Akwa Ibom Today

27/03/2024

If Giver No take time, beggar go first am build house..

07/11/2023

GOV ENO DISMISSES POLICY ALERT'S BUDGET PADDING ALLEGATIONS

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has dismissed as spurious and unfounded, the allegations of controversial appropriations in the 2023 Supplementary Budget credited to Policy Alert, saying that his administration will remain focused on delivering dividends of good governance to Akwa Ibom people in line with the ARISE Agenda.

The governor who was fielding questions from Government House Correspondents at the Victor Attah International Airport before departing for an official engagement outside the state, reaffirmed his resolve to pursue the implementation of his development blueprint and positively touch people's lives.

"The truth is that this government will not be responding to frivolous allegations. I won't be distracted. I have a mission to serve Akwa Ibom State in line with the ARISE Agenda . I'll keep to that mission and let Akwa Ibom people judge at the end of the day," he said.

On the issue of revisiting old projects and frivolous borrowing, the governor reiterated his campaign promise of completing all yet-to-be-completed projects initiated by past administrations and funded with the people's money, while challenging the publisher to show proof of any borrowing by his administration.

"What's wrong with funding old projects? These projects are for Akwa Ibom people. For example, we have to get Airplanes for Ibom Air, these are continuous things that we should do.And even while doing all of that, we haven't borrowed a dime.

"We will soon take delivery of ten brand new Airbus planes that we ordered . And I know we have to pay them, there is a payment plan and as it is due, we pay. We're meeting our financial obligations," he added.

Governor Eno however clarified that it was not out of place for the government to borrow out of necessity, if it has to do with meeting the needs of the people of the State.

"...they talked about borrowing, I challenged them to show me one piece of document that I've signed to borrow one Naira since I became governor.

" I've not borrowed money and I don't intend to borrow money until I present the budget, maybe next year. If we borrow at all, it would be for specific projects."

He further clarified that he has been running government with vehicles inherited from the previous administration because he has not purchased any vehicles since assumption of office.

He stressed that even vehicles for Legislators which he acknowledged as a necessity, were yet to be provided due to the present economic realities.

"Since I became governor, I've not bought one vehicle, you can see my vehicle. The House of Assembly members too have not got new vehicles because of the rate of inflation in the country and I've been appealing to them to hold on.

"Even the SSG has no new vehicle. So where did they see ninety vehicles? Who signed it? How?" Governor Eno queried?

24/09/2023

Wisdom Enang Felicitate Akwa Ibom State at 36

21/09/2023

IN THE NEWS.

In the spirit of the celebration of the first 100 days in office of Pastor Umo Eno and Hon. Eric Akpan, an Engineer and philanthropist from Ikot Offiong Nsit, Asang ward 4 in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Engr. Ubong Odudu Willie has reached out to pupils of St. Andrew African Primary school, Anyam Nsit and St. Lukes R.C.M school, Obiokpok.

During his visit to the schools, Engr. Ubong posited that he was inspired by the leadership qualities of Rt. Hon. Akpan who has over the years impacted positively on the lives of people. He added that such humanly gestures should be encouraged and supported by well meaning individuals.

Flanked by his wife, Engr. Willie admonished the pupils to focus on their studies as they will also grow up to become all that they admire in life, stressing that Education is the pathway to a successful life.

Engr. Willie donated writing materials like exercise books, pens, pencils and also gave vash support to pupils without shoes in the school.

03/08/2023

https://fb.watch/mbe3Sa85Qx/?mibextid=qC1gEa I Love this Comedy🤣🤣🤣🤣. This is life issues..

29/04/2023

I have reached 5.5K followers! Thank you for your continued support. I could not have done it without each of you. 🙏🤗🎉

13/02/2023

UMO ENO REMAINS INEC RECOGNIZED PDP GUBER CANDIDATE IN AKWA IBOM- BARR NWOKO OPENS UP
…SAYS MICHAEL ENYONG IS CANDIDATE ON POLICE WANTED LIST FOR FRAUD, FORGERY

Akwa Ibom people have been urged to ignore the false speculations making the rounds that House of Representatives Member for Uyo, Mr Michael Enyong has replaced Pastor Umo Eno as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, as the Independent National Electoral Commission still recognizes Pastor Umo as the authentic candidate duly nominated by the party.

