Metro

A’Ibom 2023: Sen. Akpan’s Desperation to compromise Clergies exposed

Published

3 years ago

March 31, 2022

OFONIME UDOSEN

By Ofonime Udosen

As the race to the Hilltop mansion, the official residence of the Governor of Akwa Ibom state enters critical stage, startling revelations of the arm-twisting and desperate political maneuvers of the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Obong Bassey Albert popularly called (OBA) has been exposed.

The latest revelation emanated from a prominent man of God and Founder of one of the top churches in Akwa Inom state who gave an insight into Senator Albert’s attempt to penetrate the governor’s heart by trying fruitlessly to compromise the Christian leaders in the state popularly called “fathers of faith”.

According to the Christian father who craved anonymity for safety reasons in a chat with our reporter, “OBA had long before the Governor revealed Pastor Umo Eno as his preferred candidate for PDP ticket enlisted Bishop Cletus Bassey with mouth-watering offers to break into the ranks of fathers of faith and get them to endorse and present him to the governor as their chosen candidate and God’s ultimate revelation to them.

Archbishop Cletus Bassey popularly called political Bishop swung into action and mobilized some prominent fathers of faith to Abuja on an all expense paid trip with adequate hotel and other bills footed.

However trouble started when the agenda of the Abuja trip was unveiled to the fathers of faith. They discovered that they were in the nation’s capital to be used by OBA to achieve his dream of taking over from Emmanuel in 2023.

Our Source explained that after the fathers of faith had been treated to some sumptuous meal and rested, they were told in clear terms that they were in Abuja on the invitation of Senator Bassey Albert’s 2023 ambition.

He further highlighted that OBA has instructed them to help him strike a deal which will fetch each of them N50 million.

Their assignment was to rally as a united front to Governor Udom Emmanuel and inform him that after ceaseless prayers and fasting, God had revealed him to them as the next governor that should be supported.

Our Reporter gathered that the meeting was abruptly brought to an end with the fathers of faith exchanging hot words with Bishop Bassey for bringing them to Abuja under false pretense to compromise their integrity and hard-earned reputation.

Our reporter gathered that Bishop Bassey sensing that the project was about to flop miserably hurriedly called the Senator to come informing him that there was trouble.

Senator Bassey Albert allegedly arrived the venue and made a confirmation of the promised N50million to each for them.

We were told that this ignominious propodal coming directly from a distinguished Senator further infuriated the fathers of faith who walked out on the Abuja meeting and returned home.

Unperturbed and still filled with false hope and confidence, OBA last December again approached Bishop Cletus Bassey and energized him to resurrect the Akwa ibom Christian Assembly popularly called (ACA) and mandated him to use it as an alternative platform to confront and possibly diminish the strength and popularity of fathers of faith in the state.

In the spirit of the then season, over 1000 bags of rice and undisclosed amount running into millions of naira was put at his disposal to commence the onslaught.

Our source who said he has keenly observed the political style of the Senate described him as someone that is acting out of desperation and presenting himself as a vicious person who is entitled to the position of governor.

According to him, “Akwa ibom needs a visionary and result-oriented leader who fears God and loves the people. We need a man who will continue the developmental strides of the governor and not one coming to pursue vendetta and have such a sense of entitlement.

“Akwa Ibom has found a man who had through sheer hard work and faith in God built a growing business empire that has employed and helped so many youths of the state to earn decent living in the person of Pastor Umo Eno.

“Eno has displayed maturity and love for the state by not joining issues with those bent on blackmailing him for no just cause and Akwa Ibom people are now better informed on the real enemies of the state”. He intoned

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Headlines

Akwa Ibom Residents Go About Their Day as Youths Refrain from October 1 Protests

Published

1 week ago

October 2, 2024

Boma AL

Residents of Akwa Ibom State are carrying on with their daily activities without disruption, as local youths did not engage in the nationwide protest on October 1.

A walk through key areas in Uyo, including Ibom Plaza, the Nwaniba Water Fountain, and the Cenotaph along Udo Udoma Avenue—traditional gathering spots for protesters—showed no signs of demonstrations.

