Intrigues as Army withdraws its personnel from Akwa Ibom govt house on election eve

The Nigerian Army has reportedly withdrawn its men guarding the Akwa Ibom State government house.

The development comes on the eve of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of the state, is contesting the election in Akwa Ibom north west senatorial district.

Akpabio who fell out with Udom Emmanuel, the governor, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been changed the political equation in the state.

Read also: 22 children, 12 women, others killed in Kaduna election eve massacre

Charles Udoh, commissioner for information, wondered why the Akwa Ibom government house was singled out for such in the entire Niger Delta region.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to restore all security apparatus deserving of the governor, at a “crucial time like this”.

“The Nigerian Army has withdrawn all forms of security protection from the Akwa Ibom State Government House. This directive which has already been enforced signals an all-time low in the history of the democracy in Nigeria,” Udoh said in a statement.

“It is inconceivable that Akwa Ibom Government House has been singled out in the Niger Delta region, as a focal point for such an ill-advised action at a crucial time like this..

“The Government and people of Akwa Ibom State therefore implore the President and commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed forces to restore all security apparatus deserving of a sitting Governor to the Akwa Ibom State Government House

“Recall that recently, the immediate past Police Commissioner in the state had also shown visible signs of partisanship against the state government, which nearly resulted in a constitutional crisis in the state.

“Despite this blatant act of intimidation, the Government and people of Akwa Ibom state remain resolute in the quest to protect democracy and the rule of law without compromising the air peace, enjoyed in the state.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now