vvcwatch

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its primaries in Akwa Ibom State with the emergence of a list of returning political figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Aniekan Bassey and Senator Ekong Sampson. Our correspondent reports that the exercise was largely characterised by consensus arrangements and peaceful voting , what the party described as early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections. In the Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, secured the party’s ticket as the consensus candidate, recording a landslide victory across all 10 Local Government Areas . Official results from the APC primaries show he polled a total of 121,425 votes to clinch the nomination, setting the stage for his re-election bid in the general elections . Similarly, in the Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Aniekan Bassey emerged as the consensus candidate, while incumbent Senator Ekong Sampson won the ticket for the Akwa Ibom South (Eket) senatorial district unopposed . The House of Representatives primaries across the state were characterized by peaceful conduct and the emergence of several incumbent lawmakers. In the Uyo Federal Constituency, Hon. Mark Esset was declared the winner after emerging unopposed, polling all delegate votes at the QIC Group School in Oku . Other incumbent representatives who successfully secured their party’s return tickets include Paul Ekpo for Etinan, Uduak Odudoh for Ikot Abasi, and Clement Jimbo for Abak . It was observed that the “Option A4” voting system was utilized successfully, Recall that Governor Umo Eno had repeatedly urged party members to conduct themselves with restraint and maturity, maintaining throughout the consultation process that political ambition should not undermine peace and stability in the state. He also stressed that internal democracy must strengthen rather than divide the party. Speaking with journalists before voting at her ward centre, Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi attributed the peaceful atmosphere to Governor Eno’s inclusive leadership and political approach, which she said had transformed Akwa Ibom into “one formidable movement.” She commended leaders and stakeholders in Oron Federal Constituency for their support and noted that with Sampson emerging as sole candidate in the Akwa Ibom South senatorial primary, members responded with overwhelming affirmation across the constituency. Maintaining confidence in the party’s grassroots strength, the Deputy Governor declared that Oron Federal Constituency, comprising five local government areas, remains firmly aligned with APC and expressed optimism that the party would record victories across elective positions in 2027.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apologised over the controversial altercation involving its operatives and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), a development that has led to the suspension of the industrial action earlier declared by health sector unions in Akwa Ibom State. The apology was tendered during a joint stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Akwa Ibom State Government at the Old EXCO Chambers, Government House, Uyo, following rising tension in the state’s health sector over the incident. The meeting, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, was held on the directive of Governor Umo Eno and had in attendance representatives of the EFCC, UUTH management, security agencies, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), among other stakeholders. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and made available to journalists in Uyo on Monday, stakeholders described the incident as “unfortunate and entirely avoidable,” while condemning the altercation in its entirety. Representatives of the EFCC expressed regret over the incident and apologised to the Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey – the assaulted medical professional, Prof. Eyo Ekpe; Chairman of JOHESU, Mr Akanubong Asuquo; Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Aniekan Peter; as well as members of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives over the conduct of some operatives during the operation at the hospital. The anti-graft agency further assured stakeholders that a formal apology would also be issued by its headquarters and pledged that such an incident would not recur. The crisis had sparked concern within the health sector after EFCC operatives reportedly stormed the hospital in an operation health workers described as disruptive and capable of endangering patients and medical personnel, triggering industrial action by healthcare unions. As part of the resolutions reached at the peace meeting, the EFCC and management of UUTH are to establish proper communication channels to ensure professional handling of any ongoing or future investigations involving the institution. Stakeholders also advised security and law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and observe due process in matters involving healthcare facilities in order not to disrupt critical medical services. The meeting reaffirmed the sanctity of hospitals and stressed that the safety of patients, healthcare workers and visitors must be protected at all times. Participants acknowledged the role of the EFCC in combating corruption and strengthening public institutions, while urging the Commission to sustain professionalism and accountability in the discharge of its responsibilities. The stakeholders equally resolved that government should participate actively in identifying those behind the alleged fake medical report linked to the matter and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted. The Akwa Ibom State Government commended the Chairman of the EFCC for ordering an investigation into the incident, as well as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for constituting a panel of inquiry. According to the communiqué, the state government pledged full participation in both investigations to strengthen institutional processes and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. Meanwhile, the health unions expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his swift intervention and continued support for the healthcare sector, particularly in the area of workers’ welfare and improved allowances for medical personnel. The meeting also resolved that all parties should refrain from media exchanges capable of escalating tensions or undermining ongoing engagements. A liaison committee comprising representatives of the state government, UUTH management, the EFCC and health sector unions is expected to monitor the implementation of the resolutions reached. The meeting ended with stakeholders expressing commitment to peaceful engagement, mutual respect and sustained collaboration towards protecting healthcare delivery and public confidence in public institutions.

