Abducted governor's driver regains freedom

By Agency reporter

THE abducted driver of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, Mr. Joe Frank, has regained his freedom.
Our correspondent gathered that Frank was set free by his abductors on Saturday after negotiations between the members of his family and the kidnappers.
The Commissioner of Police for the state command, Mr. Walter Rugbere, confirmed that the governor's driver had been released but that he did not know if any ransom was paid by the members of the family.
The governor's driver was seized on Tuesday along Aba-Port Harcourt Road in Abia State.
Frank, who is also a police inspector, was said to be driving the governor's 'treated car' (bullet proof) when the hoodlumsm, dressed in military uniform, shot at it thus forcing Frank to jump out of the car and flee for safety.
He was however caught by the kidnappers who later took him to an unknown destination while the governor's car was abandoned at the scene of the incidence.
A source close to the driver's family told our correspondent on the condition of anonymity that no amount of money was paid to the kidnappers before Frank regained his freedom.
"It was after several hours of negotiations between the members of the family and the kidnappers that they released him," the source said.
Source: Punch, 19^th April 2010.

Gunmen kidnap legislator's wife in A'Ibom

By AGENCY REPORTER

Unidentified gunmen on Friday abducted Mrs Roxy Udota, wife to a legislator representing Eket in Akwa Ibom House of Assembly.

Udota, who is the Treasurer of Eastern Obolo Local Government Council, was abducted on her way to work between Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo.

The Eastern Obolo Local Government Council on Friday presented its 2010 budget estimates to the council's legislature for approval.

The Chairman of the council, Mr Francis Uduyok, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Okoroette that staff of the council were in sad mood following the news of the abduction.

"We are shocked that such a thing will happen because there is only one entrance to the council.

"We have a check point around the place the incident happened, therefore, the council is embarrassed by this development.

"We have ensured adequate security on the Mkpat Enin-Eastern Obolo road before now; with this development there is need to take a critical look at the security here.

"In addition to regular policemen, the council secured the services of some 200 youths in vigilance groups, so it beats our imagination why this should happen" he said.
Source: Punch, 16^th April 2010.

Gov Akpabio's driver kidnapped

By Tony Nyong

UYO — The chief driver to Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Joe Frank, has been kidnapped, with N100 million ransom placed on his head by the abductors.

His kidnap comes barely three days after the burial of Dr. Justin Edet, a surgeon, whose corpse was found in a bush behind the Idongesit Nkanga State Secretariat, Uyo, two weeks after he was kidnapped.

The governor's driver, a Police Inspector, was said to have been abducted in neighbouring Abia State where he had traveled to procure some spare parts from Coscharis Company.

Akpabio in USA

While the governor is said to have traveled to the United States of America, USA, on the entourage of the Acting President, Mr. Goodluck Johnathan, who is attending the Nuclear Security Summit, the whereabouts of the kidnapped driver is yet to be ascertained at press time.

A source told Vanguard that because of the absence of the governor, not much effort may have been made to secure the driver's freedom, even as his family had been left in a state of despair.

Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, Mr.Walter Rugbere, told journalists in a telephone conversation that although he was not in the state, the State Police Command had been informed of the development.

Abia Police confirm report

Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jonathan Johnson, who spoke on phone with Vanguard, said "we are aware of the incidence; they kidnapped him. I was in Abuja when I heard about it, and we have not got in touch with the family.

"From all indications, they must have trailed him from somewhere and we believe that he must have been taken to another state. I do not have any information as to the whereabouts of the kidnap victim."
Source: Vanguard, 15^th April 2010.

Police parade fake informer, robbers in Akwa Ibom
From Inem Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo

THE Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested Ayanime Ukwa for allegedly faking the abduction of one Ikakke Okon Ibong from Oruk Anam Council of the state.

Parading the suspect at the police headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, the Police Commissioner, Walter Rugbere, said when interrogated, Ukwa allegedly confessed that he faked the kidnap with a view to collecting the N1 million government largesse for any informant who would give useful information that would lead to the arrest of kidnappers.

According to the commissioner, following a tip-off that the home of one Okon Akpan Ebong was being used as a hideout for kidnappers, a police team swooped on the house and met the fake kidnapped victim tied up with ropes.

Also, the state Police Command has arrested five suspected armed robbers who allegedly raided a bank in Abak Council of the state on March 18, 2010.

