While Ikot Ekpene APC Celebrates Godswill Akpabio defection from PDP, Governor Emmanuel Udom rallies the State PDP political base and removes detractors from his cabinet.

Ikot Ekpene APC Celebrates Godswill Akpabio defection from PDP as Governor Emmanuel Udom removes detractors from his cabinet.

ICMS,Inc Reports
By Tom Okure, Ph.D
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) political party of Nigeria rolled out a large welcome celebration today in Akwa Ibom State’s Ikot Ekpene township stadium to welcome Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is formally defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and joining the APC.

 


Senator Akpabio is defecting and carrying along with him many prominent Akwa Ibom State PDP chieftains to the APC. According to news media sources, the list of who is who among the defectors to APC include some members of the State House of Assembly and:

“former works commissioner in the state, Mr Don Etim, former senator Effiong Bob, Leader of the House, Mr Udo Kieran Akpan, former Speaker and House of Reps member for Etinan Federal Constituency, Mr Sam Ikon, respective House of Reps members from Abak and Essien Edim/Etim Ekpo/Ika, Mr Emmanuel Akpan and Mr Emmanuel Ekon, former Information Commissioner, Mr Aniekan Umanah, state House of Assembly members, Nse Ntuen, Usoro Akpanusoh, Aniekan Uko, Aniekan Bassey, Idongesit Ntekpere, Uduak Ududoh, Mark Esset, among others."

The full impact of Akpabio’s defection on the current governance structure in Akwa Ibom State and the competitiveness of PDP against the APC in the upcoming 2019 elections is unclear. One thing however is clear, and that is, the unleashing of anger, desperation, fear and political uneasiness among the political elite class in the state.

Senator Akpabio with a APC Chieftain Bola Tinubu after news
broke of his defection and acceptance into APC 

One can feel the sense of betrayal, confusion, suspicion and anger among the PDP political base across the state who for the first time in many years feel vulnerable and fear that the invasion of APC into the state political fabric has finally taken root. 

A jubilant crowd of both PDP and APC supporters welcomes Akpabio back to
Akwa Ibom State in Uyo upon on his return en route to Ikot Ekpene to
 announce his formal defection from PDP

Under the present circumstances, the existing PDP chieftains in the state have become alert, and everyone is advising Governor Udom to rid the PDP party hierarchy and the state government of all Akpabio’s moles embedded within the state governance structure prior to the next election.

Governor Emmanuel Udom Cleanses the State Executive Council of Detractors

In response to Akpabio’s defection, Emmanuel Udom's Akwa Ibom state government has taken some immediate decisive actions to rally his political support base, ensure loyalty among the remaining political leadership and eliminate any potential detractors within the current administration. The defection of Akpabio provides Udom with the unique opportunity to finally get rid of his political opponents in his government and the image that has trailed his political career as a political puppet of Senator Akpabio who was not elected by the masses but installed by Akpabio and beholden to him.

Immediately affected in the governance structure cleanup exercise by Udom are the removal from office and the State Executive Council with immediate effect of two prominent state commissioners.

Mr. Ibanga Akpabio dismissed as AKS Commissioner for
“gross misconduct and non-compliance with public service rules.” 

Mr. Ibanga Akpabio from Ikot Ekpene who is a younger brother of Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Victor Antai from Oron. According to the State Government press release, their dismissal from office was necessary due to “gross misconduct and non-compliance with public service rules.” Mr. Ibanga Akpabio served as the State Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Manpower Development.

Mr. Victor Antai also dismissed as AKS Commissioner for
“gross misconduct and non-compliance with public service rules."

Mr. Victor Antia served as the commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Mr. Victor Antai is alleged to have welcomed Senator Akpabio in Ibom International Airport upon his return to the state following the news of Senator Akpabio’s defection from the PDP to the APC.

Akpabio in preparation for his formal defection from the PDP formally tendered his resignation as senate minority leader in the National Assembly. Akpabio's resignation has further fueled rumors about his political ambitions and intention, perhaps to take over the national assembly senates leadership under the banner of the APC. Senator Murray Bruce, one of Akpabio’s colleagues who represents Rivers state on Tuesday called Akpabio a traitor, and blamed him in part for the undemocratic siege of the National Assembly by the DSS.

