Politics

Akwa Ibom Governor denies blocking delegates from seeing Atiku

Published

4 years ago

May 15, 2022

The Udom Emmanuel Presidential Campaign Committee has said there is no iota of truth in the news in some quarters that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom will not allow Peoples Democratic Party PDP delegates in the state from meeting with former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, when the ex VP visits the state on Monday.

A press statement yesterday titled “Re: 2023 presidential shocker: Udom blocks Atiku from consulting Akwa Ibom delegates,” by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, described the news item as false in all materials particular.

He said: “The news item with the above heading surfaced on the media space, alleging that Governor Udom Emmanuel barred Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from meeting with delegates from Akwa Ibom State.

“It also went on to make a lot of spurious allegations, laced with foul and profane language. Nothing can be farther from the truth as this. The said news is totally incompatible with the known accommodating disposition of Governor Emmanuel.

“The truth is that the Governor, who has been in communication and contact with all other presidential aspirants (Atiku Abubakar inclusive), was informed that the former Vice President will be visiting on Monday, 16th May,2022 to meet with delegates and thereafter see him (Governor Emmanuel) by 4pm, a proposal that was unhesitatingly accepted.

“It is therefore pure mischief for anyone to insinuate that the Governor is preventing Alhaji Abubakar from seeing delegates.

“Other presidential aspirants have visited the party in Akwa Ibom without a hitch, so why would Atiku’s be different?

“In the light of current circumstances surrounding Atiku’s media posture, especially online, we will like to discard the news item as not coming from him or his media handlers.

“We also want to believe that this spurious statement does not have the authorization of the presidential aspirant himself, especially since the allegation is not personally signed off and is not posted on any of his verified social media accounts.

“We urge the entire public to discountenance the fake news and treat it as an act of mischief of the highest order.Our delegates and team are waiting to receive the aspirant on the agreed date and time”

Contacted, the spokesperson for the Udom Emmanuel Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Bola Bolawole, confirmed the statement from Ememobong, adding that Emmanuel is noted as an apostle of politics without bitterness.

“Their type may not be many any more and their tribe may be fast diminishing but the personal choice made by Emmanuel is to be a man of peace and to address issues and not attack personalities.

“Check his antecedents. Emmanuel focuses on issues. Critical issues like the economy, which is the fulcrum of presidential contests in the advanced democracies, are what Emmanuel is bothered about, not personal attacks.

“Nigerians want to know who is better placed to handle the economy and rescue them from the clutches of poverty. With his training, cognate experience in the private sector and his track record so far as we witness and marvel in Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel is the man for the moment.

“He has a lot of what he has done, like Ibom Air, to campaign with and should therefore not be dragged into the murky waters of campaign of calumny”

Vanguard

Politics

Anambra Communities Boil As Group Carpets Traditional Rulers Over Zoning

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

By Okey Maduforo, Awka

Ten communities that make up Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State are set for a showdown with their traditional rulers following the alleged suspension of the zoning arrangement for the Anambra State House of Assembly elections.

Recall that on April 7, 2022, the traditional rulers, in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), resolved that the House of Assembly seats for Anaocha I and Anaocha II constituencies would rotate among the ten communities, with each town occupying the seat for two terms.

The traditional rulers further resolved that the rotation would subsist irrespective of the political party through which lawmakers emerge, noting that the arrangement was aimed at ensuring that all ten communities have the opportunity to produce members of the State Assembly in the interest of equity and fairness.

However, the Anaocha Equity Forum, shortly after its meeting, expressed concern over the alleged suspension of the zoning arrangement.

Speaking, the Convener of the Anaocha Equity Forum, Mr. Valentine Okoye, said the forum would not take kindly to what it described as acts capable of destabilising the council area, adding that any such move would be resisted.

“This is a Memorandum of Understanding signed by our traditional rulers, and it has been respected until now. We in the Anaocha Equity Forum see this as a slap on the sensibilities of the ten communities that make up the area,” he said.

“We urge members of the public, political parties, and stakeholders to disregard the alleged position of the traditional rulers, as it does not represent the views and aspirations of our people.

“Our traditional rulers should be mindful of their roles as fathers of their respective communities. They should also understand that they would be held responsible for whatever backlash or consequences may arise from this recent position.

“We call on Governor Charles Soludo to call the traditional rulers to order so that the peace currently enjoyed in Anaocha Local Government Area will not be disrupted,” he stated.