OJUKWU AND THE DECLARATION OF BIAFRA - part I

The First Military Coup

The devastation that is witnessed today in Nigeria , almost forty years after independence, is an antithesis to the promise of January 15, 1966 . On that day, Major Kaduna Chukwuma Nzeogwu and his army boys staged the first coup operation dubbed "Damisa", meaning leopard in Hausa language. The promise then was that a new Nigeria was to be built from the ashes of the First Republic . Even the success of that coup foreshadowed the attractive danger the military was luring itself into. The coup was swift, brutal and merciless. When it ended, northern Nigerian leaders such as the Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; Ahmadu Bello, the Saduana of Sokoto and a powerful premier of the north; Festus Okotie-Eboh of the Midwest, a federal minister of finance; and Ladoke Akintola, the self acclaimed premier of the west were all killed. But no leader in the Ibo's East was killed. Because Nzeogwu himself was a Midwestern Ibo from Asaba, hence the coup took ethnic undertone.

Taking to the airwaves, Nzeogwu said, "The aim of the Revolutionary Council is to establish a strong united and prosperous nation, free from corruption and internal strife. My dear countrymen, no citizen should have anything to fear so long as that citizen is law abiding. Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand ten percent, those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs, at least the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big before the international circles; those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds. Like good soldiers, we are not promising anything miraculous or spectacular. But what we do promise every law-abiding citizen is freedom from fear and all forms of oppression, freedom from general inefficiency and freedom to live and strive in every field of human endeavor, both nationally and internationally. We promise that you will no more be ashamed to say that you are Nigerians.

"You are hereby warned that looting, arson, rape, embezzlement, bribery or corruption, obstructing the revolution, sabotage, subversion, false alarms and assistance to foreign invaders, are all offenses punishable by the death sentence. Illegal possession or carrying of firearms, smuggling or trying to escape with documents, valuables including money, or other assets vital to the running of any establishment will be punished by death sentence. Tearing down an order of the day or proclamation, or other notices will be penalized by death." (Extract from Beyond the Execution)

To Be Continued

Sincerely,

Dr. Tom Mbeke-Ekanem, REA
Moderator
Author, Beyond the Execution -

Understanding The Ethnic and Military Politics in Nigeria

Jonathan and the burden of history

WRITTEN BY

Ubong Essien

SIR: Since he came to power in 2009, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan has cut the image of a humble and humane leader, not the desperate breed that we have been accustomed to. That perception, made it possible for him to secure a pan-Nigerian mandate against all odds in the last presidential elections.

However, it turns out that President Jonathan may not be so sincere after all. In the run-up to and during the last elections, it became clear that the President was more interested in politics than governance as he covertly tilled the political playing field in favour of PDP candidates across country. And after the elections he has been doing much more to sustain the PDP’s dubious victories across the country, even as he emphasized his desire for a free and fair elections based on a one man, one vote.

It is, to our utter disappointment that the President has been dissipating so much energy trying to fix the PDP rather thanNigeria. Of course, many cannot forget in a hurry the ignoble role he played then as Vice President in the EkitiState electoral fiasco where his party hierarchy led by him engineered the rigging of elections in favour the PDP only to have that victory quashed by the court.

In retrospect, it seems the only honest man ever produced by the PDP is late President Umaru Yar’Adua who had reportedly refused to be part of that show of shame.

Ever since he came into office, I am not aware of any efforts by the President to promote good governance in the states, where some of the governors rule like emperors.

After all, he cannot feign ignorance about the records of some governors. A typical example is Akwa Ibom where Governor Godswill Akpabio rules like an absolute tyrant. In the last three years, the presidency has been inundated with numerous petitions about the activities of the governor but the President has simply turned a deaf hear thus allowing the governor to successfully enthrone arbitrary rule and culture of impunity. President Jonathan came with a promise of fresh air and rule of law. Instead, what we are seeing is a continuation of Obasanjo-era anti-democratic machinations. Against this backdrop, it is pertinent to say that it is not enough for the President to make a good impression of himself and his government, he must live up to it because neither him nor his government can project an image very long that is a false representation. When the image is only a surface effect meant for public consumption, the true values of both will inevitably reveal themselves.

The president has taken off on a wrong feet. He is acting more like the President of the PDP than the President of Nigeria. And I may conclude that the hopes and expectations of a new dawn with him in the saddle may have been misplaced after all.

VIA THE NATION

Judgement soon on Dean Faculty of Law’s N.100 Billion Law Suit against Police

An Uyo High Court presided over by Justice Andrew Okon of Court 5, is set to deliver judgement in the N100m suit filed by the Dean Faculty of Law University of Uyo, Professor Nsogurua Udombana, against the Commissioner of police, Akwa Ibom state command and one Corporal Martins, a Mobile police officer, for acts of brutality, illegal detention, assault, and infringement of his fundamental human rights. Professor Udombana is asking the court to order the police to pay him N100 million as damages for unjustifiable torture inflicted on him by the second respondent, Corporal Martins.
In a 19-paragraph affidavit in support of his application for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights, the professor of law averred that he was brutally attacked by a Mobile police officer on duty at CCC junction Uyo in the evening of February 19, 2011. He stated that the officer had flagged him down at the police checkpoint at the junction and while still trying to park properly, the officer had pointed his riffle menacingly at him, prompting him to politely ask the police officer not to point his weapon at him as he was not a criminal.
Udombana, further pointed out that he was at this point dragged from his car and slapped several times by the police officer. He stated that his introduction of himself as a lawyer and a University lecturer did not help matters as the officer continued beating him and hurling abuses at him.
“The second respondent ordered me to sit on the ground but I refused and this infuriated him the more. He continued to torture me as he liked and I was detained for over two hours at the checkpoint. All pleadings by persons who knew me and concerned members of the public who saw my plight fell on deaf ears of the second respondent”, Prof Udombana said. He added that “second respondent threatened to kill me, according to him, he ‘can waste me’ and nothing would happen. That was when I became afraid and managed to call several persons to come to my rescue, since it was getting dark and anything could have happened to me as the second respondent was dead serious”
The Dean law faculty, went to narrate how he had to call the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof Comfort Ekpo, the ASUU Uniuyo chapter chairman, Dr Ashong Ashong, as well as the Chief Security Officer of Uniuyo, Col. Nyong. It was through the entreaty of the VC to the state government that a senior police officer was sent to rescue him from his jailer.
“I have never been so badly tortured, slapped, beaten, assaulted, detained, humiliated, embarrassed and deprived of my fundamental rights in this country, in that manner before, not even under the military era that such treatment was rampant.
“That this unwarranted and unjustifiable torture, beating and slapping was done in the full glare of the public and in the presence of several students of the University, who were either returning or going back to school”.
The former University of Lagos lecturer, is praying the court to “Restrain the respondents, its officers, agents, servants from further arresting, detaining, harassing and intimidating the applicant or in any manner breaching his fundamental rights except in accordance with procedure permitted by law”. He is also asking for, “N100, 000, 000 only as damages against the respondents for the unjustifiable torture and the breach” of his fundamental rights.
The parties have so far adopted their oral and written addresses and the court has fixed judgement on the matter to January 16, 2012.

