Re: Update on Obong Umana Okon Umana anti party stance and action against All Progressives Congress

Michael Matthew: A pawn on Akpabio's chess board 

Now that irrational Michael Matthew is beating the air with righteous anger, posturing and dancing to drumbeats meant to draw attention from the mess  that Senator Godswill Akpabio has made in Akwa Ibom All Progressives Congress (APC), his puppeteer should be warned that those who live in a glass house don't throw stones. 

If Senator Akpabio is bent on further distabilizing the party by sponsoring this campaign of calumny against party leaders, he should be warned that we may be constrained to put him in his place with evidential exposure of atrocities he has committed against Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria beginning from his time as governor till his last appointment as minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

 Matthew is merely one of several insignificant pawns in this shameful game of supremacy played by his benefactor since joining the APC. Truth be told, if there is anybody that should be queried for working against the interest of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, it should be Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, who has incited innumerable controversies since he slithered into the party in his self-serving venture to avoid being prosecuted for graft. 

Since Akpabio joined APC in 2018, the party rather than becoming stronger has experienced dwindling fortune because of his narrow-minded game of dominance. Come to think of it, why is it that virtually all those who defected from PDP to APC when Akpabio was in PDP, have now left APC? Before his so-called uncommon defection the state party was under a single leadership structure untill he created a parallel state executive to serve his purpose. It is on record that Akpabio attended the congress where Mr. Austin Ekanem emerged as the State party chairman and even commended the successful conduct of the congress only to turn around and unilaterally chose Stephen Ntokekpo as state party chairman. This  act by Akpabio has brought the APC to where it is today, without a substantive governorship candidate for the 2023 governorship election.

Senator Akpabio believes that he should be the only one to be heard and known in the state because to him, no one else should supercede him. Eventually, he outsmarted himself at the national level, why start this unnecessary war against loyal party stalwarts at the state level? Meanwhile, his incessant threat of violence and chaos through Michael Matthew is a trademark. However, this time, Akwa Ibom people will bring him to reckoning for all the atrocities, state sponsored kidnappings, politically motivated killings, mowing down of perceived opponents, the pain and tears he caused them during his reign of terror as governor of the state. 

Akwa Ibom people know his antics and are onto his macabre dance. Indeed, the Ibibios will not forget what transpired in 2008, when Akpabio used his kinsmen to disgrace one of our illustrious sons out of office. Akpabio is out again, using his hungry masquerade to spew lies and spray tar against another Akwa Ibom son whom he can't bear to see outshine him. He must know that his evil machinations this time around will be repelled with overwhelming vehemence. A word is enough for the wise.

Amb. Solomon Umoh

Coordinator, VPM.

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We’re fighting insecurity your govt created, IPoB replies Kalu

 

THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, yesterday, responded to the alleged order by the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial zone and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who was alleged to have told the Nigerian Army to flush out IPoB and Eastern Security Network, ESN, out of Ohafia, Isiukwuato, Umunneochi and Bende Local Government Areas of the state.

The pro-Biafra group also told Senator Kalu that they have nothing against anybody issuing an order against it but they are, however, waiting for him and the Nigerian Army, to carry out the order, adding that it is not enough to give the order, that what matters is carrying it out.

A statement by IPoB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled “ESN ready for Orji Uzor Kalu in collaboration with Nigerian Army to flush those protecting our bushes and forests against terrorist herdsmen”, said that many governors and elements from the South East have tried without success in the past to neutralize ESN so that their masters will send their terrorists for the occupation of Igbo land but did not succeed. Rather, the military only ended up slaughtering innocent citizens.

IPoB’s statement reads: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, under the leadership and command of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, wish to let the public know that IPoB leadership and members have been acquainted with the threat from the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, where he has given an order to the compromised Nigeria security agencies to wipe out IPoB-ESN staying in the bushes and forests, safeguarding our bushes and forests for our mothers, wives, and sisters who are going to the farms.

“IPoB has nothing against anybody issuing such a threat, but its not enough giving order, but carrying out the order is what matters. Orji Uzor Kalu has given us a time frame and we are ready for him and his co-travellers who will be coming to us. Orji Uzor Kalu will pay after the attack because he will understand that IPOB is not a pushover.

“Many unscrupulous governors and elements from the South East have tried in the past to neutralize ESN so that their Caliphate masters will send their terrorists to occupy our land but did not succeed. Instead, the compromised military ended up slaughtering innocent citizens.

“This time around, Kalu, the former Abia governor will bear the brunt of whatever he does because we must confront him and those he wishes to use to attack IPoB-ESN in Ohafia, Isiukwuato, Umunneochi, and Bende, the Local Government Areas he mentioned in his viral videos showing on social media if they try to attack us.

“Anybody who knows Orji Uzor Kalu, his associates, friends, and family must advise him to stay off activities of ESN because he brought Fulani terrorists into our land during his time as Abia State Governor, but if he continues, we are ready to tame him and all the stooges of the Fulani Caliphate.

“They should ask themselves why the Caliphate has not used fighter jets against the terrorists and bandits in the North but they want to use enemies and fighter jets to bomb ESN who protect their mothers and sisters in our forests and bushes from invading Fulani terrorists.

