TheNewsGuru

Tag: Udom Emmanuel

  • 2019: Obasanjo visits Akwa Ibom, drums support for Emmanuel

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday asked Akwa Ibom residents to continue to support and return incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel as governor in 2019.

    The former President stated this in Uyo on Sunday during a church service he attended alongside Emmanuel, his wife, Martha, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke; members of the State Executive Council and leaders of the People’s Democratic Party at Qua Iboe Church.

    The former president said Akwa Ibom State could only develop when there was continuity from a good product. Obasanjo added that Akwa Ibom people needed Emmanuel to continue with what he had started.

    He said he was in the state to congratulate the governor, adding that continuity had been in existence since God created the world.

    He said, “As the governor has said, I am here to congratulate him. He himself asked the question, what is he celebrating? I will tell you what I know we should be celebrating. We should be celebrating good leadership. Unfortunately, I don’t have time but I will come back and when I come back, I will come back for a big celebration.

    “You have to be a strong Christian to be able to say, ‘God will find for me a successor that will do to me what I have done to my predecessor.’ This man believes in his character, he believes in his value, he believes in his service to humanity and to God.

    “I always cherish the attributes of God. The wonderful God that we worship kept some attributes to himself, he doesn’t share with anybody: Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Omniscience, all that are kept for God and God alone. He has other attributes that he shares with us – kindness, generosity, compassion, truth, forgiveness, love and continuity.”

    “God is a God of continuity since he created the world. I always say to myself and my family, if something is good, keep it. We have a good product in our hand and if I have a good product in my hand, I will not change it, I will keep it. This is a good product, let’s have him for continuity. I can assure you, this governor has no fear; he will stand still. Please, stand with him and he will take us to the promised land.”

    Emmanuel said Obasanjo was in Akwa Ibom on a solidarity visit, stating that the presence of the former President always brought about something good.

    He said, “Whenever you see him move, know that something is about to happen. As you see him move today, something good is about to happen in Akwa Ibom State. He has spoken concerning Nigeria and I’m sure something good is about to happen in Nigeria.

    “Baba just came on a father-son solidarity visit and he chose to worship in my own local church. I want to thank him for this show of love, this show of solidarity and I also thank God for everything.”

    Remarking that he is a good successor to former Gov. Godswill Akpabio, Emmanuel said, “May God give me the kind of successor I have been to my predecessor.”

  • 2019: Ikpeazu praises Udom, Wike takes swipe at Akpabio in Uyo

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was on Friday full of praises for his Akwa Ibom State counterpart Governor Udom Emmanuel at his declaration for second tenure in Uyo, capital of the state.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who was also present at the Governor Udom’s second tenure declaration event, took a swipe at the State’s former Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    “Those that defected cannot say that Udom is not performing well, they were only escaping from prosecution,” Governor Wike said of Akpabio while telling the mammoth crowd gathered at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, venue for the event, not to be intimidated.

    “No man is God. Do not be intimidated, for I know you that you will stand and defend your votes,” Wike said.

    Speaking at the event, Ikpeazu said “Akwa Ibom is lucky to have a God-fearing leader,” while also adding: “God does not lie, he alone can make kings. You cannot come from anywhere and take over Akwa Ibom land. Akwa Ibom belongs to Akwa Ibom people”.

    In his address, Governor Udom asked for support of Akwa Ibom people, stressing he is submitting himself again as a servant-leader to the people for his second tenure bid.

    “I come today following the ratings and commendations of Akwa Ibom People drawn from the 3 Senatorial Districts in our state & also cutting across diverse segments of our population, that I have made results-oriented efforts in serving Akwa Ibom people since I was elected in 2015.

    “I have operated a Christ-centric Government, I have led a People-centric Government, I have worn humility like a badge of honour, believing that power comes from the people; I have refused to hurl insults at people who have attacked and called me names.

    “I have been a Servant-leader which I had promised you. I have maintained peace in Akwa Ibom State and brought about civility in our engagements. I hereby submit myself to complete the Divine Mission which you had first sent me to accomplish in 2015,” Udom told the mammoth crowd gathered at the stadium.

    Speaking on Akpabio’s earlier comments on invading Akwa Ibom like Poland, Governor Udom said, “Anybody who wants to make Akwa Ibom be like the invasion of Poland, to kill our people, we say, Holy Ghost, Fireeeeee”.

     

  • Breaking: Gov. Udom Emmanuel declares for second tenure

    Incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel on Friday publicly declared intention to run for the governorship position in 2019 General Elections.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Governor Udom made the declaration at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, capital of the state.

    The governor, while asking for support for a second term from the people of Akwa Ibom, said he is submitting himself again as a Servant-Leader to the people.

    “I come today following the ratings and commendations of Akwa Ibom People drawn from the 3 Senatorial Districts in our state & also cutting across diverse segments of our population, that I have made results-oriented efforts in serving Akwa Ibom people since I was elected in 2015.

    “I have operated a Christ-centric Government, I have led a People-centric Government, I have worn humility like a badge of honour, believing that power comes from the people; I have refused to hurl insults at people who have attacked and called me names.