Frank Okon, Udoedehe: Akpabio on heat, cancels enlarged Exco meet, visits

The recent supreme court of Nigeria decision to return the case involving Se. JJ Akpanudoedehe to be tried on merit against the earlier alleged corruption ridden technicalities that struck out the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN’S) petition against Akpabio and his ruling Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) is said to be placing the Governor on heat, forcing him to be elusive, reclusive necessitating the cancellation of the enlarge Executive meeting on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011 Insight can authoritatively report.
The enlarge Exco meeting is usually the last meeting for the year and it involves all the players in the system but the one scheduled for last Monday could not hold due to the confusion said to be very visible in the camp of chief Akpabio, according to a reliable government source who pleaded for anonymity.
Weekend Insight reliably gathered that two features: senator JJ Udoedehe and Engr.Frank Okon cases had propelled the cancellation of the enlarge Exco meeting and other visits as the source said the Governor chief Godswill Akpabio was dully troubled by the supreme court decision to order a retrial of the case on merit hence, to avoid unnecessary destructions by those who would come to see him.
The source told this reporter that the cancellations were necessary because, they afforded His Excellency and his inner circle members the occasion to crack their brain on how to tackle the monster rearing its ugly head in the form of a retrial.
He told us that the Engineer Frank Okon’s case has been on the jugular of the Governor and that Udoedehe’s case thought to have been dispensed with is now placing the Governor on the defensive given the sensitive nature of the case.
He said that “given the political situation in Bayelsa state which the incumbent Mr. Trimipre Sylva lost out and the presidency did nothing; it was imperative for the Akwa Ibom State man to be worried because as it stands anything can happen”, he said
He stressed that the case involving Senator Akpanudoedehe might be considered as high but on its merit, the burden of proofs and other related incidents that will be deployed in form of evidence are indeed witty.
Again, the source said “the case involving Frank (Okon) comes up in less than a month’s time. This is one case that has troubled even the PDP national takless of the Governor.
“I understand that there’re people who go about deceiving His Excellency that the case is a light one but he’s not so easily deceived.
“You may not know how troubled, confused and discreet he has become lately because he doesn’t want people to notice his frustration” and adding that the seeming frustration informed partly “the cancellation of the enlarge Exco meeting and so many other visits the governor had approved for Monday through Tuesday before he jetted out to Abuja where he was billed to be conferred with an Award by the federal college of Technology, Yabba, Lagos, Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ministries, Departments and Agencies continue to groan in abject lack as almost all the ministries, Departments and Agencies approached by this paper complained of lack of funds to execute projects embarked upon by them.
Last Week, the State took delivery of N21.9 billion :its share of the federal allocation to state/ 13 percent derivative fund and question are being ask as to what has happened to such huge sum just days after it was released.
In another development, civil servants have vowed to frustrate the Governor if there were to be a cancellation of the election and a rerun ordered by the court.
Although most believe the Governor might still win, majority argued that “even if the governor in desperation approves N22, 000 as minimum wage, “we will take it because it’s our money, because it’s our statutory right but we won’t vote him because the lies are much and we have learned greatly our lesson though belatedly”, they said.

Non-recogniition of Oro Nation as oil bearing community: Joint House Committees in Uyo, settle for business

BY EPHRAIM IKPE

The Joint House Committees of the National Assembly arrived the Ibom International Airport on Thursday November 24, 2011 on a mission to carry out investigations as well as conduct a public hearing to ascertain the veracity of the position of the Motion before the Green Chamber by a member of the House, representing Oron Federal Constituency, Hon. Robinson Uwak, seeking for recognition of his Federal Constituency as an Oil and Gas bearing region of the South-South zone.
Speaking to Journalists at the Airport soon on arrival with other members of the Joint House Committees, the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Hon. Ajibola said that they were in Akwa Ibom to find out the truth about the prevalence of Oil and Gas in Oro nation’s Communities and they would do all they could to establish that fact to ensure that justice was done to the people of Oro nation.
Hon. Ajibola observed that Oro nation was believed to be an Oil bearing community within Akwa Ibom and Nigeria and that it was not difficult to prove that position as where oil exploration was taking place would not be hidden as they would go round. He assured that once they establish that Oil was present in Oro nation they, in the House of Reps would do everything they would be able to pass a resolution on the matter.
Corroborating the position of Hon. Ajibola, Hon. Uche Ekunife from Anambra State, Chairman, House Committee on Environment added that they were in Akwa Ibom State to prove the claims made by one of their members, Hon. Robinson Uwak through a Motion to the House of Reps. that his Federal Constituency was an Oil and Gas producing Community and same had been abandoned for so many years by the Federal Government, having not been recognized as such.
Asked on how they intended to make their findings, she said after going round they would take the views, memoranda and presentations of the members of the Community, the Oil Companies and other stakeholders, analyze such contributions and come up with a position to ensure that the communities in Oro nation benefit from the oil and gas taken from their land.
In his response to a question as to how he made his way into the hearts of his colleagues in the House of Reps to see his Motion given such rapt attention and whether he just started the struggle or took off from where a former legislator ended, the representative of Oron Federal Constituency has this to say, “I want to say that this people were not given the best. It is said that a tiger produces its kind, and not a dog. Governor Godswill Akpabio is an emerging tiger and out of his state I have emerged. We are approaching transformation through good legislation with the spirit of the emerging tiger. That is what we are doing…”
Hon. Ekunife had told reporters that about twenty of them from five House Committees would be arriving, since they had to come in two flights at 2.00pm and 4.00pm. They House members were treated to a colourful Airport reception made up of women and cultural groups. Some of those present at the Airport reception grounds were the President General of Oro Union, Barr. O. A. Okon; the Transition Committee Chairman of Udung Ukoh LGA, leaders of thoughts, political elders, Hon. Uwak’s Coordinators for the five local government areas of Oro nation, Personal Assistants, the people of Oro nation and friends.
The team moved from the Airport for a Courtesy call to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State as scheduled. The Joint Committees would make findings by air, water and land as well as conduct public hearing on Saturday November 26, 2011 to ascertain whether Hon. Uwak’s motion should be positively followed for the benefit of Oro people.
Weekend Insight gathered that the State Governor was also billed to come into the State later that day as the Aircraft that carried the House members also conveyed some Aides of Governor Godswill Akpabio. As at press time, a text message put across to an aide of the Commissioner for information in the state to confirm that position yielded no result.

