FLASHBACK: A’Ibom opposition leaders arrested over destruction of Jonathan’s campaign office

‘The more things change, the more they stay the same’ is an idiom which fittingly captures the political space in Nigeria. Seven years ago, Hafiz Ringim, former inspector-general of police, summoned some leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the legacy parties which coalesced into the All Progressives Congress (APC), to Abuja over the violence which led to destruction of vehicles reportedly worth N2 billion and the burning of the campaign office of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

At least, 18 people reportedly lost their lives in the incident. The police had arrested Akpan Udoedeghe, governorship candidate of the ACN, and filed a nine-count charge of alleged arson and murder against him. Among the 28 lawyers who defended Udoedeghe was Yemi Osinbajo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who is currently the nation’s vice-president.

Trouble reportedly began when Udoedeghe’s campaign train was prevented from campaigning in the senatorial district of Godswill Akpabio, the then governor who was seeking a second term. Akpabio’s loyalists reportedly forced the ACN candidate’s campaign out of the area. Both sides then retreated to Uyo, the state capital, and engaged in a bloody fight. ACN supporters were alleged to have stormed the campaign headquarters of Jonathan/Sambo in the city and razed it down. A pool of brand new cars meant for the campaign was also incinerated by the angry protesters.

Weighing in on the issue Lai Mohammed, who was spokesman of the opposition party, had accused the police of “glaring partisanship”.

“We condemn the glaring partisanship of the police in handling the Akwa Ibom case and the arrest of 41 ACN supporters in Akwa Ibom, whose only offence is that they were found with brooms, the party’s symbol,” he had said in a statement.

”Three of the 41 ACN supporters who were arrested and slammed into detention were reported to have died. How can we then not be worried by the safety of our governorship candidate under the circumstances? We hope this idea of flying Sen. Akpanudoedehe to Uyo, ostensibly to arraign him in court there after the police virtually abducted him right inside a court in Abuja, in a crude and brush manner, is not aimed at subjecting him to the final solution.

“Nothing untoward must happen to Sen. Akpanudoedehe, and that since he is now held captive by the police, the force will be held responsible for his safety. The Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim should respect the law in handling this delicate issue, since he is not above the law.”

Fast forward to 2018, Ibrahim Idris, inspector general of police, has summoned leaders of the PDP in Akwa Ibom over issues on the destruction of the billboards of the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The police had earlier arrested and detained Iniobong Essien, commissioner of environment, for allegedly preventing the erection of billboards for APC campaign. Essien’s action was said to have led to a clash between PDP and APC supporters.

Charles Udoh, commissioner of information in the state, had wondered why only PDP leaders were invited by the police. It could all be about politics; the PDP leaders were “shielded” when the party controlled government at the centre.