The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Monday, suspended the planned indefinite nationwide strike.
The labour bodies announced the suspension of the planned strike which was scheduled to take off on October 3, after a meeting with the representatives of the Federal Government at the State House.
The labour leaders reached the agreement to shelve the planned action in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) issued and signed by Joe Ajaero, NLC’s president; Festus Osifo, TUC’s president and Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment, at the end of the meeting.
Recall that the government on Sunday called an emergency meeting to engage the unions as a measure to avert the nationwide strike, which is in protest of the hardship ocassioned by fuel subsidy removal.
At the end of the four-hour meeting on Sunday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved N35,000 as the provisional wage increment for all categories of federal workers.
However, according to the MoU produced on Monday after the meeting, it was agreed that the payment of N35,000 should commence from September “pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.”
The parties also agreed that a minimum wage committee would be inaugurated within one month from the date of the agreement.
It was also agreed that the government would allocate N100 billion for the procurement of high-capacity compressed natural gas (CNG) buses for mass transit in Nigeria.
“Provisions are also being made for an initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits to kick start an auto gas conversion programme, whilst work is ongoing on state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide. The rollout aims to commence by November with pilots across 10 campuses nationwide,” the MoU reads.
On the issue of outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary Education workers in federal-owned educational institutions, the parties agreed that the matter should be referred to the Labour ministry for further engagement.
They also agreed that a joint visitation would be made to the refineries to ascertain their rehabilitation status while all parties committed to henceforth abide by the dictates of social dialogue in all future engagements.
“This Memorandum shall be filed with the relevant Court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) week as consent judgment by the Federal,” the document added.
The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Monday decried the mass exodus of Nigerians to other countries.
According to her, it is impossible to completely halt the development, hence, the government must play its part in providing a favourable environment for its residents.
Dabiri-Erewa stated this in Paris during an appearance on Channels Television’s Empowering Tomorrow: A New Vision for Nigeria, a special programme on the 63rd anniversary of Nigeria’s independence celebrated on October 1.
She said, “You can’t stop this migration, legal or illegal, but the question is: Why are you migrating? Are you migrating to a better place? Are you migrating to bigger dreams?
“Here is a quick thing, government needs to play its own role of [providing] a conducive environment. The Tinubu administration has talked about job creation, SMEs, digital transformation, and digital truth for our younger people, and a lot of that conversation is going on here in France.”
Speaking further, the NIDCOM boss opined that moving to another country has no inherent flaws, but it must have a clear goal.
“There is nothing wrong with migration, but migrate to a better place. Migrate to become a better person; don’t migrate to get into trouble. A lot of people we deal with are looking for jobs but they don’t get the jobs when they go abroad.
“Why are you migrating? Are you a better person by the time you migrate? But again, government must play its role and do what it has to do,” she added.
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday, appeared before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom over an alleged £100,000 bribe.
The district judge, Michael Snow, reportedly granted Alison-Madueke a £70,000 bail.
Snow further imposed other terms on Alison-Madueke including an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a £70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.
Although she did not formally enter a plea, her attorney, Mark Bowen, informed the court that she would plead not guilty, Reuters reported.
Her next court appearance will be on October 30 at Southwark Crown Court, which deals with serious criminal cases.
In August, the UK’s National Crime Agency said it suspected that Alison-Madueke had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.
In a statement published on its website, NCA said the ex-Nigeria minister “is alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.
“Her charges also detail financial rewards, including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.”
Also, in March 2023, the NCA also provided evidence to the US Department of Justice that enabled them to recover assets totalling $53.1m linked to Diezan’s alleged corruption.
Head of the NCA’s international corruption unit, Andy Kelly, said the “charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation. Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries. We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat,” Kelly added.
Recall that Diezani was the minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Shortly before Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, she left the country for the UK.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the former minister stole $2.5bn from the Nigerian government while she was a minister.
Efforts by the EFCC to arraign her have been unsuccessful as she has not returned to Nigeria since 2015.
But the anti-graft agency said on Monday that it had commenced an extradition process to bring Diezani back to Nigeria to face trial.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said, “The EFCC welcomes, with keen interest, the arraignment of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, at the Westminister’s Court in London, United Kingdom, following alleged bribery allegations.