“IPoB-ESN is protecting our bushes and forests for our people to peacefully cultivate in their farmlands because of terrorist attacks in the bushes and forests and we cannot afford to allow Orji Uzor Kalu to bring back Fulani terrorists masquerading as herdsmen into our bushes.

“Orji Uzo Kalu cannot afford to trade with our people’s blood for his selfish political advancement. We in IPoB are here to stop him and we must protect our people from murderous Fulani terrorists. The problem at Lokpanta and numerous kidnappings in Umunneochi and Isiukwuato routes were created by Orji Uzor Kalu and his APC co-travellers in South Eastern Region.

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Source: VANGUARD

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Manchester United protests turn to celebration after victory over Liverpool

 

Manchester United produced an utterly unexpected 2-1 victory over old rivals Liverpool in the English Premier League (EPL) at Old Trafford on Monday.

It helped to turn fan protests against the club’s owners into a rare night of celebration.

Manchester United’s vastly-improved performance for their first points of the campaign, thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, left Liverpool without a victory from their opening three games.

It was the first win for Manchester United’s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag who was rewarded for his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo and club captain Harry Maguire on the bench.

In the aftermath of last week’s humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford, it has been a week of major question marks over the club’s owners, the Florida-based Glazer family.

Some fans marched to the ground in protest ahead of the kick-off, calling for the owners  to sell the club.

Manchester United’s transfer failings have also been criticised, but before the match started their new arrival from Real Madrid, Casemiro, was unveiled to the fans.

But then, the welcoming applause threatened to be drowned out by anti-Glazer chants.

That strange juxtaposition of support and protest remained throughout the game but Manchester United’s display, their best in over a year, defined the night.

Sancho put the hosts ahead in the 16th minute, after showing great composure.

He collected a pull-back from Anthony Elanga, left James Milner on his backside and then slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Christian Eriksen was denied a second for Ten Hag’s side with a curling free-kick which Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker touched away from the top corner.

But Manchester United extended their lead after the break, following a mistake by Jordan Henderson which allowed substitute Anthony Martial to send Rashford clear.

The England forward kept his cool to slot past Alisson in the 53rd minute for his first league goal since January.

Henderson was part of a weakened midfield with James Milner and Harvey Elliott, but Liverpool were below par all over the field.

They did however pull a goal back in the 81st minute.

That was when Fabio Carvalho’s shot was parried by David De Gea, for Mohamed Salah to react quickly and nod in the loose ball.

There was plenty for Ten Hag to be encouraged by, particularly Rashford’s return to scoring and form, but he will surely be delighted with the positive performances of two of his new signings.

Lisandro Martinez was outstanding in the centre of defence alongside the recalled Raphael Varane while Tyrell Malacia, picked ahead of Luke Shaw at left-back, was tenacious throughout.

There were some late nerves for the home side after Liverpool’s goal but they held firm.

The Manchester United fans, who had begun the night chanting against their owners, the Glazer family, went home in celebratory mood though.

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Source: VANGUARD

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A'IBOM GOVT SET TO COMMENCE SECOND PHASE OF DAKKADA DIGITAL SKILLS BOOTCAMP PROGRAMME

By Ephraim Okpongette, Uyo.

Following the approval of His Excellency, the Executive Governor for Second Phase of the Dakkada Digital Skills Programme on ICT Software Development, the State Government  through the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning has put everything in place in order to commence the screening for the Programme

Consequently,  in a statement released from the office of the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning, Elder Aniefiok Nkom, applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of Akwa Ibom State with the following credentials:

B. Sc and HND Graduates of University, Polytechnic, or  it's equivalent of Engineering, Science and other relevant Courses of study.  

Must be unemployed and ready to attend classes from 8am to 5pm for a period of 6 months,  and preferably  between the ages of 22 and 28 years. 

Provide national means of  identification, including NIN or international passport with 2 references including one Senior Public Servant (to help keep them accountable during the programme). Participants must be Computer literate, etc.

Applications with copies of certificates should be forwarded to Office of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning, State Secretariat Annex, Udoudoma Avenue, Uyo, on or before, 26th August, 2022.

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2023: ACCORD Will Create Wealth For All Akwa Ibomites - Engr Emem Coffie

 

The governorship candidate of ACCORD in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Emem Coffie, has revealed he has designed a template to create wealth and lift Akwa Ibomites out of poverty if elected governor in 2023.

His words: "I am not a regular politician, I think differently. Even if you are not educated, our administration will empower everyone in Akwa Ibom and make sure they succeed. What is growing vibrant economies in the world is Small and Medium-sized Enterprises; I am coming with the large heart to help our people because they are suffering."

Engr. Coffie stated this on Monday at a Townhall meeting with Stakeholders of ACCORD at the party's new secretariat on Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo.

According to the structural engineer and successful entrepreneur, the State would continually find it difficult to develop and experience the needed economic growth if it rely only on the federal allocations to drive its economy.