FRANK OKON: EMERGING PHENOMENON

BY EKANEM MOSES. 08027272651

“Don’t Remove the Kinks from Your Hair, Remove them from Your Brain”
Marcus Garvey
Ever since Frank Okon dragged Governor Akpabio to Federal High Court for infringing his right of participating in the last Governorship election in the state, the first time Akwa Ibom State broadcasting corporation (Radio) service gave a balanced analysis of what transpired at the Federal High Court, Abuja was on 11th November, 2011.
• Everybody was dump founded on the surprising turn of event. In a society where everything is politicized, there are shenanigans that could deter even the most patriotic of citizens from contributing to the betterment of his society. It is the Administration antithesis to good governance that made many surprised how the Radio service arm of the AKBC was allowed to perform function agreeing with the laid down norms and ethics of the profession.
• There are many regarded as red herring by forces accustomed to backwardness to those in pursuit of light. The new or rebranded AKBC notwithstanding is an indication that the state is getting reform for better. The other way round, it goes to show how rapidly Engr. Frank Okon is getting popular. In earnest his reputation is soaring high. It is not by his doing but by virtue of his over whelming acceptance by the masses, the afflicted, the tortured etc.
• This is premised on his doggedness, ability to challenge the incumbent demanding justice. And he so does it without compromising his mandate, despite all the mounted pressure from seen and unseen forces. It is one of the cases that political analysis consider as dangerous as well as dicey, and they certainly posit that even the Governor knows the legal implication of what Frank Okon is targeting.
• It is seen as an albatross that hang on the Governor’s neck. The case against him goes beyond the mere bragging of no cause for alarm. An alarm is not necessary only for the noise it makes, but its principal function is for the noise to get one alert, which ultimately remind one of something. Failure to keep to the alert one is bound to blame self for whatever consequences that follows. Whosoever says there is no cause for alarm is living in a fool’s paradise.
• This is not the best of time, infact not conducive enough for the state’s helmsman. Despite their brilliant negative smartness, somehow he might regret his action for giving out himself to be dragged into the murky water of politics. The splash of this water is coming out from different quarters all attacking the number one man in the state.
• Another unexpected occurrence also took place within the calculated period. Some media houses reputed and noted for schism had no alternative as they had to eat the humble pie by calling a spade a spade by also reporting a veritable legal goal scored by Senator Udoedehe as his case also took a dramatic twist recently. Still against our Excellency. Instructively this time to be heard on merit, no more the ‘K’ leg technicalities manufactured by the politicians for the politicians.
• What these mean is that a complete and total democracy is being applauded. We regard it a plus to a non-violent approach so far employ by Frank Okon to effect change and orientation instill on people to sustain our nascent democracy. By the lesson of LYNDON JOHNSON “We should attack these condition not because we are frightened by conflict, but because we are fired by conscience”
• We should realize that success is in a student not in the university; greatness is in the individual, not in the library; power is in man not in his crutches. A great man will make opportunity, even out of the commonest situation. What about that? We all cherish power for nothing is as sweet as power. By power you gain in road, bulldoze, dig in, dig out, cover and uncover, perpetuate evil and good.
• But what is bad about it is when it goes to extreme, it becomes absolute, and immediately it becomes automy, there it establishes a tendency for obduracy. At this point one becomes a handy dictator whether in democracy or military dispensation. When dictatorial administration is being dispensed, notoriety is available to compliment it.
• As might be expected, at this level, it takes a different person to challenge the monster. It is very dangerous to toil with it as it is ready to kill, destroy whosoever crosses its path. As such challenging an object as dangerous as this requires an extraordinary being. A man with a determined heart, and unshakeable will power to give the all imposing giant a good battle.
• Certainly, the Bible has given us a good reference where we can draw example concerning these types of men, and also an instance of how what they consider minute, always reduce them to shred. David had nothing in common with Goliath in whatever ramification, but with just a sling, he stooped to conquer Goliath.
• The metamorphosis’s of this feat is perhaps resuscitating in Akwa Ibom State. For avoidance of doubt, if you never came across Frank Okon, for your information, he has no imposing feature or physique, or bulky as you could imagine, but he has the brawn, the brain and daring disposition. That is the more reason he has stood firm to challenge the Governor by pushing to extreme in the march on obtaining justice.
• The most interesting aspect is that all is happening within the same PDP. Although, we know that power intoxicates but to what extent or what advantage do one stand to gain by forcefully truncating decency just because you want to remain in power. Struggle alone educates the exploited class, struggle alone reveals to it the measure of its strength, widen it outlook, enhance it abilities clarifies it mind and still the will.
• It is the will that Frank Okon is using as a lesson to teach us that power should be taken with a bit of moderation. Intimidating, harassing and in the cause kill those one governs does not speak well of such personality, as such leadership is derived from the den of devil. Frank Okon by all indication is stooping to conquer through a source of power unknown to many.
• The same source that overran pharaoh and his kingdom and downsized him into Red sea. The same power that rubbished nebuchadnezzar’s throne. Ahab couldn’t fathom where cometh the power that designed his plight. Nor could Herod thought out what maggot wanted in one part of his leg. As you keep naming the ancient leader and present ruler. So we keep knowing how God Almighty destroyed them.
• There are those who always try to run away from the long arm of the law, but eventually run into God’s Law of Karma, popularly known as cosmic law. These dictators should be told that it is not always pleasant for two ends to meet. That is in essence being caught up with God’s punishment and at the sometime with man’s judgment.
• The prevalence of blood is exposing what we do not know. The more lives they destroy, the more awards they get and the more opposition mounts against them. The opposition comes at a right time to pacify the aggrieved the wounded. The people need someone to salvage them out of their dire predicament. And the risky Job is being undertaken by a determined warrior whose case is sending shivering signal into the camp of his opponent.
• His being at Federal High Court has caused serious alarm. If there is no alarm caused, people wouldn’t have been paid to disguise as Frank Okon’s loyalists in order to cause mayhem, to deflate his suit. But God who has never been a partner to injustice sent solutions to that satanic plan. It was promptly nib on the bud.
• If there is no cause for alarm, then why a high ranking Paramount Ruler of Ibibio land and his cohort were sent on a rescue mission. Though fruitless and unsuccessful as the David God anointed to take over from Saul was no where to be found. Although there are and there is evidence of lots of lobby, but the reason those lobbies may not succeed are many.
• One is that there will never be a day he will acknowledge those who made it possible for his pleas to be answered. Pleading, kneeling, prostrating before the Obas, Emirs, Obis, retired and serving Generals is not enough to set the captive free. For a reminder, let those traditional fathers who have accepted to cheapen themselves be warned that their perfidy is getting out of human understanding. Can’t they borrow a leaf from their counter parts elsewhere?
• Why should they be stooping low to do small boy biddings, a boy of their grandson’s age? When will they start having decorum, integrity and dignity attach to their exalted stool? We are tired of being constantly embarrassed by their insatiable urge. If they do not know the rules governing them, and are not able to conduct themselves in an organized, responsible and respectfully manner, then their subjects should be prepared to start sending them into exile.
It is not a new thing that kings have been made to abdicate their throne. Let it be done, right now in Akwa Ibom State. A lot of them are walking free and stirring hornet nest unnecessarily. They should allow the man with innumerable titles and awards know that a tiger always have a price to pay either by protecting its pride or by challenging it challengers squarely, for good or bad.
Tigers do not run to lion, bear or Elephants for whatever assistance when it has preys to target. We never heard of it, and shall never be. The hope of the common people in Akwa Ibom now counts on who leads them justifiably out of the mess. In equally marched anecdote, Frank Okon said the key to greatest happiness lies in giving hope to the hopeless by showing that handwork, truth and determination will always pay off.
What the center holds now is pay back time. What a man sowed is what he reaped, so the Bible says. It is the best of time to ascertain if what each and every one of them had sowed is ripe for harvesting. You see, we should learn to be matured democratically. Now is the time true democracy is about to forcefully change our orientation and mentality.
Most of His Excellency’s supporters have even started expressing doubt about his victory again as they feel the weight of allegations against him are so mounting to contemplate any survival. Their assertion no doubt is real. Exactly as they have started talking from two sides of their lips.
To grease the wheel of justice, the prayers of the Faithfull’s are also elating hope on daily basis. While the wasted souls wait patiently for vengeance, they are imagining if the fountain of justice will ever get dry. The centre of all these hope is the court of law. So weary are the afflicted souls, lean and dry waiting for justice against those who slaughtered them.
The only cause for no alarm people rejoice at is that the court of Justice is getting reformed; at least they are assured that cases are now heard on merit. Nigeria’s Judiciary is standing up to the challenge against their battered image. So nobody will expect less. We do not expect less either- so far so good Nigerian courts have braced up to be and remains the last hope of the common man. All those souls unjustly framed up, chained, incarcerated are now chorusing, and are saying, Heavenly father let those who perpetuate heinous crimes against us do not have respite, never should they go scot fee, never should they have peace. Let tribulation, suffering of unfathomable magnitude befall them, so also do they jointly chorus in unison a big Amen, Am-e-en, Am-e-e-en.
Having been through the cry of the painfully deflated souls, what many do not realize is the desperation they have been searching for Engr. Frank Okon to plead for the reservation of the Hilltop Mansion seat. The truth is that he never reveals these to them, has he ever told them that upon the entire search all have been proved fruitless.
What about those who have been trying to report how Frank Okon has compromised! Have they ever been told that their searchlight has never touched where frank Okon is? The guy Frank Okon is a man with human conscience, he has vow never to betray his followers, loyalists and supporters. Whether they run Zig- Zag with their report or not, the conscientious truth remains unbend.
Even their own conscience might have been pricking about the end of all these things. Definitely there will be an end. They may have been wondering if this man does nothing wrong, why then does he disturb himself. Why is all the unnecessary wastage of our state resources to influence some influential personalities in our society, why were all the Jobbers paid to carry out dirty jobs? Why all the intrigues and counter intrigues, yet unfruitful. Why are they so desperate about this business of governing us?
So clearly that even Awards and honours are gathered with speed, but are developmental indices measured by these. Virtually all Nigerians know Akwa Ibom is flooded with mouth watery monthly allocations’. This is what Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi had to say about us and I quote “I don’t know of any government who has enough funds to work. I am clearly not in the position of Godswill Akpabio who has a revenue base of about N13 billion to N15 billion every month”.
Why should we be the front-liner in Federal Allocation, but not by performance? What our education, health, even social amenities get is not qualitative enough in commensurate with the amount we have been collecting. Why is the minimum wage still a far cry? Why are pensioners not being paid when due.
There are a lot of inadequacies in the state begging for attention, people are aggrieved because their psyche has been bruised and traumatized. Their love ones have been sent to early graves. That is why they have been in vanguard for a total change, a typical, revolutionized change, a radical change, to usher in the needed peace, tranquility transparency in governance. These are the reasons they rise massively in support of the man called Frank Okon.
What government may not have realized is that, what they have been doing, assumed as little as mustard seed could battered the people’s trust and confidences. What they considered little deed has triggered and escalated to the level they never bargained for. May be all of that and more have changed the people’s feeling to rally round Frank Okon.
This is the matter that propelled Frank Okon image, and is making him a recurrent decimal. He is now so popular than every other emerging tiger. His determination and resilient to legally challenge the incumbent has raised dust, and the bar in our developmental stride. He has shown he is not a push over or any thing goes type of politician.
There should be opposition for a government to feel challenged. Gone are the eras of pocket democracy. We now have soaked tension, the atmospheric charge, and the atmospheric height becoming tensed that it so acclimatized to a degree of no return. The Almighty God is on his throne smiling at those who are about to reap what they sowed, God cannot be mocked. God is ready to pacify the souls of the bruised, the wounded, the framed up. We are all at the junctions of our lives about t get what we have been denied which is justice from God and Federal High Court, Abuja.
Certainly we know the Government has not been flippant with those offensive utterances, not any more. If any is credited to him, I can authoritatively defend that they are not coming from his quarters, but from those mischief and overzealous loyalists who want to show how loyal they are. Bu I bet you they all know the truth, it has been a last minute desperation, they want to gain where he lose. There is a total confusion within their camp and a lot to follow. Listen to right sources!

