POLITICS
Akwa Ibom APC Group Endorses Udom Ekpoudum for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Seat
By Jude Opara, Abuja
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, some stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom state have endorsed aspiration of DIG Udom Ekpoudum (retd) to contest the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District.
The group in a communique at the end of a meeting of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District (Ikot Ekpene) on Sunday in Uyo further argued that the endorsement was very apt given that since the creation of the state, the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency is the only one that has not produced a senator.
The communique which was signed by over 50 delegates also indicated that the motion was moved by the Senatorial Chairman, Dr. Amadu Atai and seconded by his Co-Chairman, Chief Godwin Afangideh.
The communique reads in parts; “That the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District Senatorial seat so zoned to Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency for the 2023 elections, call on DIG Udom Ekpoudom (rtd) OON to run for the office of the Senate for Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District on the platform of the APC in 2023”.
The meeting which was attended by members from the 10 Local Government Areas that make up the District, deliberated extensively on the state of affairs in the Senatorial District as it affects the APC.
It added; “The meeting deliberated extensively on the Senatorial District zoning arrangement, as it affects the four Federal Constituencies that make up the District. From the data provided at the meeting, it was observed that:
“Ini/Ikono Federal Constituency had its slots for two tenures with Sen. Aloysius Etok;
“Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency had its share for five tenures since inception of democracy in Nigeria from 1963 with Sen. Raymond Umoh, Sen. Nsima Akpabio, Sen. Emmanuel Ibokessien, HE, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, CON and Sen. Christopher Ekpenyong;
“Ukanafun/OrukAnam Federal Constituency had its share for three tenures with Sen. Donald Etiebet, Sen. Akaninyene Ukpanah and Sen. Itak Bob Ekarika and Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency had none till date”.
The meeting also did an assessment of the performance of the Party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and lauded the Chairman of the Committee and governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni and the National Secretary, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe for piloting the affairs of the party since two years ago.
The group also extended its gratitude to President Muhammmadu Buhari for always supporting Akwa Ibom State in general and Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District in particular.
Some of the stakeholders who signed the communique include: Atuekong Don Etiebet CON, HE Obong Nsima Ekere,Obong Umana Okon Umana, Chief Arc. Ekong Etuk, Archbishop Samuel Akpan,Prince Mandu Ekpo and Chief Engr. Benedict Ukpong.
Others are; Dr. Amadu Atai, Hon Dr Ita Udosen, Otuekong Sunny Jackson, Evang Ime Albert Akpan, Sir Barr. Bassey Dan Abia, Hon Justice Andrew Okon, Hon Justice Ekerette Ebienyie, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (rtd) OON and Rt. Hon. Barr. Iquo Inyang.
POLITICS
Buhari Felicitates Tinubu at Midterm, Calls for Nigerians’ continue support

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his successor, President Bola Tinubu, on his midterm, calling for Nigerians’ continue support for his administration’s efforts to address poverty and inflation.
This is contained in a statement issued by Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday.
Buhari also called for steadfast support for the All Progressives Congress-led government as it marks its second year in office, saying reforms would achieve success gradually, not overnight.
He warned that necessary reforms and desired changes must not fall victim to mettlesome domestic politics.
According to him, as the party and the government celebrate, the country should be reminded that leadership is a continuous journey.
Buhari expressed support for the ongoing efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to curb poverty and inflation, which, he said, had hit the poorest families.
Seeking Nigerians’ support for Tinubu-led administration, he said that the task of reducing poverty and inflation mustn’t be left only for the government.
“The private sector and all of us, as citizens, must join in all ways we can,” he said.
The former president urged Nigerians to remain optimistic and stay confident about the country’s future, saying ‘our expectations from our governments should not get heavy’.
While expressing his heartfelt felicitation to Tinubu on his two years in office, Buhari prayed God to keep and grant him the wisdom and care to continue to lead the country. (NAN)

President Tinubu Appoints Ex- Speaker, Enugu Assembly, Odo, as UNN Governing Council Member
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the former speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Eugene Odo, and Mr. Muhammad Tahir, as governing council members of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The appointment comes as part of the President’s renewed efforts to reposition federal tertiary institutions for excellence and global competitiveness.
Odo served as a two time speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain also served under the previous administration of Muhammad Buhari as a governing board member of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
Also appointed were the governing councils members of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
Onanuga said President Tinubu charged the new council members to justify their appointments by ensuring that their respective universities move forward.(NAN)
POLITICS
PDP NEC Gets Under Way in Abuja

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
All is set for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 99th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today at the party’s Presidential Campaign Office, Legacy House, located in the Maitama District, Abuja. After a marathon meeting of the various organs of the PDP at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, officials of the party have converged on Legacy House for the long awaited NEC meeting, which had been postponed for several times.
Security in and around the house has been beefed up with the deployment operatives from the Police, DSS and NSCDC. Many prominent members of the party, including its 2023 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, were absent from the marathon meeting.The NEC, one of the highest decision-making organs of the PDP, comprises of Party National Chairman and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), state governors, serving and former presidents, former vice-presidents, the chairman and secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT), principal officers of the National Assembly, state chairpersons, former governors, and founding members, among others. The NEC meeting is expected to address critical issues affecting the party, including strategies for upcoming political engagements, leading to the 2027 general elections.On Monday, barely 24 hours to the much expected NEC meeting, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) keep to its threat and sealed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat, Wuse Zone 5 for failure to ground rent, a situation the party described as temporary set back.However, reprieve came to the PDP and others who had their properties sealed as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, intervened and gave them 14 days to pay their ground rent.