Parading the suspects, the Police Commissioner gave their names as Ogadima Jeremiah, Obinna Ezeji Ogidi, Franklin Ebulu, Chemina Ebulu and Obot Utom Frank.

According to Rugbere, they were arrested during an operation by the state Joint Task Force "Operation Aduma" in Ikot Inyang Abia Village, Ukanafun Council of the state.

Speaking with The Guardian, the fake kidnapped victim, Ibong, said he was a kerosene trader.

He said on the fateful day, the suspect, Ukwa, came to lure him out of the house only to be tied and taken to the compound where he was rescued by the police.

His words: "I was in the house at night when he came and called me that I should follow him. And when I asked him for what, he said I should not worry, not knowing that he had already arranged a rope. He then tied my hands behind my back and legs and kept me behind the compound of Okon Akpan Obong, pleading with me that when the Police come, I should tell them that the owner of the compound kidnapped me".

Ibong denied co-operating with Ukwa so as to get a share of the N1 million information reward.
Source: The Guardian, 8^th April 2010.

Akpabio, Fashola, Garba Identify Problems with Nigeria

LAGOS—GOVERNORS of Akwa Ibom and Lagos states, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, called for strengthening of the nation's democratic structures, arguing that such move will assist in resolving the current political problems facing the nation.

Also, National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Malam Mohammed Garba, has identified insincerity on the part of Nigerians as the bane of the country's problems.

The trio spoke, yesterday, in Lagos at a forum on: "Contemporary Nigeria: Challenges facing a democratising nation," which was organised by the Lagos State Council of NUJ, at Ostra Hall, Ikeja.

Gov. Akpabio, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, argued that the need to address the question of indigeneship was imperative, if the nation must forge ahead.Gov. Fashola in his speech stressed that the greatest problem facing Nigeria today is the failure of credible leadership even as he called for the immediate electoral reform in the country.

Gov. Fashola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Ranti Odutola, noted that the problem with Nigeria was that of effective leadership.

However, Garba identified insincerity as the bane of Nigeria's problems. He, however, called on the present crop of leaders to be sincere.
Source: Vanguard, 31^st March 2010.

A'Ibom Raises Pension, to Employ 2,262 Workers
From Inem Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo

DETERMINED to motivate its workforce, Akwa Ibom State government has approved for immediate implementation an increment in pensions for all categories of retired civil servants in the state.

Similarly, all judges and permanent secretaries that retired in the state or before 2007 are to enjoy a monthly financial augmentation of N100,000 across board in addition to their current pension contributions.

These facts were revealed by the state Commissioner for Information and Social Re-orientation, Aniekan Umanah, while briefing journalists in Uyo on the outcome of the State Executive Meeting, which ended about 11.00 p.m. on Wednesday night.

"Council has also approved the immediate employment of 2,262 persons across board into the state civil service. They include engineers, quantity surveyors, architects and doctors", he added.

According to him, the increment takes effect from April 2010, adding that council arrived at such a decision so as to cushion the effect of inflation and also guarantee the retirees' improved livelihood.

Fielding questions from journalists, he said the government had envisaged such increment, thereby making adequate budgetary allocation for it. He stressed that many civil servants at different categories would retire from the state civil service this year.

The commissioner further explained that government's gesture was in fulfillment of its earlier promise to provide meaningful employment for the unemployed youths and graduates in the state.

He urged Akwa Ibom people not to celebrate crime, as the issue of kidnapping was not peculiar to the state.

The commissioner stressed that most people who did not want to see anything good in the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio had been filling the Internet with false information so as to cause disaffection in the minds of the people.

"We have held several meetings like this and as we leave the room, we find something on the Yahoo group or ibomforum (an Internet website). It calls for a lot of questions as to what we really want to achieve for the state, yet we cannot achieve anything good by telling falsehood", he said.

The state, he said, has put billions of naira on providing infrastructure erosion control, wondering why people should be happy in giving out damaging reports forgetting that one day, they would find themselves in the position of authority.
Source: The Guardian, 26^th March 2010.

