The Empire Naija

  In every legislative institution, there are lawmakers and there are leaders. While lawmakers contribute to debates and representation, leaders shoulder the responsibility of coordinating government business, maintaining legislative order, interpreting parliamentary procedures, and ensuring that the wheels of governance move smoothly through the legislative process. In the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, one figure who has consistently demonstrated these attributes is Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, the House Leader and representative of Nsit Ubium State Constituency. Serving his second term in the Assembly, Bob has emerged as one of the most influential figures in the Eighth Assembly, providing the intellectual backbone and strategic direction necessary for the successful conduct of government business on the floor of the House. The position of House Leader is arguably one of the most demanding in any legislature. Beyond occupying a front-row seat during plenary, the House Leader serves...

  As the 8th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly marks its third legislative year today, June 9, 2026, it stands at a crucial point in its constitutional journey. With just one year left before the expiration of its mandate, the legislature has the opportunity not only to reflect on its achievements but also to consolidate its legacy as a people-oriented institution. Led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, the House has largely maintained political stability, harmonious executive-legislative relations, and an active legislative agenda. In a period characterized by significant political realignments and economic challenges nationwide, the Assembly has continued to perform its constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking, oversight, and representation with notable consistency. One of the strongest indicators of the Assembly's performance has been its legislative output. By the commencement of its third legislative year, the House disclosed that it had received 44 bills during its fir...

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has received twelve executive bills transmitted by Governor Umo Eno, signaling a major legislative push aimed at strengthening governance institutions, improving public service delivery, enhancing revenue generation, and advancing socio-economic development across the state. The bills were formally presented during plenary and read for the first time by the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikakabasi Orok. The motion to receive the Bills was moved by the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Hon. Nsidibe Akata. The twelve bills, which cover strategic sectors of governance and development, seek to establish new agencies, boards, commissions and regulatory bodies to drive the administration's development agenda. Among the proposed legislations is a Bill to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, which is expected to regulate betting and lottery operations within the state, ensuring complian...

  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 ...

EKET, AKWA IBOM — The Eket Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown its weight behind the aspiration of Dr. Eunice Thomas to represent Eket Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections, in what observers see as an early consolidation of political support within the party. The endorsement was declared on Monday, May 4, 2026, when the frontline aspirant paid a consultative visit to party stakeholders at the Eket Local Government Chairman’s Lodge. Speaking during the meeting, the APC Chapter Chairman in Eket, Hon. Inyang Ebuk, said the decision to support Dr. Thomas followed a collective assessment of her competence, leadership capacity, and perceived ability to unify the constituency. According to him, the party is confident that her emergence would strengthen cohesion across Eket Federal Constituency while delivering effective representation at the national level. Also speaking, the Chairman of Chapter Chairmen, Victor Imaikop, comm...

By Edet Okpo, PhD  In a strong show of political solidarity, youth leaders drawn from various youth strata of the three Federal Constituencies of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District have unanimously adopted Senator Ekong Sampson, Governor Umo Eno, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 general elections. The endorsement was made during a well-attended meeting of the Akwa Ibom South  Senatorial District Youth Leaders’ Forum held in Octagon  Event Centre,  Eket,on Sunday , May 3, 2026, where speakers highlighted legislative performance, infrastructure delivery, and human capital development as key reasons for their decision of adopting Senator Ekong Sampson as their sole Candidate. Setting the tone for the meeting, Mr Joe Mbong, Coordinator,  Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District Forum, scored Senator Ekong Sampson high on legislative milestones, quality representation, and infrastructural developments.   Barely three...

  Ray Ekpe  The National Executive Committee of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has officially appointed Hon. Peter Abang Okim as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee for the IPMAN Calabar depot. In a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police at Force Headquarters in Abuja, the National President of IPMAN, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, and National Secretary, Hon. James Terlumun Tor, announced the new Caretaker officials.  Dated April 2, 2026, the letter, copied to key stakeholders in the petroleum industry, stated that Okim and his team are tasked with managing the affairs of the IPMAN Calabar Depot, which serves Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, in accordance with the amended IPMAN 2009 Constitution. The other appointed officials include Chief Samuel Efiok Edem as Vice Chairman; Ayuk Oko as Chief of Staff; Comrade Okechukwu Johnson as Secretary; Uduak Sunday as Assistant Secretary; Samuel Patrick as Treasurer; Kenneth...

  A former lawmaker, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Usenobong Akpabio, has announced that he will not contest the Akwa Ibom North (Uyo) Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, despite mounting calls from constituents urging him to enter the race. In a public statement issued on Thursday, Akpabio expressed gratitude to stakeholders across the senatorial district—spanning markets, churches, farms, and community forums—for their support and encouragement to seek the party’s nomination. He acknowledged the confidence reposed in him by the people, noting that their calls reflected a desire for “purposeful and effective representation.” However, he said recent developments within his political party influenced his decision to step aside. According to him, the party leadership appears to be aligning with a “policy of continuity” that favors the incumbent, a move he said, though not formally communicated, became evident after consultations and careful consideration. “In view of this, it would be ...

  By Asuquo Edem  In a major step toward addressing persistent power supply challenges in Akwa Ibom State, the State House of Assembly has confirmed five nominees forwarded by Governor Pastor Umo Eno to serve as commissioners of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC), reinforcing the administration’s drive to reposition the electricity sector. The confirmation, which followed the screening of the nominees during Tuesday’s plenary at the Old Assembly Chamber, Uyo, is seen as a significant follow-up to Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to epileptic power supply across the state. Those confirmed are Engr. Ubong Etukudoh for Engineering, Dr. Valerie Okon Obot for Finance and Corporate Services, Mr. Paul Okon for Economic Regulation, Dr. Kalu Ukoha for Policy, Planning and Innovation, and Ms. Arit Okon-Uya for Stakeholder Engagement and Consumer Affairs. The confirmation came after the House considered and adopted the report of i...