to portray in that interview could come out with statements which are unfounded and on certain cases are outright lie. I am extremely confounded, that he could allow himself to get to that point and I suspect, I hope he is not losing his touch, because there was a time I thought he has a little of it in him, just now I'm doubtful.

Are you saying he has lost touch?
(Cuts in) I hope he is not losing his touch; I'm in fact, prayerful, because I have seen signs of that in that his interview.

What are you implying?
Oh! If he had a touch at all, it is absent in that interview.

What touch do you mean?
In getting things; stating cases properly and commenting on issues factually.

Before you left office as the PDP Chairman, you had the plan to call all the PDP chairmanship aspirants, who lost out as a result of the consensus arrangement of the party…..?
(Cuts in) That is correct.

What happened that the arrangement wasn't successful?
As I told you, I don't speak for the PDP now!

As at then, what happened?
Oh! Then, it was a proposal which was left on my desk, and the party continues. So I suspect that the chairman may have called them, I am not sure, I can't comment on that. The chairman is in-charge.

Do you like politics of consensus?
As a matter of the level of our polity, it is a very ingenuous arrangement provided that it is done with honesty.

Give a word of advice to the Oro nation?
I don't have the qualification to advice anybody, all I can say is, let's work hard; keep our targets in view, and be disciplined.

Editor's Note: Ita Toyo, had earlier spoken to our reporter Kate Etiamana, it was also very revealing and interesting. We will serve you that edition in the Friday edition ofyour independent voice. If you have anything important to say, the platform is Weekly Insight. Keep a date with us.