Eye On 2011: Between Akpabio And 'Concerned Leaders'
By Anietie Ekong

Not long ago, a self-styled group that called itself Concerned Leadership of Ibibio People of Akwa Ibom State, consisting of the former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and governorship aspirant, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, a former military Governor of Ogun State, Group Captain Sam Ewang (rtd), and a former Commissioner in the state, Otuekong Idongesit Udokpo, from the comfort of their rooms at Hilton Hotel, Abuja, issued a statement, titled, 'The deteriorating security situation in Akwa Ibom State,' in which they decried the incidence of kidnapping in the state.

Which is, indeed, a sad development in the state that every one else has condemned. But, in what appears to be rather an anachronistic logic, spiced with malicious intent, the, 'concerned Ibibio elders' claimed that the Ibibio were the target of kidnapping and armed robbery and fingered the state government as the sponsor of these incidents.

There is no doubt that governments at various levels are facing serious security challenges, ranging from kidnapping to armed robbery. The incident of kidnapping, which started a few years back as an instrument of protest by militant groups in the Niger Delta to draw attention to the environmental degradation and economic exploitation of their area as a consequence of oil exploration and exploitation, has been taken over by ransom-seeking bandits.

From Nnewi to Lagos, Kano to Uyo, Owerri to Oshogbo, we are bombarded almost daily in the media about a construction or oil worker, a government official or his spouse or even school children that have been abducted by gun-toting masked men, who would later call their next of kin to demand huge sums as ransom.

What started as a tool for redress of genuine political agitation has given rise to a new wave of crime that seems to defy security agencies.

The concern raised by Attah and others should be viewed in the light of this growing insecurity across the land. What is befuddling is how these so-called Ibibio leaders could reduce what has become a national malady to an Akwa Ibom State government problem and go ahead to ascribe ethnicity to it, even accusing the state government of being behind it.

The statistics may not be available, but a mere perusal of the national dailies will reveal that Akwa Ibom is not the state with the most prevalent cases of kidnapping. For instance, it was recently reported how kidnappers in Ekiti State seized a traditional ruler and the head of a tertiary institution, both of who were killed in custody.

And in Edo State, kidnappers have literally been on rampage, as schools in the state have been under the siege of kidnappers, who enter the schools and abduct the teachers at will.

Admittedly, Akwa Ibom has had its fair share of these abductions, but it is not the worst case and the government is not resting on its oars.

So, what must have informed the position of former Governor Attah and Co. in seeking to fan the embers of ethnic passion in a state where Governor Godswill Akpabio has worked so hard to erase lines of ethnic divide?

The answer could be found in the realm of the politics of 2011. For those who have followed political developments in Akwa Ibom State in recent times, this statement by Attah and others would not come as a surprise.

Since 2006, when he held sway as governor of Akwa Ibom, Attah, everybody knew, had always wanted to enthrone his son-in-law, Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika (who was Commissioner in the Attah administration for eight years) as governor.

But, the Akwa Ibom people were not impressed: they rejected Ekarika, largely as a protest against a obvious crude attempt to turn the state into an a family estate of sorts.

But, as many analysts have variously observed, rather than vilify him, Obong Attah should actually be grateful to Akpabio for getting some of his administration projects off his architectural drawing board to the realm of tangible achievement.

One would have thought that after the election had been won and lost, the former governor would have joined hands with the present administration to move the state forward.

Regrettably, Attah, who by every standard should be a statesman, has constituted himself into an opposition to an administration he can as well lay claim to being its father. When he is not instigating the people through his infamous open letter, he is bickering about who the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be. And with next year's election around the corner, Attah is fighting hard to regain what seems to be his fading political relevance.

What is shocking to most Akwa Ibom people is how Attah, a former presidential aspirant, could turn himself from a statesman to an ethnic jingoist. But Akwa Ibom people are no political neophytes. It is obvious that they can see through the antics of those who have had their opportunities to contribute their quota to the development of the state, but who didn't exactly do well at the task and who would not let others do their own bit.

Enter Akpanudoedehe. It is well known that he is gunning for Akpabio's job. Which his democratic right and constitutional right to do, if he meets the constitutional requirement and finds a platform to contest the election. But, it is up to the people of Akwa Ibom to make their choice-at the appropriate time.

But the campaign of Akpanudoedehe would appear to be that of blackmail, mudslinging and a curious appeal to ethnic sentiments-the last is often a sign of desperation. He should rather address issues and tell the people, for instance, what alternative he has to the free education programme of the current administration in Uyo, instead of constantly ruing over how Akpabio allegedly failed to provide him with the necessary financial backing to buy the Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company, Oku Iboku.