Engr. Emem Coffie, who was flanked by his wife, State Chairman; Rt Hon Martins Ansa and other party Executive Committee members told stakeholders who filled the hall to its brim that, "things must change in Akwa Ibom," promising to carry out radical development by focusing on wealth creation, encouraging commercial agriculture and attracting investments. 

”We need re-orientation and I must tell you that wealth creation is my top priority because we have to deliberately do something to create something for our people to survive and come out of poverty."

Meanwhile, no fewer than 300 Point Of Sale (POS) terminals have so far been distributed free to Akwa Ibomites by the ACCORD party's Governorship Candidate; Engr Emem Coffie.

The guber candidate explained that the approach reflects the party's commitment to delivering practical solutions to members financial challenges.

The Townhall meeting featured question and answer session and distribution of empowerment forms to stalwarts of the party.

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Police arrest 43yr-old fake ASP in Akwa Ibom

 

By Chioma Onuegbu Uyo

OPERATIVES of the Akwa Ibom State Police command have arrested oneVincent Sampson Enuneku rom Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta State for impersonation and for being in possession of large substance, suspected to be Indian hemp.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Odiko MacDon who disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Uyo, stated that the suspect was arrested on 28June, 2022 in Uyo while attempting to use his fake Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Identity card to prevent the arrest of a wanted criminal.

MacDon added that the suspect uses the fake ID card to pass through check points freely while transporting Indian hemp and other prohibited items to the State.

He noted that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi who decorated thirty-seven (37) Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) to the next rank of Superintendents of Police (SPs), has however, warned impersonators of Police and other security agencies to desist forthwith.

His words: “The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Olatoye Durosinmi has decorated thirty-seven (37) Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) to the next rank of Superintendents of Police (SPs).The CP while decorating the Senior Officers charged them to always discharge their duties professionally in consonance with extant laws.

“He urged them to be civil to Members of the public and eschew every form of corruption in line with the directives of the IGP while having greater respect for the fundamental human rights of the people.

‘Among those decorated were the Personal Assistance (PA) to the Commissioner of Police, SP Maximus Oloto and the Officer in-charge of Training, SP Joy Mezu. On the other hand, the CP has warned impersonators of Police and other Agencies to desist forthwith or have the Police to contend with.

The CP gave the warning after personnel of Anti-cultism Squad of the Command arrested one Vincent Sampson Enuneku, (43) from Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta State for impersonation and being in possession of large substance, suspected to be Indian hemp.

“The suspect was arrested on the 28th of June, 2022 in Uyo while attempting to use his fake Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) ID card to prevent the arrest of a wanted criminal.

“Investigation revealed that the suspect uses the ID card to pass through check points freely while transporting Indian hemp and other prohibited items to Akwa Ibom State.

” He is also good at using the ID card to extort and harass innocent Members of the Public, thereby bringing the image of the Force to disrepute. Exhibits recovered from the suspect include fake Police ID Card and a large quantity of Indian hemp”

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Source: VANGUARD

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Nat'l Assembly 2023: APC GROUP PROMISES 50,000 VOTES FOR DR. UMOH, SEN. AKPABIO

 

As the 2023 general elections gather momentum, candidates on the platform the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, are enjoying massive support and cult following from political gladiators, groups and people of the State.

One of them is the APC candidate of Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency in the forthcoming House of Representatives election; Dr. Patrick Umoh, as a formidable political group; Progressives Minds For Good Governance (PMGG), has declared support for the legal practitioner, maintaining that he is the only politician in the House of Reps race that would contribute his quota to the development of the three Local Government Areas and uplift the standard of living of the people.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the group's meeting on Wednesday and signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Christopher Sylvester Udoh, who said that, the Obot Akara-born law luminary has all it takes to give the constituency effective representation and attract dividends of democracy to the constituents.

Comrade Udoh stated unequivocally that almost all sons and daughters of Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency were rooting for Dr. Patrick Umoh, because of his antecedents and love for development of the people.

The communique reads in part, “Many aspire to lead, even when they don’t have what it takes to lead. We make bold to state that Dr. Patrick Umoh has what it takes to salvage our Federal constituency from the verge of collapse, which the past representatives have failed to do.

“However, our past representatives did their best and we are appreciative of their efforts. But, we are certain that as a practicing and highly cerebral lawyer who understands legislative rudiments, Dr. Umoh will be a shining star in the 360-member House of Reps and give us quality, effective and effectual representation."

Describing the APC House of Representatives candidate as an embodiment of humility, love and respect for God and fellow men, the PMGG argued that there was no basis of comparing Dr. Umoh with those they termed as 'political jobbers', promising to launch door to door campaigns for him, when the electoral umpires lift the ban on public campaigns.

The group further gave a strong assurance of mobilizing 50,000 votes from the Federal Constituency alone for the APC candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District; Senator Godswill Akpabio.

They however, stated that there was need to equally step up measures to further work against any gang-ups or campaign of calumny against Senator Akpabio, by the fifth columnists.

"We are tired of empty promises over the years by the PDP, that is why we are not leaving any stone unturned in mobilizing all and sundry for the APC because we know 2023 is bringing Uncommon Empowerment for the Federal Constituency and Senatorial District”, PMGG stated.

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