“Although the charges preferred against her at the London court, are diametrically different from the 13 counts, bordering on money laundering that the EFCC has raised against her, it is instructive to note that criminality is criminality, irrespective of jurisdictional differences. No crime can go unpunished. The money laundering charges for which Madueke is answerable to the EFCC, cover jurisdictions in Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Nigeria.
“To bring the former Minister to trial in Nigeria, an arrest warrant has been obtained and extradition proceedings have been initiated. The commission is on course on her trial. She will soon have her day in our courts.”
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has reportedly created the Office of the First Lady to the Senate President for his wife, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, Sahara Reporters has reported.
Mrs. Akpabio is the founder of a non-governmental organization known as Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI).
According to a report by SaharaReporters, the development sparked angry reactions from many lawmakers who are said to be uncomfortable with the arrangement.
A source who spoke to SaharaReporters said, “There is outrage in the National Assembly because Senate President Akpabio created an office for his wife, Unoma. There is now an office of First Lady to the Senate President.”
As at the time of filing this report, the Senate President or his media team were yet to react to the allegation.
Senator Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday defeated Abdul’aziz Yari to emerge Senate President of the 10th Senate.
Senator Barau Jibrin emerged unopposed as Deputy Senate President.
Akpabio scored 63 votes while Yari scored 45 votes. One Senator-Elect abstained from voting.
There was no other nomination after Jibrin was nominated to take the chair as Deputy Senate President.
Senator Ali Ndume had read the citation of Akpabio after which he nominated the former Akwa Ibom Governor of Akwa Io take the chair as Senate President.
Senator Solomon Adeola representing Ogun West seconded Akpabio’s nomination.
Shortly thereafter, Senator Elisha Abbo read the citation of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari and thereafter nominated him to take the chair as Senate President.
enator Jimoh Ibrahim seconded Yari’s nomination.
Following the two nominations, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambuwal called for additional nomination.
Following no further motion for nomination in t he chambers, Tambuwal declared nominations closed and called for division to enable Senators-Elect cast their votes for their preferred candidate.
After votes were sorted, Akpabio’s supporters began to jubilate as it was obvious that Akpabio had won.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Tambuwal, later declared the results saying Akpabio scored 63 votes, Yari got 45 votes while one Senator-elect abstained from voting.
Tambuwal thereafter declared Akpabio as winner and he was led to take the chair as Senate President.
After taking his oath of office and oath of allegiance administered by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Akpabio signed the oaths and used the gavel for the first time.
The Clerk thereafter called for nominations for the position of Deputy Senate President.
Senator Dave Umahi read the citation of Senator Barau Jibrin and moved that he should take the chair as deputy Senate President of the 10th Senate.
Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC – Kwara Central) seconded Umahi’s motion.
Following no other nominations for the position, Tambuwal declared nominations closed for the position and thereafter declared Jibrin as duly elected deputy Senate President albeit unopposed.
There was mild drama when Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno opposed the nomination of Yari, citing Order three rule three which he said provides for who is qualified to contest the position of the Senate President.
He describe the nomination as an academic exercise, saying the Senate cannot waste its time on it.
However, Clerk to the National Assembly who presided over the inaugural session overruled him and sustained the nomination of Yari.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal announced Akpabio had scored 63 votes to defeat his close rival, Sen Abdulazeez Yari who polled 45 votes. The Clerk announced that one Senator abstained from voting.
All the Senators from the States voted in an alphabetical order and after the counting, Akpabio was announced as the winner.
Akpabio is now the Senate President and the Chairman of the National Assembly.
Governors Hope Uzodinma, Dapo Abiodun, former Kano Governor and Abdullahi Ganduje were all in the Red Chamber to monitor the voting and celebrate with Akpabio after he emerged winner.
After the swearing-in of Jibrin as Deputy Senate President, Akpabio presided over the swearing-in of all other Senators conducted by the Clerk to the National Assembly.
Akpabio thereafter read his inaugural speech and adjourned plenary till Wednesday (tomorrow) by 10am.