For Awele Ideal, standing among global leaders and advocates at the United Nations Headquarters in New York was not just another professional achievement. It was the triumph of a woman who says she was abandoned as a baby, suffered abuse while growing up, and turned her pain into a lifelong mission to defend vulnerable women and children. Speaking during the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), Awele delivered a passionate call for justice, inclusion, and stronger protection for women and girls across the world. “I was abandoned by my mom at seven months, and my stepmother who raised me maltreated me badly. That was what challenged me into becoming a lawyer because I wanted to help oppressed people, especially children. I vowed to become the voice of the voiceless,” she revealed. The conference, held earlier this week at the United Nations Headquarters, brought together policymakers, legal professionals, gender advocates, and civil society leaders to address issues surrounding justice, gender equality, women’s participation in leadership, and the elimination of discriminatory laws and practices. Throughout the engagements, discussions focused on how weak legal systems, exclusion, and structural inequality continue to expose millions of women and girls to violence and marginalization. Awele, while addressing participants, lamented the continued exclusion of women from critical decision-making spaces despite years of global conversations around equality. “Many girls and women are kept out of the rooms where decision making happens. For how long should this continue? Justice delayed is justice denied and justice denied is justice stolen,” she said. She further stressed that beyond representation, women must be given real opportunities to contribute meaningfully to policies and decisions affecting their future. “At the United Nations CSW70, we advocate that the voices of women and girls must be heard in order to drive meaningful changes. We must support the voices of those who are able to show up and with our voices, amplify the voices of those who are prevented from participation,” she added. Awele also spoke openly about the personal and professional battles she has faced while building her legal career. According to her, balancing motherhood with the demands of a male-dominated profession and confronting social stereotypes associated with divorced women were among the toughest realities she had to overcome. “Being a woman in a male dominated profession, being a mother while maintaining my professional career, and dealing with stereotypes of being a divorcee are some of the challenges I have faced,” she stated. Despite the obstacles, she described her biggest accomplishment as raising her children intentionally while building a respected legal and advocacy voice. “My greatest accomplishment is being an intentional mom and being a lawyer whose voice is heard loud and clear,” she said. Delegates at the conference repeatedly emphasized that rights without access to justice leave many women vulnerable, calling for stronger institutions, inclusive policies, and practical reforms capable of protecting women and girls globally. As the conference continues to shape international conversations around gender justice, Awele maintained that women must never surrender their dreams because of difficult circumstances or societal limitations. “Your life is what you make of it. You are enough. If you set your mind towards achieving a goal then nobody can stop you except you,” she said.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, struggled to hold back tears on Wednesday as he narrated how Tuesday’s violent confrontation between operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and hospital staff exposed critically ill patients to avoidable deaths and paralysed services at the federal health institution. Visibly emotional during an emergency press conference in Uyo, Prof. Bassey warned that the chaos triggered by the armed operation had endangered patients in intensive care units, emergency wards and neonatal sections after terrified doctors and nurses abandoned their duty posts for safety. The CMD disclosed that the disruption had practically grounded activities at the hospital, leaving vulnerable patients stranded and critical medical services severely affected. “We are appealing to our colleagues and unions to consider the human lives involved. Patients are suffering. Newborn babies and critically ill persons are at risk. Whatever grievances we have, human life must come first,” Bassey pleaded. He assured that management was making frantic efforts alongside senior medical personnel to stabilise critical units and ensure that patients still receiving treatment were not abandoned. Our correspondent reports that tension erupted at the tertiary hospital on Tuesday when EFCC operatives stormed the facility in an attempt to arrest Prof. Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, over issues relating to the authentication of an alleged fake medical report linked to an ongoing investigation. What initially appeared to be a routine official operation reportedly degenerated into confusion after the operatives allegedly attempted to forcefully remove the doctor from his office, provoking resistance from medical workers and hospital staff. Eyewitnesses alleged that armed operatives subsequently fired tear gas canisters and gunshots into the air within the hospital premises, creating panic among patients, visitors and workers. Meanwhile, an aggrieved relative of a patient who spoke with our correspondent at the Accident and Emergency Unit lamented that a young man believed to be in his mid-20s died shortly after the invasion because medical personnel who should have attended to him allegedly fled for safety during the commotion. The CMD, while recounting the sequence of events, explained that the EFCC had earlier requested the hospital to verify the authenticity of a medical report purportedly issued on behalf of a suspect under investigation. According to him, internal checks later revealed that the document was fake and not officially issued by the hospital. “Some actors working in concert with lawyers or whoever for the suspect had opened a folder with no official footing and written a fake medical report on it,” he alleged. Prof. Bassey stated that Prof. Ekpe was only assigned the responsibility of authenticating the report before the confrontation unfolded. Narrating his ordeal, Prof. Ekpe accused the operatives of humiliating and assaulting him publicly despite interventions by colleagues. “He started pushing me and dragged me out of the office into the walkway. I started crying because I could not understand the level of force being used,” he recounted. Condemning the operation, Prof. Bassey insisted that the hospital management was never formally contacted before the attempted arrest. “All they needed to do was place a phone call to me. This issue did not have to degenerate into violence and fear inside a hospital,” he said. Describing hospitals as sacred environments, the CMD stressed that armed operations within healthcare facilities posed grave dangers to innocent patients. “A hospital is a hallowed ground, comparable only to a place of worship. You do not invade such a place with chaos and intimidation,” he added. He further disclosed that many departments had been temporarily paralysed following the incident, with traumatised staff unwilling to return to work immediately. “Right now, because of the unforeseen circumstances, services have been severely disrupted. We are practically shut down, and we pray this situation is resolved urgently,” he lamented. Prof. Bassey also revealed that he personally visited the EFCC office in Uyo and volunteered himself for questioning in a bid to secure the release of detained hospital personnel. Despite condemning the conduct of the operatives involved, he maintained that the EFCC remained a critical institution in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight. “Without the EFCC, many Nigerians would not even feel safe keeping money in banks. We should not rubbish an institution because of the actions of a few officers,” he noted. Defending the response of the police during the standoff, the CMD disclosed that the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police remained in communication with hospital authorities throughout the incident after he initially suspected that the armed men who invaded the premises were kidnappers. Prof. Bassey appealed to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant authorities to urgently intervene and establish clear operational protocols for security agencies conducting activities within medical facilities. “What is the cost of one human life? Is it worth putting innocent patients at risk?” he asked.