“Oro people are Ibibios?” By Edet Ating

Whoever said or is saying that “Oro people are Ibibios”, is either not very knowledgeable about the history of West Africa and Africa at large; or the person is saying this for cheap and myopic political reason. On the other hand, he or she is saying it out of inferiority complex, to deliberately spite on the Oro people. No human being would have known the past if there was no genius, sincere and dynamic manner or method of chronological account of past events about a people, institution, country, and so on. Even human evolution is relayed to us based on this manner or method.
We are all aware of the ‘big bang theory’, which scientists had proved to us to have started the entire universe, comprises the earth, the sun and the stars over fourteen billion years ago. It is the same method or manner we learnt how Christianity and Islam started in the world and in this part of the world in particular. If there was no history we would not have heard the great pyramids and Pharaohs, the Egyptian mummies. It is equally based on history that we know and believe that science and technology and democracy began in Greece. It is also a dynamic and historical fact that the English Literature written by Williams Shakespeare such as Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar and many others are based on Roman history.
It was a scientific account that further convincingly proved that the sun rises in the morning, crosses the sky during the day and then sets in the night; that one year which is normally three hundred and sixty five days is a one trip of the earth travelling around the sun. It is on the same account that it is proved empirically that a peculiar specie of food such as ewe-ekpang, culture such as afikayid, eyakpe, dialect and behavioural attitudes particularly in wrestling bouts emphasized the fact that the origin of Oro has nothing to do with another ethnic tribe in the southern Nigeria of West Africa.
The ancestral origin of the Oro people is genuinely traced from the Bantu stock of Usahadit in the Cameroon. Their migration expedition took the Oro people to settle with another tribe, the Efiks. In Nsedun, where the Oro people on their last migration expedition settled with the Efiks, they inter-married and expanded and were obviously included in one of the eight clans of the Efiks kingdom before they finally migrated across the Cross River to the other side where they finally settled. In the course of their expansion westward to the hinterland from the coastline, the Oro people then interacted with the Ibibios who were very dutiful and helpful to the Oro people particularly in most labourious services. In the course of this interaction, they inter-married and started sharing cultural ties and heritage.
It is authentically proved that as early as 1890, the Oro people, having patterned their migration along the seacoast all the way from the Cameroon, have detached themselves from further migration exploits and stiffly willing to carve a niche for themselves as a distinct group of people. Being small in number, the Oro people were able to knit themselves together in order to protect and safeguard their rare and unique characteristics and possessions. They continue to forge ahead in classic and eternal unity.
Following the trend of these people, the entire world was not then surprised at the emergence of Oron Union in 1925, the first of its kind in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. In this sequence therefore, it is absolutely difficult to establish that Oro and Ibibio people share the same ancestry. Inasmuch as it is scripturally believed that all human beings are descended from a common ancestor, Adam and Eve, but it is scientifically proved, too, that there is theory of evolution by natural selection, where human beings evolved and changed over time. That is an indisputable reason for differences in various human beings.
It boils down to the fact that Oro people evolved over time with their genetic traits and within the span of time adopted different and unique identity for themselves. There is no trace that Oro ancestral origin is shared with any ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State. If any person is not satisfied with this raw fact, the person is challenged by this columnist to call for genomic (genetic) mapping across the three major ethnic tribes in Akwa Ibom State, so that this issue of Oro people being Ibibios will be given a final rest or death by the protagonists. To me, it is not necessary at all.
For only Almighty God’s divine reasons, Oro people are located in this part of the world; and for political convenience, Oro people are found in Akwa Ibom State. They are therefore bonafide progenitors of Akwa Ibom State and they do have a share and a stake in the management and governance of the State, like the other two major ethnic tribes of Ibibio and the Annang. Coming from a distinct ancestry or source does not make Oro people foreigners in Akwa Ibom State.
The columnist is always an advocate of peace and unity among the three major tribes in order to bring even economic, political and social development to Akwa Ibom State. I do not intend at this time to join issues with whoever belched that garbage “Oro people are Ibibios” for complex and political reason at this material time, when Oro people are genuinely looking at their ripe and rightful governorship bid in 2015. It is not true, therefore, that Oro people are Ibibios. It is genetically faulty to say that Oro people are Ibibios.

Mboho Expels Two Over Misconduct -Disclaims Sylvanus Okon

By Franklyn Isong

Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio has expelled two of its members in the USA chapter over what it called “acts of insubordination and gross misconduct,” saying that the dismissed members caused an offensive letter to be issued to the President.

