ADC CANDIDATE LEADS 1,431 OTHERS TO QUITE ADC AND PDP FOR YPP IN NSIT UBIUM

Nsit Ubium, the home local government of Mr Umo Eno, the PDP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, emptied into the streets on August  30, 2022, despite the heavy rain,  to celebrate the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and its standard bearer, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan.

Against all negative predictions that YPP will not have a foothold there, a tumultuous crowd lined the streets to welcome the team with exciting songs, while dancing and waving the now famous symbol of the young party, the leaves.

The party, led by its state chairman, Apostle Nyeneime Andy,  was in Nsit Ubium in continuation of its state-wide tour to inaugurate its offices across the state.

Andy, alongside the guber candidate, Senator Albert Akpan, his running mate, AIG Asuquo Amba (rtd) and other party stalwarts who stormed the village of Ikot Edibon in Nsit Ubium also formerly opened the YPP Youths Acquisition Skills Center.

The occasion took a different turn when Mr. Anthony Akpan, a candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nsit Ubium state constituency of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, led 1,431 others to decamp to YPP. 

Akpan said he had stepped down from the contest to formerly join forces with YPP to bring OBA as the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

"I, Anthony Akpan, from Obotim Ward 1 Nsit Ubium today declare my support for OBA and YPP. I have collapsed my structure for the YPP. The Ika, Obot Akara, Etim Ekpo and Ini chapter chairmen of ADC defect alongside me to carry the leaves as the only sign of hope for the Akwa Ibom people".

The chapter chairman of YPP, Mr Moses Sam, in his welcome address who described the state chairman of the YPP as the "Joshua of our time" thanked him for steering the affairs of the party to what it has grown to become today.

"The next and perhaps the best Governor in our state will be OBA. As we are having our office today, we will work for our son, OBA,  to emerge as Governor. Nsit Ubium is YPP, YPP is Nsit Ubium. As you can see, my blood is YPP. We have buried every other party that has died to embrace the YPP", the chairman assured.

While performing the inauguration of the office and Skills Centre, the state chairman said: “Let me specially thank you all for coming out under the rain to witness this great ceremony. Your incoming Governor is here, and he will address all your problems when he takes over. I can assure you that when we take over power in 2023, we will reward you for your love for the party”.

“Today, we didn't come to campaign, but to open the party office, the youth acquisition center, as well as receive the thousands of the decampees from other parties joining the  YPP's great family",  Apostle Andy assured.

"This skills acquisition center is to train and develop the people of Nsit Ubium. We want to train our youths in order to properly engage them. Before before we come into government, we will train the youths here to be self-reliant and self-employed ", Apostle Andy added.

Barr. Daniel Udofia, a former PDP stalwart, in his goodwill message, said that Nsit Ubium has fully adopted YPP. 

"We have no doubt that our son, OBA, who is taking over on 2023 has proven to be the best. He will deliver on the mandate we will give him in 2023. Our people have given the assurance that they will support him for quality leadership from next year".

He then thanked OBA for his love for Nsit Ubium people and urged all, especially the youths and women to embrace him come 2023.

ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR COMMON PATRIMONY, OBA CHARGES AKWA IBOMITES

The governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party ( YPP), Senator Albert Bassey Akpan (OBA), has challenged Akwa Ibom people to learn to hold government accountable by asking valid questions about their common patrimony. 

He made the charge on August 27, 2022 at the official inauguration of the state office of a socio-political group, Akwa Ibom Unity Forum, in Uyo.

He said the impoverished masses should be curious enough to find out what the recent allocations that came into the state were used for.

“I am aware N47 billion came into this state. The last one was N171 billion. Governor Wike who is receiving the same amount has constructed more than ten flyovers and has developed the state. What about our own?”, he queried. 

While responding to a comment, the Senator described his gubernatorial mission as the will of God to rescue the state. 

He said the new group was a body after his heart, and encouraged the members to work hard to take their destinies in their hands. "Because of your hardwork, God will make me a Governor", he prayed.

The cordinator of the support group and former Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government, Hon. Uko Idiong, described Senator Bassey Albert Akpan as the only man that will change Akwa Ibom for the better.

He said nothing on earth, except God, will stop OBA from emerging as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. 