Healthcare delivery across Akwa Ibom State was brought to a standstill on Tuesday following an indefinite strike declared by the Nigerian Medical Association in response to a confrontation involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. The development has created a tense atmosphere within the health sector, with patients and residents left uncertain as the EFCC, medical professionals, and the Nigeria Police Force present differing accounts of what transpired inside the hospital premises. In a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual congress on Tuesday, the NMA accused EFCC operatives of storming the hospital and allegedly assaulting Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of UUTH. The association alleged that the senior doctor was beaten, handcuffed, and taken away alongside other medical personnel who reportedly attempted to intervene during the incident. “That Professor Eyo Ekpe was apprehended within the premises of UUTH by masked EFCC operatives who physically assaulted him, beat him severely to the point of bleeding and forcefully took him into custody,” the communiqué stated. The NMA further alleged that gunshots were fired within the hospital environment, while some individuals who attempted to record the incident reportedly had their phones confiscated. It also claimed that its state chairman, Professor Aniekan Imo Peter, was shoved and exposed to teargas while attempting to seek clarification from the operatives at the scene. Following the incident, the association announced an immediate and indefinite withdrawal of medical services across Akwa Ibom State, demanding the release of all detained doctors and hospital staff. The NMA also called for a public apology from the EFCC and threatened legal action, including a N1 billion damages claim, over what it described as physical, emotional, and professional harm to its members. However, the EFCC strongly denied the allegations, stating that its operatives were at the hospital strictly to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect standing trial for alleged fraud involving several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank. The Commission explained that it had earlier written to the hospital management on two occasions seeking authentication of the document but received no response. According to the EFCC, the situation escalated when the hospital allegedly shut its gates against its operatives, while some staff were said to have attacked officials with stones and other objects during the standoff. Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command distanced itself from the operation, stating that officers were only deployed after receiving a distress call from the hospital management over the presence of unidentified armed individuals within the premises. The Command maintained that its role was strictly to prevent a breakdown of law and order, not to participate in the operation or any alleged assault.

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Monday night threw his weight behind the second term bid of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, while rallying political stakeholders in the state to deliver overwhelming support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Akpabio gave the assurance in Uyo when Governor Eno led a high-powered delegation on a formal consultation visit ahead of the governor’s planned re-election bid, in a political gathering that underscored growing unity and collaboration among leaders of the state. The Senate President, who described Governor Eno as “humility personified,” commended him for sustaining peace and promoting inclusiveness across political lines in Akwa Ibom State. “Governor Umo Eno remains the same humble man I knew from his days in the hospitality business. He has united the state and sustained peace across political lines,” Akpabio stated. He urged political leaders and stakeholders in the state to close ranks and work collectively towards ensuring the re-election of President Tinubu, stressing that Akwa Ibom stood to gain more through closer cooperation with the Federal Government. Akpabio also assured the governor of his support, expressing confidence that Eno would secure victory in the 2027 governorship election. Earlier, Governor Eno said the visit was aimed at formally consulting the Senate President and appreciating him for his continued support and commitment to the progress of Akwa Ibom State. “We came to appreciate you and thank you for accepting us and for protecting the interest of Akwa Ibom State. We thought it wise to come home and consult you officially and we undertake this journey,” the governor said. Governor Eno stressed the need for unity among political leaders in the state, noting that peace and cooperation remained critical to sustainable development and effective governance. He assured Akpabio that Akwa Ibom people would fully support President Tinubu’s second term bid, while also backing the Senate President’s return to the National Assembly leadership in 2027. Director-General of Campaigns, Chief Assam Assam (SAN), described Governor Eno as a compassionate and hardworking leader committed to service, while praising Akpabio for his leadership and representation at the national level. Former senators Effiong Bob and Emmanuel Ibok Essien, alongside other stakeholders who spoke at the meeting, commended the growing political harmony between Governor Eno and Senator Akpabio, describing it as a positive development capable of strengthening peace, stability and development in Akwa Ibom State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of veteran lawmaker and former presidential aide Ita Solomon Enang as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Germany. The appointment, announced on Thursday through Enang’s media aide, Uduakabasi Ikpatt, is expected to see the former senator assume duties at the Nigerian Embassy in Berlin in the coming weeks, pending formal diplomatic procedures. Ikpatt described the posting as part of President Tinubu’s broader effort