Revealed: Real reasons Akpabio is desperate about imposing Udom Emmanuel on Akwa Ibom people

It is no longer news that Governor Godswill Akpabio is hell-bent on imposing his business partner, Udom Emmanuel, on the good people of Akwa Ibom state by all means. What may be news, however, is the motive behind the governor’s desperation.

Exclsuive: Akpabio's plot to scuttle Jonathan's second term ambition exposed!

…as 4 northern governors alert Presidency over evil plot

Attempts by Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State to bribe four northern governors in order for the governors to withdraw their support for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 may have backfired as the governors were said to have reported the matter to the presidency, also tendering their bribe money as evidence of Akpabio’s untoward behaviour.

 It emerged early in the week that  Akpabio, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, is unhappy with  the presidency over the issuance of automatic ticket for his senatorial bid. He was said to have reached out to four of his very influential counterparts in the north to enlist their support in scuttling the president’s rumoured second term ambition.

However, in a dramatic twist and shocked by their colleague’s errant behaviour of overtly declaring support for the president whilst secretly working against him, the quad immediately alerted the presidency to be careful about the way the state house relates with the governor of the oil-rich state. They told the president that the same Akpabio that pledges support for him in the open was actually working against him secretly. The four northern governors also reportedly tendered evidence of the bribe that Akpabio offered them to buttress their story.

Our sources added that the bribery scandal was just one of the many secret plots of the governor of the 'Land of Promise' to undermine the integrity of the president and possibly destroy his aspirations. It was releaved that  Akpabio has been throwing around obscene amount of money in foreign currencies at stakeholders to withdraw their support for the president.

It would be recalled that the President had earlier on in the year barred Governor Akpabio from the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, over his inappropriate conducts of spraying dollars  and pounds on security personnel and other presidential aides.

The ban, according to our source, also came about on account of a series of errant behaviour and disrespect meant to undermine the person and office of the President by governor Akpabio.

As a sign of remorse, Akpabio was said to have begged the President in person for his untoward behaviour with a promise to turn a new leaf. Apart from personally begging the President we learnt that Akpabio also sent elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, to plead for forgiveness from the President on his behalf.

Now that the governor’s colleagues have blown the whistle on him, it is left for the embattled Akpabio to devise a plan to appease the president who was said to have been deeply shocked and disappointed by the revelation of the four northern governors about Akpabio’s dirty schemes

Udom’s first campaign rally ends in bloody riot!

The rally in Uyo yesterday by Udom Emmanuel, former Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, to signal his declaration of intent to contest the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) snowballed into a bloody riot. As we report, the riot, staged by rented crowds hired to give the declaration a semblance of significance, is spreading along Nsikak Eduok Avenue axis of the city where Udom’s campaign office is located.

SPECIAL REPORT: THE CONTENDERS AND PRETENDERS IN THE AKWA IBOM GOVERNORSHIP RACE! PART 2

The oraclenaija brings you the concluding part of our special report on contenders and pretenders for the Hilltop Mansion, the Akwa Ibom State government house in 2015 as we promised. Please enjoy

Treasury looting: Akpabio bribes Umana with $6m

 ... refuses to drop more money

The Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio is said to have bribed his former SSG and governorship aspirant, Obong Umana Okon Umana with the sum of $6m to prevent the ex-SSG from blowing the whistle over the theft of the sum of N47b belonging to the Akwa Ibom State government.

SPECIAL REPORT: THE CONTENDERS AND PRETENDERS IN THE AKWA IBOM GOVERNORSHIP RACE!

With the commencement of the sale of nomination forms nationwide to aspirants by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), the stage is now set for an epic contest in the Akwa Ibom State 2015 gubernatorial race. Already, over 20 aspirants from the three senatorial districts who have indicated interest in the governorship of the oil -rich state are expected to pick up their nomination forms.

 TheOraclenaija here presents a catalogue of the contenders who are desirous of succeeding Governor Godswill Akpabio  as well as the perceived pretenders in the hot race ahead:

 1.     Obong Umana Okon Umana – is the immediate past SSG of Akwa Ibom State. He was kicked out of his plum job as SSG by Governor Godswill Akpabio in July 2013 for flouting the rules of engagement and declaring to run for the office of governor, while still holding the position of SSG. Umana rose from humble beginnings as a former teacher at the Cross River State School of Basic Studies, Akamkpa, through the civil service and is seen as a seasoned technocrat. Umana joined the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service in 1989 as Principal Budget Officer and rose to the position of State Director of Budge before his appointment as Fianace Commissioner by ex-governor Before his ouster from government, Umana was quite an influential politician who decided the fate of many. The former strong man of Akwa Ibom politics is an Ibibio from Uyo Senatorial District and a serious contender.

2.  Obong Bassey Albert Akpan – an economist, banker and financial expert with a rich private/public sector experience.  He was the state Finance Commissioner from the inception of the Akpabio administration in 2007 until last April. A native of Ididep Usuk in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akpan was said to have been axed from his former position by a high-powered political manoeuvring, in the aftermath of the succession crisis rocking his home state. TheOracleNaija findings reveal that Bassey Albert Akpan is hugely popular across board, especially among the youths and even the royal institution in the state. Akpan is voted a serious contender for the governorship of the state. He is an Ibibio from Uyo Senatorial District.

3. Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel – is the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government. Until his appointment as SSG Udom was Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc from December 2006. A corporate strategist and an experienced private sector player. Udom hails from Awa Eket in Onna Local Government Area of the Eket Senatorial District. Udom is believed to be Governor Akpabio’s anointed candidate. His tacit endorsement by the governor has generated a lot of tension in the state. Udom is voted a serious contender. He has vowed to run with or without the support of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

4.     Mr. Ekpenyong Ntekim – is the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. He hails from Okobo Local Government Area of  the state. Findings by the Oraclenaija reveals that he’s being used by the governor to garner support from the Oron area for the governor’s candidate. Ntekim is thought to be a pretender in the race.

5.     Mr. Okon Iyanam- is a marketing communication expert and former Executive Director of Globacom. He is an indigene of Oyubia in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area of the Eket Senatorial District. Iyanam is, perhaps banking on his family pedigree as he has no known antecedent in party politics. Son of the late Uquo Iyanam, a seasoned technocrat and illustrious Oron son. He is the brother of Victor Iyanam who had served the Akpabio administration as Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice. Iyanam is a social media enthusiast who holds online consultations. He is referred to as the Internet aspirant and could pass for a pretender.

6.     Mrs Helen Esuene – former First Lady of old Cross River State and widow of Brigadier-General U.J. Esuene. She is a serving Senator representing the Eket Senatorial District in Nigeria’s Upper Legislative Chamber. She once served as the Minister of State for Women Affairs in the Obasanjo administration. The delectable grandmother appears to be the only woman in the race.

7.    Obong  Nsima Ekere – former deputy of Governor Godswill Akpabio in his second term in office and former Chairman of Akipoc. Ekere is an Ibibio from Ikot Abasi Local government of Eket Senatorial District. A serious contender.

8.     Mr. Effion Abia Ekpenyon is the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He was dismissed from the state executive council for showing interst in the governoship race, but has since been compensated with an appojintment as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and chieftaincy affairs. Abia is an Oron man from Mbo Local government of the state. Abia is believed to be a pretender in the race.

9.      Chief Benjamin Okoko - a quantity surveyor from Ikot Abasi is a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary and erstwhile Works Commissioner in Akwa Ibom state.  Benji, as he’s fondly called was once believed to be governor Akpabio’s Plan B candidate but it would appear things have changed. Okoko had vied for the PDP governorship ticket in 1998 alongside former Governor Attah, but was prevailed upon by Elders of the Eket Senatoial District to step down for Obong Victor Attah, in order to allow a candidate from the Uyo Senatorial District to complete their tenure. Despite his touted popularity, however, many have questioned his seriousness in the governorship contest. This is because Okoko is seen as a businessman who has only come out to run for governor in order to receive monetary compensation from whoever he steps down for just like he did in 1998 and 2007. He’s believed to be a pretender.

10.  Larry Esin -  a serial contender from Oron. He’s been in the Akwa Ibom  governorship race for as long as anyone can remember.  He came third in the governorship primaries of 2007 defeating Etiebet and Ime Umana. Esin is voted a pretender whose current political platform remains unknown.



To be continued....

Akpabio Administration sinks Akwa Ibom in debt!

As the tenure of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, winds to a close, concerned indigenes of the state are deeply worried about the huge debt profile of the oil-rich state that receives the highest allocation from the federation account and wondering whether his successor would have funds for developmental projects.

Akpabio accused of siphoning N47B in 8 months... plus the Umana Umana angle

It has been revealed that in the eight months between July 2013 and March 2014 the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio colluded with his friends and family members to siphon a total of N47 billion belonging to the state.

Governor Akpabio renews frantic search for successor

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State is said to have begun a fresh hunt for a credible candidate from the Eket Senatorial District who would take over the reins of leadership of the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State as governor in 2015.

2015 Revelation: Akpabio's devious plan to take the Akpan Brothers Out of the Race!

It is no longer news that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio, is bent on stopping his former Finance Commissioner, Bassey Albert Akpan from succeeding him in 2015. What is news, perhaps, is the devious manner in which the governor is going about his campaign of calumny against Akpan. TheOracleNaija can authoritatively reveal how the governor plans to scuttle the governorship ambition of his erstwhile closest commissioner.

Akpabio in messy multi billion Naira deals!

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, his brother and the Managing Director of one of Nigeria leading banks, (the name of the Bank starts with
one of the first four letters of the alphabet) are currently at daggers
drawn over a deal that has gone bad between them.

2015 Succession Plot: Akpabio Squanders LG Funds!

• Forces chairmen to  sign off over N2Billion
•  Pockets N1.6Billion 
• ..as ALGON fights over N130!

The latest victim of the funding of the Udom Emmanuel must be governor project of Godswill Akpabio is the 2.1Billion Naira one percent statutory savings of local governments in the last five years which was meant for agricultural projects.