The former High Commissioner for USA/Canada of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa Sylvanus Okon and the Secretary-General of the USA chapter, Akparawa Joseph Ibokette, had sent a letter to the international headquarters of the association in Nigeria, informing it of it (USA) chapter declaring autonomy from the headquarters. The letter which was signed by the Akparawa Ibokette, asserted that the USA chapter has elected Akparawa Sylvanus Okon as it interim president.

But in what seems to be a counter reaction, another letter emerged from the USA chapter of the body singed by the trio of Akparawa (Prof.) Maurice Ekwo, High Commissioner; Akparawa Godwin Ekpene, Deputy High Commissioner; Akparawa Essien Isong, Director of Protocol, to the mboho international headquarters in Uyo, Nigeria, disowning the earlier claims of autonomy, declaring the loyalty and support of the USA/Canada chapter to the headquarters.

Barely a week later, the international headquarters of the association issued a letter expelling the duo of Sylvanus Okon and Joseph Ibokette from the association.

According to the expulsion letter singed by Akparawa Stephen Ibia, Secretary General, and obtained by Weekend Insight on Wednesday, the expulsion letter read in full; “Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio was established on 1st August 1987 as a socio-cultural Organization for the preservation, promotion and protection of the culture, identity and dignity of Ibibio people. In Mboho’s 25 years of existence, the organization has remained one indivisible group with one President all over the world. MBOHO has High Commissioners and Chapter Chairmen in designated areas all over the world as approved by the Central Working Committee to assist in implementing its programmes.
“The activities of the organization are always in line with the objectives and policy trust approved by the Central Working Committee (CWC) and the General Assembly. Mboho operates a unitary system of government with a unitary Constitution with one President as provided in Section 8 of the Constitution. Whereas Chapters are authorized to have bye-laws, where the provisions of the Chapter bye-laws conflict with that of the Constitution, the Constitution prevails.

“The current President is the 8th in succession and as provided in Section 10 (i) of the Constitution, he serves a single tenure of four years without a second term.

“After you had served as High Commissioner for six years, it became necessary to appoint another officer to succeed you for purposes of developing many leaders within the Organization for the service of Ibibio race.

“Instead of your accepting Mboho’s decision in good faith, you resorted to subversive activities in an attempt to perpetuate yourself in office for your personal gains.

“It is of note that while you held office as High Commissioner, you made yourself sole administrator of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio in USA and when you were invited to appear before the Executive Council, Central Working Committee and the disciplinary Committee to defend yourself over arbitrary actions taken, you, shunned the very organization and the very President that appointed you.

“As if the above acts of insubordination and gross misconduct were not enough, you caused an offensive letter to be issued to the President who re-appointed you.

“To add pains to injury, you championed a media war on the pages of news papers and the Internet purporting to have split the organization for purpose of actualizing your inordinate and sit-tight in office ambition. You equally declared yourself as the Interim National President as a dissident member to create confusion and cause anarchy, a thing unheard of in the 25 years of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio existence.

“In view of the above and other acts of gross misconduct by you, having been removed from office as High Commissioner in line with Section 13 of the Constitution of the Organization, the Central Working Committee of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio in the exercise of its powers as contained in the Constitution, has approved your expulsion from the Organization and hereby expels you accordingly, with effect from Friday, 18th November 2011. You are to hand over all properties of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio in your possession including, the Certificate of Registration, Constitution and the Byelaws, MMI Cap etc, to Akparawa (Prof.) Maurice Ekwo, Mboho’s High Commissioner to USA/Canada, failure of which Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio will employ all avenues to deal with the matter decisively.”

While in the expulsion letter of Joseph Ibokette, the body said; “By an undated letter signed by you and published in the Nigerian Dailies and the Internet, you purported to separate Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio in USA from Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio in Nigeria without the consent/approval of the Central Working Committee and the General Assembly.

“This action of yours by all standards is a contravention of (Section 23) of the Constitution of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio. It amounts to secession and is capable of disintegrating the Organization.

“Consequently, the Central Working Committee of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio at its meeting held on Thursday 17th November 2011 had approved your expulsion from the organization with effect from Friday 18th November, 2011 having removed you from office in keeping with (Section 13) of the Constitution of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio.

“You are to hand over all properties of MBOHO in your possession including, the MMI Cap, Constitution etc to Mboho’s High Commissioner to USA, Akparawa (Prof) Maurice Ekwo without any delay.”

Meanwhile, the Mboho headquarters have issued a disclaimer on Mr. Sylvanus Okon, warning the general public from transacting any business with him in the name of the organization.

“The disclaimer read; “This is to inform the general public, members of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Nigeria, USA and the world over that Mr. Sylvanus Okon who was once a member of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio USA Chapter is no longer a member of this great Ibibio Association.

“He was accordingly indicted by the Central Working Committee of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio for gross misconduct and subsequently expelled from MMI on the 18th November, 2011. Therefore, any person, group or corporate organization that transacts any business with him in the name of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, do so at his/her or their own risk. General Public to take note.”

Itu federal constituency tussle: ACN survives second appeal, court clarifies section 285(6)