At Ibom Plaza, people were seen in small groups discussing issues such as bad governance and rising fuel prices. Vendors conducted business, while some individuals were engrossed in reading newspapers.

Similarly, the Cenotaph remained quiet, with few police and security personnel stationed in the area but no signs of protest activity. The streets were noticeably less busy, with only a handful of private vehicles observed, attributed to the soaring cost of fuel.

It is worth noting that Governor Umo Eno had previously donated N310 million to commend the youth for their non-participation in the earlier #EndBadGovernance protest. In a recent press conference, Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo assured that the command was well-prepared for any potential protests.

Headlines

Akwa Ibom Police Gear Up for October 1 Protests: ‘We’re Battle-Ready to Maintain Peace!

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2024

Boma AL

The police in Akwa Ibom have announced that they are fully prepared for the upcoming protests scheduled for October 1.

The police command has expressed its readiness to manage any potential unrest that may arise during the demonstrations.

Timfon John, the spokesperson for the police command, confirmed that the State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, has strategically deployed operatives throughout the state to ensure the protests do not escalate into chaos.

John emphasized that the police are committed to maintaining peace and urged the residents of Akwa Ibom to carry on with their daily activities without fear of harassment. She reassured the public that comprehensive security measures have been implemented for their safety.

“Regarding the rumored protests, the Commissioner of Police has made the necessary deployments to ensure that no protests take place in Akwa Ibom State. Should there be any protests, we are prepared to ensure they remain peaceful and that no hoodlums can disrupt the tranquility of our community,” she stated.

The forthcoming protests, tagged #FearlessInOctober1, are part of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance movement, which saw demonstrations in various states across Nigeria from August 1 to 10. The police aim to foster an environment where citizens can express themselves without fear of violence or disruption.

Headlines

FG to Launch Construction of 2,000 Housing Units in Akwa Ibom, 7 Other States

Published

4 months ago

June 24, 2024

Boma AL

The Federal Government is set to commence the construction of an additional 2,000 housing units across eight states in the South and North Central geopolitical zones under the Renewed Hope and Estates programme.

The states slated for this project include Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Osun, Oyo, Benue, and Nasarawa.

The construction is scheduled to kick off between June 26 and July 6, 2024, with the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, officiating the groundbreaking ceremonies.

This initiative follows the recent launch of 1,500 housing units in five northern states: Katsina, Yobe, Gombe, Sokoto, and Kano.

According to a statement from the Ministry’s official website, the construction schedule will begin with a 250-unit project in Ebonyi State on June 26, 2024, followed by:
– 250 units in Abia on June 27
– 250 units in Akwa Ibom on June 28
– 250 units in Delta State on June 29
– 250 units in Osun on July 2
– 250 units in Oyo on July 3
– 250 units in Benue on July 5
– 250 units in Nasarawa on July 6

Each 250-unit housing project will comprise:
– 50 units of one-bedroom semi-detached bungalows
– 100 units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows
– 50 units of three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows

The initiative is expected to create approximately 50,000 skilled and unskilled jobs, averaging 25 jobs per housing unit, thereby stimulating the local economies of the involved states.

The Renewed Hope and Estates programme aims to address Nigeria’s housing shortage by delivering 1,000 housing units in each of the 36 states and 4,000 units in the Federal Capital Territory. The programme was initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and will be executed in batches to eventually cover the entire country.

The first phase began in February with the launch of 3,112 housing units in the Karsana District of Abuja. The projects currently under construction and the additional 2,000 units set to begin next week are funded by the 2023 Supplementary Budget of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Future projects will be financed through the Ministry’s 2024 budget.

This housing initiative aims to promote inclusivity and integration by addressing inequalities and offering a range of affordable homeownership options. These options include:
– Single-digit interest rate mortgage loans with up to 30-year terms from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
– Rent-to-Own options allowing beneficiaries to pay towards ownership in monthly, quarterly, or annual instalments
– Outright purchase options for high-income earners

The programme will operate as a cross-subsidy initiative, with 80% of the housing units sold at commercial rates and the remaining 20% offered at concessional rates to low- and medium-income Nigerians affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.