According to him, “everyone you meet on the street, in the offices; wherever you ask: ‘who will be the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State’,  the answer is: Bassey Albert!”

Hon. Idiong said people have been trooping into his office to declare support for OBA, and assured the governorship candidate that the people are eagerly waiting to support him at the poll. 

"We will not sleep until we make you the Governor of Akwa Ibom State", he assured the Senator.

BOT chairman of the body, Mr. Charles Ndanyongmong, equally assured OBA that the forum will work tirelessly to ensure he emerges the next Governor of the state. 

"We have so many PDP and APC people who have been coming here to register their support for you", he told OBA.

1,877 PDP MEMBERS JOINS YPP IN IKOT EKPENE LGA AS YPP INAUGURATES PARTY OFFICE

Some activities in the Raffia City of Ikot Ekpene came to a standstill on Friday 26th August, 2022 as the Nyeneime Andy-led state exco of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) stormed the town to inaugurate the local government area secretariat of the YPP. 

Apostle Andy, state chairman of YPP,  used the occasion to  thank all party executives for standing firm with YPP, and rejecting bribes from the agents of government and PDP. 

He condemned the unnecessary wasting of money on frivolities, including attempts to stop the growth of YPP and wondered why the government refused to release so much money to Akwa Ibom people in the past seven years. 

"Come May, 2023, we shall have victory in all the offices we are vying", the state chairman added.

Highlights of the event included handing over of 3,000 party cards to the chapter chairman by the state chairman "for registration of all decampees into the party". 

 While welcoming all dignitaries to Ikot Ekpene, the chapter chairman of the party, Hon. Joshua Akpan promised the state exco and all the candidates that the secretariat will ensure smooth running of the affairs of the party. 

He said the crowd that came out to welcome the YPP entourage was an indication that Ikot Ekpene has embraced YPP fully.

In his remarks, Director - General of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organization, a son of Ikot Ekpene, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, told the massive crowd that the event was "just to open the party office in Ikot Ekpene, and not for campaign". 

He appreciated all who came out and urged them to be resolute in their support for YPP.

Dr. Ekong Ebienang, former INEC national  official and immediate past chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), speaking on behalf of other decampees, thanked the YPP family for happily receiving all the decampees into its fold. 

He promised to deploy his experience to ensure that the party succeeds in its endeavours and in the next elections.

FRUSTRATION IN A'IBOM AS AGENTS OF IMPOSITION FAILS ON ANTI PEOPLE'S PROTEST

Frustrated by the increasing failure of their inordinate ambition to impose unpopular characters on the people of Akwa Ibom State, a band of unscrupulous politicians, apparently to divert attention from their fiasco, are said to be plotting a series of schemes to distabilise the peace, tranquility, rights and personal security of some individuals in the state.

According to information at our disposal, these crude and selfish persons intend to organise a number of anti-people protests, instigate unjust and illegal arrests of those suspected not to be in their support and blame the imminent negative public reaction on Senator Albert Bassey Akpan (OBA), his political associates as well as his new party, the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

We understand that the plan, reportedly coordinated by some agents of government, followed the realisation that despite high-level manipulations, merchatile dealings and mafia-typed plots, OBA has become not just the governorship candidate of YPP but the most popular politician in the state.

Within weeks, against political bookmakers’ predictions, YPP has witnessed a mass movement expected to culminate in the ballot revolution, next year. Never in our state’s political history has any party grown with so much speed and mass acceptance. This evolving trend is said to be making OBA/YPP’s opponents grossly uncomfortable, hence their ignoble plots.

While drawing the attention of the security agencies to the inglorious scheme, it should be noted that already, the frustration-induced, anti-people plots have been set in motion with the recent arrests of some independent-minded Akwa Ibomites, who have refused to either be intimidated or financially influenced to support evil.

For days now, some of our own members, including Idorenyin Umana,  have been trailed, haunted and harrassed from their homes, while a newspaper distributor, Chidi Ngadiubia, has been arrested, reportedly on “orders from above”, for no specified crime.

Equally, it has been in the news that some editors, including Ifreke Nsewo of The Mail newspaper, have been on the witch-hunt list of government, apparently for publishing the truth about the mass rejection of a certain unwanted, scandal-ridden  and unpopular governorship candidate.

