…as glowing tributes trail late A’Ibom First Lady
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Governments of Akwa Ibom and Abia States have forged a collaboration in the area of road infrastructure towards ensuring that roads linking the two neighbouring states are in top shape, while promoting existing economic ties between their people.
The understanding was reached during a condolence visit by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Governor Umo Eno, at Government House, Uyo, following the demise of the First Lady, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno.
Governor Umo Eno, expressed the appreciation of his immediate family and the entire Akwa Ibom people for the condolence and support bestowed on them in their season of grief, especially by personally making the visit despite logistics challenges, adding that the kindness received has been a source of strength.
According to Governor Eno, the departed First Lady in her short but impactful lifetime, had left legacies that she will eternally be remembered for.
He noted that the choice of his first daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, who was her closest assistant while alive, to coordinate activities of the First Lady’s office, is a step to ensuring that all her lofty visions are sustained.
“We want to thank you first of all Sir, for not just the visit, but all the calls and encouragement. As I said to people, the lose of my wife is a lifetime lose. We courted for two years, and we have been married for 38 years. So forty years is not something one can easily forget. It is like half of me is gone, but she was an accomplished woman. She made her impact, joined me to pastor our Ministry and did excellently well in managing the women and building homes,” he maintained.
Corroborating the position of the Abia State Governor on the need to ensure the roads linking Akwa Ibom State to one of Eastern Nigeria’s economic hub, Aba in Abia State, Governor Eno assured of his readiness to partner with the Abia State Government in their appeal on the Federal government to expedite action on the intervention on the Ikot Ekpene-Aba Road, remedy defective portion of the Ini-Arochukwu Road and initiate other actions to ensure accessibility of economic- viable roads linking the two states.
“…for the road you have talked about, if there are other roads that we can as two states collaborate to work on, we are prepared to do that. We can look at the road and see how we can partner to do it because at the end of the day, it is our people that will use the road.
“Aba remains a very strong regional commercial centre for all of us. I will see whatever we can do to ensure that our people have that smooth passage to and from Aba,” Governor Eno stated.
The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, speaking earlier, expressed the condolences of the government and people of Abia State to Governor Eno, his immediate family and people of Akwa Ibom State for the loss of the First Lady.
He affirmed that the far-reaching acclamation of her impactful life speaks volumes and her demise a grievous loss, and prayed God’s comfort for the bereaved family and rest for the departed.
Governor Otti acknowledged the visible dividends of good governance in Akwa Ibom State and encouraged Governor Eno to continue his people-oriented projects and programmes in the State, assuring of the support of Abia, being Akwa Ibom’s closest neighbour to get the roads linking the two states fixed, for the socio-economic interest of citizens across the two states.
Media Unit
Government House, Uyo
27/10/24
He spoke to a crowd in Akwa Ibom State, emphasising the importance of voter participation and electoral accountability.
Former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has issued a warning that electoral officials who fail to count votes in the 2027 elections will face consequences.
He spoke to a crowd in Akwa Ibom State, emphasizing the importance of voter participation and electoral accountability.
“In the upcoming election in 2027, anybody who refuses to count our vote, we will count the person join. Anybody who refused to count our votes in 2027, we will count him.”
The event concluded with calls for citizens and political actors to support a credible and peaceful electoral process in 2027.
Obi left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after disagreements over the party’s nomination process ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
He subsequently joined the Labour Party and contested the 2023 presidential election under its platform.
His campaign drew widespread attention across Nigeria, especially among young voters, and was noted for its emphasis on transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Observers said Obi’s experience in the 2023 election has shaped his continued focus on electoral integrity and the proper counting of votes ahead of 2027.
In December 2025, Obi formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling his continued involvement in national politics and his commitment to participating in future elections under a new party platform.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the date of the general election in 2003 after Christians protested over a clash with Easter.
INEC had initially fixed April 19, 2003, for the governorship and state house of assembly elections.
The date, however, coincided with Holy Saturday, a day preceding Easter Sunday, a significant event on the Christian calendar.
In a statement at the time, the conference said the decision demonstrated insensitivity to the religious commitments of a large segment of the population.