Read more about Akpabios defection from PDP to APC

Senator Akpabio Officially Dumps PDP For APC

The Recycling of Nigerian Political heavy weights between the two major political parties PDP and APC: The Case of Akwa Ibom State.

Ikot Ekpene Standstill for Akpabio

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The Recycling of Nigerian Political heavy weights between the two major political parties PDP and APC: The Case of Akwa Ibom State

The Recycling of Nigerian Political heavy weights between the two major political parties PDP and APC: The Case of Akwa Ibom State.

Commentary
ICMS,Inc Reports 
By Tom Okure, PhD

The Recycling of Nigerian Political heavy weights between the two major political parties PDP and APC is very puzzling and a unique Nigerian Phenomenon. The switching of major politicians between the two major parties has made news headlines over the past several weeks. The trend has finally spread to a very strong PDP dominated state in Akwa Ibom.

Senator Godswill Akpabio of PDP meeting with President Buhari of APC

Lately there has been an ongoing rumor that Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom state, is concluding arrangements to dump the PDP and consequently diminish the euphoric celebrations that recently took place at the PDP headquarters, over the defection of some heavy weight senators and three governors from the APC.

This morning, Propeller Newspapers states affirmatively that Senator Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State is defecting to the current ruling party APC and has been issued his membership card. The newspaper also indicates that some other Ikot Ekpene politicians are joining Senator Akpabio to the APC.  A list of who is who among the alleged defectors are highlighted to include:

“former works commissioner in the state, Mr Don Etim, former senator Effiong Bob, Leader of the House, Mr Udo Kieran Akpan, former Speaker and House of Reps member for Etinan Federal Constituency, Mr Sam Ikon, respective House of Reps members from Abak and Essien Edim/Etim Ekpo/Ika, Mr Emmanuel Akpan and Mr Emmanuel Ekon, former Information Commissioner, Mr Aniekan Umanah, state House of Assembly members, Nse Ntuen, Usoro Akpanusoh, Aniekan Uko, Aniekan Bassey, Idongesit Ntekpere, Uduak Ududoh, Mark Esset, among others. At least 10 house members are said to be ready to defect to the APC with Akpabio”

Akpabio meets with Buhari in London

If the news of Akpabio’s defecting with a number of major political heavyweights to APC is true, what does this mean to the current governance structure in Akwa Ibom State? What is the impact of this change on the APC party in Akwa Ibom and even more important on the competitiveness of PDP against the APC in the upcoming 2019 elections? 

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Read more here:

BREAKING: Sen. Ita Enang confirms Akpabio’s exit from PDP
Breaking: Akpabio meets Buhari in London

Nigeria's Opposition Party APC Edges Towards Victory In The Presidential Elections

Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan May Become The First Nigerian President In Office To Lose An Election.

Political Analysis and Comments
by Tom Okure, Ph.D
March 31, 2015

Former military ruler of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, who is 72 years old and says he is a born-again democrat is winning with a very clear margin according to INEC reported poll results.  Buhari pledges to clean up the corrupt politics that has engulfed Africa’s largest economy and its most populous country. 

On Monday March 30, 2015, Nigeria's independent electoral commission {INEC) released the polling results of eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as it began the collation and announcement of the presidential election's results.

Early poll results early today Tuesday March 31, 2015 indicated that Muhammadu Buhari is still leading with 8,520,436 in 10 states and Jonathan gathered 6,488,210 in 8 states and FCT.

Before we published this blog post, new confirmed polling results now reported from 30 of Nigeria’s states, plus the Federal Capital territory of Abuja, who have declared results, still indicate that Buhari is still leading incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, by 13,314,482 votes to 10,536,986.

If President Goodluck Jonathan loses to Buhari, he would be the first incumbent Nigerian president to lose an election

A Very Big Win For Nigeria's Young Democracy

Nigerian voters all over the country waited patiently on March 28 and 29, 2015 to exercise their civil right to vote. In some instances voters were forced to wait more than eight hours and endure harsh weather conditions including heavy tropical rain storms and the scorching sun.

