- As Akpabio, Akwa Ibom PDP Trade Words
By Akanimo Kufre
The police in Akwa Ibom State has confirmed report that some officials of INEC were abducted on Saturday during the rerun in Essien Udim LGA.
In a leaked video that has gone viral, an NYSC Corp and a man who identified himself as an INEC staff said they were abducted and kept in a premise by unidentified policemen at gun point.
The compound according to the video was said to belong to Ibanga Akpabio a close relative to Godswill Akpabio, who has since withdrew from the election as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, the former governor Akpabio had earlier denied involvement in any election violence or malpractices in the rerun election.
Speaking through his Media aide, Anietie Ekong, he said such news is fake, “It is well known that because of higher national responsibilities as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio had withdrawn his candidature from the said election. He was replaced by the APC with Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo.
“The other candidates who were scheduled for the elections, Rt Hon Nse Ntuen and Rt. Hon Emmanuel Akpan have written to announce their withdrawal from the elections.
“So on what basis would any sane human being link Senator Akpabio to whatever is happening in Essien Udim Local Government Area
We have however gathered that some PDP sponsored thugs were planning to carry out a sinister plot during the rerun elections and link it to Senator Akpabio.
“Security agencies should be on the watch out for miscreants and sponsored thugs, apprehend them and visit the full weight of the law on them,” he said.
Reacting to the allegations, Akwa Ibom PDP spokesman, Barr Ememobong said “it wasn’t a real withdrawal. That withdrawal was a ploy to unleash untold mayhem on the people and not claim responsibility, we had said earlier. It is not strange, it is their strategy. In a simple answer, Yes Akpabio is not involved but Ibanga Akpabio is involved, who does Ibanga work for? Akpabio is not involved, Emman Inyangeto is involved, who does Inyangeto work with? Akpabio is not involved why is it that it is only in Ukana that all this violence is happening?”
However, INEC Spokesperson in Akwa Ibom State, Don Etukodoh confirmed the abduction of the two staff. “Yes INEC officials were abducted, our senior officials who came from Abuja to monitor the elections who were actually in the field confirmed that those people were abducted at Independence High School, Ukana. Some of them were rescued. As we speak with the Police said they are making effort to release the others.”
“The conversation on the video has been heard, there’s nothing to make out. I had APC had withdrawn from the race,” he said.
Also, in a telephone chat on the Ukana election violence and malpractice, new PPRO, CSP Nnudam Fredrick noted that “as regarding few cases of violence, some arrest were made and those arrested are in custody undergoing investigation. I have not seen the video and cannot confirm if such incident regarding that video occurred in Essien Udim LGA. I categorically say that the exercise has been generally peaceful.”