On the contrary, Representative Michael Enyong has become a candidate on the Nigerian Police wanted list, having evaded series of invitations by the security agents over allegations of fraud, impersonation and forgery leveled against him by the PDP.

A former Attorney General in Akwa Ibom State, and Head of the legal team of Pastor Umo, the Peoples Democratic Party, Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN who disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Uyo on Sunday evening, called on Mr Michael Enyong to submit himself to the nearest Police station, for investigation and possible prosecution for fraud related crimes hanging on his neck.

Nwoko, a renowned constitutional lawyer hinted that “Babantan” as Michael Enyong is fondly called, had been declared wanted by the Police for evading summons bordering on alleged fraudulent activities on his head.

Urging members of the public to ignore what he observed as series of misinformation peddled on the social media space by purveyors of fake news, Nwoko said that based on three grounds of fraud, lack of due service to parties listed, and lack of jurisdiction, the purported judgement obtained by Mike Enyong was not tenable anywhere.

He said further that there is a pending motion before a Federal High Court in Abuja by Pastor Eno and at the Appeal Court by PDP, for stay of ex*****on on the controversial court judgement obtained by the said Enyong, hence the decision of the federal high court cannot be effected until the pending motions are dispensed.

“I personally filed a case to the Police, but refused to show up. Mike Enyong should submit himself to the nearest Police station. He should respond to questions bordering on fraudulent actions.

“He has not gotten the courage to present his fraudulently obtained judgement to INEC up till now. Even if he approaches INEC, it will not be be executed. PDP through its representative, Paul Usoro, (SAN)had filed a stay of ex*****on. There is a stay of ex*****on motion at the Court of Appeal. Mike Enyong is not and cannot be candidate of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, because the purported judgement he has is not valid. The judgement he is holding was obtained by fraud”.

“As at yesterday, I took time to access INEC website and I visited their office in Abuja. This documents which I printed out in colored form, was downloaded from INEC website yesterday.

“At any point in time you can verify and confirm that Pastor Umo Eno is the PDP candidate in Akwa Ibom State.

“Mike Enyong claims that he obtained judgement from the Federal High Court Abuja and that the judgement now makes him a candidate of the PDP. Let me state here that the judgement which was obtained by fraud and which he has carefully refused to bring to the public, does not in anyway tamper with the candidacy of Umo Bassey Eno”.

The lawyer had stated that up until now, Michael Enyong, who he said has been hiding, is yet to present the judgement he obtained from the court to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“I was at INEC headquarters on Friday, they have not received any letter from him. He has not written to INEC or even attempted to present that judgement or ask INEC to substitute his name with Umo Eno’s”.

The former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice wondered why a public officer of Enyong's standing would condescend to the extent of forging signatures of the National Chairman of the PDP, National Organizing Secretary of the PDP and other officials, and even went as far as forging the official letter headed paper of the PDP and presented same before the court, where he obtained a fraudulent judgment.

He emphasized that such criminal act which runs foul of the law cannot be swept under the carpet.

Calling to public notice, Mr Nwoko alleged that the Plaintiff adopted mischievous practices to obtain the fraudulent judgement.

In detailing the illegalities and irregularities trailing the filling of the suit by Mr Enyong, Barr. Nwoko termed the case a nullity abinitio, emphasising that the Nigerian constitution in Section 285 and sub Section 9 provides a time line of 14days for the filing of any suit pertaining to pre-election matters of which the Plaintiff clearly defaulted.

“It is on record that the PDP gubernatorial primaries took place on the 25th of May 2022 and Mr Enyong filed the case on 1st August of the same year, 69 days after the event took place.”

Barr Nwoko alleged that the purported suit, FHC ABJ CS 12952022 which the Plaintiff maliciously refused to join Pst Umo Eno is littered with forged documents, including forged result sheets carrying the forged signatures of National Chairman of PDP, the National Secretary, the National organising secretary and the returning officer.

“Take note that this will not be the first time Mr Enyong filled a case on this matter. Precisely On 7th June 2022, the Plaintiff had filed a suit(FHC ABJ CS 8202022) in a Federal High Court in Abuja joining Pst Umo Eno as a second defendant.”

According to Mr Nwoko, Mr Enyong mischievously withdrew this suit knowing it will be a failed endeavour.

To further discredit the judgment, Nwoko stated that Mr Enyong did not serve the PDP that he joined in the suit while filing it, and according to order 14 and rule 10 of the Federal High Court, lack of Service, lack of Jurisdiction and fraud are the core basis cases like his are always set aside.