    “I have been a Servant-leader which I had promised you. I have maintained peace in Akwa Ibom State and brought about civility in our engagements. I hereby submit myself to complete the Divine Mission which you had first sent me to accomplish in 2015,” Udom told the mammoth crowd gathered at the stadium.

     

  • 2019: Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom attends God’s consultation service

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel on Thursday evening attended a God’s consultation service at the Qua Iboe Church at Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, capital of the state, to seek God’s blessings for his second term election.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this coming prior to the Governor’s second tenure public declaration event set to hold on Friday.

    “Political fathers can disappoint, but spiritual fathers cannot because the presence of God goes with them at all times,” Udom said.

    The incumbent Governor is set to publicly declare his intention to run for the governorship position in the 2019 General Elections.

    The event is set to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    The governor, asking for support for a second term from the people of Akwa Ibom, said he is submitting himself again as a Servant-Leader to the people.

    “Tomorrow, just as I did in 2014, I will submit myself again as your Servant- Leader and ask for your support for a second term.

    “I know I can always count on your support, so the Akwa Ibom story will continue to be told in poetry and in prose,” the Governor had stated.

     

  • Akpabio ‘apologises’ for imposing Gov Emmanuel on A’Ibom, vows to unseat him in 2019

    Former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio has said he regretted imposing incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel on the people in 2015.

    Apologising before a crowd at Ikot Ekpene Plaza, Akpabio, who returned from his mother-in-law’s burial at Enugu on Sunday evening, said Emmanuel was the greatest mistake he made in a hurry, and asked to be forgiven.

    Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North West in the Senate, noted that Emmanuel “is a mistake that must be corrected in 2019.”

    “Udom (Emmanuel) is a mistake that must be corrected in 2019. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the mistake is corrected for a people-oriented leadership under the ruling All Progressives Congress at the centre.”

    According to him, “Emmanuel’s administration has failed the people,” forcing him to take decisive actions to correct the anomaly for posterity to be fair on him.

    Akpabio spoke of the prevalence of hunger and deprivation in Akwa Ibom State since the Emmanuel’s administration assumed power, adding that it was time for “holistic action” to liberate the state from the shackles of bad governance.

    Akpabio had, in the run up to the 2015 elections, declared Emmanuel, then Secretary to the State Government, next in line to succeed him, even when 26 aspirants jostled for the post.

    Recall that Akpabio himself defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress earlier this month shortly after resigning his position as the Minority Leader of the Senate.

  • [Video] Melaye praises Gov Udom, mocks Akpabio in new song

    Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye on Friday caused a stir at the Exco chambers of the Akwa Ibom State Government House when he suddenly burst out singing praises of Governor Udom Emmanuel while also mocking fellow senator, Godswill Akpabio.

    Melaye was among a handful of senators who accompanied the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on a solidarity visit to Mr Emmanuel in Uyo.

    The solidarity visit to Uyo is generally seen as an effort to boost Governor Emmanuel’s morale after Akpabio, a senator and immediate past governor of the state defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Governor dey pass governor, hayaya! Udom pass Akpabio, hayaya!” Senator Melaye, from Kogi state, is seen in a video, singing into the microphone, prompting Governor Emmanuel and other dignitaries inside the Exco chambers of the Government House to burst into laughter.

    Akpabio was instrumental to Udom’s emergence as governor in 2015. He is also believed to be the governor’s godfather in politics.

    The video, which is just 41-seconds long, is being circulated on Facebook.

    Watch video below:

  • Akpabio: Saraki pays solidarity visit to Gov Udom

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Friday paid a solidarity visit to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and commended him for his selfless leadership in the state.

    Emmanuel’s godfather and former governor Senator Godswill Akpabio defected on 8 August to the All Progressives Congress, dumping the Peoples Democratic Party. The defection ceremony at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium attracted huge crowd and APC big guns. Akpabio also resigned his role as PDP Minority Leader in the Senate.

    Saraki, who is now the national leader of the PDP and who recently also switched from APC to PDP, said he was in the state to show solidarity to Emmanuel.

    He assured the governor that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representatives in the National Assembly would continue to support him to provide dividends of democracy to the people.

    “We have come here on a solidarity visit to show that we are strongly with you. We are with you because we know you are serving your people well.

    “We are with you, because since you have been the governor, you have shown your worth and capacity and more importantly, you have shown your leadership skills.

    “It is not easy to lead and rise above board and behave like a leader in spite of provocations; that is how leadership should be.

    “You have done a lot of good works here and I do not want you to be distracted.’’

    He charged the governor not to relent in his quest to provide good governance to Akwa Ibom people, stressing that the people would continue to support him.

    Saraki said Emmanuel had nothing to fear since the all the members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly, local government chairmen, councillors and stakeholders are supporting him.

    “The people of Akwa Ibom have spoken and they are saying they are behind you. I want that to encourage you to forge ahead and work hard and serve the people. Since your people are with you, fear nobody.

    “We, in Abuja, will continue to work and support you. I will come here to congratulate you when your people will give you a second term to serve them. And when I come back, we will come and discuss politics.”

    Responding, Emmanuel urged the senate president to continue to work and protect Nigeria.

