Akpabio Poisoned Me – Udoma

Recently, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arch. (Obong) Victor Attah in a grand political rally in Uyo publicly endorsed the 2011 gubernatorial aspiration of Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe. Following the event and the speech presented by Hon. (Dr.) Udoma Bob Ekarika which he said was on behalf of the good people of Annang, critics of the political confab say Obong Victor Attah's endorsement of Sen. Udoedehe was to pave way for his son-in-law, Dr. Udoma as running-mate to the Senator in the forth-coming election.

In this interview with Global Concord, Dr. Udoma says propagandists were out again to mudsling Obong Attah. He told Global Concord that he has no intention to run with Senator Udoedehe as claimed by rumour mongers. He took time to x-ray his grievance with incumbent Governor Akpabio and why he (Akpabio) will not continue beyond 2011 and a number of other issues. Excerpts:

Sir you were a key player in the last administration, is there any remarkable difference between this administration and the previous?

Like you have rightly said, I was part of the former administration. I was Commissioner for Health and later Commissioner for Works and Transport. That government was keen on details to start with. It was able to go through all the mails, not only attending to the mails, it would also follow up the mails to see that they are properly disposed of. That administration did not have money. That administration wanted to make the state industrial, that is why its set up AKIIPOC and today we have international airport, today we have the Le Meridien Hotel and today, we have Ibom Power Plant, we have ICT park even though it has been abandoned by this administration of which, when the change we are advocating for, comes in 2011, all those projects will be brought to functionality. What I've heard from reliable sources is that, the present governor does not attend to mails. … One of his commissioners told me confidentially that he has sent 68 mails, he means 68 memos, and Akpabio could not respond to, even one. I'm telling you what the man told me personally. And not only that, other commissioners who are serving with the man are telling people same. I don't want anybody's name to be mentioned and they say that if you go to government house now, governor's office, you see Ghana-must-go, filled with mails, and if mails are not being attended to by a governor, how do you then direct the affairs of the state? It is not possible.

You came to Press with an open letter at the inception of the new government, any connection to what you are saying?

You see, like I've told you, I and the present governor were serving together in the Exco of the previous administration which I was instrument to his coming to Akwa Ibom State to serve as a commissioner, that is not even the issue. When he took over government, at least any responsible person, like what I would have done, would not fold his arms to see people going back without at least making input. When it came to public knowledge that he (Gov. Akpabio) was planning to demolish former government house which I had the privilege of staying for about eight years, I said, “ah, what on earth will make him to think of demolishing the government house, instead, if he has enough money, he should build a new one and leave the other one”, so that is why I wrote to him, and that was due to my inability to have an audience with him, and that was for more than two months, no reply and I could not help, then I decided to let people hear my view on this matter, and that is why I wrote to him, that instead of spending 6.8 billion, as claimed by him, to build a new government house after demolishing the previous, he should use that money for something else because Akwa Ibom State is still yearning for development.

We have not reached the stage where we can start to squander money, so it was because of that, that I came to press with an open letter to him in Punch and in Fresh Fact. That was the reason, and I still stand by it. Even though he has finished that, how much has he spent, if such money was used for something else, where do you think we would have been today? I am telling you as I'm talking to you now, today being 23rd of April, the Deputy Governor of this state does not have where to stay, he is still squatting in a rented apartment. So if this Government was responsible enough, wouldn't that place be for the deputy governor and the new one for the governor? But the deputy Governor is still squatting.

Sir you traced how you came into the last Government to your nomination by Chief Itak Ekarika your Uncle. But that contradicts the general and long held view that you were exceptionally favored by your Father Inlaw Obong Attah to emerge and be retained that long…

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- Let me interrupt you and put facts straight for record purpose on this matter. By the time I was appointed commissioner, I didn't know much about Obong Attah not to talk of her daughter. But I knew that there was a man called Obong Victor Attah and he was the governor elect. And not only that, during his electioneering campaign, I worked tirelessly to ensure his success because Chief Itak Bob was one of the aspirants for governorship then, but after the primaries and Obong Attah was given the ticket, we all collapsed the structures to his campaign organization. So since he was favorably disposed to Itak Bob Ekarika, he requested him for a slot in his cabinet, and that is how my name came up. The issue of son-in-law was much, much, much later when I got married to the daughter of the governor. My appointment was not based on the fact that I was son-in-law to Obong Victor Attah, it was based on merit because even at the time I was appointed commissioner, I was the PRO of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State.