to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy toward investment-driven diplomacy, particularly in energy transition, trade expansion, and technical cooperation. The statement noted that Germany has remained one of Nigeria’s most significant European partners, with sustained collaboration in renewable energy, vocational training, industrial development, and governance support, much of it facilitated through the German Agency for International Cooperation. Enang, 63, brings decades of legislative and executive experience to the role, having served three terms in the House of Representatives and later representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly. Between 2020 and 2023, he served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, where he played a key liaison role between the Presidency and stakeholders in the region. In his new assignment, Enang is expected to promote trade and investment opportunities, strengthen consular protection for Nigerians in Germany, and advance cooperation in education, technology, and climate initiatives. Nigeria and Germany have maintained diplomatic relations since 1960, with Berlin consistently supporting development projects across Nigeria through grants, technical assistance, and institutional partnerships. As Nigeria’s new envoy, Enang will also engage with key German institutions, including the Bundestag, to deepen legislative and economic collaboration in support of Nigeria’s reform and industrialisation agenda. He is expected to formally present his letters of credence to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier upon arrival in Berlin, after which he will officially commence diplomatic duties.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said the attainment of international status by the Victor Attah International Airport, VAIA, will not only benefit Akwa Ibom State, but Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea region. In a world pess briefing upon his return from the maiden international flight to the airport from Accra, Ghana, the Governor said the feat will help to stimulate other sectors of the economy. “We cannot succeed in tourism if we don’t have a functional airport whether internationally or locally. Now, we have gone international, and through Akwa Ibom, we can travel to other countries in the sub region without having to go out of Nigeria to overfly Nigeria to get to countries in the sub-region as obtained before. That is one of the things the international flight has stopped immediately. “Akwa Ibom will become another Kigali, with the international conference centre that is the best in the country yet; people will begin to have international conferences in Uyo,” he added. He expressed hope that the benefit for the Gulf of Guinea will be enormous, adding that the State was also planing to add the Cargo Terminal, a trading route, that will also enhance the capacity. Governor Eno announced the creation of a Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development, and also appointed the Managing Director of the Ibom Airport Development Company Limited, Engr Uwem Ekanem to oversee the affairs of the ministry, pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner. He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting approval for the airport’s designation as an international facility, and also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, for his dedication and strategic support, particularly in coordinating aviation stakeholders and ensuring regulatory compliance leading to the successful take-off of international operations. Tracing the evolution of the airport, Governor Eno paid glowing tribute to past leaders, Obong Victor Attah, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr Udom Emmanuel for their respective contributions to the current status of the airport. He described leadership as a relay race, with successive administrations building on each other’s efforts to achieve the milestone. The Governor further announced that Ibom Air is set to expand its fleet to ten aircraft with the expected arrival of an additional Airbus in June, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to training indigenous pilots, engineers, and personnel to meet the airport’s specific demands. He said so far, the State has sponsored the training of 20 pilots in Paris, including the co-pilot who manned the return flight from Accra, 20 engineers currently working in the airport, with another 10 cadet pilots in training in Ethiopia, as well as three pilots and one engineer in the Aviation school in Zaria. The Governor said beyond pilots and engineers, the State was going to train others in airport handling, facility management for cleaning of the airport, and general maintenance. Governor Eno revealed that no fewer than ten critical projects are being constructed and completed within the aviation ecosystem, including a second runway, apron expansion, aviation village, perimeter fencing, hospital, and modern security surveillance systems. He clarified that the maiden international flight was not merely ceremonial but a validation and activation of the airport’s international certification, adding that scheduled international operations will commence after completion of necessary regulatory procedures. For sustainability of Ibom Air, Governor Eno said the State was planning on diversification, adding that in the nearest possible future, Ibom Air will be listed in the Stock Exchange Market for privatisation. He noted that in few years, when all the dots are connected, with the international conference center, ARISE Palm Resort, the Mary Slessor House, the Lord Lugard Amalgamation House, the Bridge of no return, the International Market and others comes alive, the State will be fully ready to receive the world. Governor Eno expressed appreciation to stakeholders in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, as well as the broader aviation community, noting that the milestone represents a shared accomplishment and a significant turning point in the state’s history.