BY NDON ASIAN

Five days after the Supreme Court judgment on Udoedehe and Akpabio, another court of higher authority has taken a swipe at judges who presided over the dismissal of many petitions at the Election Petition Tribunals, for relying on technicalities.
The latest criticism came on Thursday 17th November, 2011 in Calabar, when Hon. Justice Uzo I. Ndukwe Anyanwu who led a three member panel of the Court of Appeal in its unanimous decision frowned at the failure of Hon. Justice Abdulahi Yusuf, Hon. Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye and Hon. Justice Olumuyiwa S. Olusanya to comply with an earlier order of the Court of Appeal, remitting petition no EPT/AKS/HR/1/2011 for retrial.
In the petition, Mr. Idongesit G. Udokpo of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is disputing the claims of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which declared that Hon. Kenneth Archibong won the Itu Federal Constituency election on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Briefly, the petition was initially dismissed by the Abdulahi Yusuf chaired election petition tribunal for applying for the issuance of pre-hearing notice out of time. Then, counsel to the petitioner, Barr. Samuel Ikpo, had applied for the issuance of pre-hearing notice where upon the secretary complied with the directive of the tribunal issuing hearing notices to parties for pre-hearing session.
On the 11th July, the 1st respondent filed motion on notice praying the tribunal to set aside the hearing notice for pre-trial session and to dismiss the petition for failure to comply with paragraph 18(1) and 47(2) of the 1st schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
The tribunal ruled that the Appellant was within time as it held thus, “We have considered the submission of the parties and we hold that there is merit in the application hence it is granted as prayed”.
Barely 5 days later, on the 16th of July, 2011, the same 1st Respondent filed another motion praying the tribunal to dismiss the petition earlier allowed, on the grounds of non-compliance with paragraph 18(1) of the 1st schedule to the Electoral Act. Counsel to the 1st respondent had premised his applications on an intriguing sequence, saying that the first motion was subsequent upon the reply of the 1st respondent while the second followed the reply of the 3rd respondent.
Samuel Ikpo Esq. had argued vehemently that the application for pre-hearing should be done within 7 days after the reply of the last respondent. Arguments were taken. The tribunal in a curious twist departed from its earlier judgment, and dismissed the petition.
A disatisfied Samuel Ikpo Esq. had told Weeekend Insight Newspaper that the tribunal erred in law by sitting on appeal over its earlier judgment on the application instead of allowing the 1st respondent to appeal to a higher court.
Counsel to the petitioner headed to the Court of Appeal, Calabar, which allowed the appeal in its 16th September 2011 judgment. The case was sent back to Uyo for trial.
Back in Uyo, the 1st and 3rd respondents respectively brought separate motions on September 26th, 2011 praying tribunal to set aside the order for issuance of pre-hearing notices and to dismiss the petition for not complying with paragraph 18(1), and failure to seek and obtain leave before applying for pre-hearing session.
The two motions, being similar in wording and prayers, was consolidated and arguments taken. Interestingly, during argument counsel to Idongesit Udokpo had brought to the notice of the tribunal that the full panel of the Court of Appeal, Jos, had on the 22nd of August, 2011 held that leave was not required, and that a letter was sufficient to activate pre-hearing.
Samuel Ikpo Esq further urged the tribunal to exercise restraint until the following day, 13th October 2011 when the Court of Appeal shall have ruled on a similar matter involving Senator Aloysius Etok, but the tribunal refused, went ahead to dismiss the petition for the second time on the 12th of October 2011, relying on the appeal judgment involving state Governor of Akwa Ibom in petition No EPT/AKS/Gov/15/2011.
The following day, the Court of Appeal in Calabar delivered judgment on the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District appeal involving Dr. Any Asikpo and Senator Aloysius Etok relying on the Jos appeal court judgment. The Court upheld Dr. Asikpo’s appeal.
A furiously disappointed Samuel Ikpo Esq. returned back to the Court of Appeal for the second time to file notice of appeal on the 19th of October, 2011 on two grounds.
Ikpo formulated two issues for determination (a) whether the leave of the tribunal was required before application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice could be made.
He submitted in his argument that application under paragraph 18(1) of the 1st schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) did not require the leave of court. He relied on the judgment of the lower tribunal in the case of Aliyu Brahim Gebi Vs Alhaji Garuba Dahiru and 3 others delivered on 22nd August 2011 where it was held that “In he result we are of the view that the letter to the tribunal as in this case comprise and carries out the intention and requirement of paragraph 18(1) of the 1st schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
To this, the full panel of the Court of Appeal Jos reacted thus, “Without much ado, I would want to believe that the above findings of the lower tribunal are rather unassailable. And my reason for saying so is not far fetched”.
On issue (2) “Whether the lower tribunal was right in failing or refusing to follow and apply the binding decisions of the Court of Appeal (Jos Division) in Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi Vs Alhaji Garuba Dahiru and 3 others in CA/J/EP/HR/127/2011 delivered on 22nd August 2011 contrary to the well established principles of stare decisis”, Ikpo urged the court to hold that the lower tribunal was duty bound to have followed and applied the decision of the Court of Appeal, Jos in Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi’s case and resolve the issue in favour of the appellant.
Counsel to 1st respondent, David Obande Esq, filed notice of intention to rely on preliminary objection. Order 10. His objection rested on two legs.
(1) “That the appeal is incompetent and should be struck out”. He argued that the “Appeal is a continuation of the petition filed by the petitioner/appellant since the 30th of May 2011. On the 29th of October, 2011 the said petition became 180 days since filing and naturally became time barred. The petition having lapsed by effusion of time, this appeal has become totally unnecessary since whatever the outcome of this appeal, the petition remains inchoate, spent, expired”.
(2) “That no sufficient materials have been furnished the courts to enable this court disturb the order of dismissal made by the tribunal, thus rendering this appeal an academic exercise”.
Apparently the tortuous path the petition has followed in returning to the Court of Appeal a second time seem to help in interpreting the constitution to give a definite direction to the proper understanding of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
Until the Court of Appeal, Calabar judgment on section 285(6) as it affected petition No EPT/AKS/HR/1/2011, no court in the entire country has pronounced on that section of the 1999 constitution, as altered. Just like “the tribunal misunderstood the situations where leave of court should be obtained before an application can be made”, the tribunals also seem to manifest a complete lack of understanding of section 285(6), many analyst argue.
In delivering judgment, the three learned judges of the Court of Appeal did put the record straight as it stated thus, “In the instant case, the tribunal delivered its judgment on 12th October, 2011 within the 180 days envisaged by section 285(6) of the 1999 constitution (as amended). The 180 days was supposed to have expired on 27th October, 2011.
“I therefore hold that the tribunal’s judgment delivered as on 12th October, 2011 was still within time. Does section 285(6) of the 1999 constitution affect the Appeal filed in this Court?
“To answer this question reference must be made to section 285(7) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which provides as follows.
“An appeal from a decision of an election petition tribunal or court shall be heard and disposed of within 60 days from the date of the delivery of judgment of the tribunal.
“The judgment of the tribunal was delivered on 12th October, 2011 and this court has up to 11th December, 2011 to deliver its judgment. I therefore hold that section 285(6) does not affect this appeal as it is so filed. Section 285(7) is the subsection relevant to this court. With section 285(7) this court is still within time to deliver its judgment”.
Hon. Justice Joseph Tine Tur, in his judgment went further to say “I shall add some comments of mine because the appeal raises an interesting issue relating to the jurisdiction of election tribunals to entertain petitions remitted to them by appellate courts for hearing or trial de novo, namely, whether the 180 days stipulated under section 285(6) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, for delivering judgment having expired, they shall decline jurisdiction to entertain the petition.
“There is no doubt that on 16th day of September, 2011 the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, remitted this very petition to the election tribunal for retrial on the merit. An appeal is a proceeding undertaken to have a decision of a lover court or tribunal reconsidered or reviewed by a higher authority for possible confirmation or reversal. In most cases, where the judgment of the lower court or tribunal is set aside and a new trial is ordered unconditionally the appellate court intends that the suit shall be heard “de novo” meaning “anew”.
Hon. Justice Joseph Tine Tur delve into the Black law Dictionary to define the phrase hearing de novo as a complete new beginning “as if the original hearing had not taken place”.
He maintained that “the election petition tribunal from which this appeal emanated being subordinate to the Court of Appeal was bound to enforce the orders of this court made on 16th September, 2011 that the petition should be heard or retried de novo. Without a hearing no judgment can be delivered within 180 days as stipulated under section 285(6) and (7) of the constitution”.
He concluded that having examined the judgment of the tribunal, the Court of Appeal has arrived at the decision that the appeal once again succeeds, and the petition remitted to a tribunal differently constituted to hear and deliver judgment on merit in 180 days as stipulated by the constitution.
On the second issue of seeking leave, the court agreed with the Supreme Court judgment. It drew the attention of parties to the fact that paragraph 18(1) is clear and unambiguous. “There is no where leave was mentioned in the application of pre-hearing notice. In ALIYU IBRAHIM GEBI VS. ALHAJI GARUBA DAHIRU and 3 ORS (SUPRA), the Court held that an application may be made by a letter requesting for pre-hearing. This has also been endorsed by the Supreme Court which went further to state that an oral application to the Court is also sufficient”.

IFIM IBOM IBIBIO ADVERTORIAL ON OKU IBOM STOOL

PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT ASAN IBIBIO ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011, BY IBIBIO PARAMOUNT RULERS AGAINST THE PURPORTED PLANS BY THE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE, CHIEF GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO, TO USE THE STATE FUNDS TO SUPER IMPOSE EDIDEM AKPABIO UDO UKPA AS OKUIBOM ON IBIBIO PEOPLE.