You served with Godswill Akpabio in the last administration as commissioners, you contested with him for PDP guber ticket in 2006 and merged your structure with his afterward, to what extent have you been used by, or contributed to, this government?

Thank you for that question. Like I told you before that I brought Godswill Akpabio from Lagos , to Akwa Ibom because he is my friend, we met at University of Calabar in 1983, we have been working very closely. And in several instances, I used to tell him that if he was not serious about the governorship aspiration, he should let me know, and he also told me same. We both agreed that, if it was not me, it should be him. As God would have it because I'm not jealous, he was the one. But I was robbed as a matter of fact, because I won the primary for governorship but I was robbed.

How did it happen? Tell us more on that.


It happened by the use of security agents, former Commissioner of Police in the state, Uda and other security operatives to rig the election in favour of Akpabio through the chairman who did the primary and that is why when they declared Akpabio as having the highest votes and I was the second, they refused run-off. Then, the guideline of the PDP states that when somebody has not scored 50% of the total vote cast, the two people with high votes should go for run off. So when Godswill Akpabio had 2027 votes, I had 1590 votes, two of us should have been subjected to run off; but they refused that run off because they knew what they did. So as a faithful party man, I said ok, no problem, Godswill Akpabio is my brother. I had to collapse my structure in to Godswill Akpabio's and he promised, I have it on tape, of carrying me and my people along. But till today, nothing has happened. Nothing. Rather, Akpabio is going about looking for every possible means to kill me, he himself attempted killing me personally. That was on the 21 of February, 2009, when the Alumni of the University of Calabar came for NEC meeting and I'm a member of Board of Trustees for that. It was on Saturday. That morning, my inlaw had a wedding ceremony which Akpabio came and I told him that I will join the Alumni to visit him and I didn't know that I was signing my death warrant. He went and prepared for me. When I went there, Akpabio was the one who was serving us with plates and the plate he gave to me was poisoned. When he gave me the plate, my mind told me, “don't use that plate, the plate is not holy”, but the fear of disgracing him before the visitors, I prayed to God and used the plate, I worked against God. If not that I am a medical doctor, today I would have been death. And the following day, Akpabio put on paper that I came to bow because he believed already that I was death because a dead man will not come to testify. After I contributed seriously to make him what he is today, he is looking for my life, but he will never, never see it. He has never touched any of my supporters, and not only that, he has been going about insulting Obong Victor Attah who made him a man.

How was your relationship with his Excellency, Obong Victor Attah and Gov. Akpabio while serving as commissioners and how did two of you fared with Obong Attah, the boss then?


It was cordial. We were serving in the State Executive Council. Two of us from Annang were so fond of him (Obong Attah). And we were the two people in his cabinet who aspired to become governor. So he supported both of us very strongly. And the governor, till tomorrow did not tell any of us to step down for each other, he did not say it. He supported us equally. I am telling you the gospel truth, if Attah was vindictive as Akpabio, he would have told him to drop his ambition and of course, Akpabio would not have had any muscle to go for governorship. But he liked both of us- very young men, good, and he allowed us. But today, he is everybody's regret not only Obong Attah's. Since Akpabio became the governor, nobody again has rested in this state because of, insecurity, poverty and hunger … we are living witnesses, these are facts … attacks, assassinations, name them. How many Akwa Ibom people are able to eat today comfortably? That is why everybody has risen up for a change come 2011.


Sir, if you were given the chance to be the governor as you rightly aspired, what are those things you would have done and how would you have done them?


