***He was bared, says APC
By Emeka Samuel
All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship’s candidate in Akwa Ibom, Obong Nsima Ekere today shunned a peace accord meeting organised by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of 2019 general elections.
The APC has however in a swift reaction in a statement endorsed by state chairman Mr Ini Okopido said that Ekere was bared from attending the event by security operatives who were attached to Governor Udom Emmanuel condemning it as a show of rascality.
Ekere who arrived the venue of the event in Uyo,hours after the meeting had started with Governor Udom Emmanuel, his deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo and others already seated attempted to enter through the front door but was bared by security officials manning the gate in order not to disrupt the programme.
In line with protocol demand the former NDDC MD was directed by the security officials to take another door which other candidates who came late took into the hall.
This did not go down well with him when the security operatives refused his insistence on entering through the front door prompting him to walk out of the venue in anger as he entered into his vehicle and zoomed off.
Meanwhile, Governor Udom Emmanuel who was in the meeting said his response to INEC invitation to the event was part of his commitment to adhering to the rules and regulations as spelt out by the Commission in other to ensure a hitch free poll in the state.
“If I was not committed, I would not have been here. This is because I am made to understand that what is written is written. For the fact that there is a commitment in writing that will ensure peace, Heaven bears us witness. Anybody who goes against this, I think Heaven will leave the person on his own.
“You see election is part of democratic process, which lead to free, peaceful and credible elections. In this case, security agencies have a whole lot of role to play because the blame is so much on politicians but the politicians won’t do anything if they don’t have the support of the security agencies.
“ I want to believe that if all hands are on deck, and we as stakeholders talk to ourselves that we want a peaceful election, we will achieve it as a country. Let the interest of the country be bigger than the interest of one man”, Governor Emmanuel added.
Also expressing happiness at the initiative of the peace accord, former Governor, Obong Victor Attah noted peaceful election as bedrock to democracy.
According to him, “There has never been any doubt in my mind that free and fair elections form the bedrock of democracy and that is why I am very impressed with what is happening here today which is the signing of this peace accord.
“By introducing sanity into our electoral system, they have done this country a world of favour and we should be grateful to them. But listening to the Commissioner on how the collation will be done, I feel quite satisfied that there is a possibility as it has been demonstrate, as you say, elections will now return to the people”, Obong Attah stressed.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Mike Igini had earlier assured of the commission’s readiness to conducting free and credible elections in the state and Nigeria said the signing of the peace accord was part of the commission’s preparation for credible and acceptable 2019 general elections.
Meanwhile Igini has cleared the air on the rumours of his transfer, describing it as false.
He explained that the REC in Bayelsa State is Elder Monday Tom, who is an indigene of Akwa Ibom State and cannot be transferred to his home state but can serve in any other state in the south south region of the country.
According to the APC statement, “We completely object to officials of the PDP state government moderating and taking charge of security at an INEC function to which all political parties were invited as equals. said that the party would “continue to reject, oppose and resist attempts to mortgage the independence and impartiality of INEC such as was put on display today.”