Distinguished gentle men of the press, we welcome you all to this press conference held today, Friday, November 25, 2011, by Ibibio Paramount Rulers who are constitutionally the kingmakers of Okuibom Ibibio.
Our attention has been drawn to the media campaign going on in the state and in the internet that the state governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, has adopted the Paramount Ruler of ONNA Local Government Area, Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, as the Okuibom Ibom Ibibio III. The report further have it that governor Godswill Akpabio is planning to use the state apparatus, instrument and resources to impose Edidem Ukpa on the people of Ibibio race.
Ordinarily, these report would have been dismissed with a wave of the hand, but for the purpose of correcting any negative impression the report must have created in the minds of the people of the state and in particular, Ibibio sons and daughters, who upon getting hint of the purported plans, have inundated us with unabated calls and inquiries to ascertain the true position of Ifim Ibom Ibibio on the matter. We are to addressing this press conference in order to put the record straight, and therefore state as follows:
1. That the Paramount Ruler of ONNA LGA, Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, had ceased to be a member of ifim ibom Ibibio from July 6, 2011, when he was expelled for gross misconduct and insubordination to the leadership of Ifim Ibom Ibibio.

2. The reason for his expulsion was that, three days after the burial of His Eminence, Edidem Robert James Obot, the Okuibom Ibom Ibibio III, Edidem Akpabio Ukpa went on air to declare himself as the Okuibom Ibibio III, without recourse to Ibibio traditions and customs and the constitution of Ifim Ibibio.

3. Okuibom Stool is a revered position in Ibibio land which is normally occupied by the President of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, which is the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers.

4. The process of selecting of Okuibom Ibibio has never been done in the government house as there are spelt out rules guiding the process and procedures as provided in the constitution of Ifim Ibom Ibibio which is NOT governed by the Traditional Rulers Laws of Akwa Ibom State.

5. For the avoidance of doubt, in the history of Ibibio people and in the records of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, the Okuibom I, was Edidem Udo Uyota Akpabio, who hailed from ONNA LGA; Okuibom II, was Usonyin Okon Ekpo Ekpo, from Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, while Okuibom III, was His Eminence Edidem Robert James Obot, from Nsit Ubium LGA. History cannot repeat itself, and so Ibibio people cannot have another OKUIBOM III.

6. Edidem Akpabio Ukpa cannot on his own ascend the revered throne of Ifim Ibom Ibibio by gathering his villagers to impersonate Ifim Ibom Ibibio and paraded them before the state governor and newsmen as Paramount Rulers and members of Ifim Ibom Ibibio.

7. We must observe here that when our Annang brothers (Paramount Rulers) selected/elected Itai Afe Annang, there was no intrusion from government or government agents, the governor did not impose his preferred candidate on his kinsmen, the Paramount Rulers of Annang extraction. And when the Oro Paramount Rulers selected/elected Ahta Oro for Oro Nation, neither the governor nor his agents imposed any government preferred candidate on the people of Oro nation. This was so because these stools are traditional in nature and kind, which must be devoid of any form of politics or interference from government since they are not governed by the traditional rulers laws of Akwa Ibom State.

8. The traditional leaders of these ethnic groups have their traditional ways of selecting their leaders which does not include politicking, campaigns, electioneering and the involvement of state government apparatus.

9. We hereby declare and STRONGLY WARN against government interference and advise the state governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, to stay clear from Ibibio traditional matters especially as it concerns Ifim Ibom Ibibio and Okuibom Ibibio stool as there are other important state matters that are demanding his urgent attention.

10. That the state funds should be used for other useful ventures that would yield immediate and direct benefit to the government and people of Akwa ibom State instead of wasting it on matters that the government do not have authority.

11. That Ibibio people shall resist any attempt by the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, or his agents to impose Edidem Akpabio Ukpa and or bankroll his insurrection.

12. We want to appeal to the good people of Ibibio race both in Akwa Ibom State and in Diaspora to remain calm, peaceful, law-abiding and discountenance these media propaganda as the state governor knows his limits and would not allow himself to be dragged into Ibibio traditional matters under any guise and for the interest of peace and harmony in Akwa Ibom State.

13. We hereby restate unequivocally the expulsion of the Paramount Ruler of ONNA, Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, from Ifim Ibom Ibibio and further declare that he remains so expelled.

14. It must be noted that all matters relating to Ibibio traditional institutions, customs and traditions usually MUST take place at ASAN Ibibio, the ancestral shrine of the Ibibios, therefore anything done in the name of Ibibio outside Asan Ibibio is null and void and of no effect whatsoever and is questionable.

15. Finally all Ibibio sons and daughters are accordingly WARNED not to participate in the purported ceremony.
Signed:
For the Supreme Council Of Ibibio Traditional Rulers
1. HRM, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette
Paramount Ruler of Etinan LGA ..…………………………………

2. HRM, Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang
Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom LGA ………………………………….

3. HRM, Edidem (Pastor) E. B. A. Ekanem
Paramount Ruler of Uruan LGA …………………………………..

4. HRM, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang, AMBP
Paramount Ruler of Itu LGA …..………………………………

5. HRM, Edidem (Surv.) Edem Silas Akpan
Paramount Ruler of Uyo LGA …………………………………..

6. HRM, Edidem A. U. Ntuen
Paramount Ruler of Nsit Atai LGA ..………………………………..

7. HRM, Edidem Manasseh S. Akpan, JP
Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ibom LGA ……………………………………

8. HRM, Edidem Udo Effiong Akpan
Paramount Ruler of Ini LGA ……………………………………

UNIVERSITY DON SLAMS AKPABIO

Apparently worried by the tensed situation in UYO, a former university Don, DR.Nsini Eseneowo has said the ongoing court battle between Engr.Frank Okon and Governor Akpabio is, perhaps, the worst nightmare Governor Akpabio has ever experienced.

Eseneowo disclosed this recently during a one day seminar on integrated farming scheme in UYO.

According to him the alleged suspected case of forgery and intention to cheat during the last election by AKPABIO should not be swept under the carpet ;instead stiffer steps must be taken against the culprit ,without which it will only succeed in impoverishing the people of AKWA IBOM .I felt it is the law of karma that is driving AKPABIO from pillar to post in a bid to escape the long arms of the law .He lamented that the resources that would have been used to better the lives of AKWA IBOM rural masses is now channeled into this battle of Armageddon by AKPABIO just to extricate himself from the searchlight of anti graft agencies .

According to him, it is very clear that Governor Akpabio is bent on wasting the State resources for his dubious political agenda. The main culprit in this matter seems to be the governor who had thwarted the rules of law, intriguingly because he is under the shadow of Dame Patience Jonathan who is blind to the financial crimes committed by AKPABIO to perpetrate himself at all cost in office.

The former university Don further observed that “the political romance between President Goodluck Jonathan and AKPABIO is all Greek to me”.AKPABIO is certainly milking AKWA IBOM dry and wrecks some lives by investing heavily in South Africa and distributing liability jeep vehicles to our judges to help him ship- wreck the course of justice here, this is bribe in the open square ,and several people would still fall into the long dug cesspit of AKPABIO’s administration.

Meanwhile, it would be recall that ,prior to the April election, AKPABIO was denied clearance by the party .President Jonathan is said to have allegedly soften his previous criticism of AKPABIO’s behaviour ,hoping to garner billions of naira for his Presidential election campaign .In fact AKPABIO and his acolytes have “turned the dictum of ABRAHAM LINCOLN upside down ,making democracy the government of politicians ,for politicians and by politicians.PDP is a party without a road map.The crisis of confidence is brewing across the State .My Prayer is that AKWA IBOM people should pray hard so that this heinous nightmare may be nip in the bud.

VIA GLOBAL CONCORD

2015 Gov’ship Goes to Oro Not Eket Sen. Dist.

The Movement for Democracy and Equity, MODE, has reacted to the insinuations in some quarters across the state that the 2015 governorship position in Akwa Ibom State would go to Eket Senatorial District, not specifically to Oro Nation.

