Tuesday 27 December 2011

The Nigerian SSS and Godswill Akpabio: Who is Fooling Who?



The Mental State of Godswill Akpabio
 
The People of Akwa Ibom State know that Godswill Akpabio is a paranoid individual who is troubled by the blood of innocent men and women he has contributed, directly or indirectly, to the untimely loss of their lives since 2007. Godswill Akpabio is also a man with an inferiority complex developed since childhood as a result of uncertainty about the identity of his real biological father. These two factors may be the actual reasons why Akpabio is unsettling, restless, cries easily, and frequently exhibits traits that many people often use in describing him as a man with dual personality. These two factors may also be the reason why Akpabio is generally known as a man who enjoys telling lies, even if his two hands are caught, re-handed, deep inside the cookie jar.
 
Is Godswill Akpabio suffering from Paranoia?
 
There is something about Godswill Akpabio which I find very interesting, though intriguing; his ability to use his dual personality trait to manipulate the Nigerian system, as in the ability to manipulate the Nigerian SSS agents into believing that his enemies, real or imagined---mostly imagined-- are out to kill him and his family. At least within the last two years, Akpabio has filed several complaints with the SSS complaining about all sorts of people with allegations that these people are out to "get" him.
 
The most bizarre case is the allegation that Thompson Essien is the head of a group that detonated a bomb at the premises of Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation. Interestingly, in spite of the careless statements issued to the media by Nsima Ekere, (Akpabio’s Deputy), in which he mentioned that Thompson Essien was the head of the group that detonated the bomb, no available evidence was presented to that effect, other than a letter sent to him (Thompson Essien) on the Internet by a group, which claimed responsibility for the bombing----a letter which Thompson Essien purposely posted on the Internet with a note which clearly stated that maybe it would help security agencies in their investigations. And let me add here that if Thompson Essien had anything to do with the bombing of the AKBC, he never would have been as stupid to the point of releasing the letter to the public, knowing very well that he could be linked to the bombing situation.
 
There is also another bizarre case. At the end of the Congress of Ibibio People's Union held in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 2011, a Communique was issued, in which there was a line about mobilizing villagers to start a militia (vigilante) group to watch over their villages against the waves of kidnappings in the State since the Government of Godswill Akpabio did not seem to care about the safety and security of the masses. But lo and behold, and in his typical mood of sheer paranoia, Godswill Akpabio felt threatened that IPU was going to replace his militia groups (the AKPF, ADUMA, and ADV) with one of its own.
 
 Akpabio panicked to the point of hysteria, as evidenced in his speech at the Akwa Ibom State National Convention in Miami, Florida, the following week, during which he screamed, "Oh! They (IPU) say they are forming a militia group. Is that the type of group you need? I am going to make sure that all those who want to form a militia group in Akwa Ibom State are deported from the United States." Some people in the audience clapped, without even knowing what Akpabio was talking about and without knowing that at that moment, Akpabio was at the peak of a serious mental drain, caused by the minimizing effect of his psychotic medication, which was wearing out of his blood stream at a dangerous rate.
 
As soon as he returned to Nigeria, Akpabio compiled all sorts of manufacturing reports against Ibibio People's Union (IPU) and sent them to the State Security Services as evidence that IPU is an organization formed to overthrow his government, with Thompson Essien as its leader. However, what Akpabio did not mention to the SSS was his motive behind his complaints against IPU.
 
The Reasons and the Real Target of Akpabio’s Gripes
 
Those of us that organized the IPU Congress in Atlanta know very well that Akpabio's gripes with the organization are because Senator Akpan Udoedehe was invited to the event, while Akpabio was ignored. A few days to the IPU Congress in Atlanta, a gentleman telephoned me from Houston, Texas, and wanted to know what would happen if Akpabio, without invitation, showed up at the IPU Congress. I asked him if Akpabio wanted to attend the event. He said yes. "Tell Akpabio," I instructed the caller, "that if he shows up at the IPU Congress, he would do so at his own risk because he would be venturing into a very hostile environment. Tell Akpabio that he was not invited and we don't want him. I also want you to tell Akpabio that if he shows up, without invitation, as the leader of the organization, I will personally affect his arrest for trespassing." The message must have been delivered to Akpabio because he did not show up.
 
People who read this may be tempted to jump to the conclusion that I sent the above message to Akpabio because I don't like him. It is true that I don't like Akpabio. But my rationale at the time was my concern for his safety. At the time, my quick instincts instructed that with Senator Akpan Udoedehe (a man whom Akpabio has lied against, twice, for his arrest and detention) at the event as the Guest of Honor, there was no way I could envision what might have been the reaction of his (Udoedehe) supporters towards Akpabio. In my mind, I couldn't imagine Senator Akpan Udoedehe and Godswill Akpabio physically together in the same hall. I did not want to be blamed for heading an organization and hosting an event which might have resulted in a situation where someone could have been seriously hurt. I don't know if such fears might have materialized, but I just did not want to take the risk.
 