The Nigeria Police were alerted on these alleged multiple forgeries and fraud and according to him, Mr Enyong is being wanted for investigations by the Police.

07/06/2022

PASTOR UMO ENO RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF RETURN

Amidst cheers and echoes of solidarity, Pastor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom State PDP Governorship Candidate received his certificate of return, from the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja.

05/06/2022

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Fan page of Akwa cross satire comedian who wants to make you smile. Let's vibe.

20/05/2022

Report..

Over 20 fishermen from Okuiboku village in Itu local government Area killed by suspected sea pirates, few bodies have been recovered with some beheaded.

This happened yesterday within the hours of 7:00am to 8:00am,reasons for the attack hasn't been known as at the time of filing this report..

18/04/2022

Ndanti Ekuh in the legislative Chamber: A prayer point for Uyo State Constituency

Suffice it to say that hardship and means of survival has coated the mindset of many on what legislative representation is, forcing them to believe that legislative representation is simply an employment opportunity and a means of livelihood. They subject aspiration for legislative representation to an application for employment with the sole aim of earning a living. Little do they know that legislative representation, if poorly represented, can stall or jeopardize development and the future of entire Constituency and its constituents.

It must be understood that if it was possible to build a legislative chamber that could accommodate the entire Constituents, then there wouldn't have been anything like representative. But since it is not possible to have the entire Constituents sit in a legislative chamber for legislative business, a Constituency, therefore, must have to choose among themselves one person to stand in for them as their representative. This imply that the representative is the voice of the entire Constituents. Once he says yes, it means the entire Constituents are saying yes, once he says no, it means the entire Constituents are saying no, if he remains silent in the legislative chambers for lack of competent to deliberate, it means the entire Constituents are silent, when he stays away from plenary fraternizing in drinking palour and hotels to eat, drink and 'tatatatatata' in the name of being in the 'Street' while plenary is ongoing, it also means that's what the entire Constituents subject themselves to. This therefore is the reason a Constituency must look beyond any sentiment in choosing who represents them in the legislative chamber.

Constituencies must not reduce their Representation in the legislature to a mere political compensation or poverty alleviation programme. It is ridiculous and embarrassing to reduce legislative representation to 'street rascality' and slot for thuggery and confraternity. From the word go and from the days of Late Nyong Essien Akpan who was the first representative of Old Calabar Province in the Legislative Council in Lagos and later 1st President of Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Eastern Region, Nigeria, representation was base on ability to stand in outstandingly and speak for the entire Constituents. Nyong Essien was found fit to sit (on behalf of his Constituents) with the best at the table on which Nigeria's nationalism was being deliberated because he was fearless, vocal, persistent, broad minded and nationalistic in his approach, a complete replica of what Ikono Clan born Elder Ndanti Ekuh is, hence, was able to intellectually fought for the enhancement of the traditional institutions of his people. This should therefore top the premise upon which Uyo State Constituency must base their choice of representive in the upcoming 2023 State House of Assembly election and the prayer point for all Constituents of Uyo State Constituency as they commiserate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ should be that God should grant them the grace to produce Elder Ndanti Ekuh as their representative in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly come 2023.

Like Nyong Essien, Elder Ndanti Ekuh's boldness and vocal quality garnished with his journalism background have been proven over time such as in 2016 when he seized the slightest opportunity he had during a Media Chat marking the 29th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom State with the State Governor to make case for the entire people of Ikono Clan which resulted in the Governor's instance directive for the construction of Roads in Ikono Clan captured in the Completion Agenda as 29th Anniversary Road. The reason for delay of the ex*****on of the road project will however remain a story for another day. That's the vocal and advocacy qualities Uyo State will enjoy from Ndanti Ekuh in the floor of the legislative Chamber.

Elder Ndanti Ekuh, long before his appointment as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, had recorded an excellent strides in his journalism profession which impacted hundreds of lives within and outside Uyo. Having rose through the ranks of journalism profession over a decade, from page planner to news reporter, from Editorial Board secretary to Features Editor, from Sunday Editor to Editor-in-Chief and climaxing as the Chairman/CEO of the New Detail World Company Limited, publishers of Daily Detail Newspaper and owners of Detail TV, Ekuh has empowered and employed many within and outside Akwa Ibom State. With the Presidential endorsement he secured for Daily Detail Newspaper circulated across the country, he employed dozens of people, empowered many and assisted hundreds of students in both secondary and tertiary institution with payment of school fees, WAEC Fees, JAMB forms, project assistance etc within Ikono Clan and across the entire Uyo.

