This story, culled
from the Punch newspaper, is a pointer to what Gov. Godswill Akpabio may be
planning for Akwa Ibom State ahead of the 2015 election. This is exactly how
the 2011 deadly political violence started in Akwa Ibom State when armed thugs
hired by Gov. Godswill Akpabio’s hitmen, Chief Sunny Ibanga and the chairman of Essien Udim Local
Government Area, Nse Ntuen attacked Senator J.J. Udoedehe in Ikot Ekpene. Now,
who will call Akpabio and his evil clan to order before they throw the state
into complete darkness?
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By Etim Ekpimah
Hundreds of suspected hired thugs in Essien Udim, attacked a
Senator, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Helen Esuene, when
she continued her consultation to the People’s Democratic Party chapter in the
area.
Essien Udim is the local government where the Akwa Ibom
State governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio hails from.
The thugs were said to have brandished guns and machetes and
shot into the air many times as they queried the Chapter Chairman why they
should allow another candidate into Essien Udim to campaign for the
governorship of the state in 2015.
They said no other aspirant, apart from the
government-anointed one, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, would be allowed into Essien Udom
for consultation and campaigning.
The incident occurred at about 3.45pm when Esuene was
addressing a crowd of party enthusiasts, including the Chapter Chairman, Mr.
Friday Udoh, at the party secretariat in Afa Ikot Ebak.It was learnt that as Esuene was addressing the PDP members, a large number of thugs, brandishing different types of weapons, suddenly swooped on the hall, attacked the occupants and upturning tables and chairs including that of the Senator.
But for the quick intervention of her supporters, who
surrounded and whisked her away from the scene of the incident, the Senator
might have been hurt.
In the confusion that ensued, it was gathered that the thugs
made away with Esuene’s telephone set and that of others, her hand bag and
other valuables.
Udoh was also attacked mercilessly for allowing Esuene into
Essien Udim for consultation.
One of the PDP members, Mr. Willie Etim, who managed to
escape unhurt, said, “As I am talking to you, I am not sure if all members of
the entourage came out safely. We had to rush her out immediately in the melee
that left many people injured. Everything was scattered and many people were
injured.”
Deputy Director General of Senator Esuene Campaign Team and
former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Bassey Essien, condemned the
incident, stating that such ugly incident in the governor’s community was
uncalled for.
“I am surprised. This is democracy. I don’t see any moral
justification for hired thugs to stop a sitting senator and a PDP member from
canvassing support in any part of this country. I am surprised.
He added that when Esuene told the youth that she had paid
the money into Udoh’s account, a misunderstanding arose between her
consultation team and the youth.
Like I was saying, I weep for my beloved state. But come to think of it, Udom is not Right. Udom is Canoe Paddler, and it is Evil. Akwa Ibom, beware.
ReplyDeleteShame in godswill akpabio and his cronies for turning Akwa Ibom State into an emerging war zone. They will all meet their Waterloo.
ReplyDeleteIbibio have been conquered by Essien Udim and many Ibibio youths and elders support them. We have to live with it.
ReplyDeleteThe game has just started watch out no one man fool Akwaibomoite again nevet again.shame on you akpabio
ReplyDelete