We have read with dismay and consternation a Press Release
issued by Mr. Ekerete Udo, Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistantto
the Governor in respect of the above subject matter. Though no specific mention
was made of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the said Press Release, it
is evident to every discerning mind that the statement is a thinly-veiled allusion
to our party, which is undoubtedly the biggest alternative party in the state.
It is worrisome and regrettable that such a reckless, callous
and loose statement of wide generalization could stem from the Governor and
Government of Akwa Ibom state supposedly the bastion of authority of all
peoples of the state notwithstanding their political leanings. It is pertinent
to remind the Governor that we are all Akwa Ibom citizens in the first instance
before APC or PDP. It is ridiculous to think that APC can descend from the
height of support it enjoys from its teeming supporters to contemplate
violence.
We understand that the governor and his party had been so
flummoxed by the mammoth crowd that attended our campaign flag-off and the
tumultuous reception accorded APC in the state that they had insinuated that
the crowd was made up of people from neighbouring states.
Not done with such baseless and spurious allegation, the
Government of Akwa Ibom state has gone further to step-up the ante of falsehood
against the APC by alleging that “The Government of Akwa Ibom State has
uncovered a plot by elements allied with the opposition in the state to bring
people from other parts of the nation to disrupt and cause the breakdown of law
and order during the forth-coming Local Government Council elections in the
state”. Deacon Udom Emmanuel may wish to know that our party will never, in
whatever guise or manner, resort to violence or any ungodly and unconventional
means that will cause pain, destruction and death to our kith and kin.
The PDP is infact crying wolf where there is none. In the
contrary, what Government and the PDP are alleging is their stock in trade and
accustomed modus operandi for their fraudulent electoral successes. We recall
that strange persons were imported into the state during the 2014 PDP
Governorship nomination primaries, handsomely rewarded and issued tags bearing
names of persons on the party delegate list. It also common knowledge that the
government of Deacon Udom Emmanuel is a product of violence purchased with the
blood of innocent citizens of the state. Akwa Ibom people are aware of how the
“Divine Mandate” was born.
APC will dare not travel that route (even at the Local
Government election) knowing the burden of credibility it has imposed on the
Government of Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
The truth is that PDP is scared of the growing strength of our
party. They are conscious of the massive support APC enjoys from a broad
spectrum of Akwa Ibom people. APC has no plans or intention to foment trouble
or cause mayhem in the course of the December 2nd Local Government elections in
the state. Rather we have consistently raised alarm on the need for a level
playing ground for all the candidates to the election. APC has gone to court to
challenge all the actions of the Electoral umpire, the PDP and government of
Akwa Ibom state that are designed to manipulate the electoral process with a
view to giving the PDP an undue advantage over candidates of other political
parties.
One of the tenets of the Change Mantra is a free, fair and
credible election. Since assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari
(GCFR) has not interfered in any elections conducted across the country. This
has given the electorate the right and privilege to choose candidates of their
choice as was the case in the recently concluded Governorship election in
Anambra state.
It is obvious that the “uncommon era of impunity and brash rule
by iron fist” is gradually grinding to a halt. Make no mistakes, the people are
ready to take back their government at the Local Government level and ensure
bottom to top approach to development. Akwa Ibom people want to feel the impact
of the funds appropriated by the Federal Government to Local governments in the
state. APC is asking for nothing other than for AKISIEC to provide a level
playing field for all the contestants and to conduct an election guided by the
rule of law otherwise APC shall resist and or reject elections not conducted
in-tandem with the law or election results not published or announced as
specified by extant laws governing Local Government elections.
Signed:
Edet Eyo Bassey (Esq.)
State Publicity Secretary,
All Progressives Congress.
Akwa Ibom Chapter.
26th November 2017
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