Ekuh's impact in Ikono Clan and his people oriented disposition signals a new dawn in Ikono Clan and a clear departure from the usual. With his developmental ideology and love for his community and his people, he made history as he hosted the first ever Ikono Clan Youth Summit organized by his advocacy group, Think Ekuh Initiative - TEI where thousands of youths in Ikono Clan gathered to reason as true and patriotic sons and daughters of Ikono, chatting a new course for the development of Ikono Clan. With a football tournament wrapped with cash prize, trophy and medals to mark the summit, Ekuh foisted unity and love in Ikono Clan.

Back home, his kinsmen has defiled the notion of "a Prophet is without honour in his home" because of the illustrious and sterling impact their son has made in his village and family. Similarly, Ikono Clan Traditional Rulers Council has felt the impact of Elder Ndanti Ekuh in many ways and unanimously described him as the "little David of Ikono Clan". Just like biblical David, he has the voice, he has the boldness, he has the Love for his community, he has a human heart, he understands the plight of his Constituency, he knows the shortcomings and the many mistakes that dwarfed his Community and his Constituency as well as approach to effecting a positive change. These are the representive attributes Uyo State Constituency can not afford to miss, hence, the massive Support he enjoys from home front to his clan and from the entire Uyo State Constituency and beyond.

Away from Ikono Clan, his popular mantra - FOR THE LOVE OF UYO has been realistically practicalized by Elder Ndanti Ekuh. His love for Uyo birth his sponsorship of Essay Competition with the theme - "For the Love of Uyo" with winners bagging cash prize and certificates. His love for Uyo was felt when he donated Signpost, party Flags and other insignia to the Uyo PDP Chapter Office. His love for Uyo was instrumental to the donation of building materials to the Uyo Local Government Council in Support for the construction of the administrative block built and commission by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo during his first hundred days in office.

Ekuh's humility, accessibility, respect and Godly life outstandingly shape his leadership quality as a born and certified Leader with UNESCO authorized certification in Leadership and a trained Transformational Leadership expert of Leadimpact University, Colorado, United States of America as well as a certified Member of Institute of Corperate Leadership and Mentorship.

A representative in the likes of Elder Ekuh will not only be a prayer answered for Ikono Clan, he will also be a complementing factor for the prevailing peace, unity and Love in Uyo State Constituency, hence should remain the number one prayer point for the entire people of Uyo State Constituency as we mark the 2022 Easter.

Being a noiseless catalyst in the Completion Agenda team of Governor Udom Emmanuel, Elder Ndanti Ekuh is versed with Governor Udom Emmanuel's vision for Akwa Ibom State and will therefore be a perfect consolidation agent from Uyo State Constituency that will help interpret and harness the consolidation agenda of the successive government for an excellent legislative backing in the 8th Assembly of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly come 2023. Therefore let's make 'Ekuh for Uyo 2023' a prayer point ahead of the PDP Primaries; Let's pray for Elder Ndanti Ekuh as the next House of Assembly Member Representing Uyo State Constituency.

(c) Team Ekuh for Uyo 2023

04/04/2022

I AM IN CULTISM TO SERVE CHRIST - Sen Bassey Albert

The Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has explained that he has failed to get the endorsement of Governor Udom Emmanuel because of allegations of his involvement in cultism.

Addressing supporters in Uyo, Senator Albert said he was barred from gaining access to see the Governor because of the stigma against cultists by the Governor.

"They stopped me from getting close to the Governor because of my involvement in CULTISM.

"They keep telling him OBA is a cultist, OBA is a cultist.

"But they forget that I am a cultist for Christ, " the Senator thundered.

Recently, during one of numerous careless outbursts smacking desperation, the Senator had told supporters that nobody can stand on his way to becoming Governor.
His famous phrase, "who born dog" has been roundly condemned by sane people in the state.

30/03/2022

BREKETE FAMILY MEDIA GROUP PICKS PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION FORM FOR GOVERNOR EMMANUEL

Brekete Family, a human rights and good governance advocacy media group in Abuja, has purchased the 2023 Presidential election nomination form for Governor Udom Emmanuel with a call on the Akwa Ibom State Chief Executive to accept their appeal and step forward for the contest.

