Akwa Ibom crisis: Tension as IGP questions Emmanuel’s campaign team in Abuja
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has led his campaign team to Abuja following the invitation from the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, on the alleged impending breakdown of law and order following the destruction of campaign materials in the state.
It was learnt that the IGP, who summoned Emmanuel’s campaign coordinators, accused them of various misdemeanours based on a petition by All Progressives Congress chairman in the state, Mr Ini Okopido, to Buhari, who asked his Chief of Staff to involve Abubakar for an immediate investigation into the matter.
A press statement from the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, in Uyo on Thursday, mentioned that the issue bordered on the destruction of Buhari’s Presidential campaign billboards in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, a charge the Peoples Democratic Party and the Environment Commissioner had denied and clarified.
The statement added that the general plank for the invitation openly revolved around instigation for violence.
He said, “All the persons invited by the Inspector General of Police curiously are the key officers of Udom Emmanuel Divine Mandate Organisation, the vehicle for Emmanuel’s re-election.
“Those invited to appear today (October 25, 2018) are the chairperson of Divine Mandate, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd.); the PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Paul Ekpo; the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke; the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Iniobong Essien; and the Senior Special Assistant on Security, Fubara Duke, among others.
“A security agency established by law has invited us; so we have to honour it. We obey laws here. It started with the billboard issue and the IGP sent a team from Abuja that investigated and even detained the Commissioner for Environment for no just cause. Is this their concept to intimidate and take over Akwa Ibom State that they have been orchestrating and boasting about? Acceptability is at the polls. Let’s go there. We are ready.” Punch
