Skip to main content

Assembly crisis: more lawmakers join APC faction



...Akwa Ibom governor's aide quits.



From Bassey Anthony, Uyo


Scores of Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) lawmakers in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly may defect to the All Progressives Congress(APC).


A dependable source told THE NATION that the PDP lawmakers were unhappy with the Speaker, Mr. Onofiok Luke for declaring the seats of five APC lawmakers vacant.


Sources said they had pledged their allegiance to the factional speaker, Mr. Nse Ntuen who represents Essien Udim State

Constituency, Senator Godswill Akpabio’s area.


The source said the PDP lawmakers met for several hours with the factional speaker at his Shelter Afrique home in Uyo Wednesday night.


“Over eight lawmakers have teamed up with the factional speaker’s group of five to effectively recover the Assembly from Luke and continue their legislative activities next week”, he said.


On the late night meeting the source said it resolved that Luke’s action was

‘subjudice and contemptuous’ stressing that his poor handling of defection politics have thrown the state into avoidable tension.


The source added that the others  lamented that Luke allowed the Governor to dictate how he runs the Assembly, a situation no longer acceptable to the members.


He said fresh entrants into the group of five pledged to work with Ntuen, and said the Assembly would reconvene next

week with him as speaker.


The APC factional speaker said he met  with other members, who have pledged support and co-operation to his leadership.


“I have said it before and I am saying it again that I am here to take government to the people and ensure that things are properly done. I am not here to witch-hunt anybody but will work with the people of

Akwa Ibom to get the dividends of democracy eluding them” he said.


Ntuen said he would not force his way into the Assembly complex but would consult and negotiate with  stakeholders in the

security circles to allow them do their job in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere.


The Assembly is still surrounded by security forces preventing people from entering the complex.


Governor Udom Emmanuel's Special Assistant on Projects Godswill Ekpenyong has resigned.


Ekpenyong who defected from PDP to APC is the ninth aide of Emmanuel to quit.


In a chat with reporters in Uyo, yesterday,  Ekpenyong said he resigned because the Governor was becoming unfair to some of his aides.


He accused the Governor of favouring those he called "the Lagos cabal."


The ex - aide said Akpabio unlike Emmanuel treated all aides fairly.


He advised Emmanuel to withdraw from the governorship race to save himself from disgrace because the people would vote him out.


Ekpenyong said he was joining APC because PDP structure in Mbo, his local government has collapsed with the resignation of Mr Victor Antai, ex - Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, now APC House of Representatives candidate for Oron.


He said the electoral chances of Emmanuel and PDP in Mbo were further ruined by Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to the state government, who altered the zoning to deny Mr Samuel Ufuo, House of Assembly member for Mbo a second term ticket.


Source: THE NATION Friday, November 23, 2018.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dr. Edwin Ekanem Abasiabiamkpo Emerges Family Head of Ikot Anung

•Dr EDWIN EKANEM ABASIABIAMKPO DIVINELY EMERGED  It was a day of celebration and cultural splendour at Ikot Anung, Ituk Mbang in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as the community unanimously elected His Highness Dr. Edwin Ekanem Abasiabiamkpo as the new Family Head of the royal lineage of Nung EkanemAbasi Abiamkpo. The event, which attracted traditional leaders, youths, women, and dignitaries from within and outside the community, was marked by tributes, traditional dances, and displays reflecting over three centuries of enduring royal heritage. Speaking with journalists, the Secretary of Ituk Mbang Village Council, Chief Asuquo Edet Asuquo, described the emergence of Dr. Edwin Ekanem Abasiabiamkpo as divine and in line with tradition.  “What God has ordained must surely come to pass,” he said. “Today, God has chosen His Highness Dr. Edwin Ekanem Abasiabiamkpo to lead the people of Ikot Anung. His Highness Dr. Edwin Ekanem Abasiabiamkpo divinely emerged.” He urg...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ikono Council Boss Celebrates Elder Effiong Udofia at 70

  By Ifiokabasi Abia As the saying goes, “When the righteous are on the throne, the people rejoice.”This timeless truth perfectly reflects the leadership style of Rt. Hon. Otobong Essien, Executive Chairman of **Ikono Local Government Council. The 70th birthday celebration and thanksgiving service of Elder Edet Effiong Udofia, a seasoned administrator and long-serving works supervisor, held special significance as it coincided with the one-year anniversary thanksgiving service** of the Ikono Local Government Council. The atmosphere came alive with jubilation and cheers upon the arrival of the council boss. The electrifying excitement in the air reflected the people’s love, admiration, and social acceptance of the Rt. Hon. Otobong Essien-led administration—one that has remained steadfast in its people-centered approach to governance. Rt. Hon. Essien has consistently demonstrated a passion for human development and welfare. His leadership style bridges the gap between government and ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Essien Udim Legislature Rocks high

...as PDP sinks down ... Relieves Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip ors By prince Ukpong Idiong jr The Essien Udim Legislative Council  holds plenary today at the Council Legislative Chambers, Afaha Ikot Ebak with six out of eleven legislatures in attendance. The House presided over by Hon. Udotun, read the order paper of the day which include: deliberations to relieve the Chief Whip/Deputy Chief Whip of their appointment due to incompetency, dissolution of the House Committee on Works, Agriculture and Health etc. In view of the vacuum created on relieveing of the Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip of the house, Hon. Uduak Afangideh at the instance of the leader nominated Hon. Edemeka Ekpe and Hon. Eseme Akpan as Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip respectively, which was unanimously accepted by the house. The house also unanimously  desolves the House committees on Works, Agriculture and Health with immediate effect. The house unanimously resolved and summon the Dir...
Post a Comment
Read more