My second line of reasoning was based on the fact that majority of those that attended the Congress were people with very strong feelings against the policies, or lack of it, of Godswill Akpabio as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. It was very likely that within the audience there would be men and women, whose relatives have been kidnapped, assassinated, murdered, robbed, and unjustly locked up in prisons. All it would have taken for all hell to break loose at the Congress hall would have been a single unguarded statement by Godswill Akpabio, no matter how well intentioned it might have been.
 
On the surface, those who read the ordeal of Chris Udoh with the SSS may think that Thompson Essien is the reason why Godswill Akpabio went to the SSS. It is not. Godswill Akpabio’s complaints to the SSS about Thompson Essien are a ploy to get to Senator Akpan Udoedehe. Akpabio was and still is angry that he was not invited to IPU Congress. Akpabio believes strongly that the Senator is the brain behind the refusal of the IPU Executives to invite him (Akpabio) to the event. And, according to information from some members of his inner circle, nothing pained Akpabio so much as knowing that he and his opponent (the Senator) were in the United States at the same time to attend events hosted by the people of Akwa Ibom State.
 
According to Chris Udoh, the SSS asked him about Thompson Essien, about who finances this and who finances that. They also asked what he knows about the bomb in Akwa Ibom State. Let it be on record that in November (2011), when Senator Akpan Udoedehe was invited for questioning by the SSS in Abuja, he was put through the same line of questioning that Chris Udoh endured last week with the SSS in Port Harcourt.
 
How Professional is the SSS?
 
After his interrogation with the SSS in Abuja, Senator Akpan Udoedehe commended the agents for their professionalism. After his encounter with the SSS in Port Harcourt, Chris Udoh wrote; “One important thing I must bring out up-front is that the SSS officials were organized, respectful, and civil in attitude. I believe they are well trained. If the Nigerian police or other security agencies can borrow 10% of their professionalism, we will have a great nation – the guys were so good and receptive.”I have no reason to doubt the way the two gentlemen assessed the SSS. And I have no doubt that the SSS has clearly stated rules, or policies, that spell out expectations and high degree of professionalism among its agents.
 
However, I am highly convinced that there are some rogue-agents in the agency, whose mandate is to give the SSS a bad name and a bad image. These rogue agents are the ones that collude with evil and corrupt politicians, such as Godswill Akpabio, to harass innocent citizens in the name of State Security.
 
As an instance, when Chris Udoh appeared at the SSS office in Port Harcourt, a representative from his employer---Shell--- asked to know if Chris Udoh’s invitation was a private matter or connected to his employment. He was told the invitation is a private matter. Now, here is the question; if the reason Chris Udoh was invited was personal, why did the SSS send the letter of invitation to Shell---his employer? Is that professionalism?
 
After Chris had introduced himself, he asked the Director for his name. But the Director refused. Instead, he told Chris; “I have told you that I am the director of SSS, why do you need my name? There is only one director of SSS in River State, and that is me, (pointing to himself), everybody knows me. Let us proceed with the reason for today.” Here the Director was behaving as if his name is so sacred that one needs a combination to unlock the Covenant for access to the coveted name. What arrogance from a man who is paid by taxpayers to serve the people. If this behaviour of the Director could be described as professional, then I rebuke it in the name of Jesus Christ.
 
And, as to add insult to injury, the Director objected to interview Chris with his lawyers present. Is that professionalism? If I were Chris Udoh, I would have told the Director that I would not answer any question or cooperate, unless and until my lawyer sits beside me. Such a stand would have educated the arrogant Director to know that there are people in Nigeria who have refused to be intimidated by the wickedness of a few people entrusted with governance.
 
Akpabio and the SSS: Who is fooling who?
 
Let me say that the SSS and Godswill Akpabio are playing games with each other. Akpabio knows that he has no evidence, whatsoever, to connect Thompson Essien with any of his maddening accusations and allegations as reported to the SSS. The agents of SSS, on the other hand, know very well that Akpabio is playing gimmicks due to paranoia. But for some reason, the men and women at the SSS are either too timid or afraid to tell Akpabio, "listen, Governor, your report lacks merit. Therefore, we are going to put it where it should go; trash bin."
 