He has not informed Akwa Ibom people what alternative he has to the current massive infrastructural development in the state. What one hears, instead, is how Hilltop (as Akwa Ibom Government House, Uyo is called) failed to name a street after him and so, Akpabio must go.

Recently, he incurred the wrath of the people over his ambition at the funeral of the late paramount ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsonyin Okon Ekpo Ekpo, when he caused to be published a condolence message, where he ascribed to himself the title of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, 2011.

As the nation inches towards next year's elections, it is expected that politicians with vaulting ambition and self-seeking adventurers will become more desperate and more 'Concerned Leaders' will emerge from the political minefield. But, it is gratifying that in a democracy it is the people who have the final say.

In this wise, Akpabio has a lot going for him, what with his massive transformation of the state under three years, what his traducers could not achieve in eight years. The people will not fail to notice that for the first time in the history of the state, reputable construction firms are awarded road construction jobs that can stand the test time, as against the immediate past, where jobs were awarded to political cronies, only for the work to fail in the next rainy season.

Children, even though of non-voting age, will inform their parents that they have been beneficiaries of the free and compulsory education policy of the current administration. The elderly and pregnant women will remember how their health needs have been catered for free-of-charge by the Akpabio administration.

The Akwa Ibom people will point to a brand new airport that has reduced their tortuous journey to neighbouring states before they could board commercial flights to their destinations. The massive electrification of the state and the completion of the Independent Power Project (IPP) with the potential of banishing darkness in the state will also confound Akpabio's traducers. Or is it the brand new ultra-modern Governor's Lodge?

Indeed, the people will remember how Akpabio has transformed the state from the land of un-kept promises to a destination of choice in Nigeria under three years.

These sterling achievements are beyond concerned mischief-makers and ethnic bigots to see. Their concern is how to make recourse to ethnic sentiments and exploit the unfortunate security challenge that is not peculiar to Akwa Ibom, to score cheap political points.

But as is crystal clear, next year, it is the people and not a few politicians that will have the final say.

-Ekong is a journalist and public affairs commentator based in Lagos
Source: The Guardian, 20^{th March 2010.}

Nigerian Civil War: Gov Lauds Demining Team
From Ayoyinka Olagoke, Uyo

GOVERNOR Godswill Akpabio has lauded the Humanitarian Demining Team from the Ministry of Defence, which helped in ridding Akwa Ibom of explosive remnants of the Nigerian Civil War.

Akpabio commended the team, which was led by a consultant to the Ministry of Defence, Dr Bala Yakubu, when the former paid a courtesy call at Government House, Uyo.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, Akpabio said that prior to the initiative of the team, it had not been realised that 40 years after the Nigerian Civil War, there yet remained explosives, which endangered the lives of people.

He noted that given the explosive remnants removed for destruction in the state during the 21 days, which the team worked, it was glaring the team was equal to the task.

Assuring the team of maximum support from the state government, the governor praised it for accepting the challenge to cleare landmines in affected states, especially in Akwa Ibom, in line with the Ottawa Convention and the United Nation's Protocol 5, on Removal of Explosive Remnant of War.

Briefing the governor, Yakubu said that the 30-month Nigerian Civil War "left behind an unprecedented number of landmines and other explosive remnants of war. This risks the lives of innocent citizens who accidentally detonate these, leaving many of them dead and some incapacitated."

His team's initiative, Yakubu mentioned, stemmed from the 1997 UN placement of a total ban on the use of landmines in wars the world over. The UN, he said, also compels all member nations "to carry out a humanitarian demining exercise in their various countries to enable them clear their land of the dangerous ordinances."

Consequently, he said President Musa Yar'Adua "directed the Ministry of Defence to do everything possible to remove landmines and unexploded ordinances from the soil of the former Eastern Region."

Commending the response of the people of Akwa Ibom to his team's Mine Awareness and Mine Risk Education on radio and television, he noted that calls from interested members of the public, "gave us useful information leading to the recoveries of landmines." According to him, a total of 289 landmines and other explosive remnants of war were recovered in the state during a 21 working day, which covered 27 local government areas.