The reaction of the movement was registered on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, in Uyo, when it played host to leaders of six youth groups from Oro Nation who came to support and identify with the movement.
The group, speaking through its chancellor, Mr. Etebong Isong, said that such insinuations are entirely pretences full of the gimmicks to will the 2015 governorship of the state back to the Ibibio bloc that had enjoyed that position for more than 8 years, since the creation of the state.
“Equity, justice and fairness to the federating units of any state require no pretence, as they constitute the working principles of democracy anywhere in the world.
“The crises witnessed in countries, states or communities all over the world came as a result of denying a section or some sections what they truly deserve within the context of equity, justice and fairness”, the chancellor said.
According to him, the decision to rotate the governorship position of the state among the three ethnic nationalities making up the state was reached in 1998, when the erstwhile governor, Arc. Victor Attah of the Ibibio stock began his campaign for governorship.
He noted that right from creation of the state in 1987, the three ethnic blocs of Ibibio, Annang and Oro had been the recurring decimal in the sharing of elective and appointive political offices in the state. He wondered why everything in Governor Akpabio’s regime was shared on senatorial basis to the exclusion and marginalization of Oro Nation, a fuctional component of the state.
The MODE’s chancellor assured the Oro youth leaders that the gods of the land as well as the God of Heaven had all sanctioned the power shift to Oro Nation, adding that no one of Oro extraction should entertain any doubt on how the dream would materialize.
Also speaking to elaborate on the chancellor’s optimism over the agitation for Oro governorship come 2015, Engr. Effiong Essang, who had worked with the Interpol for decades and is at present a researcher on crime and related security matters, reminded the Oro youths on the concerns of the dead and the living over the Oro governorship in 2015.
He took the participants in the meeting to the memory lane, recalling the event that took place at the customary court’s ground at Anwana Esin by Oron Road in Oron Town, where the late Dr. Michael Okpara, the then premier of Eastern Nigeria, had stood to spite on the people of Oro.
He quoted the late premier, who had come for a political campaign in Oron, under NCNC, to had threatened to relocate the Oro people to elsewhere in the hinterland, so as to make it possible for his kinsmen to take over the coastal flank of Oro Nation, as, according to him, Oro people were in support of Action Group led by Chief Awolowo and coordinated by Chief Anwana Esin, a one time federal minister.
According to Engr. Essang, while Dr. Okpara was making the remark, spiting on the Oro people, a wasp, tiny stringing insect, dropped from it’s nest on the roof of the open courtroom and stung him at the right cheek. The whole face of the eastern premier instantly swollen up, and was immediately rushed back to where he came from.
This, the Engr. Said, foretells what may befall those within and without working against Oro interest come 2015, adding that God is a God of equity, justice and fairness.
Earlier in their presentation, the spokesman of the youth leaders and MODE Coordinator in Udung Uko Local Government Area, Mr. Victor Mkpofor, said the youth leaders representing the five LGAs in Oro Nation had demanded to meet with and have audience with MODE leadership.
The decision, he said, was reached in a joint meeting of Mbo, Urue Offong Oruko, Udung Uko, Oron, and Okobo youths summit held at Udung Uko early in October, 2011, with a resolution adopting the Movement for Democracy and Equity as a platform for the coordination of Oro youths for the 2015 governorship.
According to Mr. Mkpofor, “Oro Youths are impressed over the advocacy ingenuity and efforts of MODE in spear-heading the agitation for Oro governorship in 2015”.
He called on MODE to organize regular meeting of the movement in Oro, as a way of sensitizing the Oro people on the reality of Oro 2015 governorship.
Among the team of youth leaders were MODE coordinators in Udung Uko, Mr. Victor Mkpotor, Urue Offong Oruko, Mr. Esio Joseph, Mr Terry Nkura, Mbo; and Mr. Joseph Okon, Okobo. Others in attendance were Barr. Edet Ating, Mr Manson Akaduh, Comrade Etifit Nkeruwem, Mr Victor Ekere, Mr Major Ebek, Mr. Samuel Ujienjin, among others.

Akwa Ibom State Politics: Supreme Court Poised for a hearing on the Gubernatorial Dispute

Several sources have confirmed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has set November 14, 2011, as a date to deliberate on the dispute of last April's gubernatorial election. It is the day, according to analysts, that the Court will determine if the dispute should go to trial or not. As a reminder, the disputants in the matter are Godswill Akpabio and Senator Akpan Udoedehe. When contacted at his home in Abuja, the Senator said that he has a strong confidence in the judicial system of Nigeria to be fair and equal, therefore, he will abide by and honor whatever decision the Supreme Court will issue in its ruling. He hopes Godswill Akpabio will be humane enough to do the same.

If the Supreme Court rules that the Appeal Court in Calabar erred by ruling in favor of Godswill Akpabio, then the matter will be returned for trial at the Tribunal in Uyo, where evidence from both sides (PDP and ACN) may be presented before the judges for final outcome as to which of the candidates (Akpabio or Udoedehe) won the election.

On the other hand, if on Monday (November 14, 2011), the Supreme Court sides with the ruling of the Appeal Court in Calabar, Godswill Akpabio will then be confirmed as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the case will end there, no further appeal could be made by any of the parties involved.

It is important to note that Tuesday, November 15, 2011, would be the last day for the Supreme Court to hear the case. In other words, if the matter does not come up before the judges by Tuesday, the case would have to be thrown out by the Court as incontestable. Inside sources have confirmed that the reason the case is set for hearing a day before it could have been thrown out by the Supreme Court is because Godswill Akpabio was playing hide-and-seek and difficult-to-reach by making it difficult for the Court messengers to serve him the notice (summon) on the case. Akpabio and his group knew that if the matter is dragged on until November 15, then it would be all over, hence, the cat-and-mouse-game.

ACN lawyers, after several failed attempts to serve the notice of hearing to Akpabio, had to come up with an ingenious way to deliver it. It is reported that one day when Akpabio was finally tracked down to his office, the messengers waited until he emerged from the office. The messengers finally threw the envelope in front of Akpabio. According to some witnesses, when Akpabio saw the envelopes dropped in front of him, he panicked because he thought it was a bomb-parcel; one of the messengers was almost shot. Witnesses said after Akpabio finally realized that he has been served the court notice for response to ACN’s petition, he swore never to respond to it. What he did not know at the time was that the messengers had arranged and video-taped the entire incident, which they presented to the Court, as proof that he had been served the notice. According to sources, Akpabio's lawyers advised him that a response to the case must be filed immediately; otherwise the matter would automatically be ruled in favor of ACN and Senator Akpanudoedehe.

Knowledgeable sources said the Supreme Court could have refused to listen to the matter, if it wanted to. But the decision by the Court to listen to the case is a testimony to the truth that Nigeria is too big a country for a common criminal like Godswill Akpabio to manipulate and hold it to ransom by thinking that he could use the money stolen from the people's treasury to pay-off and corrupt those who swore under oath to uphold truth and justice.

At this juncture, many people could care less on which side of the pendulum the decision of the Court will swing to in favor. What matters is that at least the people will be given the opportunity to state their own side of the story as to whether the election conducted on April 26, 2011, was fair or not fair; this was what the people seek at the Tribunal at Uyo, but was denied; this was what the people seek at the Appeal Court in Calabar, but was denied. Let's thank God for persuading the Supreme Court of Nigeria to hear the voices of the masses. November 14 is the day; let's pray that it will be the day of joy for 5million Akwa Ibom people, who have religiously and devotedly been praying for it to come.

Written by

Thompson Essien (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.