The reason I say this is because Thompson Essien is not a fugitive, who is in hiding. He is very visible in all aspects; on the Internet he posts where he lives and sometimes he would include his telephone numbers. If the SSS had any evidence to whatever allegations Akpabio has filed against Thompson Essien with the agency, I am of the opinion that, by now, the agency would have contacted him, at least for questioning. If the SSS had any proof of his connection to the bombing at AKBC, they could have contacted him a long time ago. So far, they have not done so. Instead, some agents regale themselves in harassing innocent citizens pretending appear serious about the madness of Godswill Akpabio.
 
What I don't understand is why the SSS is cooperating with Godswill Akpabio to harass innocent citizens under the pretense that they want to know about Thompson Essien. When Senator Udoedehe appeared at the SSS in Abuja, they asked, "What do you know about Thompson Essien? Who is Thompson Essien?" When Chris Udoh appeared before the SSS in Port Harcourt, they asked, "What do you know about Thompson Essien? Who is Thompson Essien?" Asking Chris to tell them about Thompson Essien is laughable. At least Thompson Essien has had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with Senator Udoedehe. As for Chris Udoh, Thompson Essien has never met the guy. Yet this is the same man SSS agents are bombarding with questions about Thompson Essien’s profile. If the SSS wants to know about Thompson Essien, let them contact Thompson Essien, instead of asking people about him. Thompson Essien is not a fugitive, whose profile must be obtained through covet intelligence gatherings. I have provided the information below where Thompson Essien could be contacted, if the SSS feels like doing so.
 
What is Thompson Essien’s Position on Godswill Akpabio?
 
Since the SSS is beating around the bush, let me take this opportunity to give them more information they can add to my profile, by clearly stating my position regarding Godswill Akpabio. I am not under any cover, I want Akpabio removed as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State; this is not a secret where the SSS has to consult an oracle to find out. I want Akpabio out because he is responsible for all the kidnappings, assassinations, rape, murders, and all the incarcerations of innocent Akwa Ibom people---all in the name of politics. I want Akpabio out because of the corruptions and theft of the people’s money. I want Akpabio out because he is a thief, who has stolen, not only the people’s resources, but also their mandate. I want Akpabio out so that there could be peace, safety and security in Akwa Ibom State. I want Akpabio out because he is a bad and terrible leader.
 
Does that mean I want Akpabio dead? Hell, no! There are no doubts that Godswill Akpabio is a devil. So, who in his right mind would want his hands soiled by the blood of a devil? I don’t. Therefore, why would I want to kill Akpabio? As a matter of fact, I pray daily for God to save the life of Akpabio so that when he is finally kicked out office, he could be brought to court to give an account of all the people’s resources he has stolen since 2007.
 
 He must live to tell the people where he got the money to acquire all the lands in Akwa Ibom State. He must live to give an account of where he got the money to build all the mansions he owns. He must live to give an account of all the money he is hiding in foreign banks. If for some unfortunate event Akpabio happens to die (God forbids!) before he can account for his atrocities, it is Akwa Ibom people that will lose-out on everything. That is why Akpabio must live, but he must get out of office.
 
Conclusion
 
Finally, let me take this opportunity to repeat myself; Thompson Essien is not the reason Akpabio went to the SSS. Akpabio wants Akpan Udoedehe---dead! Since after the Election, Akpan Udoedehe has reasonably stayed away from Akwa Ibom State, which makes it difficult for Akpabio to commit a crime and blame it on the Senator. So, Akpabio's rationale is that if he could link Akpan Udoedehe to Thompson Essien, his strongest critic, then Akpan Udoedehe would be arrested and sent to Uyo where Godswill Akpabio would have a good chance to kill the Senator. It is called politics---Akpabio's style.
 
We could recall that Godswill Akpabio has said, on many occasions, that he would rather kill Senator Akpan Udoedehe than allow him to succeed as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. With the pending case in the Tribunal, a situation where Akpabio never thought would occur, and with the pending case of Engineer Frank Okon against Akpabio for forging a Certificate of Clearance, Akpabio knows that it is becoming inevitable, whether he likes it or not, that Senator Akpan Udoedehe will emerge as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. Now you know the full story.
 
Written by
Ikpafak Thompson Essien (Home Telephone: 503-661-6368)
The Voice of the Poor Masses
Defender of the Oppressed
Social Critic
A native of Ibibio nation of Ubium Republic extraction, now living in the safe and beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, where no AKPF, ADUMA, ADV, and Akwa Ibom State politicians can reach.