Saturday 21 November 2009

Ibibio: Unending Drama for 2011

I am in bewilderment where we are being taken to, and where we are heading to. This story of our irony of existence is upon the seeming livelihood of a people that have been unfortunately infested and invaded by some strange ailment that keeps them visionless even as they occupy the fourth largest ethnic position in Nigeria. It is already a bitter pill for us to swallow and we are bound to swallow, either to survive or die as a people. Whatever happens, we shall all be guilty of the war we have not fought, but which have devastated us. I am ashamed as an Ibibio son that a group has constituted themselves into Ibibio Nation to commit sacrilege against our land, without due consultations of our records or history of the past glory as well as its failure. This has confined us into a beggarly position, despite our numerical strength, whereby our contemporaries are not having regards to us.
How I wish as this idea has been muted, so could it also be transmuted to fight for our right nationally, which of course would often translate into multiple outcome for elevating our sons and daughters nationally. But this is a nation that will be slumbering while others are painstakingly sticking out their necks to be heard while demanding for what they want and are comfortably confined not to see nor think beyond the nose. I am ashamed that a people could still be fooled to constitute themselves into a clique or bunch of people who themselves cannot mimic nor talk of the history of the people called Ibibio, except by figment of imagination, to desecrate a heritage being the enclave of the sacred shrine of Ibibios which is the hallowed place for entire Ibibio deities.
The Asan Ibibio, the traditional domain for common acknowledgement of existence of Ibibios, was borne out of the deep desire for the Ibibios to gather themselves together to always consult or confront issues bordering the Ibibio. This well thought out conviction gave birth to Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio comparatively likened to Egbe Omo Oduduwa of old, now Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is the umbrella cultural body for the entire Ibibio. The event that took place during the inauguration of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, while still in Cross River eventually resulted in having our own state reminds us that it was meant for people with conscience and loyalty. But for whatever reason, the place has since the creation of Akwa Ibom State, been witnessing sporadic events, including the recent one that the place was used in the name of the entire Ibibio, against the warning issued by one of the pioneer member, NTISONG 11, Sir James Sebastian Umoren, who himself failed as a custodian of the people's cultural heritage to live up to the expectation of the content of his letter and his highly exalted objection concerning the place, making himself available at the same function diminished his entire projection about maintaining the sacredness of the place, which in essence could result in jeopardising the sacred cultural heritage of Ibibios. His appearance at Asan Ibibio during the event is one of the greatest headaches the Ibibios are having, not living to its stature, position and strength. Can that go to confirm what the government in its assertion described as “antics of faceless and attention seeking politician” by all fairness, nobody could say the octogenarian politician could be campaigning to be favoured politically in term of juicy office or contracts, unless otherwise. What capacity can he be useful to us again, except protecting our cultural heritage from being ridiculed and jeopardised. Above all, the rally or rather the endorsement has not really gone down well with the large section of the Ibibio people. Though NTISONG EKIDEM 111 the patriarch of Ibibio had made known that the Asan was being applied for to be used, but to other Ibibio people thinking, some other venues could have served them better as this keeps undermining us as the people. Infact, what took place at Asan in the name of Ibibio nation, endorsing one person for another term depict us as people with no history, I could recall vividly during Obong Victor Attah's Administration in a function at Ibom Hall, when he made mentioned that Ibibio is a tribe without history. I went home very confused over the comment and couldn't comprehend what he was really taking about. How could someone of his intellect make such remark? I queried my curiosity, after I have read a book “Ibibio Jews of Nigeria, authored by a Jewish religious leader, which foreword was written by Prof. Monday B. AbasiAttai, a renowned historian, and University Lecturer.
In the book as indicated and quoted Dr Eyo O. Akak stated that the Palestine theory has come as a big challenge for historian, philosophers, professors, and academician, to produce our history. It was that challenge that prompted Nabi Umoh Faithman the author of the book to put a full stop to every mouth to produce history of Ibibio people, concerning their name and origin. I was still not satisfied with Obong Attah's comment not even when I have read a Book “A short History of Nigeria, by C. R. NIVEN who at page 134, Chapter 12, the coast (before 1850) acknowledged the Ibibio people as one of the earliest inhabitants they came to meet in the Niger Delta, earlier than the Ibos. Then why shouldn't we have a history, but it has suddenly dawned on me that Obong Attah probably might not have meant our historical record as it implies, but rather as the people who cannot protect their integrity and dignity, and as a people who are easily carried away by cheap propaganda. May be the ex-governor said out of annoyance on realisation that there is nobody in Ibibio that could defend Ibibio interest in the face of stiff opposition or otherwise, in the face of when we are being marginalised. It could be it was the statement from the former House of Representative Member that represented Eket in the National Assembly, Rtd Hon. Ndueso Essien, who once said in one of his papers presented sometime ago that Ibibio came from Eket, which no Ibibio son or daughter since then stood to react to, till date.
Also, I could recall once when an Oron man said that no single Oron man benefited from the scholarship programme initiated then by Ibibio State Union for people to obtain education abroad, that they sponsored their own sons abroad. All these and more several statement and behaviour from some quarters that has been coming out to undermine our existence, influence and authority, without any responsible Ibibio son and daughter debunking such. Then why wouldn't it appear so when I also remember, an incident that happened during Idongesit Nkanga tenure. When Ibrahim Babangida was in the state on a visit, he pronounced giving a Federal University of Technology to the newly Akwa Ibom State. Certainly, on that strength, the former South Eastern State Military Governor, Brigadier Udoakaha Jacob Esuene, whom during his regime was regarded as Ibibio son, and was known as Ibibio son, when we were all then at Calabar. But it was devastating to learn that when he approached Governor Nkanga with his kinsmen, for the new Federal University to be sited in Eket, Nkanga told him point blank, that the project was meant for Ibibio land. Where is the Federal University of Technology in Akwa Ibom today? Other states of the federation have all benefited from the scheme. Observingly, that incident has alienated, the entire area of Eket, Ibeno Esit Eket etc from Ibibio cause, and that of course point to the several weaknesses of our not tightening our tribe knitted against invasion from other tribes, who are out to undermine and underrate us due to lack of no credible, purposeful leadership that guide zealously and jealously Ibibio cause as a nation. We wield enormous influence in all sphere of life, but lack of cohesion, foresight, cooperation and unity has been the bane of Ibibio attaining the lofty height of progress and development. Still doubting, if what was done on Saturday, 10th October, 2009 at Asan Ibibio will stand. Many schools of thought have considered what happened as the greatest sacrilege against Ibibio culture and custom, an insult to the tradition. If for whatever reason the present Administration has been privileged to be applauded for development of Akwa Ibom, his effort toward that is not outside the scope of what has been expected from government by the people. What else if it has not been for the few always mentioned achievement, what else outside, yes, agree that the achievement often listed like the free compulsory education programme, the free health care service, massive roads and rural development scheme, rural water and rehabilitation of primary health institution. Excuse, do all these things not what make government to be in existence, which are the constitutional right of the citizen to get. After all, this is an Administration that has collected revenue derivation more than any Administration in the state. If Ibibio people as a whole could be spitted to have endorsed someone when we are operating a democratic form of governance whereby everyone, whether you consider him a rat or tortoise or whatever has a freedom to contest. With all fairness, will the Asan also receive and endorse all other candidates that will eventually emerge? Though we do not know when the Ibibio nation was initially inaugurated, Ibibio should not be endangered to divine its unity. In Ibibio, there should be respectable culture and custom. If there is none, then we should conduct a cultural revival than attempting to truncate what has been established by our forefathers in the process of supporting a single candidate. We should be fair minded, with fair-play and Justice to all. Meanwhile, I want us to know that what happened there was just a gyration of a particular group comprising some current serving officials in government, mainly commissioners, PA's, some House of Assembly members, some Local Government Chairmen and some Commission Chairmen etc, who felt they should find a way to defend their loyalties, but it should not be at the expense of the entire Ibibio. This is all about sycophancy and not about Ibibio as an entity. Ibibio socio-cultural organization should only be conscious and alert not to be disorganized by sycophants who have nothing to do with the entire Ibibio Race, except that they are sons and daughters of Ibibio Race. We should realise that if it was Ibibio Nation affairs as proclaimed, NTISONG 111, Obong Ekidem, would have made proclamation. In that occasion why didn't Oku Ibom have a role? Ntisong had no role except when he was being urged by the Governor to say something. Imagine that happening in a sacred place of Ibibio race. That means there was nothing absolutely done by the Ibibio at Asan. Altogether it was one person jamboree that became the Ibibio and did the whole proclamation. The question is why was the chairman of the function the spokes person who made the proclamation. We must want to know which Ibibio platform he spoke from. Agreed that he is Ibibio son, who gave him the mandate to speak for Ibibio's, and who funded the programme. Was it a collective effort of villages, groups, clan heads and Paramount Rulers to host the event that could make it believe it was truly Ibibio affair? Sadly, that the chairman of the function became the Governor's protocol boy, who gratefully took him around. Was that what the chairman of the occasion could have done? He was the chairman, spokesperson as well as the Governor's protocol officer. Didn't people listen to the satirical comment from the anointed person, who was so elated that he kept asking the people why they were happy about, that it is the same money that was being used to purchased tissue papers, send legislators wives abroad, sponsored seminars many time for different classes of people. I believe if people are conversant with history and event, they will remember that those statements have been said over and over at Ibesikpo, at Airport site, isn't it an indirect way of ridiculing an Ibibio son, in Ibibio land in the present of Ibibio people. It is certain that if not Obong Attah, probably the present helmsman may not have been anywhere. He may not have been able to win a councillor election in his ward. It is based on this that we should condemn in totality, those languages that someone could use against his Master. Those words stand to be enough insult not only to the former Governor, Obong Attah but to the entire Ibibio race. Yet people proudly gave him credit on how Ibibio Elders could be so insulted. Can that happen in Yorubaland, can it happen in Hausa land. Do we still remember what eventually happened to Dr. Chuba Okadigbo in the course of insulting Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. We should not be ignorant of the tragic history of what happened in 1982 when NTISONG 1, Vincent Uwemedimo took a political stand in favour of a certain party. It is happening again where the silent majority of Ibibio are of total different opinion. History may not vindicate us if we dare allow any sad occurrence to engulf our great nationally. After all, on that same, the Offot clan council and the entire Offot clan of Uyo, also anointed Senator John Udoedehe as its sole gubernatorial candidate, come 2011. Offot clan in Uyo is also Ibibio. The chairman of the Asan Ibibio declaration of 10th October, 2009 is the same old and one person who in 1988 said Eket people are not Ibibio people. That is to say Eket are exclusive of that declaration. But NTISONG 111, Obong Ekidem is an Eket son. For 2011, the unfolding drama is unending.