They arrived in droves to the polling stations and included all kinds and types of voters, the young, the elderly, men, women, and mothers with children and some with babies strapped to their backs. It was Nigeria’s biggest and most exciting election held since the country gained independence. There were moments of high drama, technical glitches with voting equipment, shortage of ballot papers was reported in many parts of the country and some violence and tensions were also reported.

Notwithstanding who ends up as the declared winner in the presidential elections, one thing is clear, Nigerian democracy is the real winner of the exciting political campaign and voting season.

The video below (Attribution: Channels Television) shows INEC presentation of the results of eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

 


More Election Results

Source: Nigerian Tribune
Date: March 31, 2015


As of 11.20 p.m., the results from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had been presented by collation officers made up of vice chancellors in Nigerian universities.


The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, from the results released, won in 10 states, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Kwara, Oyo and Osun.

Buhari garnered massive votes from Katsina, his home state, Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa states.
The total figure for the 10 states is 8,520,436. Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, won in eight states of Abia, Anambra, Ekiti, Enugu, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Plateau and Imo, including the FCT.

The total figure for the PDP winning states is 6,488,210. President Jonathan was able to garner more votes from Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Anambra, Abia and Imo states.

Signing out on Monday night, Professor Jega said the presentation of the results would continue today by 10.00 a.m.

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Nigeria Announces the Postponement of the Scheduled February 14, 2015 Presidential Elections

BREAKING NEWS

Nigeria Announces the Postponement of the Scheduled February 14, 2015 Presidential Elections

Commentary

by Tom Okure, PH.D

Date: February 7, 2015

The Nigerian government this Saturday, February 7, 2015 announced the postponement of the

INEC State Offices

scheduled February 14 presidential elections. The announcement comes amidst an increase in violence by a 5-year old Islamic insurgency called Boko Haram, a militant jihadist group that has seized about 30 villages and towns in the last year in northern Nigeria and is alleged by international security agencies to be able to go “toe-to-toe” with the Nigerian army.

The supporters of the two major political parties in Nigeria PDP and APC have been threatening violence should their candidate loose the presidential elections.  Political polling of the electorate and expert analysis of the campaigning status of the two major parties suggest a very close race. The PDP led government of President Jonathan has been in power since the end of military dictatorship in 1999. It will be recalled that about 800 people died as a consequence of rioting in the Muslim north soon after the current APC presidential candidate Buhari, a Muslim and former military dictator himself, lost his bid for the presidency in the 2011 elections to Jonathan, a Christian from the south.

The PDP party in Nigeria has been successful in wining every presidential election since the end of military rule. It has made significant strides in infrastructural development in many sectors of the economy but has been unable to contain the Boko Haram insurgency; and a seemingly growing and

INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega

out of control high level corruption among government officials.  Nigeria like many other oil dependent economies is also witnessing a rapid slowdown in growth as a result of falling world oil prices and a failure in foresight by Nigerian policy makers to build up sufficient foreign reserves to sustain the economy until world oil prices rebounds.

The United States and its western allies have voiced concern over the inability of Nigeria’s military to stop the insurgency in the Muslim north but have insisted that the elections should proceed on schedule. John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State while visiting Nigeria recently remarked that "one of the best ways to fight back against Boko Haram" was by holding a credible and peaceful election on time.

Other Relevant links

A postponement also will give electoral officials more time to deliver some 30 million voter cards. The commission had said the non-delivery of cards to nearly half of the 68.8 million registered voters was not a good reason to delay the vote….Read more

http://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-postponing-feb-14-vote-amid-boko-haram-100041293.html

Civil society leaders, organized in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria, otherwise called the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, reacted sharply blasting the security chiefs accusing them of fomenting a surreptitious coup against democracy. Read more….

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/176432-breaking-21-inec-resident-commissioners-reject-postponement-elections.html

INEC PRESS STATEMENT

On Thursday, February 5, 2015, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, was invited to brief the National Council of States (NCS) on the preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections. He made a presentation titled “Preparations for the 2015 General Elections: Progress Report.’ The National Security Adviser (NSA) and Armed Services Chiefs also briefed the Council on the current security situation….Read more http://www.inecnigeria.org/?inecnews=inec-press-statement-2