The form was purchased, Wednesday at the PDP National headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja.

Addressing the press, leader of the delegation, Mr Innocent Orji, popularly known as Daddy Scaffold, said their decision to buy the Presidential nomination form for Governor Emmanuel was informed by the need to ensure credible leadership for Nigeria in 2023.

He explained that they found Governor Emmanuel most suitably qualified to govern the country at a time like this.

"We are mandating him to contest. This is the only way we can make this country better.

"Our reason behind this is that since we got independence as a country, we've not really fared any better.

"There is nothing to write home about. We travelled to Akwa Ibom and saw everything, and we even discovered there are many things he has done that he didn't mention during the interview we had with him here in Abuja.

"As a result of that we are of the opinion that if he can do that in his own state, he will do that in Nigeria. This is the only way we can move this nation forward".

The Brekete family show airs on radio and cable television, and streams online through social media platforms and Human Rights Radio 101.1 FM in Abuja, Nigeria.

Reacting, a cross section of Nigerians who watched the live streaming of the purchase of nomination form on the Brekete family platform, commended the group for the move, and urged the Governor to accept the clarion call by Nigerians, urging him to rescue the country from bad leadership.

A Northerner, Musa Muhammed prayed God to bless members of the Brekete family for the gesture "God bless all the Brekete Family and bless Nigeria".

Promise Asbiggyange was hopeful that Governor Emmanuel's Presidency would herald "positive result" in the country.

"Positive result is going to be necessary"

In his reaction, Echie Sylvester from the East noted "very good. I hail ordinary President and the entire Brekete Family Worldwide".

30/03/2022

That 'cultist For Christ' Balderdash: Why Is Senator Albert Jittery?

By Abasifreke Effiong

On Monday 30th December, 2019, during an end-of-year meeting convened by the Uyo local government council at its secretariat Wellington Bassey way, Obong Bassey Albert better known as OBA, senator representing Akwa Ibom North East senatorial district was quoted to have admitted to being a cultist, a 'cultist for christ', while addressing the Christmas event.

OBA said, "they have said that I am too close to the youths. They have said that OBA is a cultist. I am a cultist, for christ." A number of persons who are directly and indirectly involved with the senator have tried furiously to knock off the import of the statement from public discourse with some rather incoherent logic, despite the fact that the meaning of the statement remains explicit, simple and straightforward.

There is no contention about OBA's right and freedom of association. But the credence he sought - using "christ" and "closeness to youths" as veils in that his cultism admission was blasphemy and manipulative. OBA's blasphemous "cultists for christ" balderdash has raised questions which the senator will have to address. Who said that OBA is a cultist? Which youths was OBA referring to? What were the embedded motives of OBA's statement? Answering these questions within the context of OBA's statement will be beneficial in ways more than one.

Who are the 'they' Senator Albert referred to when he said, "they said, I am a cultist"? The first time cultism-related leadership in relation to the 2023 governorship entered the media space in Akwa Ibom state was at a meeting between the governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the clergy - fathers of faith, as they are called - in the state. At that meeting, the governor reportedly appealed to the clergy to support his desire not to handover the state to a cultist by the time he will leave office in 2023. For me, that was a genuine appeal even though the governor cannot excuse himself that he was driven on the crest of a massive cultism-induced support to power in 2019, a position OBA is clinging onto. Governor Udom Emmanuel has invested huge capital in the spiritual uplift of the state; as such would not want the state to lose such capital by entrenching an inglorious reign of cultism. Prior to OBA's statement, it was only the governor that talked about cultism and public governance in the state. So, was OBA's comment viewed by many as infantile and irresponsible a subtle and indirect blackmail against the governor who said that he will not handover the state to a cultist?

Why was OBA desperately responding to the governor's cult/governorship narrative if it is true that "cultism is a religion and everyone who supports a religion is a cultist" as advanced by his supporters? Why is OBA jittery? Could he be suspecting that those who accused him of breeding cultists during the last administration have told the governor that he is a cultist? Is he afraid that the cults he is alleged to have bred may come after him should he lose political relevance? Senator Albert is not alone in the governorship race; there are other respected Akwa Ibom persons including, Senator John Udoedehe, Mr. Udom Inoyo, Engr. Mike Enyong, Mr. Akan Okon, Senator Ita Enang, and Barr. Onofiok Luke. Why has the governor's blanket statement pinched him alone?