Zoning divides Eket, Uyo districts


By KAZEEM IBRAHYM 

Political offices in many states are rotated along zonal and ethnic lines. After 12 years of the Fourth Republic, the people of Eket and Oron are making a strong case for power rotation to the district. Uyo politicians have a different view. KAZEEM IBRAHYM presents the views of a cross section of politicians.
ABOUT six months after the 2011 general elections that returned Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State for second term, attention has shifted to the next governorship election. Manoeuvring, permutation and alignment are on. Where the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship ticket would be contested by two contending senatorial districts, (Uyo and Eket the Ikot-Ekpene district is looking forward to playing the kingmaker.
The governor faces a new legal challenge following the Supreme Court verdict which upturned the decision of the Court of Appeal in Calabar. The court had earlier dismissed on technical grounds the petitions filed by the Action Congress Nigeria, (ACN) governorship candidate and running mate, Senator James Udoedehe and Chief Ime Umanah. 
The five-member panel of justices, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, had held that the petitions should not have been dismissed on mere technical ground pointing out that the pre-hearing notice can be done orally. He, however, ordered that the petitions should be heard on its merit. 
But PDP’s focus is the zoning of the governorship. While the ACN is it itching to reclaim its alleged stolen mandate from the PDP-led government in the state, PDP is preoccupied with succession. They want the best man who has the experience and capacity to consolidate on the phenomenal and breathtaking achievements recorded by the Akpabio’s Administration. 
While the people of Eket Senatorial district are saying it is their turn to produce the next governor in 2015, some forces in Uyo especially, the Uyo Senatorial District Elders Council are insisting that the position has never been zoned to any senatorial district. Uyo elders also traced the history of the state right from the time of the Late Governor Akpan Isemin, saying the former governor contested against candidates from all the three senatorial districts. They noted that it was only after his emergence as governor that other positions were zoned to the three senatorial districts. 
Politicians from Eket Senatorial district, particularly, the International Coordinator of Akwa Ibom Peoples’ Forum (AKPF), Bishop Sam Akpan, who many believe is a strong contender for the 2015 governorship seat, disagree with that claim. 
Akpan, who is also the deputy state chairman of the PDP, told The Nation, that PDP is committed to zoning as a principle. He said no single individual can disrupt the arrangement. He said that the party would zone the 2015 governorship to the right senatorial district at the appropriate time.
He noted that zoning is enshrined in the PDP constitution and such would be adhered to in appointing councillors, local government chairmen and of course the governor in 2015. Akpan’s claim, however, contradict the views of the Uyo Senatorial District Elders Council led by Otuekong Sunny Udoh, and 32 others, who many believed are secretly working to deliver Umana Umana, the Secretary to State Government, as the governor in 2015. A source in the SSG’s camp, who pleaded anonymity, said PDP has never relied on zoning in picking its candidate.
This position allies with the view of the SSG supporters and Uyo elders. The elders, in a statement said: “Former Governor Attah in 1999 and 2003, contested against candidates from the three senatorial districts. That there was no zoning for the governorship position was underscored by the fact that even within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aspirants from the three senatorial districts were screened and cleared to contest the primaries for the position of Governor in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. 
“The current Governor, His Excellency, Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio won both primaries in 2006 and 2011 on his merit – after having contested against aspirants from the three senatorial districts who were duly cleared by the PDP. Governor Akpabio won the two primaries deservedly and not because the position was zoned to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district. After the emergence of Chief Godswill Akpabio as Governor, the other positions – Deputy Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Party Chairman etc. were zoned (in line with the practice in 1993, 1999 and 2003) to the three senatorial districts. 