If I Had Been the Governor,I Would Have Done Better! -Udoma Bob Ekarika

Since the controversial story in Weekly Insight, “Udoma Bows”, Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika has maintained a deafening silence. His silence contrasted sharply with the uproar that greeted his controversial letter to the governor on the new governor's lodge. The Udoma Bows story made people assume that all was now well with the two gladiators who slugged it out in the 2006 primary where Akpabio triumphed. Politics is once more in the air and Udoma Ekarika is back. This time, he has chosen to pitch his tent with Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, the man primed to wrest power from the incumbent. It was in the senator's house during a high profile political meeting that our reporter, Franklyn Isong had a chance meeting with the politician. He fielded questions on a number of issues. You can have any opinion of him, but you can't deny the fact that he shoots straight when he wants to. Excerpts:

Sir, you are from the Annang nation, the area where Governor Akpabio hails from, what motivated you to attend the meeting of senator Akpanudoedehe an Ibibio man who wants to wrest power from your brother?
Well! The slogan of this meeting is positive change, when you talk of change, it is a permanent thing. Godswill Akpabio came in 2007 as the Governor, through the strength of the Annang, Ibibios and the Oros, pleading that power should rotate within Senatorial District, but today everybody have seen that Godswill Akpabio, if he is allowed to continue will lead this state to total destruction, because what he is doing presently is not in tandem with what is supposed to be. There is complete capital flight, no Akwa Ibom person has been given a job up to one hundred Million naira, all the students are languishing on the street, all our graduates are jobless at home, but this government is talking about free and compulsory education without anything to show, so, having seen and having known too well that this government has no direction, we decided to go for functional, effective and reasonable government that will carry everybody along come 2011.

But, people are saying that Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District should hold office of Governor for 2 terms of 4 years each, which will elapse in 2015. Are you against such arrangement?
Well, power was shifted to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, having looked at that based on our strength. But, you cannot wait until you are consumed but fire, that is the honest truth. So, it was not zoned to an individual, that is the honest truth and that is of course, because change is inevitable when you see that something is not where they are supposed to be. Because this government does not carry even the Annang sector along. For instance in Abak Local Government, as I am talking to you now, how many people have been carried along in Abak Axis? How many roads have been constructed in Abak? How many Abak people have been in this government, even in Ikot Ekpene, I am talking to you convincingly that if election is held today in Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio will fail in Essien Udim Local Government, his own Local Government, because when it comes to Ikot Ekpene axis it is only Akpabio's family and that is all.

What is your reaction to the PDP reconciliation panel.
In terms of what? That has nothing to do with the election, the executive of PDP will still be in place and we will chose our own governorship candidate. It has nothing to do with the exco at all. What is going to happen is that the electorate will form the delegates and the delegate will chose all the aspirants because at that time, the present governor will also be an aspirant. So, the delegates will chose the best among all the aspirants.

Do you envisage a level playing field for all the aspirants?
Of course! There are no two ways about it. Let me tell you, they say that when the collective will of the people is galvanized for action, steel and iron cannot stop it.

What if other aspirants emerge from your zone?
Until then.

What is your reaction to the speculation in the state that you bowed to Governor Akpabio?
What do you mean by bow? Do you look at me as somebody that will go and bow to anybody? Godswill Akpabio is the governor, he has to be given our respect as per his office, and that does not mean bowing to anybody. If anybody has published that that person is an idiot and if the governor, himself has condescended to that, you can see the level he is operating.

Today, Senator Akpabudoedehe has commended you for turning around to support him, despite the fact that he opposed your governorship ambition in 2007, How would you disabuse the minds of the people of the state on your action?
Politics is a game that should be played without bitterness. We have to put behind us what has happened in the past, what is most important in life is the future. It is wrong to cry over spilled milk. John James Udoedehe as a former senator; a former minister of the Federal Republic, has come to realize that I am still a better candidate, a neater person as it relates to Akwa Ibom State and the Government House. And everybody in Akwa Ibom State today have come to realize that if I had been the governor, I would have done better. I know my capability. One thing about me is that if I don't want to do something I can not be forced, but once I am willing to do something the Sky is my limit. When it comes the issue of politics, I started as far back as my primary school, it is unfortunate that today we don't have dormitories any longer in primary schools. In those days we used to have dormitories, I was a prefect; and if you look at that, that is a leadership position; in my secondary, I was a senior labour prefect, I can mention my secondary, and that was a leadership position. Even in the University of Calabar; though I was reading medicine, the university authority on their own having seen my political involvement, appointed me the Welfare Officer of the Student Union government for 2 years; that was leadership position. Even in my professional body (Medicine), as at the time I was appointed commissioner for Health, I was the P.R.O of Nigerian Medical Association in Akwa Ibom State.

So, what is your political ambition in 2011?
The issue is that, as far as I have now declared openly that, I don't want to vie for governorship, because I have seen somebody, I know that has another quality like me and I know if he comes into Office, as he is a Christian because if you go to proverb 29 vs. 2, it says that when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice and when the wicked is there, the people will be languishing and mourning. Everybody today in Akwa Ibom State is mourning, because of bad leadership which Akpaudoedehe brought to the state and he has told us that he has repented, and I have seen it in him, so why won't I support him? Politics is a game of interest, so now that he has come to redeem Akwa Ibom people from the hand of bad ruler, why won't I stand by him. Look, this thing we are talking about, is not a child's play. I am speaking my mind as an Annang person, I can challenge anybody to wait and see that very soon everybody in Annang land will join this project, because when the chips are down, politics is a game of numbers. When we negotiated power shift to Ikot Ekpene senatorial District, we did not go on our own; we went talking to the Ibibios and they agreed, but now, everybody and I mean, all ethnic nationalities in the state are aggrieved with what is happening today, because Akpabio is not leading, he is ruling Akwa Ibom State. He is holding back our money and he said he wants to bring it out during election and everybody is starving. Do you know the number of people that have been coming to me, begging for one or two naira to just feed? And let me tell you, on 28 of November, 1999 we fought in Bolingo. Why is Obong Attah today being tagged as confrontational? Because, he stood up to fight for resource control and even the person that is enjoying the money does not recognize the person who fought for it. And not only that, all the previous chapter excos of PDP, how many of them have been recognized by this government? And these are the people who stood with the government of Attah to fight for the resource control money, which is coming to the state now. So, let me tell you, we are the people who refuse to fear. And we stand by the truth even though Godswill Akpabio is my brother, but a good friend is better than a bad brother. I am a politician; I am supporting John Akpanudoedehe. After all, when I became a commissioner did I not perform? If at the end of the day, I am made a minister won't I perform? We are talking of those who will go and bring something, let me go and bring something, let me tell you that when I was the commissioner for works what I did, without me, there won't have been Ibawa bridge and under one year I finished the construction of Ibawa bridge and that is the truth; under one year I finished all the dualized roads in Uyo and we did not make noise because road construction is part of small infrastructure we should put for the people. It is not a question of a government that does not have direction to say massive road construction; what do you mean by that? Free and compulsory education that is on pages of newspapers, look the time is now for you all to change this government. There is no sentiment. Any Annang person that will be coming to make sentiments I am not part and parcel of that. What we are standing for, we are standing for the truth and the truth must always be told, but it is always very bitter; it is very very bitter and any Annang son should challenge me, I am truly an Annang son, but when something is not good, I will say it is not good. And, I have said it, that it is not good; apart from that, Uyo is the seat of government and if the owners say we have to give it to them, so be it!

