No fewer than 20,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have dumped the broom and taken shelter under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party in the state.

Led by the Director General of the APC State Campaign Organization, Chief Sunny Udom, the APC members condemned what they called the precarious condition into which their party has plunged the country, and vowed to work hard to return PDP to the Aso Presdiential Villa in Abuja in 2019.

At a reception in honour of the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and wife Martha, organised by youths of the old Abak division comprising five local government areas, Chief Udom said that APC’s house was not in order and as such the party stood no chance in the next elections in the state.

“I brought these people, I came from APC; APC does not have a candidate, I was the Director General of their Campaigns and I know that their house is not in order,” he said at the event, yesterday.

Chief Udom maintained that, they were deceived into APC because of the change mantra of the party and insisted that the change they brought was retrogressive.

“We heard about change but the change turned out to be from frying pan to fire. At least let us come back to the frying pan, the umbrella is a very good symbol,” he said.

He revealed that he and his people were under obligation to support the governor who is married to a daughter of the Old Abak division, maintaining that the Governor has served the state well.

Among those who surrendered their brooms to be received back into the party were former chairman of Abak local government area, Arc. Okon Obot, who spoke on behalf of other decampees; former House of Representatives member, Chief Nkereuwem Dan; other former local government chairmen; and ward coordinators of APC.

Speaking at the occasion, the leader of the youths, Prince Akpan Ikim, spoke of their resolve to deliver their 200,000 votes for the Governor’s re-election, saying that his youth-friendly policies and programmes have met their expectations.

Prince Ikim said the youths had always craved for a leader with passion to build industries and create job opportunities for them, adding that Governor Emmanuel has not disappointed them.

Speaking, Governor Emmanuel appreciated the people of Old Abak Division for the honour and endorsement of his candidature.

He promised to continue his industrial drive in the state, through the provision of critical infrastructure to in the state.

Chairman on the occasion and National Legal Adviser of PDP, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, said that his people in Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Oruk Anam and Ukanafun have all agreed that the Governor was the best for the state and was fulfilling his campaign promises.

Enoidem said for peace and unity to be upheld, then Mr Emmanuel has to complete his second term for Eket Senatorial District. He also announced that his people have also declared their support for the second term of Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Messages of goodwill from Senator Akpabio and Mrs Ekemini Umoh, among others, were also received at the ceremony, which also feature symbolic presentations to the first family.

•Part of the crowd at Friday’s reception for Governor Udom Emmanuel by youths of the old Abak Division
[3:31 PM, 3/24/2018] Media at Award: Committee Submits Report on underage voting

The Committee set up by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the allegations of underage voting during council elections in Kano has submitted its report.

The committee, according to a statement issued by INEC Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, submitted it report to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Friday.

It quoted Mr Ahmed Nahuche, Chairman of the committee as saying that diligent and wide consultations with stakeholders were made by the committee.

The committee was inaugurated by INEC in February 2018, to investigate the allegation of underage voting which was maliciously linked to the Voters’ Register in Kano.

Nahuche said that in carrying out the assignment, the committee consulted with critical stakeholders through visitations and interactive sessions.

“The stakeholders’ interactive sessions included civil society organisations, political parties, print and electronic media organisations as well as security agencies.

“The committee in the course of consultation and interactive sessions received a number of pictures, video clips, reports, documents and presentations from the stakeholders`.

“It immediately embarked on thorough review and analysis of these materials in order to ascertain the actual connection with KASIEC LGA elections.

“The committee also examined the social media reports of pictures and video clips that triggered the outrage and the alleged participation of underage persons in the KASIEC LGA elections as a key area of focus for the investigation.

“The pictures and video clips were thoroughly analysed by the committee,” he added.

Nahuche advised that the State Independent Electoral Commission’s (SIECs) and Political Parties be encouraged to work towards improving electoral logistics to enhance the credibility of their respective processes and procedures.

He urged political parties to observe best practices for the sustenance of democracy.

Receiving the Report, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, commended the Committee for discharging the assignment diligently.

Yakubu reiterated that the Commission was committed to ensuring that the voter register was purged of ineligible persons.

“The credibility of the voter register is very important to the Commission; (and) that the outcome of the investigation, in the interest of transparency would be shared with the general public”. (NAN)