Author: Kufre Etuk

By Itoro Bassey When people hear that the Akwa Ibom State Government is owing arrears of pension and gratuity, the reaction is always quite predictable. They are quick to censure the government and accuse the Governor of insensitivity and neglect. What gets to their mind first is: ‘oh, the Governor has not given money for payment’. The fact is that most of the arrears pre-date Governor Udom Emmanuel. However, his administration has made the most effort to permanently address the systemic challenges that caused the pile up of arrears. One of the main causes of the huge pension arrears which…

Dr. Dorathy Thompson, Chairman Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM) has urged Akwa Ibom people to come out enmasse to elect leaders of their choice on Saturday 18. Speaking with newsmen at EARCOM office in Uyo, Dr. Thompson described Akwa Ibom as a peaceful state, and called on all residents to turn out to vote for candidates of their choice. “let’s us engage in our civil responsibility of choosing who to lead us, that will continue with the giant strides and progress so far made in Akwa Ibom State. The greater and better future of Akwa Ibom State is in…

Stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State have passed vote of no confidence on Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC Mr. Cyril Omoregbe. A group under the aegis of Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, last week condemned the Akwa Ibom REC for working in isolation and refusing to grant audience to stakeholders when it was critical to do so. https://crestnews.ng/national-assembly-member-did-not-destroy-water-facilities-ekerette-umanah/ Speaking after a recent meeting, a member of the organization, Mr. Franklin Isong, said it was disrespectful of the INEC boss to behave in reckless defiance to the expectations of the public without any token of apologies. In a…

By Sampson Enyongekere I’m not one who habitually smiles as a gesture or attitude, though an intermittent smile and laughter is recommended by phycologists as contributing greatly to one’s spiritual, physical and mental health. But I was, however, consciously moved to profuse smiles upon smiles, throughout yesterday, on sighting online, a steady stream of flyers with different photographs of members of the Akwa Ibom electorates, predominantly young people, who have made a vow to vote in the March 11 Guber and State Assembly Elections for the PDP, basically because of one man. On further cerebration, l thought to myself, this…

By Abasiofiok Inyang As against the recent media report that the National Assembly member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Aniekan Umanah destroyed the constituency water project he constructed for constituents, following the outcome of February 25 presidential and national assembly election, The Crest could authoritatively report that such destruction never take place. Our correspondent and other journalists in the State who were conducted round the water facilities located at Urua Inyang Ika, Ika Local Government Area, Edem Anwa, Afaha Obong, and Mkpokporo street, Abak community, Abak Local Government Area respectively, report that the solar powered water facilities are all…

By Benjamin Jimmy Youthfor Change Initiative, YOFCI, a non-governmental organization, has called for partnership with relevant stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State to avert any perceived electoral violence that may disrupt March 18 governorship and house of assembly election. Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday at Uranus House, Uyo, at the end of a-one day Multi-Stakeholders’ Forum, the Executive Director, Youth for Change Initiative, Amb. Peace Edem, said the briefing was to sensitize the media and the public on the Election Violence Prevention and Mitigation (e-VIP) project being implemented in eight local government areas of the state. Amb. Edem said…

By SUNDAY FRANK Ahead of March 18th governorship election, Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly ACA, has endorsed Obong Bassey Albert Akpan OBA of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. The endorsement come yesterday during the group state prayer held at Destiny International Missions, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo. The group in an announcement publicly asked its members to vote for YPP come March 18th, governorship election. Speaking before the endorsement, the President General of the group, ACA, Archbishops Cletus Bassey wondered if it is the time to collect money from politicians and sell out conscience…

Against the backdrop of recent declaration of support by Peter Obi support groups to some Governorship candidates of other parties, and insinuation that the Labour Party does not have gubernatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Uduakobong Peter Udoh, the governorship candidate of LP has once again declared that he is still in the race for the Hilltop mansion. Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, the governorship candidate said based on his track record, integrity he cannot be cajoled to betray his teeming supporters. He described the support groups aligning with other party candidates as handful of people whose action…

A stalwart of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Essien Udim Local Government Area, Engr. (Dr) Wisdom Patrick Enang, says that the governorship Candidate of the party, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, will win the March 11 Governorship Election in the State convincingly. https://crestnews.ng/aibom-people-have-lost-trust-in-inec-okon/ Dr. Wisdom Enang expressed the confidence and optimism on Sunday, February 26, while reacting to the outcome of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections across the Nation. The renowned and highly resourceful Oil and Gas Consultant, who described Pastor Umo Eno as a man of principles, character, competence, capacity, vision and compassion, urged Akwa Ibom people to…

Captain Augustine Okon, the Director-General , Peter Obi Campaign Council in Akwa Ibom State has said the people of the state have lost trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, adding that the commission lacks credibility to conduct free and fair election. Captain Okon based his accusation on what he described as brazen connivance between the INEC and the agents of the PDP, who he said intimidated, bullied , maimed and forcefully abducted adhoc staff of INEC and ended up presenting results outside people’s wish during the 25th March election. Addressing newsmen in Uyo last week Friday, Augustine Okon…