vvcwatch

Idara Jerome, Uyo The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka has given reasons for the party’s substitution of some candidates after its primaries, saying that no aspirant who did not participate in the primary process was declared a winner. He said this on Tuesday during an interview on ARISE NEWS, addressing allegations that the APC handed tickets to individuals who did not participate in the primaries. He acknowledged that some aspirants were dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries but said the party received more than 720 petitions from aspirants. He explained that the petitions were reviewed by the appeal committees, and the substitutions followed their recommendations after a further review by the National Working Committee. He added that the party carefully reviewed every petition before reaching its decision. “We received over 720 petitions from those who contested in that election. These petitions were reviewed by the appeal committees. Recommendations were made to the National Working Committee. But the National Working Committee of our party, in its wisdom, also took responsibility to review the reports of the appeal committees and to re-evaluate those cases. “And at the end of them, we made those changes that you are discussing. So these are the legitimate outcomes of our primaries,” he said. Responding to claims that the party violated the Electoral Act by substituting candidates after the primaries, Morka said the primary election was a “process” and not an “event,” explaining that “the appeal process is an integral part of the primary election process and not a separate process.” He also said the party had begun engaging dissatisfied aspirants to show them that the process was transparent and not driven by personal interests. “What we said to them is that everyone cannot be the flag bearer. Our engagements are already on to reach individuals like this, to reassure them that this is not personal. Nothing has been done that is arbitrary. Nobody has just been favoured with tickets,” he added. On claims that the APC awarded tickets to individuals who did not purchase nomination forms and never participated in the primaries, Morka said he was not aware of any such case. “I’m not aware of any such case that you are alluding to. Those who didn’t participate, who never bought forms, who were not screened, who didn’t participate in the primaries, all of a sudden had tickets. “Look, I’m not aware. If you have any such examples, please mention them and I will go back and do my own investigation,” Morka said. Speaking on claims that the APC was afraid of the outcome of the 2027 election, Morka dismissed the claim, insisting the party remained confident ahead of the 2027 election. “All the elections conducted in this country since the 2023 general elections, we have won them, including the most recent elections, which we won massively, bigly, to use the words of Donald Trump. “We are working hard to win the next election, just as we’ve won all the by-elections. The idea that we are afraid is utterly ridiculous. We are working hard to win the next election.”

Stephanie Peter, Uyo The United States has withdrawn most of its forces deployed for a joint counterterrorism operation in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin following the killing of a senior deputy leader of the Islamic State (ISIS). Despite the withdrawal, the U.S. has pledged to continue supporting Nigeria through intelligence sharing and other forms of security cooperation. This was disclosed by the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa, Gen. James B. Hecker, during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026. He highlighted the role of U.S.-Nigeria intelligence cooperation in counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh). Gen. Hecker explained that although the specific military operation has concluded and most U.S. personnel have departed Nigeria, the U.S. government remains committed to supporting the country through intelligence collaboration whenever requested by the Nigerian government. He noted that the intelligence partnership has not only strengthened security efforts in the Lake Chad Basin but has also contributed to disrupting ISIS operations beyond the region. The general described Nigeria as a capable security partner with a strong military, saying that the combination of Nigerian operational capabilities and U.S. intelligence support led to the successful operation against the ISIS deputy leader. He added that the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence cooperation rather than prolonged foreign military deployments. He also called for stronger intelligence sharing and closer security partnerships among African countries, noting that such collaboration recently helped intercept a 31-tonne shipment of cocaine originating from South America and transiting through the West African coast.

Stephanie Peter, Uyo President Bola Tinubu has approved major reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, announcing that corps members will now be posted to states based on security risk assessments rather than the existing nationwide deployment system. The reform is a response to the country’s current security challenges and is aimed at reducing the risks associated with posting corps members to unfamiliar areas with heightened security concerns. Under the new policy, corps members will no longer be posted indiscriminately to states facing serious security threats. Instead, postings will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within a state, and those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone. President Tinubu said the decision is intended to protect corps members while preserving the NYSC’s core objective of promoting national unity. According to him, the prevailing security situation in the country requires a more flexible and pragmatic deployment system. Other proposed reforms include extending the NYSC orientation course from three weeks to six weeks, replacing the military Director-General with a civilian appointee, and expanding training in entrepreneurship, leadership, civic responsibility, and job creation. The President said the reforms are designed to modernise the scheme, enhance the safety of corps members, and better prepare young graduates for life after national service. He has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act to provide the necessary legal backing for the implementation of the reforms.