Attah Opens up on PDP Reconciliation

· I don't recognize whatever happened at Ibom Hall
· Uwem Ita Etuk is not the PDP chairman in the state
· The apologies tendered that day were unnecessary
· The insistence on removing the present exco has nothing to do with 2011
That night when Gov. Godswill Akpabio led members of the PDP elders' reconciliation committee into the Ibom hall, the anxiety knew no bounds. The expectant party members that had waited all day were eager to hear what the outcome of the meeting between the committee and the two factions of the party in Akwa Ibom state. Sen Ike Nwachukwu declared to the crowd that normalcy had been restored into the party and that everything is now OK. The crowd rose in jubilation when the committee secretary asked Prince Uwen Ita Etuk to move a vote of thanks as the state PDP chairman. That to the people, made up of predominantly Akpabio supporters, w as a confirmation of the prince as the party chairman. To keen observers, however, key players in the dispute like Obong Victor Attah, the immediate past governor of the state was conspicuously missing. That Set the stage for Weekly Insight's effort to get to the root of the matter. In this interview conducted in the Shelter Afrique estate home of Former Gov. Attah, the duo David Augustine and Franklyn Isong, provides fresh insights to the crisis. Excerpts:
Your Excellency, the reconciliation committee said at the Ibom hall that they have reconciled all the issues in conflict and that the party in the state is now one. But we observed that you were not at Ibom hall. Can you tell us exactly what transpired at the reconciliation meeting?Let me tell you very clearly that I have a very high respect for my party, the PDP. You must know that the elders' reconciliation committee was set up at the instance of the president. Therefore, your interviewing me today is not the appropriate thing at all, because the committee has come, they have met the people and they have not yet submitted their report. So don't want to be seen like I am jumping the gun or preempting the report of the committee or anticipate anything. I honestly will prefer that we wait until we have a report from the committee. But since you based your question on the issues of what happened at in Ibom hall, you noticed that I was not there because there was an earlier meeting with a small select number of the committee members with Gov Akpabio and myself alone. Certain decisions were agreed on and the committee came to implement those things that were agreed, and there was no mention of Ibom Hall. So, I am not aware of the Ibom Hall arrangement that is why I was not at Ibom Hall. So as far as I am concerned, I really don't know what happened at Ibom Hall, and I won't know until the committee tells me what happened at Ibom Hall.
Can you let us know what was agreed at the meeting between you, the committee and Governor Akpabio in Abuja? No! The committee will let you know what was agreed and how they are going to implement it. Politics you know is a process. So they have definitely started the process of implementation. As far as I am aware what happened yesterday was that the designated…Uwem Ita Etuk, let me just say Uwem Ita Etuk, along with other members of the so called party exco, apologized for certain things they did, which was the in-appropriate action they took, suggesting that they could send me out of the party or bring me back into the party. Well may be the press had been asked to leave before I made my statement, but my statement was very clear and so, I can repeat it because this cannot go contrary to any thing that the committee might report. I made a point that there was specific apology for a specific action which had to do with my being asked to leave the party and come back to the party and that I accept even though, I still insisted it was not necessary; unnecessary because it is the party at the national level which has the power to discipline any erring junior officer. So, the question of the apology didn't arise. But since they have chosen to make this apology, I accepted. But, it has nothing to do with how Uwem Ita Etuk came to be declared the chairman of the party, that matter the committee will certainly address and not for me to address it.
Which means for now the issue of who is the authentic chairman of the party has not been resolved by the committee? As far as we are concerned the committee is still in the process of resolving the matter.
But, sir, in Ibom Hall we were told by the reconciliation committee that the leadership crisis rocking the party in the state has been resolved with Uwem Ita Etuk as the party chairman. I will not discourse Ibom hall. And I will not accept anything that happened in Ibom hall, until I hear from the committee. It was not part of the agreement reached in Abuja between myself, Governor Akpabio and a select number of the committee before they (committee) visited the state. So, I will not accept anything that happened in Ibom Hall until I hear from the committee. Because, it was organized without my knowledge as you noticed I was not there.
Okay sir, what are the critical issues in dispute in the state PDP crises? The critical issue is how was the present Exco of the PDP in the state come into being? And we are not satisfied in the manner the executive came in to be and I won't go beyond saying that, I believe the committee is fully aware of what our arguments are and they are in the process of correcting them.
Which means I could say it was wrong for the chairman to say that all issues had been resolved? That is the conclusion you are drawing about what is right and what is wrong. I say, I do not even accept the fact of Ibom Hall because as I am concerned it didn't happen, because it was not what we agreed in Abuja, they will come and implementation or that they will do. So until they tell you and me and the whole world what Ibom Hall was about, I don't know and I don't want to refer to Ibom hall again.
Sir we also saw the warm embraced between you and Governor Akpabio and we were told that it was a sign of reconciliation? Excuse me, did I ever quarrel with Godswill Akpabio as a Governor? You see the press has been very imprecise in reporting certain situation, because they make certain assumption that I don't even think they have the right to. I have, and there is no denying it, disagreed in principle with certain ways in which Godswill Akpabio as Governor as done certain things. That does not suggest a quarrel between us. That is why I used the word “Apology”, was not necessary. All they needed to do was to correct certain things and that is all. But I have never shown him disrespect or indicated that I am quarrelling with him but I have always said that I disagreed with certain things, very few things for that matter. So I really don't want to be drawn deeper into this issue. Have you ever seen me in public with Godswill Akpabio other than in that sort of thing you call a warm embrace? Did you see me at Ibom Airport, the day the aircraft landed here with him, was there any form of hostility between us or what ever. So the press has been quite imprecise in reporting my relationship with Godswill Akpabio. They have never been as far as am concerned being a quarrel not to talk about reconciliation. But there has been a disagreement about the way certain things are done in the state, including the way, the party executives in the state, from the chapters down to the wards were brought in to be. And I brought that to the attention of my party and, that is why the asked the committee to come and I don't know about Ibom Hall, but I know what happened here (his residence) and, what happened here was that I restated that position that Uwem Ita Etuk is not considered by us as they chairman of the party and I want to believe that the committee in making their recommendation to the party's headquarters will include that as well.
Sir this morning, I spoke with some party men, and I am made to understand that there is a parallel executive? I don't know about that either. I don't know about any parallel executive of the party. It is claimed that this executive came in by consensus and I am saying it couldn't have been because if there was to be consensus, then certain people indeed must have had to be there. And as I didn't notice that those people were there, so I don't know who reached this consensus. And I did not attend any other congress of the party to bring out a parallel executive, or whatever, in the State. So I don't know. You should discuss that with whoever told you.
That PDP State caucus came out recently to say that there was no crisis in the party in the state?Alright, and they came up with that stand and yet the party at the National decided to send in the reconciliation committee so, who is fooling who? (General Laughter) the fact is that there is problem that is why a committee had to be sent here to solve the problem. So, we are not talking about whether speculation here. You saw that a committee came to solve problems in the party and somebody tells you there is no problem. What does that mean? Who is fooling who?
Uwem Ita Etuk is from your Local Government why don't you want to adopt him as the PDP chairman in the state?Did I say, I don't want to adopt him? I am saying that he has to emerge properly and democratically. If he is to be accepted do you know his antecedents? Do you know that he was the man of my Local Government (Ibesikpo Asutan). Have you asked how he became the chairman of my Local Government Area? Therefore there are certain we must not compromise, even in the name of politics. Were you there when talked about Uwem Ita Etuk, how I met him in the lobby of Protea Hotel in Abuja and hugged him? That is Uwem Ita Etuk and that is me. But that does not make him chairman of the party (PDP). Again, this imprecise thing of believing that there is enemy here; there is quarrel there. No, but if something has not been done properly I will insist that it must be done correctly.
It is said that the move to remove Uwem Ita Etuk has to do with the 2011 governorship election in the state and the second term ambition of Governor Akpabio. How true is this?Listen, a chairman of the party has to be seen to have remained as a chairman of the party and have the ability to provide the governor and anybody else that may aspire a level playing field. Think back to 2003, how many PDP governorship contestants were for the governorship position? In 2003 they were at least four people from the PDP that contesting against me. And they were all PDP members, so, when you asked me what is my take on the fact that Uwem Ita Etuk has to do with the 2011 governorship election, I say, the chairman should have nothing to do with who wants to be governor or doesn't want to be governor; he should be concerned with making sure that the party candidate wins; you know what I mean? And by making sure that whosoever is coming there, at least, can say to the people of Akwa Ibom State, if he is an incumbent I delivered. And the party can back him and say he delivered so, we want him back or some body else comes and say no! He didn't deliver sufficiently, I think, I can do better and if the people decide that they want to try him and the party backs him up; you know what I mean? So, it has nothing to do with 2011 election as it had nothing to do with 2003. Whoever was the chairman, who was not chairman, it was the people that made the final decision that they would like to see me go back to office. And that may very well happen for Godswill Akpabio. And that's not to say that it is the chairman that is coming to say who is coming back. So how can you say it has anything to do with 2011. But if whoever put him there says he put him there for 2011, then the party will resist it because the party chairman should not be compromised even before he takes office; he should come there to turn the office for every member to enjoy the fact that they are all party members. In fact, for me the only issue about Uwem Ita Etuk, is how did he become the chairman of the party? How did others become members of his executive? Period!