“Against the above background, Council takes serious exception to the statements made by some anti democratic elements that the Governorship position in Akwa Ibom State in 2015 will be exclusively zoned to a particular senatorial district.” 
But the state PDP deputy chairman dismissed the elders claim of the Uyo Senatorial District Elders Council with the wave of hands, saying the qualities of people that signed the contentious statement is of no importance, adding that such people carry no weight in the politics of the state. 
His words: “When you look at the quality of the people that signed the statement, you have not seen the speaker of the State House of Assembly who is a personality from Uyo Senatorial District, you have not seen the state Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party who is also from that district and a Senator representing the district and even a former Governor Idongesit Nkanga’s signature was not on the document. 
“As far as I am concerned, nobody is speaking. Even the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan followed a process of zoning. PDP is committed to zoning and zoning is the principle and process of the PDP. From councillors, chairmen and of course governor will be zoned in Akwa Ibom State. If other parties are not adopting zoning, zoning is an enshrined principle in PDP constitution.” 
Even the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) governorship aspirant in the last general elections, Larry Esin, an Oron man, shared the views as expressed by the Uyo elders. Esin, in a telephone interview with The Nation, says the idea of zoning usually deprives the people of quality leaders. 
Esin said: “Personally I have never believed in zoning as a means of identifying quality leadership. Everybody should come out to contest. The people of Akwa Ibom State should decided who they want. Zoning always deprive any country of a good leaders but if there has been an unwritten or gentleman agreement on the system of rotation of governorship position in Akwa Ibom State, I think the system should be allowed to stay in the interest of equity and justice. 
“Zoning is more of a PDP arrangement. The fact is zoning cannot produce an Oron governor. What the people of Oron should do is to package a governorship candidate that would be accepted by all. They should also try and sell the candidate across the state, to the Annangs and the Ibibios rather than waiting for zoning of the governorship seat. 
“I left PDP for fundamental ideological reasons because I believe certain things should change but those things are still there. I do not believe PDP is the only party that can produce governor in Akwa Ibom State.” 
Also, a member representing Okobo State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Efefiong Antigha, said Oron people are warming up for the 2015 governorship. 
Antigha, who is also the Chairman House Committee on Information, said: “As a person, I will really wish Oron to come up but at the same time politicking has its own gimmicks. Atimes it goes with the winds, the sound of the winds will come and you know exactly where it is going to and then you know what to know. All I know is that Oron people are warming up and before 2015 you will see them on the field.” 
The Akwa Ibom Democratic Project (AKDP) in a briefing penultimate Friday reasoned that from the first democratic experiment of 1991 after the creation of Akwa Ibom State, no section had been barred from contesting the position governorship. 
The spokesman of the group, Alloysius Edet, said it would be politically and historically incorrect to suggest that other senatorial districts should not present a candidate for the 2015 governorship elections. 
His words: “For the 2015 election, no section or group of people should pontificate unreasonably, because there is an established tradition of electoral contest in Akwa Ibom State. If we, as a people, could not defer to a sitting governor the right to contest the election without a challenge, then it is extremely inappropriate for any group to arrogate the right to probate and reprobate. 
“Like the Elders of Uyo senatorial district rightly pointed out, there is no zoning of governorship position in Akwa Ibom State, and we support this position strongly. We appeal to our Royal Fathers, political elders, youths, women, distinguished senators, honourables and quasi politicians to please stop inciting one group against the other, stop creating tension in the land and stop over heating the polity.” 
Many observers believe that urgent steps are required by the PDP to address its zoning arrangement to prevent internal crisis that could to the breakdown of law and order in the state.
Source: The Nation

