The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the attack on buses conveying election materials belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Obot Akara local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
At least 10 buses were reportedly set ablaze by hoodlums around 2 a.m. on Saturday few hours before the cancellation the National Assembly elections.
In a statement signed by Emmanuel Ibiok, director of communication of the Governor Udom Emmanuel’ s campaign organisation, it noted that the resort to violence by the APC is an apparent attempt “to paint a crisis scenario in Akwa Ibom State.”
“Specifically, we condemn in strong terms, the attack carried out on buses hired by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for electoral duties, and some persons in Obot Akara local government area,” the statement said.
Read Also: https://businessday.ng/lead-story/article/who-takes-the-blame-for-nigerias-record-contraction-in-q2/
According PDP, the ridiculous action was carried out by suspected APC thugs who wanted to truncate the smooth conduct of the election in the area adding that the action corroborates “our earlier disclosure that the APC plans to sponsor violent criminal operations that would facilitate its poorly orchestrated script for postponing the elections in Akwa Ibom State,” the statement added.
“Let us sound it loud and clear that Obot Akara a PDP enclave, is home of the former deputy Governor and senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chris Ekpenyong, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Monday Ebong Uko as well as the Dean of the College of Personal Aides of the Governor, Ufot Ebong, among others.
“This, in addition to the new roads and bridges built by the current administration of Udom Emmanuel to reconnect the area with other parts of the state, cement the area as a stronghold of the PDP.
“It is unfortunate that despite the repeated outcry against the threats to violence by leaders of the state’s opposition party, no significant action has been seen to be taken against such threats.
It noted with dismay that the Caucus leader of the APC in Akwa Ibom on three different occasions in between August and September last year, threatened to unleash Warsaw in Akwa Ibom in a manner akin to the invasion of Poland by notorious German despot, Adolf Hitler yet nothing has been by the authorities .
“He made those boasts in a church, the town square and in his residence respectively, and the video clips are still available. As if not satisfied with that, Senator Godswill Akpabio went ahead to threaten that he will capture the state under three hours,” he said.
Maintaining that election is not war, and as such every attempt by the All Progressives Congress and its so-called Warsaw agents to instigate crises in the state, is hereby hugely condemned it therefore call on security agents to fish out perpetrators of the dastardly act, and ensure that justice is not only done, but seen as being done.