I have said it before that I would have been a better governor than Godswill Akpabio because Godswill Akpabio has no direction, he has no focus. Let me tell you, when the former governor became the governor, he was sworn in on the 29th of May, 1999, on the 10th of June 1999, he was able to swear in his commissioners. But Akpabio was sworn in on the 29th day of May, 2007 and it took him about five months before he could put his house in order … He was not coming to lead Akwa Ibom people, he was coming to have access to the money. And that is why when one publisher said that he was fingering the treasury, he went and arrested and tortured the man. All these things even though he has not been reading the mails, he doesn't fail in his responsibility to know how much money is coming into the state for him to be throwing about. As I'm talking to you now, Godswill Akpabio as a governor has received close to 700 billion. Obong Attah did not receive up to … 300 billion in eight years, but was able to do what he did. What has Akpabio done? Renovating of class room blocks, toilets, market squares, erecting small water tanks and telling Akwa Ibom people that he has commissioned 5000 projects? That means, he is a magician for him to be able to do five projects a day. These are not projects. Akpabio has not commissioned one single project since he came and he has not even started. He is still in the euphoria of past glory of Obong Victor Attah. That is why for him, he will say “I have built the Le Merridien”, which Le Merridien? I am challenging Godswill Akpabio to come and tell Akwa Ibom people whether he was in this state when the foundation of Le Merridien was laid. I am challenging Gov. Akapbio to come and state when he acquired land for airport and paid for everything. I am challenging Godswill Akpabio to come and show us evidence that Independent Power Plant started in his tenure. I am telling you that that Independent Power Plant at Ikot Abasi was commissioned by the former president of this country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, but if you go to Ikot Abasi now, Akpabio has removed the plaque so that nobody knows because he wants to deceive the people. I am challenging him, all these major projects in this state that Akpabio is making noise all over, he has nothing practically to do with them. And enough is enough; I'm challenging him to stop telling people that he is responsible for the Le Meridien, Independent Power Plant, and Airport. He should go and remove his picture at the Airport because he has nothing to do with the Airport. He should have allowed the contractor to continue with the job and finish it because money has been paid fully. And I'm also challenging him to bring out the report of the probe of the airport for public scrutiny…

Sir, let's meet issues of recent interest. Obong Victor Attah came last week and publicly endorsed and canvassed support for the 2011 gubernatorial aspiration of Senator John James Akpanudoedehe. Feelers are to the effect that he wants to launch back to prominence and make you running mate to Senator Udoedehe
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That is rubbish. That is a stupid lie. It is that same evil campaign to mudsling Obong Attah's image that has been the sole aim of this government. For anybody to think that Attah wants to launch himself back to government, that is nonsense. You understand what I mean? That is nonsense. Everybody knows that everything has its tenure, Obong Attah has finished his tenure but not his relevance in the politics of Akwa Ibom State , and government is continuous; not necessary that you are not in government because you are not a governor or you are not a deputy governor. Are you hearing me? Government is in stages as far as I'm concerned. So in this country today, Obong Attah is still very much, I mean very much, relevant in any way, any how you want to put it. Though I don't want to hold brief for Obong Attah, I'm talking as it affects me, because you've mentioned that 'oh they say I want to be governor or deputy governor to Senator Akpanudoedehe', I don't intend, please, I don't intend, tell them that I am not interested and they should not use the endorsement to insult Obong Attah again. However, tell them that I'm going out frontally to support Senator John James Akpanudoedehe because he is a Christian and he believes in God. Gov. Godswill Akpabio is not a Christian and does not believe in God, he believes in … and that is why after we have put our hands together to bring him up, he now believes that he can destroy us. But I'm telling you that he will not be able to do that because he doesn't believe in God and we believe in God. So the idea of my supporting John James Akpanudoedehe is not because I want to be his deputy. No, I'm supporting him, and let me tell you, John James Akpanudoedehe supported me very well in my aspiration, but later on he left me and supported Godswill Akpabio. Me and Akpabio, had understanding that if it's not me, it should be him. So when John left me and supported him, there was no need for me to go and start fighting John, no there was no need. I want to tell you as far as I'm concerned, John Udoedehe is the man that God has brought to make a change in this state and what Akwa Ibom needs today is change and that change is coming.

Former Abak Axis of Annang are crying loud of marginalization by past and present administration. As a senior citizen from the axis, are you of this school of thought?