Idara Jerome, Uyo The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has called on the OML 13 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) to translate the recommendations of its newly unveiled Needs Assessment Report into practical projects that will serve as a catalyst for sustainable development across its host communities in Akwa Ibom State. The Commission made the call on Friday in Uyo during the formal presentation of the comprehensive Needs Assessment Report, describing the document as an evidence-based roadmap for delivering meaningful development in the eleven host local government areas covered by the Trust. Representing the NUPRC, Adeniji Titilayo said the report marks a major milestone in implementing the Host Community provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), as it provides a credible framework for identifying and prioritizing development interventions based on the actual needs of residents. She urged the Board of Trustees and management of the Trust to ensure that the report does not remain a mere document but is translated into measurable projects capable of improving the quality of life of people in the affected communities. Titilayo stressed that transparency, accountability, continuous stakeholder engagement and effective monitoring would be critical to the successful implementation of the report’s recommendations. According to her, the objective of the PIA is to promote sustainable prosperity, social inclusion and peaceful coexistence between petroleum operators and their host communities, adding that the comprehensive assessment demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that development projects are community-driven and responsive to local realities. She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to providing regulatory oversight and support to ensure compliance with the provisions of the PIA, assuring stakeholders that the NUPRC would continue to monitor the activities of the Trust and operators to guarantee that host communities derive the intended social and economic benefits under the law. Titilayo expressed optimism that the report would strengthen community relations, accelerate development and promote sustainable growth across the OML 13 host communities while encouraging all stakeholders to sustain the collaborative spirit that produced the document. The report was jointly commissioned by NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Sumedha Energy Limited (SEL), operators of OML 13, as part of efforts to align community development investments with the actual needs and priorities of residents. Presenting the report, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the OML 13 HCDT, Barr. Ekpris Urujzian, described the document as a critical roadmap that captures the aspirations, challenges and development priorities identified by host communities and will guide sustainable interventions in the years ahead. Providing a technical overview, Engr. Festus Sunday, a member of the Trust, disclosed that the 624-page report covers eleven host local government areas and identifies priority areas including healthcare, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure, human capital development, youth empowerment, livelihood support and environmental sustainability. He explained that the report was produced through extensive consultations with community members and stakeholders to ensure that its recommendations accurately reflect the realities and aspirations of the people. Also speaking, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer of NEPL for OML 13, Auwal Ya’u, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the objectives of the Host Communities Development Trust and assured stakeholders that NEPL would meet the required timelines to facilitate the release of funds for implementing approved projects. Similarly, Community Security Manager, Susan Bassey, described the presentation of the report as the culmination of months of collaborative effort by stakeholders, expressing confidence that its implementation would usher in a new phase of sustainable development across the host communities. The needs assessment covers the eleven host local government areas of Eastern Obolo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno, Etinan, Oruk Anam, Nsit Ubium and Urue-Offong/Oruko. Among its recommendations are investments in critical infrastructure, improved healthcare and education, expanded access to clean water and sanitation, youth development and entrepreneurship, environmentally sustainable projects, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems.

Idara Jerome, Uyo Akwa Ibom State government on Thursday took Journalists on a tour to access and inspect the recently acquired fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. The assessment tour, held at Government House, Uyo, was organised following a request by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, to inspect the buses after their arrival in the state. Leading the exercise, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the government considered it important to allow independent verification of the project by the media to ensure that members of the public receive accurate information. He dismissed claims that the buses were refurbished, insisting that they were brand-new, factory-built vehicles manufactured specifically for Akwa Ibom at the Isuzu production facility in Turkey. “The buses are brand-new factory-built vehicles. We have complete documentation covering their production and factory inspection. We invited the media so the public can receive verified information instead of speculation,” Umanah said. He disclosed that Governor Umo Eno approved the acquisition of 50 CNG buses, with the first batch of 20 already delivered, while the remaining 30 are expected to arrive in July and August. According to the commissioner, the initiative goes beyond the acquisition of buses and includes the construction of a central transport terminal in Uyo, bus stations in the 31 local government areas, maintenance workshops, driver training facilities and CNG refuelling stations to support a modern mass transit system. Also speaking, Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Anthony Luke, said he personally witnessed the production and quality inspection of the buses during a visit to the Isuzu manufacturing plant in Turkey. “I witnessed the production process and quality inspections myself. These are genuine, brand-new buses manufactured specifically for Akwa Ibom State,” Luke said. Providing technical clarification, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project Limited, Mr. Alexandro Selefteriadis, explained that the buses were built from the factory to run on Cummins CNG engines and were not diesel-powered vehicles later converted to gas. He added that the transport system is designed to connect all 31 local government areas, major commercial centres and the Victor Attah International Airport through an integrated network supported by modern operational infrastructure. The journalists later inspected the buses, engaged project consultants on their specifications and procurement process, and embarked on a demonstration ride. Chairman of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, described the assessment tour as a commendable step towards transparency, saying it would enable journalists to provide accurate and balanced reports on the project.

