Group says violence marred polls in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom Progressive Coalition, an independent group, has rated security operatives and electoral officials low in Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections.

The group described elections in the state as ”shambolic, disgraceful, and completely unbecoming of election umpires in any elections in any part of the world in the 21st century.”

In a release signed by its secretary-general, Akpan Udo Solomon, the group expresses their concerns about recent events in this state.

“From reports and independent observations, the malicious intention and activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Akwa Ibom on Saturday left a lot to be desired, and it is safe to conclude that Nigeria has taken a huge step back in consolidating on progress made regarding elections in the last couple of years,” Solomon said in a statement.

“It is sad to note that a body as revered as INEC will stoop low to get into cahoots with politicians and other parties in the state to embarrass itself and shamelessly become a tool in the hand of politicians to promote their selfish agenda.

“Akwa Ibom witnessed several incidents of voter intimidation, violence, and other untoward activities that marred elections in many polling units and areas that were seen to be loyal to the opposition across the length and breadth of the state, and these were either initiated or helped along by the INEC, the various state security apparatus, as well as other unscrupulous elements.

“You will recall that the main opposition party in the State, the All Progressives Congress (APC), had earlier raised an alarm over the establishment of a parallel security agency by the State Government to prosecute its election-winning agenda, as well as the influx of thugs and militants into the state from neighboring states, allegedly sponsored by the current state government, led by the PDP Governor, Emmanuel Udom; while a few arrests were made ahead of the elections, the bulk of these militants and thugs remained and were properly kitted in police and military gears and wantonly transported across the state in security-branded vehicles, allegedly provided by the state government, to intimidate APC voters and disrupt the voting process.

“Some of the incidents that were reported by the press and other independent observers include massive cancellations of results from poling units in opposition party strongholds.”

According to the group, there was brazen use of security forces to intimidate, forcefully coerce and threaten the electorate in many areas of Akwa Ibom state by the state government.

”We call on these authorities to issue stern warnings to the PDP and other agencies within the state who are party to these illegalities that anyone who is caught flouting the law either by inciting violence, bending the rules guiding these elections in any manner or form, or announcing or publishing fake, unverified results will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the group said.