Smoking Gun! Comrade Ononokpono says:

*Oro Nation did not endorse Governor Akpabio*Ita Toyo Sold Oro chance to the Senate in 2007*There is no PDP in AKS
Comrade Effiong Eso Ononokpono, is an elder statesman. His sojourn into politics spans over four decades. He was a close associate of the late elder statesman and icon of the Yoruba nation, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He has continued in the politics of principles ever since his days in the Action Group. Comrade Ononokpono, speaks his mind at any time; and in this interview with our Political editor, Franklyn Isong, he did just that. He spoke against the background of the raging debate about who has been endorsed or not in Oro nation. He also took an angry swipe at the immediate past chairman of the PDP in Akwa Ibom state, Arc Otu Ita Toyo, and accused him of selling Oro shot at the senate in 2007. Recently, news making the rounds in the state is that Oro-Nation had endorsed Governor Akpabio for second term in office in 2011, can you confirm this as an Oro elder and leader?Before I give you a clear cut answer to that question, I like to clarify an issue. One, the PDP as a party I belong to has not yet called for nomination, so the issue of endorsement is most uncalled for. I have seen Governor Akpabio run helter shelter like a wounded lion, asking for support for an election coming up in the next 2 years. We are still in 2009 and the governorship election comes up in 2011. 11-9 is 2, 2 years; why all the running around asking for support for governorship election coming up in the next 2 years; this year only God knows. So, if Akpabio is so emotional about being a Governor, he has been a Governor. I don't think there is anything so spectacular about being a Governor, that Governor Akpabio should run around all over the State looking for endorsement. In any case, the so called endorsement, I mean in a democracy which we are purported to practice; it is one man one vote, but we are not really practicing it because we never can be sure who comes up for what office and what his success or failure will be at the end, because democracy as far as I am concerned in Nigeria is a misnomer. I have read in the papers people expressing their opinions; everybody has the right to express his opinion. And I also read about one young man, I think he is referred to as Uno (Etim Uno), a member of the State House of Assembly; I don't know him either, in fairness to you. Somebody I do not know within this area claiming to sanction a political aspirant, I mean it is unthinkable. There is no one or any other politician or political leader in this geo-political area (Oro Nation). I cannot as I am sanction anybody; the Ahta Oro or the Paramount Ruler cannot sanction anybody. As you know, freedom of expression, fundamental human rights completely are in favour of every human being. So as far as I am concerned, I have known of no endorsement of anybody at all, not even in Akwa Ibom State because the primaries have not yet been conducted; the political parties have not yet called for nomination, we don't even know the date of election. We (parties) have not fixed congresses to do the nomination. So, how come we are talking about the endorsement? Endorsement comes after an aspirant had been nominated, then he becomes a candidate, then the party of the candidate will endorse that candidate for any election.Who is the political leader of Oro Nation that can give political direction to your people?Leadership is such a complex matter that you cannot say so, so, so, so, is a leader. Governor Godswill Akpabio is a Governor of Akwa Ibom State; it does not automatically fall in that he is the leader of Akwa Ibom State. And in any case, in human nature you cannot have one person as a leader. If you have one person as a leader, that is dictatorship, but in human environment where we practice democracy, leadership is collective. Then, you can have one person as number one amongst equals, which is number one amongst the leaders. For example, here in Oro Nation, certain people can just be called upon who are in the leadership class which of course; with all humility I can say I am one. If I am not there, it is not complete. There are also a number of people who in fact are leaders but not necessarily political leaders of the community. But no one person can give a direction, because democracy is what we practice, anybody has the right to make any office; anybody has the right to make any statement as far as that statement is not libellous, in which case, the victim of that statement could sue. Everybody has the right. For example, I can say today, I will support Akpabio when the time comes, that does not means I have endorsed Akpabio. I made a statement it is not endorsement I can today say I will not support Akpabio, endorse Akpabio.As far as I am concerned, nobody has been endorsed by Oro-people, Ibibio people, Ananng people, because the time for it has not yet come.But it was reported that during a courtesy visit to the governor in 2008 and during the grand reception of the governor in December 2008 by your people, the Oro Nation, that he was endorsed respectively by the entire Oro Nation for the 2011 governorship election in the state contrary to what you are telling us now?I can say it for certain that, Oro Nation did not endorse Governor Akpabio, and no forum in Oro Nation has endorsed Akpabio; and no individual in Oro has the power or the right to endorse Akpabio. It is only when Oro people sit down and talk, discuss, then we could collectively say this is the person we would want to support; the person can only be endorsed by his own political party. The leadership as you look at it is not that of one party. In a free and democratic society, the political opinion leaders can gather together and talk. I can tell you for certain, I am not speaking for the Ahta of Oro, but I can tell you for certain that the Ahta himself cannot say what, he cannot. He cannot say that, because he does not have such mandate or such authority. And I know him, he is more or less a father to me, apart from coming now to be the Ahta Oro, he has been my mentor when I was a worker. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Laboratory Science and of Britain too, and I happened to serve with him in the Oron Local Government executive; he was the supervisory councillor for health while I was for agriculture and also had that of revenue within my portfolio as the chairman of Internal Revenue Generation Committee. So, he is personally very close to me. In fact, if I go to him any time, I call him master, because he is actually my master. So I know what he is capable of doing and what he cannot do. So when it comes to that, I can claim to speak and nobody who comes to my level in Oro Nation can speak; and I think, I am one of those very few. I can say categorically that nobody in Oro Nation, no organization, no group has adopted Governor Godswill Akpabio as a candidate for the 2011 election. But, let me add this, there is so much money in this state, which Governor Akpabio is in total control; Governor Akpabio has the right and he does it, give money to certain people to make certain statements which are completely out of the minds of the people and the context of democratic convention. You