The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Akwa Ibom state, Obong Nsima Ekere, Wednesday shunned the peace accord signing ceremony organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for candidates of political parties in the forthcoming general elections.
The ceremony, which was held at Ibom Hall, IBB Avenue, Uyo, the state capital, had in attendance 36 governorship candidates of the registered political parties including the incumbent governor and governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
Obong Ekere, who arrived at the venue few minutes after the governor had taken his seat, was not allowed by security men attached to the governor to enter the hall through the red carpet which had earlier been walked on by Governor Emmanuel.
The APC candidates, who had accompanied their governorship candidate, were asked to take the back door by the security men at the main entrance a directive Ekere saw as a slight.
When efforts to use the main entrance failed, the party candidate and party faithful followers stormed out of the premises of Ibom Hall.
In a press release signed by the state chairman of the APC Hon Ini Okopido the party accused the commission of bias.
The party said that its governor candidate was not allowed to enter the hall despite explaining that he came late to the venue because of an earlier scheduled programme.
The APC stated that its candidate was stopped from entering the hall by the protocol and security officials and thugs of the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, who had arrived earlier.
“I was present inside the hall and I saw clearly that the whole ceremony was turned into a state government event. The Master of Ceremony was Mr. Raphael Edem, the governor’s special assistant on Public Affairs, and yet this was supposed to be an INEC event for all governorship candidates.
“It must be emphasized that Mr. Udom Emmanuel attended the event as a Governorship Candidate of the PDP and not as Governor. We, therefore, do not understand why government officials and thugs were allowed, if not encouraged, by INEC to harass another candidate.
“This incident is most unfortunate and demonstrates once again our position that INEC in Akwa Ibom State should show impartiality to all candidates and maintain neutrality in its conduct.
“APC will continue to reject, oppose and resist every attempt to mortgage the INEC’s independence and impartiality such as was put on display today. The statement added
Meanwhile, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Mike Igini, in his address assured the people that the commission was committed to conducting free and credible elections in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
He said the signing of the peace accord was part of the commission’s preparation for credible and acceptable 2019 general elections.
Igini used the opportunity to clear the air on the rumours of his transfer from the state to Bayelsa state describing it as false.
He explained that the REC in Bayelsa State is Elder Monday Tom, who is an indigene of Akwa Ibom State and could be transferred to his home state but could serve in any other state in the South south region of the country.