Eket Fed Constituency Insists on 2015 Guber

- Says Oron, Ikot Abasi Should Hands Off
- Takes Struggle to Abuja
By Franklyn Isong

Even as 2015 is four years ahead, the debates on which geo-political zone to produce the next governorship position of Akwa Ibom State has continued gathering more momentum as some power brokers in Eket Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom South (Eket senatorial district) have decided to take their agitations to the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for sympathy, Weekly Insight can authoritatively report.
Though, there were other political parties in the state, the PDP has been the only party that has held on to power in the state since 1999 and has a strong hold in the state because of it human and material resource which endeared Akwa Ibom people to the party.
Our checks show that the party which pride itself as the largest political party in Africa, though not firm with its policy on zoning, has practically enforced it through its grassroot supporters who normally form its delegates to a congress that would elect their flag-bearers at all levels. In most cases, the party leadership finds itself in a fix after taking a position on which zone a political office should be zoned to and this was not followed by the party’s delegates at the primaries.
The argument for the zoning formula for 2015 is almost tearing the Akwa Ibom state apart as the debate has even allegedly polarized the state executive council. Every action or inaction in the state now is interpreted politically with political meaning read into every move and every spoken word. Often times, groups are sponsored from within to neutralize whatever effect a statement or action would have on the opposing side’s aspiration for the 2015 governorship race.
Weekly Insight gathered that the major key players in the zoning discourse are people from the two geopolitical zones of Eket and Uyo since the present state governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, hails from Ikot Ekpene zone.
Eket senatorial district comprises of 12 Local Government Areas, the largest in the state with three Federal Constituencies of Eket, Ikot Abasi and Oron. The power shift gladiators in this zone cut across the three Federal constituencies of the zone. They are Mr. Nsima Udo Ekere, the state deputy governor who is from Ikot Abasi LGA of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency; Senator Helen Udoakaha Esuene, Hon. Eseme Eyibo, while Esuene is from Eket LGA and represents the zone at the senate, Eyibo is from Esit Eket LGA and also represents Eket Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives. 
Others are Chief Asam Asam, current Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eket LGA; Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, Akwa Ibom State of Assembly member representing Ibeno/Esit Eket state constituency, Ibeno LGA; Hon. Edueso Essien, immediate past minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Eket LGA; Dr. Samuel Ndede Udonsak, a private medical practitioner in Port Harcourt, Eket LGA; Bishop Samuel Akpan, state deputy chairman of PDP, ONNA LGA; Arc. Out Ita Toyo, chairman of Akwa Ibom Local Government Service Commission, Oron LGA and Barr Effiong Abia, Secretary of Finance and General Purpose Committee, FGPC, from Mbo. These are the men for now who are seriously contending for the governorship position come 2015.
This paper can report that the gladiators from Eket federal constituency comprising Eket, Esit Eket, ONNA and Ibeno are laying claim to the Hilltop Mansion in 2015 as they have taken the struggle to a front burner at the national level.
Early this year, a former national assembly member, Senator Etang Umoyo, came out publicly to declare that the position was solely for the Eket federal constituency, arguing that the area has never produced an elected State Chief Executive in the history of state. 
Umoyo’s statement triggered heated discourse as no sooner had he made the comment than Oron Think Tank, a socio-political group in Oron nation, countered Umoyo with the argument that Oron has been marginalized in the tripod arrangement of the state. the body posited that for the purpose of equity and fairness, the area should be allowed to clinch the top seat in 2015. Their argument was predicated on the fact that when the governorship went to Ikot Ekpene, it was specifically reserved for the Annang Ethnic group. The Oro block insist that the same should hold sway and the governorship specifically zoned to the Oro ethnic nationality.
The debate we gather has now shifted to Abuja, and has added a new twist to the whole issue, as Weekly Insight gathered at the weekend that some top politicians from Eket including, the national assembly members from the axis have petitioned the presidency and the national secretariat of the PDP, demanding that the governorship of the state in 2015 be zoned to Eket federal constituency, specifically, since its lays the golden eggs (crude oil) that feeds the nation which, according to them, was the reason Akwa Ibom was included among the oil-producing states in the Niger Delta.
Our source, a senior citizen of Eket federal constituency who himself is a strong contender to the governorship seat in 2015 hinted that the petition was instigated on the grounds that the people of Eket has never been given a chance to produce an elected state governor for Akwa Ibom since the state was created in 1987. He said that why the argument of ethnic tripod does not hold water was because the Oron nation has produced the state deputy governor in the person of Chief Etim Okpoyo who deputized late Obong Akpan Isemin, thus dismissing the argument of the Oro nation of marginalization in the office of governor.
He further explained that the 2015 governorship of the state should be in Eket because Ikot Abasi Federal constituency has also produced the state deputy governor both in the persons of Engr. Patrick Ekpotu and Mr. Nsima Ekere for a two term of four years each while, Eket has had none.
Weekly Insight learnt that for an Eket man to emerge the governor, they have to sacrifice the senatorial seat to Oro nation and they (Eket power brokers) have reportedly said that the 2015 senatorial seat would move to Oro nation while they cling onto the governorship position for the sake of equity and fairness. 
This paper learnt at the weekend that some power brokers in Eket have formed a contact and mobilization group that has began negotiations with other zones and ethnic groups in the state.
Our investigations further revealed that last weekend, the group took their campaign to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district where they reportedly met with some royal fathers, socio-political/ cultural groups amongst several other power brokers and individuals in the axis.
Weekly Insight gathered that top on their agenda was the issue of power shift to Eket federal constituency. Our source, a member of the contact team who claimed to be the spokesman of the group during their meetings at Ikot Ekpene, disclosed on anonymity, that the meeting ended with the royal fathers and power brokers in the area agreeing that 2015 governorship should be meant specifically for Eket Federal Constituency. 
He said that the Annang power brokers have reasoned that the Oro people were too “slippery” to be relied upon as they (Oro people) “betrayed” them (Annang) in 2007 and 2011 general election which almost caused them (Annangs) loosing the governorship seat of the state to their brother Ibibios. Weekly Insight reliably gathered that an accord was reportedly reached between the Ekets and Annangs for the 2015 governorship of the state. The debate continues with each side digging deep into the race that promises to see a lot of drama and intrigues.