Yes. Abak as a former division has been marginalized completely by this government. The reason is best known to Akpabio and his cronies. If you go to former Abak as of today, there is nothing on ground except Afaha Obong/Etim Ekpo which was designed by me and the contract almost awarded by me, because when we went for campaign for Godswill Akpabio in Etim Ekpo, I told Etim Ekpo people that it will not take up to three months, that contract will be awarded because what would have caused the delay has already been sorted out which was the design. Designing a road of about sixty something kilometers is not a joke. It is not what a government should do within six months and award contract. So, that has been sorted out. So that is the only project that is ongoing in former Abak Division as of today. Let me tell you how insincere Akpabio is. When late Senator Akaninyene Ukpana was buried, quote me and ask anybody, Akpabio told people right there that he was coming with a contractor because he wanted to immortalize Senator Akaninyene Ukpana. The company he mentioned was Setracco to start Ikot Uboh- Nkek-Ukanafung Road; that was about two years ago. Nothing has happened. When the brother to Iboro Udom, the present member representing Oruk Anam, died, Akpabio came and said (because that is the same access), that the road will be done, and not only the road, Abak Road township. As I'm talking to you now, nothing has happened. Nothing practically has happened. And in addition to that, Akpabio has insulted Abak people by not even making any of the Abak people into his government so that they will not have money. Even one. The issue of marginalization by Abak people is correct and Abak people were so serious when they said this time around, it is the turn of Abak people to produce the next governor, but as at the time I'm talking to you, nobody have come out. And for me Udoma Ekarika, I will never, never, never, support Barr Godswill Akpabio again for a second term because the first support I gave him, he has not paid me well; rather, he is looking for a way to kill me.


But Sir, the Commissioner for Information and Social Re-Orientation, Hon. Aniekan Umana hails from Abak.

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Aniekan Umana is from former Abak, go and meet him let him take you and show what and what and what he has done to reflect the fact that he is a commissioner in Akpabio's cabinet from Abak. Look, these things are practical. When I was a commissioner from former Abak in the previous administration, I tarred roads, twenty roads in Abak, Abak urban roads. I put four contractors. During that time, I was able to attract federal government attention to Ibawa bridge, and I finished it under one year. I also brought model school to Ekparakwa, I was able to tarr Ikot Ntuen- Ikot Okoro Road, and is a major road now used to go to Aba and Port Harcourt. I did a lot more. I built a general hospital at Ukpum Abak. Have you ever been there? Yes Aniekan Umana is from Abak and is in Akpabio's cabinet, let him show you one thing he has brought to Abak. Aniekan Umana cannot even stand before Godswill Akpabio because they see Godswill Akpabio as god. The only thing Aniekan Umana can say to the governor is “Yes Your Excellency”. Get out, “yes your Excellency”. Are you hearing me? None of them can tell Akpabio “Excuse me” as we used to tell Attah in the Executive Council. For one, Aniekan Umana has sworn to an oath before he was made a commissioner, there is nobody Akpabio has made a commissioner without taking an oath. So nothing is expected of any commissioner.

Let's take you to current happenings in the PDP which you are a member. Dr. Chris Ekpeyong, former Deputy Governor of the state is suspended from the party alongside other leading political names. How would you respond to the development?
Dr. Chris Ekpenyong anytime is a politician, though some times he behaves as if he is quarrelling with me, because you know some times the truth is always very, very bitter. If PDP nationally is in disarray and Chris Ekpenyong says that we should put our house in order, does that deserve suspension? Dr. Chris Ekpenyong is a very vocal person and I want to thank God that I worked with him while he was deputy governor in this state. Chris Ekpeyong till tomorrow will not say that he did not enjoy my presence in the state executive council when he was the deputy governor of the state. So the issue of suspension of Dr. Chris Ekpenyong is very unfortunate. I don't know how I can describe it. But he should not be discouraged in anyway because he is truly an Annang man like me. I remember when I was the president of Annang Students, Chris Ekpenyong was the immediate past national president of Annang students, worldwide, while my own was that of the University of Calabar Chapter. Chris Ekpenyong is a very vocal person. He believes in speaking the truth. Even this government of Godswill Akpabio, he has told him severally, the other day, he wrote in the paper that Godswill Akpabio, and PDP have to go back and apologize to Attah and himself because they are founding fathers of PDP in this state and that is the truth.
Some people are saying that his travail is not unconnected to that statement and that there are some underhand dealing and wrong signal from the state to National PDP.
That is true but it does not hold water, at the end of the day, the truth will come out and Chris Ekpenyong will be vindicated.
Sir your chapter chairman was suspended from the ruling PDP recently. What led to the suspension?
I don't know, but from what I have heard, they said he played anti-party. That there was a councilor in my ward … one of the councilors who died and they wanted to do a bye-election to fill the vacant position, Henry Umoren popularly known as Isong Umoren went and picked somebody from ANPP saying that the person will decamp to PDP after wining, because the person gave him a lot of money. That is purely anti party. I think that has paid him right.

What do you think is the anger of the Present Governor and his former boss, Obong Victor Attah?