Bola Tinubu wields enormous power in western Nigeria politics
Bola Tinubu, 70, dey widely known as di pesin wey reshape Nigeria commercial capital, Lagos.
Na im go lead di ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) go February presidential election but e dey face very gingered opposition, allegations of corruption and health wahala as e dey face one of di hardest job for Africa.
As pesin wey don face exile sake of military ruler Sani Abacha, oga Tinubu know di value of freedom and e dey wia am as sign for im cap, broken chain wey look like sideways figure eight.
As a trained accountant, na im waka wit di pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (Nadeco) group wia im be member make am cross Abacha.
Di opposition of groups like Nadeco and Abacha death for 1998 na im carry Nigeria to democracy for 1999 and in many ways, oga Tinubu wey be former Mobil executive see Nigeria presidency as im right.
E go dey depend on im experience for politics and im ogbonge influence for di kontri to win election. E dey face strong competition from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for di People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party, Peter Obi wey dey popular with city voters.
If oga Tinubu aka “Jagaban” win di presidency, im go dey look to unify kontri wey regional lines don scata, tackle insecurity, create jobs abd bring down inflation.
But dat job no shake am. E dey point to im time as Lagos govnor from 1999 to 2007 to sell im candidacy give party delegates and to Nigerians.
Under im tenure, Lagos grow im income wella sake of plenti foreign investment, as im public transport scheme wey see dem build new lanes for rapid bus to reduce di ogbonge traffic wey pipo dey face.
Despite im ogbonge wealth, Lagos able to solve never dey able to solve no di ogbonge traffic jams by completing a light rail project wey Mr Tinubu bin start.
But di city wey get about 25 million pipo neva really live up to im megacity name even though e claim say im turn tins around.
Public infrastructure mostly don spoil finish, tins like water and public housing don breakdown, as di light rail project wey start for im tenure neva finish 20 years later even with all di money of di state..
E also dey accused say e dey hold di neck of di state money even afta e comot govnorship for 2007.
Everi govnor wey don come afta am na im follower wey dey follow “grand roadmap”, as di one wey dare find im path bin dey quickly rerouted with help from powerful transport union members.
Two years ago, Dapo Apara, accountant for Alpha-beta, company wey Tinubu allegedly get stake for, accuse am say e use di company do money laundering, fraud, tax evasion and oda corrupt tins.
Oga Tinubu sue am even though im and Alpha-beta deny di accuse but later, all parties say dem go settle out of court.
Dat accuse, including say im face Nigeria Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) twice for accuse of breaching public officers code (wey dem don clear am of) make opponents of Tinubu to say e no be di right man for di job as corruption dey high for Nigeria.
For di last election, bullion vans wey banks dey use move money, drive enta im Ikoyi compound for Lagos wey ginger suspicion say im dey buy votes, and e no try hard to deny am.
E say, “if I get money, if I like I go dash pipo, as long as I no dey buy votes”.
Many pipo also neva forget wetin im tok afta di death of #EndSARS protesters for di Lekki part of Lagos for 2020 wia im question di intentions of di pipo wey die.
Dem see am as di political godfather of di south west and na di region most influential figure wey dey decide who go get power.
For 2015, e call imself say e be “talent hunter” wey dey put “talents for office”.
Mr Tinubu (L) claim say e help both Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (C) and President Buhari (R) enta office
Im political influence na im lead to di merging of opposition political parties for 2013 wey collect power from di den ruling PDP for 2015 wey dey rare for Nigeria.
E bin remind Nigerians say na im be one of di main pipo wey put President Muhammadu Buhari for power afta plenti failed attempts.
Oga Buhari pipo bin don try to reduce di narrative of di influence of di former govnor for di 2015 election, but e no clear say Buhari for win im two terms without Tinubu backing.
E dey widely rumoured say na im nominate Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo for im role and get hand for how Nigeria Senate President Ahmed Lawan and di Speaker of di House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila get work.
Na why im supporters bin take am as betrayal wen di vice president wey bin work as commissioner with Tinubu for Lagos run for di party ticket.
All dat now dey behind am and as Tinubu dey campaign, many pipo dey look im health and physical appearance as e bin spend three months for London on top knee injury and worry about one undisclosed sickness.