Yakubu said: "The landmines laid in our land during the Nigeria Civil War will continue to kill our people until we recover all of them and destroy them." He promised to be back in the state with his team to continue from where they stopped.

He commended the development strides of the present administration in the state, especially in the area of road construction, saying it made it easy to move men and equipment around for the demining exercise.

The consultant appealed to the governor to assist the 31 landmine victims already identified in the state.
Source: The Guardian, 14^th March 2010.

31 Civil War EXPLOSIVES EXCAVATED IN A'IBOM

By Agency Reporter, Published: Tuesday, 9 Mar 2010

VOLUNTARY deminers claimed on Tuesday that they have excavated 31 live bombs in a primary school in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

While 15 81mm mortar bombs were excavated in Ikot Ebiyan, 16 of the same type of bombs were dug out in a primary school in Ikot Okudomo Okon in Eket.

The Eket Local Government Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Udoh was said to have directed the humanitarian de-miners to scan the Government Primary School in Ikot Ebiyan for explosives.

A statement signed by the chief media officer of the Humanitarian Demining Team, Mr. Emeka Uhuegbu revealed that the demining equipment indicated the presence of explosives at the primary school's premises.

It pointed out that the headmistress of the school was immediately directed to evacuate the pupils to enable the deminers to detonate the bombs.

Some of the schools, where explosives were found since the de-miners came into the state, were said to have been used by the federal government troops and Biafran soldiers during the civil war that ended in 1970.
Source: Punch, 9^th March 2010.

AKWA IBOM: PDP's Worry Over Lingering Crisis
From John-Abba Ogbodo, Abuja

THE ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), given its electoral loss in the recent Anambra State governorship election to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is investing hope and trying to see what lost grounds could be recovered in 2010/2011.

But owing to the enormous challenges from the state chapters, political analysts are apprehensive over the party's ability to repeat the success recorded at the polls in the three general elections that had been conducted since the return of democracy in 1999.

Since assumption of office two years ago, the present leadership of the party has been preoccupied with resolution of crises, to improve on its performances.

The former executive led by Col. Amadi Ali (Rtd), through the influence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, created a crisis of confidence in the party, that most of the founding members left the PDP for elsewhere.

The heat generated by the duo of Obasanjo and Ali got to a level that many members of the National Working Committee (NWC) under Chief Audu Ogbeh's headship, decided to form a parallel PDP, which they named "Authentic PDP". But the faction died a few days after its formation because its headquarters turned into an abode for security operatives deployed by the Obasanjo administration. Since that episode in 2006, the PDP has had more troubling times than peaceful moments.

Before the next elections, the PDP needs to do a lot of work in Akwa Ibom where power tussle between the former governor, Obong Victor Attah and his successor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio has polarised the party structure.

Attah and former Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Akpan Udoedehen, have accused the governor of insensitivity to the plight of the people of the state. The group alleged that the governor had become a dictator in the state, without carrying stakeholders along in his administration.

Udoedehen, in particular, alleged that the governor wanted to hang criminal charges on his neck because of his ambition to contest against him in the 2011 elections.

"Having been a senator and minister, he is worried that I am going to run against him in the next election and I will... That is why they are trying to spoil my name: that I know about the activities of the militants in the state.

"I cannot and I will never be part of any negative thing in the state because we want that state to develop and become the envy of others in the country. These are diversionary tactics but we will not be discouraged in our mission to rescue Akwa Ibom." he said.

The former senator described the recent kidnapping of some prominent indigenes of the state as a sign of insecurity, which the government had failed to address.

"Like I said, 2001 is the fear and that is why they want to rubbish all those they think can fight to take power from. But the people of Akwa Ibom are watching and they know those who are capable of moving the state forward.

"We are determined to liberate our people just as the people are ready to support the cause. The government is jittery and they have every cause to do so because 2011 enables the people get the government that can deliver them," he added.

Governor Akpabio, a few days ago, used the occasion of the award given to him by ThisDay Newspapers to reply his critics whom he accused of envy. He said because he had been able to deliver, in less than three years, what the previous administration in the state could not deliver in eight years, they were calling for his head.

He said: "Government can work. I inherited a pedestrian state but I have transformed it in about two and a half years. We are working to enhance quality of life in the state and it is beginning to manifest.