I wouldn't say anger, but betrayal, that is the way I can answer you; or if … Go and ask Akpabio what is his anger with Obong Attah. That is the truth. I cannot answer for him. I look at Akpabio as somebody who has betrayed, not only Obong Attah but, the entire Akwa Ibom people. For instance, let me tell you; do you remember that Senator John James Akpanudoedehe was the chairman of his campaign organization? Do you remember? What is the relationship between Senator Akpanudoedehe and Godswill Akpabio today? Are you aware of the fact that Dr. Chris Ekong, the former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Attah's administration who happen to be commissioner for Economic Development in his cabinet supported Godswill Akpabio, where is Chris Ekong today? He is in detention with murder charges. If care is not taken, Chris Ekong will be executed publicly because Akpabio has passed a law on kidnapping and assassination that if somebody is found guilty, he should be killed. What of Ambassador Sam Edem who stood by Godswill Akpabio? Where is Ambassador Edem today? … and a lot more, I don't want to continue mentioning people's name please, for goodness sake. Let me tell you Godswill Akpabio is somebody that should not be forgotten in a hurry as far as this state is concerned. Let me tell you, he says that he is coming on a revenge mission, we are watching to see how he will end.
There is this argument that Obong Victor Attah had two tenure and that for “equity” Gov. Akpabio should spend 8 years in office. What is your view on the matter?
Yes, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria give governors two terms of four years each, but not compulsorily or forcefully at a stretch. This is why you have to go back and contest. Attah finished eight years because he was democratic and accepted by the people and that is why they elected him twice. Such grace can't be possible when people rise against you because your policies and programs are anti people or something … let me support my stance. Do you remember that late Clement Isong was the governor of erstwhile Cross River State and he had two terms by constitution but he did not go? Let me put it on record that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has provided two terms for governor and president; it doesn't put terms for Senator and House of Representative. But it is not automatic, for instance, at my age, I realized that Gov. Isong loss 2nd term bid in 1983, an Ibibio man for that matter, it's not automatic that oh, Godswill Akpabio had won at the first instance and so he should go for eight years when the people are not satisfied with the way he is running the state. And that is why everybody in this state is standing up for a change, and let me tell you, when the collective will of the people is galvanized into action, nothing like steel, iron or rod can stop it. If Akpabio had wanted to succeed, he would have played politics of inclusion, politics of openness, politics of security for Akwa Ibom people, lives and property. Who wants to continue like this? If General Akpan could be kidnapped in a church and people shot dead, what are you talking about then? Do you know the number of people who have died since Akpabio became the governor? I think it has been published severally. Nobody wants to die because you have or want to have a governor. Somebody wants to live because you have a governor. And they are looking for a governor that will not go out of his way to be … so sirs, it is not automatic that once you are a governor, you must go for eight or two terms. It depends on your performance, and of course, the performance of Gov. Godswill Akpabio if any one wants to score, is less than 10% especially in view of the funds coming to the state.

Some people say the governor will have his way in 2011 because of the power of incumbency. How about that sir?

They are ignorant of history and how democracy works. There is nothing like power of incumbency where performance and acceptability are the yard sticks. I've drawn your attention to Clement Isong of blessed memory, was he not an incumbent governor? What about Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State, was he not an incumbent governor? And many others. So the issue of power of incumbency does not arise at all. Akpabio has only one vote. The rests are votes from the electorates and if the people, like what is happening now, say they don't want him, where will he get the votes? Through barrel of gun? Let's wait and see.

What is the position of former Abak over the 2nd term aspiration of Gov. Akpabio. Are they still nursing hope of producing a governor in 2011?


I may not speak on behalf of Abak because we have not melt yet … Nobody has come out and if that is the case, why will they support Gov. Godswill Akpabio instead of Senator John James Udoedehe? A good friend is better than a bad brother. What have they gained from Godswill Akpabio? What are they gaining from him? Yes.

Let's talk about the Party again sir. Do you see the PDP in Akwa Ibom State as an obstacle in the expected change?