Nigerians fit dey fear anoda president wey get health issues afta President Umaru Yar’Adua die for office for 2010 and Buhari wey go abroad wella for medical treatment.
Sha, who ever win February election wey still dey look like e go tight, go get plenti mata wey Buhari leave to deal with – insecurity, high unemployment, rising inflation and ethnic division.
No be say di work no possible to do, but e go hard sha.
It’s almost two months to the 2023 election, and the desperation as well as the win at all cost syndrome of politicians across political party lines in all the states, continue to intensify.
Aside from attacks on offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission across the country, political party offices and members, by suspected sponsored hoodlums, the more rampant but non-violent pre-election illegal activity going on unabated by politicians across board, is vote-buying.
The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu had repeatedly made it clear that there is no way the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System can be manipulated and that unregistered and ineligible voters would not vote, and nobody can use another person’s Permanent Voters Card to vote.
However, activities of party agents and candidates demanding for PVCs or the identification number in it from voters, in exchange for financial or other gratification in different parts of the country, continue to get into the news.
Some alleged that the PVCs are being collected from unsuspecting voters who they feel may not vote for their candidate on election day. They prevent them from doing so, in the hope that they will have more voters for their principal. Others however alleged that the agents collect the numbers on voters’ PVCs for reasons which still seems to be a mystery, even to INEC.
Although just a few agents, supporters and hoodlums have been apprehended for being in possession of huge numbers of PVCs, no major arrest has been made. It is obvious that the few already arrested and those continuing the act unabated, are working for politicians who are desperate to get into power “by hook or by crook.”
Vote buyers arrested by the EFCC during the Ogun re-run election in 2020.
According to Worldometer, as at 12:00am on December 16, 2022, Nigeria’s population was estimated to be 219,465,670, while the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on November 17, estimated that no fewer than 133 million Nigerians, representing well over 60 per cent of the population, are currently living in multi-dimensional poverty.
Unknown to many, the continual increase in the country’s number of multidimensionally poor people is good news to these desperate politicians, as it is usually extremely helpful before and during elections because most poor people are usually more concerned about what and where their next meal would coming from, rather than who they will elect to better their lives and that of their children, in the long term.
These opportunists, in their desperate bid to actualise their political aspirations, use poor peoples’ conditions against them and take advantage of it, by giving them money, food items, clothing. They are always successful at this, not only because authorities responsible for curbing this always look away, but also because the unsuspecting voters, the easily swayed and the ignorant population among this huge poverty figure, already feel defeated in their different conditions and don’t even think twice before lying down for the cover.
Sadly, the mentality of some sets of voters is that the politicians giving them these gifts right before the elections is a sign that they will do more, when they win the election. Other sets of these negligent voters, don’t just care, as long as their present feeding and financial needs are met.
Rumours of party agents seeking for PVCs from traders in some markets in Lagos were first heard, but nobody was able to confirm this categorically. INEC however, finally later raised the alarm that voters in various parts of the country were actually giving up their PVCs for different amounts.
The nation’s electoral umpire however proposed a life ban for any politician or political party caught in the act of buying. The police also warned that they will launch a manhunt for politicians who procure PVCs for the purpose of rigging the 2023 election.
These threats however, are of no effect to the defiant politicians, as they continue to send their agents to keep inducing voters for their PVCs. Just days after INEC raised the alarm, findings by at least two other independent bodies confirmed the development.
The Northern Elders Forum, in a statement on Wednesday, cried out, alleging that some politicians, working for different parties, and targeting communities where their candidates have comparative advantages or disadvantages, are buying PVCs from voters for N2,000 in the North.
“Thousands, or possibly even millions of Northern voters, particularly women, are being made to surrender their PVCs for a pittance, in most instances not more than N2,000 Naira. In some instances, they are told their cards will be returned to them after they are processed for additional payments as poverty relief. No cards are returned,” Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, NEF Spokesman revealed.
“Our relative poverty now is no excuse to surrender the opportunity to improve our future,” Baba-Ahmed further advised.
In another revelation, The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), in a pre-election observation report released yesterday, raised similar alarm over the inducement of potential voters and purchase of voter cards from voters by politicians ahead of the 2023 election.
