- A police report adjudging the Akwa Ibom state governorship and state assembly eections as free and fair continues to generate reactions
- A group in the state, Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM) says the police report has vindicated Akwa Ibom people
- The group also blamed the APC for the pockets of violence experienced in some polling units in the state during the elections
A pressure group, the Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM) says the police report on the governorship and state assembly elections in the state has vindicated Akwa Ibom people.
The report submitted to the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, had stated that the election was peaceful, free, fair and credible.
The group blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the pockets of violence that was experienced in some polling units in the state during the elections, disclosing that the APC primaries in the state was marred by violence in Uruan, Etim Ekpo and some other local government areas.
AILM alleged that, “APC leaders in the state were boasting that the commissioner of police was sent specifically to ensure that APC captured the state and also to intimidate, arrest of key PDP stakeholders in the state so that they will take over through the federal might.”
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“But the Akwa Ibom people openly retired them from politics, through their massive vote for the PDP, now they are boasting of their connections in the judiciary, planning to change the wishes of the people through the tribunal,” the group's leader, Prince Emmanuel Sam said.
Speaking with journalists in his office in Uyo on Wednesday, April 10, Prince Sam said despite the machinations of the APC, “the people of Akwa Ibom state refused to be intimidated; they went out and freely exercised their civic responsibility and also defended their votes.”
He noted that the people voted massively to return the PDP candidates, Governor Udom Emmanuel and all the National Assembly and State Assembly candidates.
The election according to him, was adjudged by international foreign observers as well as the media as the freest and fairest if not the most credible election of the entire 2019 elections.
Prince Emmanuel Sam urged judges in the tribunal to do their best to adjudicate the election matters on merit, emphasizing that the judges have a legacy to protect and most importantly their names after retirement.
He said the report by the Akwa Ibom commissioner of police has confirmed the positions of the international observers and the Nigerian and international press, “thus rendering bare and without foundation the claims by the APC that the elections were marred by violence and irregularities.”
Meanwhile, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state has congratulated his Akwa Ibom state counterpart, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, on his electoral victory.
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Governor Fayemi's congratulatory message was sent via a letter to the Akwa Ibom state governor dated Sunday, March 14.
The Ekiti governor hailed Governor Emmanuel, saying his victory is “an affirmation and reward for your previous performance by your people.”
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