The Empire Naija

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has dismissed reports alleging a breakdown in its relationship with the Executive Arm of Government, describing such claims as misleading and inconsistent with the realities of governance in the state. In a statement issued yesterday, Monday and signed by the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, the Assembly clarified that recent events surrounding access to its temporary legislative chamber had been wrongly interpreted as evidence of institutional conflict between the Legislature and the Executive. The Assembly explained that it is currently holding plenary sessions at the Chambers of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs while renovation works continue at the State House of Assembly Complex. According to the statement, reports suggesting that lawmakers were denied access or obstructed in the discharge of their duties had created a false impression of discord between the two arms of government. "...

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, has directed the Chairman of the House Committee on House Services, Hon. Lawrence Udoide, to ensure that the Assembly Chamber at the Assembly Complex along Udo Udoma Avenue is put in proper condition for the resumption of plenary on or before Tuesday, next week. The directive, issued on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, followed an altercation between lawmakers and security operatives at the Government House gate, which disrupted legislative activities and prevented members from accessing their temporary sitting venue at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs chamber. Addressing journalists shortly after the incident, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Jerry Otu, disclosed that the Speaker had mandated the House Services Committee to expedite work on the Assembly Chamber to facilitate the immediate return of lawmakers to the Assembly Complex for plenary sessions. Hon. Otu expressed ...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State Government has intensified its campaign against gender-based violence, identifying harmful cultural practices, societal stigma and weak protection mechanisms as major obstacles in the fight against abuse, while calling for stronger safeguards for survivors seeking justice. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom (SAN), made the call on Tuesday during the flag-off of the 2026 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness Month in Uyo, declaring that the state must move beyond awareness campaigns to deliberate actions that dismantle the social and cultural structures enabling violence against women, children and other vulnerable persons. Speaking on the theme, "Implementing the AKS VAPP Law: From Awareness to Action," Udom said six years after the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, the state has recorded significant progress in encouraging survivors to report abuse, but warned that cultural barrier...

  By Edet Okpo, PhD For decades, the narrative of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District has been one of resource wealth without commensurate development. Beneath its soil lie untapped deposits of clay, kaolin, limestone, silica sand and granite. Along its 129km coastline stretch waters rich in fisheries, maritime transport potential and emerging opportunities in the blue economy. Yet, the story has largely been one of extraction without inclusion, of potential without coordinated reporting and policy engagement. That narrative took a deliberate turn on the day the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Abuja, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) partnered with the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals to convene a high-level symposium at Nissi Hall, Eden Hotels Limited, Eket, Akwa Ibom State On Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The gathering, themed:“Harnessing Akwa Ibom South’s Natural Resources: The Role of Media Professionals,” marked t...

  By Edet Okpo  Prominent leaders, critical stakeholders,  party officials  and indigenes of Oron Federal Constituency on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, unanimously endorsed a slate of consensus candidates for the 2027 general elections during an enlarged strategic meeting at the Oron Civic Centre. The stakeholders endorsed the following ahead of 2027 general elections: Pastor Umo Eno, PhD,  Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Ekong Sampson,  Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District,  Rep. Martins Esin,  Member representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,  Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON,  Senate President They also adopted all State House of Assembly consensus aspirants from the federal constituency. A former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and former Member for Oron Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Peter Linus Umoh, moved the first motion end...

  Nigeria’s Senate has declared the rising wave of xenophobic attacks against its citizens in South Africa and Ghana a matter of urgent national importance, calling for swift diplomatic and humanitarian response. The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Aniekan Bassey under Orders 41 and 51, drawing attention to what he described as recurring violence, intimidation, and destruction of Nigerian lives and property in the affected countries. Presenting the motion on the floor, Bassey condemned the attacks as a violation of international human rights obligations and an affront to Nigeria’s national dignity. He warned that the trend, if unchecked, could strain diplomatic relations and destabilize the region. Adopting the motion, the Senate urged the Federal Government to commence high-level diplomatic engagement with authorities in South Africa and Ghana, insisting on thorough investigations and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks. The upper chamber ...