Idongesit Mishael, Uyo Akwa Ibom State has received a $6.2 million reward from the World Bank after emerging as one of the top-performing states in Nigeria in transparency, prudent financial management and governance reforms. The performance-based grant, worth $6,206,745.42, was earned under the World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme following the state’s performance in the 2024 assessment. Governor Umo Eno announced the award on Wednesday during the July edition of the Monthly Covenant Service at Government House, Uyo, describing it as an independent endorsement of the reforms introduced by his administration to strengthen accountability and improve governance. He said the recognition was not merely about the financial reward but an indication that Akwa Ibom’s efforts to manage public resources responsibly and build stronger public institutions are being acknowledged beyond the state. “This reward confirms that transparency, accountability and prudent management of public funds remain the right path for sustainable development,” the governor said. The latest recognition comes only weeks after Akwa Ibom was ranked among Nigeria’s best-performing states in the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) Governance Performance Index, reinforcing its growing reputation for institutional reforms. Development experts say awards of this nature are significant because they are based on measurable governance indicators and often influence how development partners, investors and international financial institutions assess states seeking support or investment. Governor Eno said his administration would continue to prioritise reforms that improve public service delivery, strengthen government institutions and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He noted that the state has also recorded progress in other sectors, including transportation and aviation, with Ibom Air resuming scheduled international flights between Uyo and Accra. The governor further disclosed that the first batch of 20 of the 50 newly acquired Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses has arrived in the state as part of efforts to build a modern and affordable public transport system. He also reaffirmed plans to establish Youth Development Centres in all 31 local government areas to bring skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes closer to young people.

Stephanie Peter, Uyo President Bola Tinubu has outlined what he described as major achievements of his administration in the health sector, highlighting improvements in healthcare access, workforce development, infrastructure and key health indicators since assuming office. In a message shared on his official twitter account on Wednesday, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare, regardless of location or income level. According to him, the government has embarked on one of the country’s most comprehensive healthcare reform programmes in decades, with investments targeted at strengthening primary healthcare, expanding health insurance coverage, upgrading specialist hospitals, improving maternal and child health services, and positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing. To demonstrate the impact of the reforms, Tinubu said more than six million additional Nigerians have been enrolled in health insurance schemes, expanding access to affordable healthcare services across the country. The President also reported significant progress in immunisation, stating that over 102 million children have been vaccinated against measles, while 17.1 million girls have received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer. On healthcare manpower, he said 78,054 frontline health workers have received training, while 20,000 health professionals have been recruited into federal tertiary health institutions to strengthen service delivery. Tinubu further disclosed that the Federal Government has completed more than 503 health infrastructure projects nationwide, including the establishment of three world-class cancer centres. He added that 4,164 primary healthcare centres are undergoing revitalisation, with 3,158 already completed, while 14,283 facilities, representing about half of Nigeria’s primary healthcare centres are now functional. The Presidency also released the Nigerian Health Sector Impact Report to support the President’s claims, highlighting measurable improvements recorded under the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. According to the report, maternal mortality declined by 17 per cent in 2025 compared with 2023, while newborn mortality fell by 10 per cent over the same period. The report also indicated that the National Health Insurance Authority funded 40,000 free Caesarean section procedures between 2024 and 2026, while the Federal Government financed more than 4,000 free repairs for women living with vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF). The administration said the interventions reflect its broader strategy of expanding access to quality healthcare, reducing preventable deaths and strengthening Nigeria’s health system through sustained investment in infrastructure, personnel and essential medical services.