While we in Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Movement support responsible journalism and lawful living, we strongly oppose acts of intimidation, injustice, victimisation and any attempt to plot anarchy in any form. The government and its agents should be reminded that we are still in a democracy, where tolerance for divergent opinions and rights of association and choices form the tenets of credible societal coexistence.

Any politician or group believing his or its candidate is popular should test such acceptability at the poll and not invite any mayhem on the people. Consequently, any individual or professional, including journalists, deemed to have gone beyond accepted codes or brief of his duty should be challenged at the court of law and not through undue intimidation, harassment, threats and unlawful arrests.

While thanking our supporters, who are growing in leaps and bounds,  for being steadfast on this God-backed project, despite inducements, threats and intimidations, we commend them for the new consciousness blowing across the state and urge them to continue on the path of peace, focus and lawfulness. 

This mission to actualise a new Akwa Ibom, founded on the “3R- mandate,” will certainly end in praise - as we jointly aim to recover Akwa Ibom, reconcile it genuinely back to God and reposition it for greatness!

Signed:

Dr Usoro I. Usoro 

(Spokesman, Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation)

Cc:

The Inspector of Police, Abuja.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command.

The Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Abuja.

The Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Uyo

NULGE PRESIDENT ADVOCATES FOR RETRAINING OF INFORMATION OFFICERS IN A'IBOM.

Edna Monye

The President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Anestina Iweh, on Wednesday, 10 August 2022, organized a productivity session for all Information Officers covering the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.

Comrade Iweh, who recently concluded a tour of the 31 LGAs, said the session was essential to gather Information Officers together and ensure effective interaction and knowledge sharing that would boost their productivity in their respective duty posts.

Saying that there was no end to learning, Mrs. Iweh noted that continuous training and retraining were crucial for achieving personal elevation and professional skills.

She charged LOGIC members to see the event as an exclusive opportunity to improve their day-to-day engagements as their Local Governments of Service image-makers.

Declaring the event open, the Chairman, Local Government Information Chapel (LOGIC), Mrs. Roselyn Etukudo thanked all Information Officers for their prompt response and willingness to acquire and share in the knowledge-based session. 

Comrade Etukudo encouraged Information Officers to have an open mind towards the job and absorb new skills as they grow in their careers.

Mrs. Etukudo appreciated the Nulge Boss for organizing such an impactful event.

Delivering a Keynote Lecture at the event, a broadcast journalist, and Media Assistant to Hon. Onofiok Luke, Comrade Aniekan Udofia took the time to discuss the various components of the arts of compering.

Anchoring his lecture on the topic: "THE ART OF MODERATING", Udofia emphasized the necessities of moderating, including "appropriate diction," "elocution," "house style," "anecdote" (storytelling), "deep research," and the "importance of dress code".

He stressed that proficiency in the art required boldness and acceptance that a moderator was entirely in control of an event.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk, encouraged Information Officers to improve their reading skills, research, and writing, which he said would enable them to participate in state council events.

The Director of Social Development, Education, Information, Sports and Culture, Mrs. Priscilla Udo, encouraged the officers to be more practical in all their designated duties as Information Officers. 

Meanwhile, other notable LOGIC officials at the event included the Vice Chairman, John Ekpo; Assistant Secretary, Edna Monye; Treasurer, Emaido Affia; Provost, Emilia Iquot; Chairman Emeritus, Vivian Eshiet, and several Information Officers across the 31 LGAs in Akwa Ibom State.

2023: AIG ASUQUO AMBA EMERGES RUNNING MATE TO OBA OF YPP

The gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State, Distinguished Senator (Obong) Bassey Albert Akpan today, 5th August, 2022 named AIG Asuquo Amba (rtd) as his running - mate in the 2023 Akwa Ibom State gubernatorial election.

The brief ceremony which took place at the state party secretariat, at Four Lanes, Uyo had in attendance YPP executive members,  party faithful and supporters.

While speaking, the guber hopeful said that the ticket will be complete with his running - mate, Mr. Amba and assured that their government will be loyal to everyone since it will be rooted in democracy which is the government of the people by the people and for the people.