"I met a civil service state - no industry - but we are going to leave an industrially viable state and we need to engage in politics and war against those things that have stalled growth and development in the state so that our children can engage in industry and commerce.

"We are waging war against marginalisation, hunger and poverty. The story of Akwa Ibom has changed and that is why some people, who never dreamt that this is (possible) are not happy. We have been able to address years of injustice and democracy is thriving in Akwa Ibom."

Akpabio said allegation of insecurity in Akwa Ibom on account of kidnapping was an attempt to politicise crime in the state. He maintained that his opponents were encouraging kidnapping in the state.

According to him: "It (kidnapping) is an attempt to politicise crime in the state. It is an attempt to see whether they could have a leeway in the next election. The former governor (Attah) is against me because he wanted to install his in-law but the will of the people of Akwa Ibom prevailed.

"Elders should become statesmen and not to give coloration to crime. I forgive them and ask God to forgive them, too, because they resort to blackmail. Politicians should remember God's benevolence."

IT would be recalled that in 2007, the general feeling in Akwa Ibom was that the Anang people should be given the chance to have a shot at the governorship of the state. And it led to the emergence of governorship aspirants such as Obong Ime Umana, Chief Don Etiebet, Obong Christopher Ekpenyong, Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika, Chief Itak Bob Ekarika and Akpabio.

Akpabio, perhaps acting his name - Godswill - became the choice of the people. However, somewhere along the line, it was gathered that Attah was disposed to allowing his son in-law, Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika, to succeed him. A sign that his relationship with Akpabio would go sour in a matter of days.

The reconstitution of the state executive of the PDP and emergence of Prince Uwem Ita Etuk as its chairman further widened the gap between Akpabio and Attah, as the Attah group called for the dissolution of the executive. Since then, there has been no love lost between the incumbent governor and his predecessor.

Some elders of the party in the state had expressed concerned over the development and called on the leadership of the PDP to intervene. Indeed, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party from Akwa Ibom State, Chief Don Etiebet, called on the PDP leadership to sanction Attah for alleged anti-party activities.

Etiebet said: "All utterances by Obong Victor Attah in public and in pre-arranged press conferences in which he succinctly and unabashedly berated the PDP of which he is a member of BoT, proved nothing else but one thing: that he has no faith in the party that got him elected twice as governor.

"He is sabotaging the efforts of the party quite openly and as such is guilty of gross misconduct against the party and should therefore be punished accordingly. "

Based on the worries by other stakeholders, the party made several efforts to resolve the crisis. The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, had to write to Attah, appealing to him to identify with the state executive and by extension, work with the Governor Akpabio for the party to consolidate in the state.

Ogbulafor said: "Recall your (Attah's) first letter dated April 16, 2008, protesting the manner the party executives were established at all levels in Akwa Ibom, and which I subsequently forwarded to the National Vice Chairman, South-South to investigate and report back to me.

"In my reply to you, I stated that the report of the Vice Chairman, South-South revealed that a credible free and fair party congresses took place in the state. As I went further to state that based on the National Vice Chairman's report, I am mandated on behalf of NWC to ask that you to drop all grievances on the concluded congresses; join hands in making Akwa Ibom a stronger and more united state."

As part of the steps to make the Akwa Ibom chapter of the party one united family, the PDP had raised a reconciliation team, and the committee reported back that the rough edges had been smoothened. The committee's report reads in part:

"As agreed at the Abuja meeting, the governor (Akpabio) apologised to the former governor (Attah) in a deep moving speech of reconciliation. Thereafter, the state chairman of PDP also led the state executive to seriously apologise to Obong victor Attah.

"The humility shown by the state executive members by prostrating before the former governor was deeply moving and impressive. Joyfully, Obong Attah accepted the apologies of both the governor and the state executive of the party. This mature gesture was truly applauded by all stakeholders.

"The committee noted the impressive progress being made by the incumbent governor in executing meaningful development projects. Governor Akpabio deserves commendation by (the) NWC for doing a good job. The future of our party in Akwa Ibom State is very bright, and our electoral destiny is secure. Akwa Ibom is truly a model PDP state

Following this report, Ogbulafor appealed to Attah to bury the hatchet. He said: "In the interest of peace, may I further appeal to you, as a major stakeholder, member BoT and a long-standing member of our great party to halt any further utterances on the party both at the state and national level that may jeopardise the good task already accomplished by the National Reconciliation Committee, hoping that this will put paid to your complaints on Akwa Ibom.

