Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Sir. Monday Ebong Uko has urged the people of Obot Akara to remain calm and law abiding, insisting that no manner of manipulation can stop his people’s wishes from becoming a reality.

The Commissioner who is a PDP chieftain in Obot Akara wants the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the recent attack at his local government area and bring perpetrators to book.

Addressing journalists, Sunday in Uyo, Mr. Uko who described as false, some online reports that he has been arrested by the police, however said his party had uncovered plots by members of the opposition APC to plant incriminating items in his house with intent to frame him on trump up charges of hiring armed thugs.

Accusing the opposition party of putting his name on a target list, Mr. Uko said "Credible intelligence from every reliable sources reveal that a plot has been hatched to plant incriminating items in my premises and car in order to arrest and detain me. Also, there is another plot to hire some thugs who will be arrested with arms and on interrogation name me as their sponsor".

The Commissioner explained that the reported violence in Obot Akara on Friday, occurred when some thugs allegedly sponsored by the APC, attacked INEC office in Obot Akara, venting their frustration on some INEC buses, and setting them ablaze.

Recall that recently the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Akwa Ibom State had raised alarm over alleged plots by APC Chieftains to frame up its key members and supporters of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Describing Obot-Akara as a PDP stronghold, Mr. Uko, said members of the opposition were very much aware of this fact, hence their resort to violence.

"I want to call on the Inspector General of Police and indeed the entire security agencies in the country not to allow themselves to be used by desperate APC politicians who will stop at nothing than to tarnish my hard-earned reputation.

“I request them to conduct a thorough investigation to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime, with a view to bring them to book and exonerating those who are innocent".

"Is it not astonishing that it could even be contemplated that the PDP, that is in complete control of Obot Akara could turn around to attack an electoral process when it is sure of victory.

The police are aware of those involved and if they are serious about their functions, those criminal elements would be arrested without delay.

“Three weeks ago, the Obot Akara Electoral Officer was attacked by the same known APC chieftains and the perpetrators were reported promptly to security agents. Unfortunately, the security agents failed to apprehend them, allowing them to boast on the streets of Obot Akara that they have federal might, and cannot be arrested".

On allegations that armed thugs were arrested in his residence, Uko said nothing could be farther from the truth, maintaining that as a former local government chairman and a grassroots politician, he had no need of thugs, as he had the firm support of his people.

“For the record, Obot Akara has been a stronghold of PDP and under Governor Udom Emmanuel, the first ever roads and bridges have been constructed in the area. The Senatorial candidate and several top politicians are from Obot Akara, and they have the support of the entire people.”

"May I also draw the attention of the international community and Nigerians to the fact that a High Court of competent jurisdiction sitting in Uyo had given an order restraining the police and the DSS from arresting 108 persons, who are supporters of Governor Udom Emmanuel and members of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization during the election period until the determination of the substantive suit for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights instituted by those persons," Mr Uko added

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/02/2019-violence-police-shielding-miscreants-aibom-sports-commissioner/

AkwaIbom...Calabar people.

Osunbade, call Apkabio for me. I must win on Saturday.