A major political development has emerged in Akwa Ibom State as the Esit Eket Grassroots Network (EGN) has formally distanced itself from the controversial position of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), while throwing its weight behind the second term ambitions of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Umo Eno, and Okpolupm Etteh. At a well-attended stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday, April 3, 2026, the group described the EPU’s recent publication titled “Why Ekid Will Not Support Hon. Okpolupm Ikpong Etteh and Any Other Ibeno Candidate” as misleading, divisive, and unrepresentative of the collective will of the Ekid people. In a communiqué,…
Author: Admin
..urges A’Ibomites to disregard governor’s position on zoning By the Guide Newspaper The Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Aniekan Umanah has again come out to counter governor Umo Eno’s position on zoning of political offices in Akwa Ibom State. Mr. Aniekan Umanah who was responding to questions on Premium FM radio programme last Monday said: “Do not quote Govemor Umo Eno out of Context, the Govemor never said there’s no zoning in Akwa Ibom State, he only gave an advisory to aspirants to check the political temperature in their areas before buying forms.” It would…
By the Guide Newspaper A renowned socio-political group in Akwa Ibom State, Ibibio Vanguard has written an open letter to Senator Godswill Akpabio warning that if the long-established zoning arrangement in Akwa Ibom State is disrupted in 2027, the Ibibio will also end zoning in 2031. The Ibibio Vanguard made their position known in an open letter written to senate president last Monday 23rd March and made available to the Guide Newspaper. Part of the letter read: “The Ibibio Vanguard watches with sadness as we witness recent political developments in Akwa Ibom State. It is concerning that there appears to…
Key stakeholders of the Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency have adopted Rep. Okpolupm Etteh for another term in 2027, if he so desires, following a motion moved by the former member representing Esit-Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh, and seconded by the member representing ONNA State Constituency, Hon. Sunday Johnny. The adoption came on the heels of a stakeholders’ briefing organized by Rep. Okpolupm Etteh on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Basement Hall of Villa Marina Hotel, Eket, where he updated constituents on his legislative activities and constituency development efforts since assuming office in 2023. Setting the tone for the event,…
By Iniobong Sam Today across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), financial inclusion is a basic driver of economic growth. While significant progress has been made in expanding access to basic financial services, still, recent statistics from World Bank reveal that 1.4 billion adults globally remain unbanked. This means a large portion of the global population still lacks access to banking services, digital payments, and credit which are key enablers of economic participation. According to experts, by expanding financial access, inclusion provides economic stability, enhances financial independence for individuals, communities and supports women’s empowerment. In Nigeria, the challenge for financial inclusion presents an…
• rejects IbomAir Barely two years after Governor Umo Eno openly declared his intention to commercialize Governor’s aircraft with a promise to use IbomAir, Akwa Ibom people have come out to accuse him of lying to them. The aircraft was bought in 2012 by the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio for about $50 million (this included cost of the aircraft plus avionics and other installations). Akpabio had said he needed the aircraft for ease of movement in and out of the state. Governor Akpabio used the aircraft for three years; his successor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel used it for eight years,…
The Member representing Eket/ONNA/Esit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Okpolupm Etteh, has put modalities in place to commenced a free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)/Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration exercise for prospective candidates across the federal constituency. The exercise, according to the Head of the Federal Constituency Liaison Office, Mr. Samuel Ukwat, is part of Rep. Etteh’s ongoing efforts to promote access to education and ease the financial burden on parents and guardians within the federal constituency. Mr. Ukwat further said the free registration exercise is scheduled to run from January 23 to February…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, arraigned Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. They were arraigned on a ten-count charge bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds and alleged terrorism financing contrary to Section 2(1) and Section 19(1) (d) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.” Prosecution Counsel, Samuel Chime informed the court that the matter was for arraignment, praying that the charge be read to…
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and ex-Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has sharply criticised attempts to frame Nigeria’s escalating insecurity as a religious conflict, insisting that bandits terrorising communities are “pure criminals” rather than religious militants. Speaking with reporters in Sokoto, Tambuwal said the violence unfolding across northern and north-western states affects Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds and bears no religious motivation. He emphasised that those carrying out kidnappings, killings and raids do so for criminal gains and lawlessness, not ideology or faith. “These marauders do not represent any religion,” Tambuwal said, pointing to…
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to work towards a more peaceful and equitable country in 2026, declaring that banditry will be defeated in the new year and beyond. He also enjoined Nigerians to set aside their differences, embrace peace and foster unity among their families, States and Nigeria as a whole. He said the nation can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace. He made this call during a prayer and fasting service organized in honor of the Akpabio family at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Ukana Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local…