The statement signed by the Executive Director of the Civil Society Organisation, Samson Itodo revealed that they deployed a total of 822 long-term observers to monitor pre-election events in the 774 local government areas of the country and made their findings known through its Watching The Vote (WTV) project.
Part of the statement read, “Though voter inducement was reported in 33 states, it was more prevalent in the following states: Abia, Bauchi, Borno, Delta, Katsina, Kano, Niger, Oyo and Sokoto.
“Specifically, buying of PVCs was reported in Ugwuachara, Echiaba Ward, in Ebonyi LGA by APC supporters. WTV observers reported that APC supporters went around the LGA giving citizens N10,000 in exchange for the voter identification number on their PCs,” Yiaga revealed.
“The supporters went house to house offering the citizens money and food items (Rice) the APC term empowerment. Some people were happy and collected the money while others refused to sell their votes.
“Similarly, the report alleged that Kwara state, Baruten LGA, APC agents were said to have allocated and alerted APC party supporters to assemble and come with their details to access state government grants,” Yiaga added.
It also disclosed that, “The same was noticed in Itakudimo, Ilorin west where PDP agents were seen sharing N500 to residents and passersby to gain support after their meeting.
“In Oroke Onuoha, Achiaba Ward, Ebonyi LGA/Ebonyi State, supporters of APC were seen distributing food items to citizens while canvassing for votes.
“Also, in Bunkure LGA of Kano, party supporters were seen buying PVCs from citizens and giving out N5,000 and fertilizer,” the civil society body added.
INEC, Nigerian security agencies, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other relevant agencies, should graduate from giving empty threats, to actually wielding the hammer on erring politicians, not only their agents, even if they are members of the ruling party, to serve as a deterrent to others alike, as the activities of such people are a threat to next year’s election and the country’s fragile democracy.
TheCentral Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has foreclosed the possibility of extending or shifting the deadline on the deposit of the old naira notes.
CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele apologised to Nigerians for not extending the deadline but stated that 100 days from when the announcement was made to the expiration date was enough for Nigerians to deposit their old notes.
He assured Nigerians that the ongoing sensitisation will continue after the 31st of January, 2023 deadline.
The apex bank said it has received between N1.3 trillion to N1.5 trillion so far but expects it will recover over N2 trillion after January 31 deadline.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in Abuja on Tuesday, Emefiele also disclosed that the Committee has decided to aggressively increase the interest rate to 17.5 percent.
Emefiele noted that despite the drop in inflation in December to 21.34 percent there was “no reason to celebrate”.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has been ordered to “immediately” charge Tukur Mamu to court if any offense related to his alleged involvement in ransom negotiation on behalf of terrorists is discovered.
This is according to Justice Edward Andow, who preside over Kaduna State High Court 12.
Recall that Mamu has been with the DSS since his arrest in Cairo, Egypt on September 6, 2022 on his way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj together with some of his family members.
The lead Counsel to Tukur Mamu, Muhammad Sani Katu (SAN) told journalists after the court session on Monday that he was satisfied with the court order, and expressed the belief that the DSS will obey the order.
According to him, ”the matter came up today (Monday), we served the DSS and the Attorney General, we started the processes. And the Judge gave the order, directing them to charge him to court immediately for any offence, if any, they may have discovered. That is our target. The word used by the Judge is immediately, immediately differs from soon.
“Don’t be surprised if by tomorrow or next or within the week he is being charged to court if there is any offence, but let me come in here by telling you that one must commend the DSS for the manner that they have been handling this matter. We have gone to see our client severally, he has some health challenges, but they have been taking care of that. They have taken him to hospital, they made so much payment towards his health. But our position is not about his health, not just about holding him there.
“The law is very clear, the essence of his arrest is the belief that he had committed an offence, and how do you know that he had committed an offence is to commence an investigation. And once you finished the investigation and you did not find him wanting, you release him, and if you find him wanting, the law says don’t keep him in detention, charge him to court. That is just the fundamentals.