Akpabio, Udoedehe resume legal battle in Uyo Jan. 10



The legal battle for the occupation of the Hill Top Mansion will resume at the reconstituted Governorship election tribunal in Uyo on January 10, 2012. The Supreme Court had earlier ordered that the governorship election petition filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria’s governorship candidate at the election, challenging the declaration of Chief Godswill Akpabio, the PDP candidate at the election, as the elected governor of Akwa Ibom state.
The trial tribunal had earlier struck out the petition citing non compliance with the provision for pre-hearing in accordance with the 2010, Electoral Act. The Court of Appeal, Calabar Division was to later strike out the appeal filed by John Akpanudoedehe challenging the ruling of the trial tribunal. Not satisfied with the judgement of the court of appeal on his appeal, Akpanudoedehe headed to the supreme court for a proper interpretation of the relevant portions of the Electoral Act, concerning the activation of pre-trials.
The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision, held that the matter be returned to a new tribunal to be constituted for retrial. The court insisted that the matter should be heard on its merit, saying that even an oral application could suffice for a pre-hearing notice. The apex court presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, ordered that the petition should be heard de novo by a fresh tribunal.
Since the Supreme Court returned the matter for re-trial, there had been no major move in that direction till last week, when the Acting President of the Court of Appeal constituted another three-man panel to hear the CAN petition on its merit. The matter has since been slated for January 10, 2012 for commencement of legal fireworks. The petitioners will then be expected to prove to the tribunal that the Independent Electoral Commission was wrong to have returned the incumbent governor as the validly elected governor at the April 26, 2011 governorship election in the state.

Gov. Akpabio Vs Ibibio/Ibom Forum: My Day With The SSS By Chris Udoh


Sequel to the face-off between vocally opposed members of Ibibio Nation and Ibom forum, a Yahoo mail group, and the Gov. Akpabio led administration in Akwa Ibom state, there had been a spirited effort to rein-in both groups. Recently a petition that was meant to shut down the two groups was leaked and other subterranean moves to cut to size those perceived to oppose the administration has continued. The fear in the forum had been the hint on tagging the email groups as terror groups, exporting terror to Akwa Ibom state. They were specifically linked to the alleged threat to kidnap the governor and members of his family, a charge the members have vigorously denied.
The purported “bombing” of part of the state broadcasting corporation, AKBC, was again linked to the group by the government. A move that has triggered off a full-scale investigation by security agencies on the activities of members of the group. The groups have as members, high profile Akwa Ibom people, both at home and in the Diaspora, who have used the resources of the internet to comment on critical economic, security, political and administrative issues in the state. Like anything political, membership is sharply divided between those opposed to government and those in support of the Akpabio administration.
Of recent, members who feel strongly that there had been a more than preponderant anti government views have had to float other internet groups such as the Akwa Ibom Diaspora Network’s, Akwaibomglobal, Ibom Chronicle, Ibom Vanguard etc. Some members of these groups constitute a major opposition to the leadership style of Gov Akpabio. 
The push to undo the recalcitrant vocal opposition this week culminated into the security invitation of one of the most rabid critics of the administration based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Mr. Chris Udoh, a member of staff of Shell, who had at a time reported in the forum that operatives of government had made some unsavory report concerning him to his employers,. Mr Udoh was guest at the Rivers state head office of the Department of State Security and here recounts his experience. 

“The SSS letter got to shell at closing hour of 20.12.2011 (4:02pm) and I was to report at the Port Harcourt office on 21.12.2011. The luck was that the Legal department was able to reach me on seat at 4:24pm to enable me plan ahead for the slaughterhouse. Our official closing hour is 4:00pm and I suspect the plan was for them to take me by surprise in the morning of 21.12.2011.
I used the opportunity of early information to make few phone calls. On reaching home, I didn’t want my wife to know about it, hence I comported myself as if nothing happened. This was intentional because the thickness of our skins to issues of this nature are at wide variance; while I am able to absorb maximum shock, my wife is of the minimum category. Lock ran out of me when the frequency of phone calls increased more than usual, and she heard my conversations. 
The conversation with my Lawyer broke the camel’s back; then she asked, ‘what is the problem. I overheard you mention SSS’. 'O my dear, it’s not a big deal, I have been invited by the SSS, I will be there early in the morning and return back latter in the day. I just needed my lawyer to be around in case there are issues’ I responded. This was a tactic to dismiss further probes. I hurriedly left the bedroom and ran downstairs to meet with a brother who came from the village, enroute to Ondo state. We watched wrestling till about 11:30pm when I believed Madam would have been asleep. I also did not discuss the SSS invitation with my brother because I did not want to raise unnecessary emotions at home and in the village.
As usual I did some security checks around my house before deciding to proceed upstairs to have the night’s rest. Surprisingly, my wife had suddenly developed a very high fever. I asked, ‘darling, your body is so hot, what’s the problem’ ‘I don’t know’, she whispered. We agreed for her to visit the clinic in the morning. She was leaving the clinic when I was about to take off to the SSS office. This time, her voice was warm and good as she whispered some sweet words through the phone. I responded to her with assurance; ‘We will soon take off to the place, don’t worry. It is the company that is taking me there and they will bring me back before close of business. Take care of the children, bye!’
The first protocol at the SSS Gate house was to retrieve our phones and any form of communication gadgets to make us incommunicado with the rest of the world.
SECOND ENTRY INTO THE DIRECTORS OFFICE
The officer assisting the director came into the waiting room and beckoned to me to come. The director, the officer, and I took a seat around the long table on the right hand side of the office. While the director and the assistance sat together on the left side, I was asked to sit in the opposite direction facing both of them. The officer then handed me some white sheets of A4 paper. They did not introduce themselves. The director opened up by issuing instructions on what to do with the white sheets that were handed to me;
Director: You have those sheets of papers, and if you need more, it will be given to you. I will tell you what to do with them... (I cut in)
Me: Sir may I know you;
Director: I am the SSS director;
Me: I mean your name sir;
Director: I have told you that I am the director of SSS, why do you need my name?. There is only one director of SSS in River State, and that is me, (pointing to himself), everybody knows me. Let us proceed with the reason for today. (I agreed and we move on...)
Director: You are from Akwa Ibom state. You are here because of the governor of Akwa Ibom State. I am going to give you some questions and you will write them down. You will be given enough paper and time to comprehensively respond to those questions.
Me: Can I use the computer to record the questions to make it faster (pointing to the laptop on the table).
Director: No, you have to write the questions with your own hands. 