Reports reaching Midweek Concord indicates that, the 31 local government Chairmen in Akwa Ibom State were recently coerced to sign off the money. In a meeting which held in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and presided over by the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, saw the governor carting home the sum of 1.6Billion Naira.

 According to a very reliable source, each local government chairman went home with 10Million Naira totaling 310Million Naira for the 31 local government chairmen for accepting to trade off the savings to Governor Akpabio.

A source close to the Council helmsmen told our reporter that they were forced to sign the documents stating that the money was withdrawn from a Zenith Bank branch in Uyo.

 The source continued that, the sum of 130Million Naira was given to ALGON executive. But the bubble busted when the governor’s cousin, Sir Emem Akpabio who is known in political circles as godfather got 20Million Naira from the ALGON’s money, the governor’s wife 20Million Naira, Paul Ekpo, 10Million Naira, Commissioner for Finance, Akan Okon, 10Million Naira, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, 10Million Naira and the Accountant General, Udo Isobara, 10Million Naira

 Our source who pleaded anonymity wondered why the governor would leave his exalted office and condescend to preside over a meeting of local government chairmen and their money all because he wants to impose his anointed candidate as governor of the state.

 Our investigations further reveal that, the over 2Billion Naira withdrawn from Zenith Bank, Udom Emmanuel’s former bank, translates to the one percent statutory deductions from local governments account meant for agricultural projects in the 31 local government areas of the state saved in the last five years.

 Meanwhile, the media has been awash with reports that Akwa Ibom State is indebted to contractors to the tune of over 390Billion naira and another 100Billion Naira bank loan.

Speaking to our reporter in the telephone discussion, a senior citizen of the state and stalwart of All Progressive Congress warned that whoever will succeed Akpabio will carry the burden of explaining to Akwa Ibom people what exactly happened during Godswill Akpabio’s tenure. According to him, “Godswill told Akwa Ibom people that he inherited an empty treasury. What will he say he left behind in the treasury if reports of our indebtedness are true?” He called on the appropriate federal agencies to swing into action and investigate the mindless fraud which the Akpabio administration is being accused of especially now that he has demonstrated his desire to confront Akwa Ibom people with his self succession plan.

2015 Abracadabra: Akpabio moves to set the Albert brothers against each other!

Wonders shall never end in this country especially in the oil rich city of Akwa Ibom State. News filtering  indicate that seeing his immediate past commissioner for finance, Bassey Albert Akpan as his main headache in the bid to impose his will on the state , Governor Godswill Akpabio brought out loads of money to lure the former commissioner 's brother Ime Albert to bid for the gubernatorial seat. We hear

Our sources said that because of the quality of support that Bassey Albert has all over the state, the governor reckons that do dividing the Albert family ‎and has gone ahead to entice Ime . How this will work however remains to ve seen as the family and community where the Alberts come from have totally declared their support for the younger brother.

Trouble in Umana's camp as he loses supporters to Benjamin Okoko

The entrance of Chief Benjamin Okoko into the 2015 governorship contest in Akwa Ibom state is already causing a stir as loyalists and supporters have abandoned Obong Umana Okon Umana and have already queued up behind Okoko as their preferred governorship aspirant.

Akpabio is an experienced killer – Assam Assam

In this interview with COMMUNITY PULSE, the very vocal diplomat, Chief Assam

Assam, SAN, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia and Belarus spoke extensively on his recent letter to the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the rejoinders that have followed suit. Below are excerpts of the interview as culled from Community Pulse:

2015 Tension: Akpabio abandons the Hilltop Mansion, Moves to Village!

All may not be well in the "Land of Promise "as the Akwa Ibom State
governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, is rumoured to have abandoned the luxury of the famous Hilltop Mansion, as the Akwa Ibom government house is called, preferring to operate from his village anytime he visits the state. The Governor is said to reside mostly in Abuja.

AK 2015 Death Threat:' Persuade Akpabio Not To Kill Us', Aspirant Writes Udom!

A governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Assam E. Assam, SAN has
written to the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on the
threat by Governor Godswill Akpabio to assassinate political opponents in
the state.
The text of the open letter, culled from Facebook, is published below.

Tension as Akpabio threatens political opponents with death!

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state recently shocked the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, and other dignitaries when he openly declared that death awaited politicians who were not loyal to him  in the state.

Umana set to spend N25 billion to become governor

Former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government and governorship aspirant, Obong Umana Okon Umana, has allegedly budgeted a staggering N25 billion to prosecute his gubernatorial campaign in the hope of actualising his long-held ambition of becoming the next governor of Akwa Ibom state in

2015.

Akwa Ibom 2015:  Udom Emmanuel  Gets into trouble with National Chairman of PDP ...for Flouting Electoral Laws!

Stooge of Akwa Ibom State Governor and Secretary to the State Government,Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has run into trouble with the National Headquaters of the Peoples Democratic Party, to his office in Abuja over allegations of the early flag-off of controversial  electioneering campaign.