“As far as we are concerned the order to keep him for 60 days elapsed in October last year. They have the right to renew, but as it stands now we are not aware as to whether they have renewed or not. They, first they are seeking detention, they can go on their own, but the second time there is the need to have the permission of the Attorney General. They can do that without us on notice. But the fact remains that in an attempt to protect the system we are operating, once you obtain an order against somebody you notify him. If you have contact with the persons you notify them, or at least the general public because this is a matter that certain persons are being concerned.
“When they did that of the 60 days they came out to tell the whole world that they have obtained detention order. Which is okay. Now the 60 days have elapsed, nobody knows whether they have gotten additional extensions or not. That is why we say the best we could do is to go to court. We are not saying they must release him. Take him to court for determination. After court determination, we will know whether he will go to jail or be freed.
“If you recall, there was an arrest of our client, Tukur Mamu in Cairo on his way to Saudi Arabia with some members of his family. He was moved to Abuja and since then he remains in detention. We got to know that there is an order by the DSS to detain him for 60 days. At the expiration of the 60 days, we thought the next thing they should do is to charge him to court for any offence. As it stands now he has not been charged. And the best we can do for the system is to file legal enforcement wherein our plea which is very clear; release him on administrative bail, if there is anything call administrative bail. Alternatively, if you found out that he has committed any offence, charge him to court,” Katu said.
The race to all political offices is around the corner. The opinion of the people is divided into two unequal parts where majority wants zoning of political offices to rotate among the different political bloc while the other few insist on a free for all contest. Though the constitution allows a free for all contest, but for brotherliness, love and peace offices are shared into different camps.
Just like power rotates along the three senatorial districts at the state level, Uyo senatorial district also has its own unique way of sharing the senatorial set among the three federal constituencies of Etinan, Uyo and Itu/Ibiono.
Since 1999 upon the return of democracy, Uyo federal constituency took the first shot with Senator John James Akpanudoedehe who spent just one tenure and vacated the seat for Senator Effiong Bob in 2003 who by sheer luck won a second term ticket. In 2011, the elders decided that while other local governments wait for their turn, Ibiono under Itu federal constituency should produce the next senator a decision that gave otuekong Ita Enang had the opportunity to serve in the red chambers.
Ita Enang emerge the choice not because he was the most qualified but because in 1992, Itu state constituency represented the district in the senate with Senator Anietie Okon seating on that seat for Uyo Senatorial district. Today those same leaders of thought have agreed that Uruan State constituency under Uyo federal constituency should produce the next senator. Ibesikpo Asutan is another local government that is yet to produce a senator but because they once had an elected governor Uruan won the day. This explains why we have more aspirants from Uruan local government eying the seat with few from Ibesikpo Asutan.
It is only sad that those who championed the rotation of the seat especially in the build-up of the 2019 general elections are the very set of people who are willing to vacate the seat for the realization of the writing on the wall. Uyo Senatorial District with nine local government areas should allow the seat to go round so that others that are still queuing can also seat there. Truth be told, if one man or one local government should go more than one term when will Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Ibesikpo or Itu have a shot? Supporting Uruan now means the others will soon have an opportunity. This is in line with our party’s belief in fairness, justice and equity.
Now that Uyo Senatorial District are on the same page with our party as far as sharing rotating the senate seat, let us search inwardly and go for a grassroot democrat who has the people’s interest at heart. Whoever goes to the senate for us in 2023 should be accessible and ready to take the problem of his people as his personal problem and look for ways to either solve it or cushion its negative effect. Being accessible implies that apart from presenting our common problem he should also come home to brief us on actions so far taken since our problem was presented on the floor of the senate. We need somebody who will come home with a good account of his representation and not one of those who will only vibrate on national issues while the people at home continue to suffer deprivation.
After the awesome representation of Chief Nyong Essien from Uruan in the 1930s, Uruan have not had opportunity to represent Uyo people in the red chambers. Chief Nyong Essien's results of effective representation could be linked to creation of our dear state, Akwa Ibom. Just as we yearn for dividends of democracy and stomach Infrastructure. I am of the opinion that all should rise up in support of Uruan Local Government to produce another Nyong Essien.
This will give Uruan people a feeling, that they haven’t been sidelined by the PDP and the Government.
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