‘Akwa Ibom under siege’ — group raises the alarm

The Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM) has raised alarm following reports of influx of armed political thugs and deployment of more regular security forces into the state, two days to the governorship and state house of assembly elections.

Addressing reporters in Uyo, the state capital, on Thursday, Emmanuel Sam, leader of AILM, decried the alleged importation of suspected armed militants from Edo by politicians.

Sam said it is curious that just few hours after Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Adams Oshiomole left Akwa Ibom, over 10 hiace buses loaded with suspected political thugs were caught on their way from Edo to Akwa Ibom.

“From the video, which has since gone viral, the Police could be seen parading over 50 suspected political thugs, who confessed that they were on their way to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state,” Sam said in a statement.

“The narrator, in the video claimed that the suspects informed the Police that they were sent by Adams Oshiomole to aid Akwa Ibom APC in election malpractice.

“From confession of the suspects, we learn that more than eight buses may have arrived Uyo earlier. We are concerned that Saturday’s elections may be marred with violence because of these condemnable acts of desperation shown by the APC since the beginning of this electoral process.

“We are appealing to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, to rise above partisanship and direct security agencies to end the siege in Akwa Ibom state and allow the people, whom he swore an oath to defend, to elect their leaders freely. Akwa Ibom people know who they want to vote for, it is their constitutional right to cast their votes and their votes must count.

“As the Commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we expect Mr. President to strictly caution the hierarchy of security troops deployed to Akwa Ibom against partisanship and in professionalism during the discharge of their election duty.

“We also call on the international community especially the United States of America and European Union to beam their searchlight on Akwa Ibom State. We appeal to both local and international observers to document every undemocratic move made by electoral officials or politicians, aimed at stealing the mandate of Akwa Ibom people, for possible sanctions.”