OBA stressed that his government will be based in "3Rs": Recover, Reconcile and Reposition. He described AIG Amba (rtd) as "a man who has served this country, meritoriously, with passion... a true Akwa Ibomite who did his job for Nigeria in the Nigerian Police Force, with an incontrovertible Curriculum Vitae.

AIG Amba (rtd) is from Urueoffong Uruko Local Government Area. A graduate of English from the University of Lagos. He did his national service in 1985, and was retained as a lecturer in the University of Lagos before he was enlisted into the Nigerian Police in 1986. He served as commissioner of police in different states including Bayelsa, Ekiti  and in charge of counter -  terrorism at the force headquarters before he was promoted to the rank of an Assistant Inspector General. 

In acceptance speech, AIG Amba who described OBA as "the legend of our time" expressed appreciation to the senator and the entire party structure for having faith in him.

He promised that as a “spare tyre”,  his "loyalty is already 100%" to the incoming Governor, the party and Akwa Ibom people

OBA's HUMBLE BIRTH GUIDES HIS POLITICS

By lmo Ben

As an introduction, infant Bassey Albert from Ibiono local government area, Akwa Ibom State was born in a very lowly family where wealth deserted him completely. Nevertheless, he arrived at birth with unusual signs of divine blessings to embark on a journey that would change his narratives to what has today brought pride to his family, state and indeed Nigeria.Of course, it is not new that great men  in history rise from insignificant background. Christ came in such fashion to rescue mankind.

OBA was not privileged like some. His father was neither a civil servant nor in the Police Force. His was into local carpentery, concidentally again like that of Jesus's father. From the humble start, he walked through really rough time to go through school and did what in most cases poor kids do, like going shoeless, shirtless around his vicinity and of course, experienced hunger. 

Nonetheless, he took to hardwork early enough to liberate himself. We cannot compare his with the cosy barracks life some use as evidence of poor background to illustrate  their grass-to-grace story. OBA has never used self-pity as a weapon to while up sentiments. He never used his poor background to curry public sympathy because of politics.  Rather,  he saw God's grace in abundance even in a situation others saw as a disadvantage. 

As a kid growing up, he was never intimidated to divert his sight from the purpose which he was destined to be - a charismatic servant-leader and benevolent man of great positive impact on humanity. He saw the picture ahead and accepted it won't be a tea party to overcome challenges to cross over deprivation. So he faced every hurdle with courage and made intelligent choices. 

Educationally, he knew early enough  that given his poor background, education was his only hope to rise. And he rose without controversial issues concerning his credentials.

His own credentials are not the sworn affidavit, finetuned or  forged. He obtained his from the verifiable sources. One is the University of Uyo where he read Economics and other added ones used for employment in the banking industry. He rose meritoriously to become vice president of a first class bank, First City Monument Bank, FCMB at a very young age. And he left due to hot demand for him to become the commissioner of Finance under the administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio. And because of hardwork, he served the longest in that seat so far in records of the state. 

Presently, as a two-term senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is one of the most variant lawmakers and valued asset in the National Assembly. Senator OBA has bagged very many awards and received numerous commendations including the special one from the President of Nigeria, Mohammedu Buhari, for his remarkable efforts in repositioning the oil and gas industry to increase transparency and improve revenue collection into the national, state and host community coffers.

He is always conscious of his humble beginning in whatever he does and how he relates with others from lowly background. He believes great people can emanate from lowly places, so no one should despise the humble beginning of anyone. He is a good example. Though some who see his imposing popularity, attainment and influence never imagine his beginning. This testifies that he is a destined child who has overcomed odds by grace and hardwork to be who he is today.

Because he has seen how much God loves and blesses him, his governorship quest is not about himself, but about his passion to uplift people in order to make a difference between him and others in the seat. He has clearly stated that he is going to be the people's governor who will govern as a servant-leader because he knows where the shoe pinches. This is the leadership model Akwa Ibom people deserve. That is why Akwa Ibom  should support for OBA as governor in 2023.

He is going to be a welfaristic governor who will fight poverty with passionate because he knows its fangs. And as a leader who rose from low birth, he cannot govern a state as rich as Akwa Ibom yet tolerate the citizens lament in need of basic life-sustaining necessities. Never!