The bishops implored INEC to move the election in the spirit of inclusiveness and national harmony.
The protest sparked public debate over the need to balance electoral timelines with religious observances.
Following consultations and mounting pressure, INEC announced a shift in the election date.
The commission subsequently moved the governorship and state assembly elections to a new date in the same month.
Atiku, others kick against 2027 general election dates
A similar debate has been ignited after the electoral umpire announced dates for the 2027 general election.
Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, on Friday announced dates for the presidential and national assembly elections during a news conference in Abuja.
“By virtue of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), tenure of the president, vice-president, governors and deputy governors of states of the federation (except Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun states) will expire on the 28th day of May, 2027 while membership of the national and state assemblies will stand dissolved on the 8th day of June, 2027,” he said.
Outrage trailed the announcement on social media following reports that the dates fall within the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
They said that the physical challenges of fasting could affect how many people vote, and might also slow down the work of people watching the elections and those in charge of running them.
He asked the commission to think again about the February 20, 2027 date, because he was worried it would clash with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
On Friday, through his official X account, Atiku mentioned that the suggested date is “right in the middle of the Ramadan period (February 7 to March 8, 2027), a special time for fasting, thinking, and spiritual practice for many Nigerian Muslims.”
Bashir Ahmad, who used to work closely with late former president Muhammadu Buhari, also asked INEC to think again about the dates.
He tagged INEC on his X post, which partly said: “If the goal is to promote full and inclusive involvement in the election process, holding such an important national event during Ramadan could create difficulties for many people in the country.
“Many Muslims often cut back on busy daily tasks during this time so they can focus more on their religious duties. Because there are a lot of Muslims in this country, it might be a good idea to think again about when something happens so that more people can take part and it’s easier for everyone. I hope this observation is understood in a way that promotes unity and brings people together.”
INEC vows to review 2027 election dates
However, INEC, through a statement from the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the schedule was created carefully following the timeframes set out in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Conducting Elections, 2022.
Haruna said that the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for conducting elections, which have been in place since 2019, set the dates when elections are to be held.
He quoted paragraph two of the regulation, which says: “The elections for the offices of President and Vice President, as well as the National Assembly, will take place on the third Saturday of February in any general election year. The elections for the offices of Governor and Deputy Governor, as well as the State Houses of Assembly, will happen two weeks after that.”
He added, “Based on this, and following these existing laws and rules carefully, the Commission set Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.”
Even though the above points are considered, the Commission said it has acknowledged the worries raised by stakeholders about the planned dates overlapping with some nationally recognized holidays and events.
The Commission said it wants to let the public know that it is aware of all valid worries that could affect how people vote and how elections are run in general.
He said that because of these changes, “the Commission is now talking to different groups and might, if needed, ask for legal changes to deal with the issues raised, but always making sure any changes follow the laws and the constitution.”
INEC said it would continue to emphasize its strong dedication to being open, fair, and ensuring the 2027 General Election is conducted honestly and reliably.
Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Electoral Reform Committee, Monday Ubani, SAN, says the Senate’s proposal on the Electoral Reform Amendment Bill leaves room for error.
Ubani made this statement on Saturday while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television.
He said that both electronic transmission and transfer involve manual collation that happens in collation centers, stressing that nothing has changed.
According to him, IREV is just for viewing results, maintaining that it does not calculate or tabulate results.
The lawyer added that the issue most Nigerians have with the Senate’s version is that there’s room for communications failure that can be illegally taken advantage of.
“The Senate proposed bill leaves room for electoral error. If there are differences, there will be a harmonization committee to look at those differences and come up with a harmonized version for transmission to the President for assent.
“And I’m very happy that the House of Representatives did theirs last year and then the Senate have actually also passed their own version and there are differences and then the committee will sit on Monday in order to harmonize that position.
“The position of the law, which is 2022 Act, was that it gave INEC the responsibility of issuing out a guideline or prescribing a guideline as to the mode of transfer.
“The problem with our electoral system has always been between the polling unit and the collation centre.
“The people have witnessed a situation where a different result will be declared at the collation centre, different from what happened at the polling unit,” he said.
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GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