Senator Albert claimed that he was accused of being a cultist because of his closeness to the youths. Which "youths" was he talking about? Was he talking about his closeness to the hundreds of unemployed youths who hang around his house at Shelter Afrique every Christmas? Who is not close to the youths amongst those seeking the governorship? OBA is not popular among responsible youths than Onofiok, Akan, Ita, Mike, John, and Udom. Therefore, his claim that he is close to the youths was superfluous, deceptive and manipulative. Strictly, his motive on this was to manipulate the youths to buy into his profane sentiments, while extracting their endorsement using a very crude and out-of-fashion propaganda.

Good leaders do not seek to manipulate the people they want to lead, they inspire them. In the eternal words of Myles Munroe, on "keys to becoming a leader", true leaders do not use their capacity to tantalize the sheepish emotions of the people with their words. True leadership is completely opposite to manipulation, it's about inspiration. OBA's claim of closeness to the youths was aimed to "tantalize their emotions."

Also, OBA wanted the youths to think that his governorship ambition is driven by their interest. This is not true. The governorship is his personal quest for power, not for the service of the youths. How many youths have OBA sacrificed his resources and pride to give the kind of opportunity he was given by Senator Godswill Akpabio? Senator Albert was appointed commissioner for finance, Akwa Ibom state at the age of 35 in what was a deliberate capital investment in the youths by the Akpabio administration. Twelve (12) years down the line, OBA has sat as chairman senate committee on gas resources, and currently sits as chairman senate committee on petroleum (upstream). These are very 'juicy' committees. How many sustainable jobs and business opportunities has he opened for the youths he desire to be seen as having so much love for through these committees?

It is time for those whom the "gods have cracked their kernel" to give account of the strategic capital investment they have made in the state for the youths, not rice, wrapper, house rent and 'tokunbo' car empowerment. Engr. Michael Enyong who has not enjoyed half of the public privileges OBA has enjoyed, has shown record that he has facilitated 55 exotic employment in federal institutions for his constituents. Emmanuel Ekon who chaired a low grade committee in the house of representatives as compared to OBA's has attracted a whooping N700 million worth state-of-the-art carpentry workshop/equipment to Technical College, Abak. Buying of 'tokunbo' cars and rice and lining up 'youths', who are defined by 'brotherhood', 'families' and 'churches', (for whatever that means) and distributing it to them, has not conferred on anyone the status of a seer and mouthpiece of the youths. The rice OBA shares is bought from the rice farm of his contemporary, a senator from Kebbi state. One can imagine the number of youths and women who live off the farm and its value-chain. If OBA were to be genuinely interested in sustainable human capacity development, he would have as a mark of love for the youths attracted investors from his vantage position in the senate to invest in rice production in his local government, Ibiono Ibom which has vast landmass for rice production. He would have been interested in maximizing the enormous agric potential his local government is known for to create employment and a value-chain. People who genuinely love the youths think about lifting them out of poverty, not using their vulnerability to manipulate them to conform with their wishes.

I will not contend with those arguing that OBA is popular. It can also be said that he has far-reaching business interests than any youth his age from Akwa Ibom who rode on the benevolence of the public to stardom. Bassey Albert should be proving his love by publishing the lists of Akwa Ibom youths who are drawing salaries from his investments anywhere in Akwa Ibom state. John Maxwell noted in one of his leadership treaties that, "a successful person finds the right place for himself. But a successful leader finds the right place for others."

Senator Albert is interested in the governorship. I totally agree with him that 'no man can stop his destiny', provided divinity had included what he seeks in the chronicle of his life. In seeking endorsement for his 'destiny', Senator Albert should know that as a christian-dominated state, the people also have a destiny to reject his mindless, manipulative and blasphemous profanity. OBA should seek the support of the youths genuinely and courteously, not incite them against the governor and others whom he indirectly accused of calling him a cultist. The motive of his statement at the Uyo christmas get-together was clearly inciteful.

Akwa Ibom state needs a governor who will inspire positive influence. Senator Albert does not trust the peopel who work day and night for him. He said so at the congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on 23rd December, 2019 while advising the chairman of the union. At that congress, OBA said, "don't trust any man; don't even trust me, because I don't trust you." The import of that statement may have been lost on him, but the audience was startled by those words of caution which left a strong query on the character of the man who wishes to become governor.