Idara Jerome, Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will continue to face the full weight of the law after securing the conviction of eight offenders in June for rape, attempted murder and physical assault. The state said the convictions—comprising five rape cases, two cases of physical abuse and one attempted murder—underscore its zero-tolerance policy against violence and its resolve to ensure justice for survivors. Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairperson of the Akwa Ibom State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, disclosed this during a thanksgiving service to mark the end of the 2026 Gender-Based Violence Awareness Month at the Presbyterian Church, Uyo. She said the convictions, all secured within June, demonstrate the effectiveness of the state’s strengthened response to gender-based violence through improved prosecution, collaboration among security agencies and enhanced support for survivors. “This sends a clear and unmistakable message that in Akwa Ibom State, violence will not be tolerated and justice will be pursued without compromise. It also gives survivors with pending matters hope that justice is not only possible but inevitable when we stand firm,” Obareki said. She described the conviction for attempted murder, secured on June 25, as particularly significant because it was the first GBV case recorded during the tenure of the late First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno. “That attempted murder case is deeply personal. It was the very first case recorded during the tenure of my dear mother, Her Excellency Pastor Patience Umo Eno. That it has now resulted in a conviction is not just justice served; it is a testament that the foundation she laid continues to yield results and that her passion for protecting the vulnerable lives on,” she added. Obareki said the administration of Governor Umo Eno has reinforced legal and institutional measures against gender-based violence by strengthening prosecution, expanding medical and psychosocial support services for survivors and making reporting mechanisms more accessible. According to her, greater collaboration among security agencies, the Ministry of Justice, civil society organisations and development partners has significantly improved access to justice while reinforcing public confidence in the state’s response to GBV. She also highlighted the intervention of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), saying survivors have benefited from vocational training, business grants, sewing machines and start-up kits through partnerships, including support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Obareki maintained that addressing poverty, dependency and ignorance remains essential to reducing vulnerability to abuse. “GIFA strikes directly at the root vulnerabilities that expose our people to exploitation and abuse: poverty, dependency and ignorance. When a family is stable, a woman is economically empowered and a child is protected by community structures, the oxygen is cut off from Gender-Based Violence,” she said. She called on religious bodies, community leaders, government institutions and non-governmental organisations to sustain efforts at creating safe spaces for victims to report abuse without fear, while urging young people to champion a culture of respect, accountability and non-violence. Also speaking, Secretary of the State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Barr. Emem Ette, commended more than 50 non-governmental organisations for supporting the month-long statewide awareness campaign and urged parents to remain vigilant, noting that perpetrators of abuse are often people known and trusted by their victims. The thanksgiving service was attended by members of the Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, the Coalition Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, development partners and other stakeholders involved in the month-long campaign against gender-based violence.

Idongesit Mishael, Uyo An Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced a 36-year-old woman, Uwakmfon Isaac Jonah, to life imprisonment after finding that she deliberately lured an 11-year-old girl into a bush, slashed her neck, injured one of her eyes and left her for dead. Delivering judgment in Essien Udim on Thursday, Justice Winifred Effiong ruled that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the attack was a calculated attempt to kill the child, describing the defendant’s explanation as unbelievable and unsupported by evidence. The convict was found guilty on a one-count charge of attempted murder contrary to Section 276 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022. The court heard that the victim had accompanied her mother, a pepper trader, to Urua Akpan Market on July 20, 2023, where she was hawking fresh pepper when the defendant approached her under the pretence of buying the commodity. According to the prosecution, the woman persuaded the child to accompany her to a nearby bush, claiming an elderly customer wanted to buy pepper but was unable to walk to the market. The victim, whose statement was admitted in evidence, told the court that she became suspicious when the journey became longer than expected and attempted to turn back. She said the defendant grabbed her, tied her mouth with a piece of cloth to prevent her from screaming, pulled out a knife from her bag and inflicted deep cuts on her neck and left eye before fleeing the scene. “I followed the lady because she put on a nice dress. When I said I could not continue the journey, she held me. I tried to run but fell. She tied my mouth with my cloth so I could not shout for help, brought out a knife from her bag and cut my left eye and the right side of my neck before running away,” the child told the court. The victim survived the attack, managed to return to the market and was reunited with her mother before she was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan, for treatment. During the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered the statements of both the victim and the defendant as exhibits. Although the defendant admitted taking the child from the market into the bush, she denied attacking her, insisting she handed the girl over to another woman allegedly working on a nearby waterleaf farm. Justice Effiong dismissed the defence, noting that the defendant could neither identify nor provide any details of the alleged woman. The judge held that the victim’s testimony was direct, credible and corroborated by the defendant’s own admission, the nature of the injuries sustained and the child’s immediate identification of her while receiving treatment. “The defendant lured a vulnerable child away from the safety of a public market and into a secluded bush. The child sustained a deep cut to the neck and injuries to the eye. “The neck is one of the most vital and vulnerable parts of the human body. A person who deliberately inflicts a deep cut on the neck of a helpless child must be presumed to intend the natural and probable consequences of such an act. The fact that the child survived does not negate the intention,” Justice Effiong held. The court ruled that the prosecution had established all the ingredients of attempted murder beyond reasonable doubt. Although defence counsel pleaded for leniency, Justice Effiong held that life imprisonment is the mandatory punishment prescribed under Section 276 of the Criminal Code. “This court lacks the jurisdiction to reduce the sentence prescribed by law,” the judge said before sentencing the defendant to life imprisonment.