cannot go and speak for a people without a mandate. But, I can say as certain, Akpabio has not been endorsed or adopted by Oro people, because the chips are not yet down.Is there any plan to adopt a particular aspirant for the 2011 governorship election by your people, the Oro Nation?Never! No such plan at all. You see, politics is not a static thing; politics is dynamic and politics is a game of ideas; it is a game of interest, where your interest lies that is where you go. But when I mean interest, I don't mean personal interest but your communal interest; your group interest; your state or national interest, where it lies that is where you go. So if the election is to come in 2 years time and I sit down today or any group sits down today and say, we have adopted so, so, so, supposing the man dies in 2 weeks time, then having said that you might have made a fool of yourself, because you never can know what God has for the next 2 minutes. It may be as you are leaving here, you hear somebody saying that, that Ononokpono you just visited is dead? But in my own case, I will not die because God has told me that I will not die. Nothing has been said by anybody, so whoever said such a thing is a charlatan; he has no mandate at all. When we meet, in every community there is a leadership caucus, when we, mind you, I say 'we' and not I, the opinion leaders in Oro Nation meet. I am one of them, if any person tells you that I'm not one of them, the person must be a case study. When we meet, we shall say what we know is the best for Oro people. I know what is best for Oro people; I have represented Oro people and I have done my little bit as an individual and for the community. So I'm one of the opinion leaders.What if tomorrow somebody comes up from Oro Nation to counter what you are saying today?The person must be a fool, because he does not have the mandate that I have. When I speak, I speak for the generality of Oro people and there are other people also who can speak in that wise, but we are very few. Of course, leadership is not an all going affair. It is not for everybody, certain people are endowed to be within the leadership caucus but no one person can stand up to say “I am the leader”, but I can say, I am “a” leader, I hope you understand my grammar, not I am “the” leader. In this case, I am one of those you can say is amongst the leadership caucus of Oro nation. You see people who are paid sycophants; people who have no opinion of their own; people who cannot say what they feel; what they see and what they know, and I can say such people know next to nothing. And there are people who can speak the way I am speaking within Oro nation that can tell you (governor) Akpabio or anybody for that matter has not been adopted.But they say that you have retired from active politics, and so your views may not be respected?Ok! You could say I'm a statesman at my age and at the level I have attained in politics. I have done international politics. So, whoever says my opinion is not respected, you wait, when the time comes, you will come back and interview me.Are you a PDP member?I'm a PDP member, I have my card; I can bring my card and show it to you if you want.Who is your state chairman?As at now, we do not have an authentic state chairman.Is there any parallel Exco in Akwa Ibom chapter of PDP?There is no parallel Exco where there is an Exco in existence, but the man said to be the head of the Exco, who is supposed to be the chairman does not have the mandate.You just said there is an Exco in place, but the chairman does not have the mandate. How did the exco emerge?There is an Exco in place, but the chairman is not an authentic chairman. I can explain it. There was this general directive from the National Secretariat of PDP, which was really wrong; I say it with experience and with my own philosophy of being a social democrat. (Late) Pa (Obafemi) Awolowo in his time would not have said go and bring consensus candidate, rather he will say go and bring acceptable candidate. Acceptable candidate will be acceptable by overwhelming majority of the people. Whether by college system or by consensus candidate, the stakeholders of that area will meet and say this is the one we want, and they will ask for other peoples' opinion. If majority of the stakeholders say this is the one we want then he has been accepted by consensus. The chairman's case, he is said to come from Uyo Senatorial District, then ask me who are the leaders; the stakeholders of Uyo Senatorial District, a former Governor of the state, Arc Obong Attah, is from Uyo Senatorial District, you will pick him as a stakeholder. You have a certain minister at the time, Senator J. J. Akpanudoedehe; then you have the member of the national working committee, Lady Ime Udom, as a senior stakeholder; then you have an ex-minister, Obongawan Rita Akpan, who also is a woman leader of Uyo Senatorial District, and others. All these I'm counting are the foremost stakeholders in Uyo Senatorial District; they had no idea of how Uwem Ita Etuk emerged as the chairman of PDP. You can then conclude that he was hand-picked across the board by the state Governor. Then the stakeholders from that area say no, we cannot agree, you cannot pick our own person for us. So these people I have mentioned, Arc Victor Attah, Senator J. J. Akpanudoedehe, Lady Ime Udom, Mrs. Rita Akpan, all of them are the outstanding stakeholders, they all said, we do not accept Uwem Ita Etuk, that's all.What is the position of things in the state party since Ike Nwanchukwu's panel visited. Are there still disagreements?I can tell you for now that the party, PDP, is not in existence in Akwa Ibom State.But you said there is an Exco?Yes. I said an Exco put in place, but there is no authentic head, so that means the party is not actually in existence as far as I'm concerned; the party is not in existence and I can tell you what happened that day; the people who were sent from Lagos were supposed to come and interview those of us who had aired opinion, some put in writing and the panel were supposed to interview those people, get them to confirm; but nobody was allowed to. They just brushed up everything. At the appropriate time, you will hear what had become of that. The matter of PDP in Akwa Ibom is in the people's court and by conventional law; you don't speak of a matter that is pending in the court. At the appropriate time, when the people want to pass judgment we will hear.Reports have it that Obong Victor Attah, the leader of one of the factions in the state PDP, plans to move his faction to the proposed mega party that is being championed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, General Buhari and Atahiru Bafarawa and others. What is your reaction?It is not true. I can tell you that the Obong Attah that I know; not that we are the best of friends, but he has tremendous respect for me, cannot do that. When Obong Attah left office, we did not leave as friends because there was certain advice I gave to him which he did not take and it backfired, so we parted in anger. It is only this issue that has brought us to talk together. I'm not going there because I'm Attah's man. I'm above being anybody's man.What is your assessment of the free education policy of the Akwa Ibom state government, being that Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first to introduce it in the western region and you are an Awoist?The free education in Akwa Ibom has not yet started. The announcement has been made, it has not yet started. Why it has not yet started is this, what statistics do you have of teachers for each of the subjects, especially the sciences? What statistics do you have for the students population; first year, second year, third year and so on and so forth? There are no figures. It was just a fire-brigade announcement by the Governor. He just woke up, no discussion, nothing, no planning, we have free education because money just poured in, in quantum. Money is not human's major problem; you can pack money into this house, if I do not plan for that money, the money will start flying, then next week you come back no money in this house. There is much money in Akwa Ibom State, which I think people are getting crazy about it; this has fuelled lots and lots of things. Let me say it, I personally fought for an appointment with the Governor to discuss about the security of this state. Incidentally, my studies have taken me to security studies. I did labour studies and I did strategic studies in Israel and I have a lot of experience and when Pa Awo (Late chief Obafemi Awolowo) discovered this, I became his closet, I'm not boasting; I was the only person who can break his rules and get away with it. Up till today, I still communicate with Mama (Chief Mrs. Obafemi Awolowo) more than every other person, because I know what it takes. It is not written in books, you have to study situation, if you read Awolowo's book on his 8 years of administration, there is a portion of it which talks about how they started the free education in the west. You need to look at what other people did, to be able to do what you have to do, that is what we call research. You do not just wake-up over night and announce something; you must strategize and start working. Free education, as far as I am concerned, is not in Akwa Ibom State.What if at the national level Uwem Ita Etuk is adopted as the state chairman of your party, the PDP, will the Obong Attah's group which you belong leave the party to another political party?(Cut in) No, no, no, we cannot leave the party.Then how would you feel working with him as the chairman of your party?(Cut in) He who fights and runs away will live to fight another day. We will fight it until justice is done. We are not leaving the party; we will fight until justice is done.Won't your continuous fighting amount to disloyalty to your party's constitution, since the national working committee would have resolved the chairmanship crisis?(Cut in) Oh! No, no, no, disloyalty is when you betray the party, but if you fight on principle within the party, that is called intra-party struggle. It is just like communist study, you know they have what is called class struggle; if I am higher, I have more money, and I have more wealth more than yourself, there will be jealousy between your group which might be a poorer group and my group which is the richer group; and then we call that class struggle. There will be internal struggle. Intra-party struggle, we will fight the elements within the party. I mean, the head of the party is the President; we will fight to let the President see our own right. We believe that President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is a man of conscience, if he were not; one like Chief Bode George would not have gone to prison today. Some other Presidents would have intervened and called the judge and instruct him not to jail Bode George, because it will bring disgrace to the party and his government. So, I believe President Yar'Adua will do justice; therefore, we will fight until we have justice in the state PDP.Don't you think that if the in-fighting in the state PDP persist that the national working committee may think of imposing a caretaker committee on you; the state PDP members?Oh! Yes, I think, if the National Elders Reconciliation Committee (Senator Ike Nwanchukwu's panel) can do that, they have done a good job, so far we have not seen the report.Speculations in the state have it that the Ike Nwachukwu panel has submitted its report to the National Working Committee, in which they said that the crisis in the state PDP has been resolved by them. What is your take….?(Cut-in) That is false, even as a pressman and from the interviews you conducted in the state, you know that the crisis in the party has not been resolved. I think, it was the Insight Newspaper that reported that Obong Attah accepted the apology for the insult in expelling him from the party, but he said as far as he is concerned Uwem Ita Etuk is not accepted as the chairman of the party, having been said to be nominated by the stakeholders of Uyo Senatorial District of which he (Attah) was not there; Senator Akpanudoedehe who was present there (in the reconciliation meeting) was not there; Lady Ime Udom who was present there, was not there; then Rita Akpan who was of course absent by excuse. So he (Attah) said this and your paper, Insight, reported it very clearly, but the headline in Akwa Ibom Newspaper said it (the crisis) has been resolved and even while we were there (in the meeting) they were reporting in the state radio that the matter has been resolved that Uwem Ita Etuk has been endorsed; that was false and of course, you have now realized that it is not true.Where is your son Otu Ita Toyo in this crisis, he has remained silent in this matter….?(Cut-in) Because he disagreed himself.How?He was taking bribe here and there. He took bribe; he took bribe from aspirants.Do you have proofs?I confronted him, he took bribe even from aspirant for local government chairmanship election; he took bribe …I said Ita Toyo took bribe from people; that's why he is not bold enough.Where is he now?I don't know. This is my house; I don't know where he leaves. Well, I used to have his phone numbers, it is still in my system and I don't remember calling him since he messed up; he sold out cheap; he sold out the right of Oro-people.How do you mean, comrade?The senatorial seat was for Oro. He sold it out; it was for Oro, quote me; he sold it out. You see, Oro started it in the present dispensation, call it civilian rule since it came into existent in 1979, Oro did one full term in the person of Senator Victor Akan (late), who then went only three months right! Then after that, when we resumed (Senator) Etang Umoeyoh, did almost 2 years, I mean, the termination was not the making of anybody; we counted that. (Senator) Victor Akan did a year, he should have actually completed the 2 term, but he didn't, anyhow there is nothing stipulating that, it should be two term. So, (Senator) Udoma completed two full terms after Udoma, it should have come back to Oro where it started. The leaders of Onna (LGA) said it was the right of Oro people; Eket (LGA) said it was the right of Oro people, but an Oro person was the chairman of the party; he sold it out for cash, say Effiong Ononokpono said so.2011 is just by the corner; will the senatorial seat be the turn of Oro Nation?I don't know, I cannot answer that now. You see, you cannot go and call somebody in for such a thing, somebody must aspire. culled from weeklyinsightng.com