Honestly speaking, there is no PDP for now in Akwa Ibom State. PDP is totally in disarray. I mean totally in disarray. And if you read today's paper, in the Nation, they say “Confusion in PDP”, Nationwide. I think PDP will have to sit down and look inward to solve this internal democracy problem. In Akwa Ibom State, a lot of people have said they should do congress and put proper officers into the positions so that people will follow the party. Isn't it madness that people will sit and say 'No vacancy, No this, when no congress or party primary is conducted? It doesn't happen anyway. Allow everybody to exercise their franchise which is a feature of democracy. During our time, we were about fifty or more contestants. Attah did not tell anybody 'don't come'. But at the end of the day, it was me and Godswill Akpabio even though I was robbed because I won the election, but they carried my vote and gave to Godswill Akpabio. Yes agreed, he had the highest number of votes; allow us to go for a run-off as stipulated in the guidelines, they refused. They knew what they did. Godswill has never won any election. Let me tell you why he claimed to have won the election. 2007 election was that, we the Annangs stood up as a body, as a people and pleaded with the Ibibios, it wasn't a one-day affair and finally the Ibibios, including Oro people said power should shift. So these people agreed for the power shift to Annang. It was not for a particular person any where. So the first beneficiary of that is Gov. Godswill Akpabio, but he has fumbled, hundred percent!
Let me tell you that even journalists like you, they have regretted to have this man as a governor in Akwa Ibom State. If you give journalists the opportunity to write what is in their minds, you will see the honest and naked truth, and you will be guided. If there is anything everybody wants from government, is to protect people's lives and property.

The least thing is lacking in Akwa Ibom State. What will you be happy about?
We read and hear about the governor popularity


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If that is your opinion, keep it. When the next governor is sworn into office in May 2011, you will then know if he was popular or not and if that popularity was acceptable. That is the truth.

Now, sir as a Commissioner of Work in the last administration, you may have records of all the projects in Akwa Ibom State. Now some of the projects that are cited as having been completed by this administration. How will you reconcile that?


Well even though government is continuous, honour should be given to whom it is due. Projects that were conceived and initiated by Obong Victor Attah should be credited to him; Akpabio should not take those credits. Let him tell Akwa Ibom people the ones he dreamed, initiated and completed. For instance, Obong Attah has finished Nwaniba Road to Le Meridian but did not commission it, Attah had finished Oron Road to kilometer 5 and gave the remaining one to Gitto to the Airport site but did not make noise. When you talk of roads, it is not something you use in making noise and today noise are being made all over: “Use Ikot Amama Itak, Afaha Obong, Etim Ekpo, Iwukem Ika, Etebi Enwang, Enen Nsit” … and some of these roads are in theory, in practical they are not there because some of the contractors don't start the projects. And let me tell you, all those roads that Akpabio is making noise about, were designed by me while I was the Commissioner of Works through the instrumentality of Obong Victor Attah, I have records. I want Akpabio to challenge me on that. I want the present commissioner for works, Don Etim to challenge me, that I am not the one who did the design of these roads they are carrying credit. So let me tell you, Akpabio is still talking today as if he is campaigning for an election, he doesn't know that he has finished close to 3 years as a governor, he is still talking as an aspirant … without taking off. In physics, we call it inertia difficulty for object to move when at rest, and that is exactly where Akpabio belongs. I'm going to publish all the projects we initiated and completed with facts and records … if you won't mind, when next you come to me, I will give you all the roads we completed and commissioned. We didn't make noise. You just guarantee me one thing: that you will publish those things for the public to read and compare to what Akpabio is doing with the amount of money that is coming into this state…


Sir, let's have your opinion about electoral reform especially the recommendation that electoral office seekers should resign from their former office before standing election.


… If the intention is so that a leveled playing ground can be given to all aspirants or candidates and ensure free and fair election, it is very much okay by me. I am totally in support of the electoral reform because it is there and then that credible people will be elected to various offices and when you go, you look back and know that people supported you to be there. Election in Nigeria as far as party is concerned, (because sometimes party makes mistakes by leaving the most credible candidate and picking the wrong candidate because of one reason or the other) is not fair. So the provision for independent candidate is a welcome development. I can mention so many people who were deprived. For instance Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State. He contested and won primaries, in PDP in Ondo State but was denied ticket. He left for Labour Party and won; won the incumbent. Again when people advocate for a change, you can't stop them. The provision for independent candidate is as the result of this; because parties sometimes reject candidates…, I stand solidly and hail National Assembly for this one. Other recommendations they should do it as quickly as possible because we are fast approaching the election. If there is anything anyone wants in Nigeria today, it is how to conduct credible election and I strongly believe that our Acting President, having passed through this travail will stand by the electorates to make sure that credible election is conducted in the nation. More credible than that of 1993 which Abiola won and was annulled.