"What we owe the incumbent governor is encouragement through maintenance of peace and stability in the party structure of our state chapter."

Political observers are quick to point out that PDP's loss of Anambra State due to internal crisis within the state chapter. As such, they reason that efforts should be intensified to bring peace to the party fold in Akwa Ibom in particular and other chapters nationwide if the party wants to up its ante or retain its current level in the next general elections.
Source: The Guardian, 28^th Feb 2010.

A'Ibom commissioner urges MEND to cease fire
From Ayoyinka Olagoke. Uyo

THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and other ex-militants have been urged to be patient with the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, and be sensitive to the mood of the nation by ceasing fire.

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Samuel Efanga, made this known in Uyo during an interview with The Guardian.

He gave assurance that Jonathan would purse aggressively the post-amnesty programmes of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

His words: "MEND and other ex-militants should not go back to hostilities, this will make it appear they are not sensitive to the mood of the country. I advised them to be very patient with the new administration under the Acting President who is determined to put things right, who is also dedicated to improving the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. I believed that he will pursue aggressively the policies of President Yar'Adua who he is acting for in respect to the amnesty programme of the Federal Government. And if they go back into hostilities it will appear they are not sensitive to the mood of the nation. It is very unfortunate that the absence of Yar'Adua has stalled a lot of activities that would have gone on by now in respect of the post-amnesty programme. I sympathise with the situation of Mr. President. What remains now for us is to be patient and follow the programme of the Acting President in which I'm very sure that post amnesty is given attention. It is not good to put pressure on the Acting President."

Efanga maintained that the amnesty programme was already working and can never fail, adding that the first stage of the programme had been achieved where a lot of militants laid down their arms in respect of the President's offer.

He added that the first stage of the amnesty programme where ex-militants laid down their arms and ammunition showed true repentance by people who want to be integrated into the main society where they took to arms when previous government did not take interest in the development of the Niger Delta region.

Efanga stressed that the rule of law has been established and there is a recognition by the government of the suffering of the people and poverty that the region has suffered as a result of oil exploration.

His words: " There is a programme already that was laid down I'm sure the acting president will improve the implementation and make the issue of post amnesty and Niger Delta a priority."
Source: The Guardian, 16^th Feb. 2010.

Police Arrest Suspected Kidnap Kingpin in A'Ibom

From Ayoyinka Olagoke, Uyo

IN a major crackdown, the Akwa Ibom state police command has arrested a leader of the gang allegedly responsible for series of abduction in the state.

The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Walter Rugbere, disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing in Uyo.

Another suspect paraded was one Udeme Joseph Anisianthree who kidnapped a three month-old baby, Dominic Ozuruoke from his parents' residence in Ikot Mbang village, Ibiono Ibiom Council of Akwa Ibom State.

Also paraded was one Bassey Nse nicknamed Paw Paw, who was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Kelvin Okon Edet, father of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Speaker and Patrick Malachi Bassey, a hotel director.

Rugbere urged members of the public to always give useful information to the police, which he said would aid the arrest of criminals in their neighbourhood and make the society more peaceful.

However, the key suspect while speaking with reporters, claimed that he had surrendered three AK 47 rifles used by his gang in operation to the presidential amnesty committee.

He confessed to have been involved in six kidnap operations in the state, adding that he had turned a new leaf since he embraced the amnesty offer.

However, several exhibits, including one Honda Accord car with registration No. CB456 KSH, and a presidential amnesty identity card were recovered from the suspect.

Meanwhile, it was a moment of joy for Mrs. Ozuruoke as the police rescued her three month-old baby who was kidnapped. The baby, Dominic, was abducted by suspected kidnappers from his parents' residence.

Rugbere, who disclosed the girl's rescue to The Guardian yesterday in Uyo, said about six men dressed in riot police uniform stormed the residence of the victim's parents and abducted her with the intention of collecting ransom from the parents.

He added that his command immediately went into action following a tip-off by combing the entire village. He said that the baby was rescued and the command arrested one suspect named Udeme Anisia

Rubgere said the baby had been handed over to the parents.
Source: The Guardian, 20^th January 2010.

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