    He urged the senate president to continue to maintain his exemplary character and serve the Nigerian people as the number three citizen.

    He urged leaders not only to prepare the young ones for the future but prepare the future for them through good governance.

    “This is unprecedented that in time like this, you have come to show solidarity to Akwa Ibom people. We appreciate you and love you the way you protect the project Nigeria.”

    The governor used the opportunity to welcome Saraki back to PDP, adding that Akwa Ibom people are solidly behind the party.

    On the Saraki’s entourage were Senators Dino Malaye, Clifford Odia, representing Edo and Sen. Bassey Akpan, the only PDP senator representing Akwa Ibom among others.

  • Good news beset Akwa Ibom prospective corps members

    The Akwa Ibom Government says it has commenced the renovation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp as promised during the 2018 Batch `A’ closing ceremony in May.

    Gov. Udom Emmanuel made the disclosure on Monday at the closing orientation ceremony of 2018 Batch `B` Stream 1 corps members in Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai Local Government Area.

    Emmanuel, represented by Mr Monday Uko, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, said that the state government was fully committed to the cause of NYSC scheme in the state.

    He said that apart from the renovation of hostel accommodation and convenience facilities, the state government also installed a-150KVA Electricity Generating plant to boost electricity supply to the camp.

    The governor also provided N10, 000 to each of the 2,094 corps members to transport themselves to their places of primary assignment.

    “As a mark of the government’s commitment to the cause of NYSC scheme in the state, we have commenced works toward the completion of hostel accommodation and toilet facilities in camp.

    “In addition to the 150KVA Electricity Generating Plant, I want to assure the NYSC that the next set of corps members will have opportunity of using the facilities,” he said.

    Emmanuel advised the corps members to steer clear of any action that could put them into trouble before, during and after the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    The governor urged them to take their security serious, saying that government would continue to engage security agencies in the state to make the environment safe and secured for them.

    He promised to reward corps members that leave indelible marks in their host communities.

    Emmanuel also urged them to be of good behaviours and respect the culture and tradition of their host communities.

    Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr Julius Amusan, said that the orientation course content had been fully and carefully implemented.

    Amusan said that the orientation courses, which the corps members received, would reconditioned their minds to appreciate the responsibilities associated with national service.

    The state coordinator urged them to liaise with the Local Government Inspectors in their places of primary assignment to ensure they get a secured accommodation.

    “As you depart to your host communities after now, ensure you report at your places of primary assignment and remain loyal to the constituted authority,” Amusan said.

    He commended the state governor for fulfilling the promise of renovating the camp facilities and installation of the 150KVA generating plant.

     

  • Update: Why Gov. Udom fired two of his commissioners

    Akwa Ibom state Governor Udom Emmanuel has fired two of his commissioners who received former Senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio at the airport in Uyo.

    TheNewsGuru reports the two commissioners fired by Governor Udom are his commissioner of culture and tourism, Victor Antai and his commissioner for labour, productivity and manpower planning, Ibanga Akpabio.

    Both commissioners were seen among a jubilant crowd who thronged the Uyo Airport to welcome Akpabio yesterday ahead of his public defection to the All Progressives Congress today.

    However, a statement issued yesterday evening by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Emmanuel Ekuwem, said Mr Antai and Mr Akpabio were sacked from the State Executive Council because of their “reluctance to comply with good governance processes of government”.

    Mr Akpabio, who recently resigned from office as the Senate minority leader, ignited a political storm in Akwa Ibom over his planned defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He recently rounded-up a marathon visit to APC leaders, which had him traveling to London to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on a 10-day vacation.

     

  • Akwa Ibom Govt. constructs 1, 701km roads, 35 bridges

    Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom said his administration has constructed about 1,701 kilometers of roads and built 35 bridges across the state in the last three years.

    Emmanuel disclosed this in his broadcast to mark the 2018 Democracy Day in Uyo on Tuesday.

    He said the administration has kept the promise he made in 2015 to be a servant leader and make the state hub of industrialisation in the country.

    The governor appealed to politicians to be tolerant and ensure that their actions and utterances engender love, unity and togetherness to the Akwa Ibom project.

    He urged politicians to remember that they were brothers and sisters before the advent of partisan politics and would remain brothers and sisters after they have finished their careers in public service.

    According to the governor, there is need for political office holders to leave an indelible mark after office.

    “As the political season dawns, let us remember that we were brothers and sisters before the coming of partisan politics, and we will remain brothers and sisters long after we had finished our careers in public service.

    “Let us show love to one another even when we don’t agree or share same political orientations.

    “May the actions of our leaders inspire us to become more loving, less rancorous, and more united and faithful believers in the immutable essence and definition of the Akwa Ibom spirit.

    “As your Governor and Leader, these are the values I embody and will continue to project them, now and in the future, with your prayers and support,” he said.

    The governor added that security of lives and property had been improved since 2015 when he took over power in the state.

    He said that one by one those who have become menaces in our society have faced the full and merciless wrath of the law.

    The governor urged Akwa Ibom people to keep faith with his government, adding that he would continue to provide more infrastructure dividends of democracy to the people.