Unveiling Ini Ekong Udonwa: The Man who wants to take Akpabio's Job

The race to Hilltop Mansion has continued to generate the expected tension, intrigue and surprises. For those close to the power play in the state, the only two known contenders to the exalted position for now remain the incumbent governor, chief Godswill Obot Akpabio and the Uyo-born former minister of the federal capital and former senator of the Nigerian senate, Senator John James Udoedehe. But in far away Singapore an Akwa Ibomite with a larger than life zeal to bring the desired change is rearing to go in his pursuit to become the next governor of Akw Ibom state. This man with the ambition to cause an upset in the next general election in the state is no other than Etinan born Engr. Ini Ekong Charles Udonwa. To many in the state, the question may be, Ini Ekong Udo-what? But has been planning for the onslaught for a long time prompting some keen political watchers to view him as the dark horse that might deliver the sucker punch in the up-coming governorship election in the state. He is a qualified world class Marine Engineer, propelled into the governorship race by his desire to “bring positive change in every aspect of life in Akwa Ibom State by creating job opportunities, providing good education to our children, healthcare and transportation services as well as developing good infrastructure”. He is said to have quietly been mobilizing support for his ambition especially among the Diaspora population of Akwa Ibom people. He has as part of his strategic campaign initiative garnered a strong support base among Akwa Ibomites living outside and according to some of his supporters within the state, who have pleaded that their name should not be mentioned until the aspirants “expected triumphant entry into the race billed for January 2nd 2010, he has made some considerable inroad into the state. He says he does not envisage an easy contest as the worst thing that happens at the point of any change remains courage in the face of stiff opposition. Hear him; “No nation attained greatness without struggles and pains, no man who sought to better the lot of his people did so from the relative comfort of an arm chair. I will put my cause firmly and plainly to you my people and believe you will finally see a way out of the stagnation and sufferings which have been our lot for many years. Determination, equity, vision and a burning desire for change and the willingness of our people will far outweigh all negatives”With his campaign mantra “Hand-in-Hand 2011” Engr. Udonwa seeks to harness all the economic and social potentialities nature has so graciously embedded in the state. He has articulated various programmes and strategies aimed at a fast-tracked development for the state. His economic blueprint for the state cuts across petroleum, aviation, health, industrial development, education, human development, housing and urban development, cultural renaissance etc. He sees a whole lot of road blocks but, he says he is not daunted by them, not even the incumbency factor. In reaction to the issue of incumbency, the aspirant in his website says; “Some have indicated that I might lose because of the power of incumbency and the ever present election rigging but a single sided opinion poll is no substitute for thought and trying. I know our youths are hungry for a better quality of life, I know they are aware that they are not getting what they deserve and I also know that, although they may be under privilege but they do think and demand change and good governance. I took courage and strength from God's love and in knowing that, it is in this moment of decision that my destiny and the destiny of Akwa Ibom State are changed forever. Ultimately it is not how much and what we get but who we become, what we contribute... that gives meaning and direction to our lives”. Udonwa, thinks the present government does not deserve to be re-elected; “The present government of Akwa Ibom State should not be given a mandate for another four-year term due to non deliverance of basic amenities, which the leaders promised the people when they campaigned for the office “ adding that ; “It is clear, even to the blind, that the economic, political, and social situations in the state need reforms. A strong, focused, caring, and engaging leadership is sorely lacking and the vacuum has created a fertile ground for the crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery, political assassination, child abuse in the name of witchcraft, and other vices to flourish in our land, which just a few years ago was regarded by other sections of our dear country Nigeria as a Canaan”Engr. Ini Ekong Ekerette Udonwa is a 1st Class Marine Engineer presently working with Thome Offshore Management Pte Ltd (the largest ship management company in the world). Ini Ekong Udonwa is also the Executive Director of Inkus Marine and Offshore, Singapore and President, Nigeria Business Association, Singapore.Ini Ekong Udonwa was born on 20 October 1968, into the family of Sir & Lady, Nicholas & Philomena Udonwa of Ikot Esen Oku, Etinan Local Government Area. He is happily married to his dear wife, Kama Udonwa and both of them are blessed with three (3) lively, loudly and lovely children, 2 boys and a girl Amedot, Iman and Shazira Zara.Ini Ekong Udonwa, an Akwa Ibom man at heart, has been proactively involved in direct job placement and recommendations for over 2000 Akwa Ibom students in Singapore and Asia at no cost to them, majority of whom he has accommodated in his home. Suffice to say Akwa Ibom origination rather than tribal affiliations have been the passport to his largesse. A large majority of Akwa Ibom State indigenes occupying important positions in major Oil industries in Nigeria (in the field of Marine and Offshore Engineering) have directly or indirectly benefitted from him via recommendations or direct assistance. Ini Ekong Udonwa enjoys the support and goodwill from high level government functionaries in Singapore, China and a number of Scandinavian countries.He will formally declare his intention to contest the 2011 governorship election in the state in a ceremony scheduled to hold at Ikot Mfon Civic Center, Etinan Local Government Area, on January 2nd 2010 at 2pm.