Group raises alarm over possible post-election violence in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement has sais there is the possibility of post-election violence in the state.

Though the just concluded governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state has been adjudged generally peaceful, the group, at a press briefing addressed by its leader, Prince Emmanuel Sam on Saturday evening, said intelligence gathered by the movement shows that agents of a certain political party were planning to foment trouble.

Prince Sam said: “The Governorship and State Assembly elections have been so peaceful in the state, except some few spots where there are crises.

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“In the whole, we can conclude that elections in Akwa Ibom State have been peaceful. We commend the security agents for providing necessary protection for citizens of the state to cast their votes

“Reports from our field workers show that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has won in almost all the local government areas, but as an impartial body, our concern is not who is leading in the elections, but the pending crisis that is about to envelop the state.

“We have gathered from our field workers that some elements from the All Progressives Congress, APC in connivance with some security agents, have moved into various local government collation centres across the state to disrupt collation of results from all the units and wards.

“Let it be known to security agents currently in Akwa Ibom State, that the people have spoken through their votes, as such, they should not assist individual or group of individuals to subvert the will of the masses.”

The group also appealed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of in the state, Mr. Mike Igini, to keep to his words by announcing only the results published in various polling units of the state, while also
calling on the international community, European Union Observer group to follow activities at all the collation centres in the local governments.

“We urge them to withdraw VISAs of all those who want to incite violence in the state and that of their children. “Akwa Ibom State people have spoken through the sanctity of ballot and must be respected”, the group said.

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