THE SSS QUESTIONAIRES
Seven questions were dictated to me by the director. Question 1 was for me to provide a detailed background of myself; Question 2 had 8 sub-questions; all other questions had between 2 to 3 sub-questions, except questions 6 and 7 which were comprehensively made of one question each.
Question 1: Give a detailed description of your background
Question 2- What do you know about Ibibio Peoples Union Forum?
Me: Do you mean Ibibio Forum?
Director: Yes Ibibio Forum, or whatever name you people call it. You are a member and you know it.
Me: Ok, Move on, .. 
Director: this question has sub-headings, so take them down and provide detailed answers.
Brethren, I cannot memorise all the questions verbatim, because I was not allowed to take anything away from the place but I will give you an idea of what they covered, which included;
Formation of Ibibio Forum
Time it was founded,
Its Objectives, 
Their sponsors
Key Officers
Its Location
Sources of its Funding
My contributions, e.t.c.
The were questions on:
Number of active members of Ibibio Forum
The type of things that are being discussed
The topics that I posted, e.t.c
Instigation of people to fight the governor
There were various questions on the personality of Thompson Essien, who he is, where he lives and my relationship with him.
There was a question that says that I participated in bombing Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation on 17/10/2011
Other questions were on my role in the pre-election violence in Akwa Ibom state that led to the burning of vehicles
Another question was on sponsoring Ibibio Militia against the governor, my membership and my contributions to the militia group
Question 7 was on the existence of Ibibio Liberation Movement to fight against Akpabio, my role, and money I have contributed to fund the movement.
THE ETTE THOMPSON ESSIEN QUESTION
All the questions centred around Thompson Essien and myself. I would like to advise Ette Thompson Essien to be more careful and vigilant, particularly at this last days; I call it 'the injury time' for the high court/tribunal referees to blow the wistle against Akpabio. With the tone of the allegations and references to Thompson Essien, Godswill Obot Akpabio and his people are prepared to go the extra-mile.
THE BASIS FOR MY INVITATION
It would have been clearer if I am able to present the questions and my responses verbatim. I know my responses but I cannot nit the questions as they were. Notwithstanding, I believe above outline had given you an idea of why Godswill Obot Akpabio sent the SSS after me. Someday you will find the full questions and responses in prints - please look out for 'Rodents on Rampage' a story of a kingdom where the privilaged few sweep the wealths in their kingdom. 
The letter sent to the Chief security officer of Shell, was smart with precision, ...., they were looking for Chris Udoh, a native of Akwa-Ibom State who is an employee in your establishment, .........' The governor’s relation, Mr Emem Akpabio, is my colleague in the same establishment. He is a member of Ibom and IbibioNation Forums. He has access to all the discussions in the forum. 
Aniekan Umanah and many other sycophants are also members of the Forums, however these last categories of people could not have been more précised in their description and direction. 
CONCLUSION
Finally I was told by the SSS officer to write that ‘I have not written anything in Ibibio Forum to instigate people against the governor of Akwa Ibom State’governor' and sign. I did this and signed-off as directed by the SSS officer, before I departed. This is because I know that I have not instigated anyone against Godswill Obot Akpabio - My fights are for good governance in Akwa Ibom state, which aligns with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and my fundamental human right to freedom of speech
If they fail in this one, there is a high likelihood that they will go for the blood, but I know that He that has kept me till date will not disappoint me, and even if He does, I will not bow to the wickedness of Godswill Obot Akpabio and his Cult-infested organisations. Therefore, I am still waiting for further actions.”