By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Esit Eket local council of Akwa Ibom have called for the cancellation of the Councillorship election in ward 11, Esit Eket local council.
It had also condemned the hijacking of materials and banditry by allegedly hired hoodlums in Saturday’s local polls in the area expressing displeasure over the violence that resulted in severe injuries to innocent voters and some officials of the party in the area.
Officials of the party who spoke with newsmen at the local government collation centre at Itak Inyang also called on security agencies to investigate and arrest the perpetuators of the act.
Chapter Chairman of the PDP in Esit Eket, Elder Eddy Etangkanga, said he was so shocked that a simple election involving brothers could become violent.
“We are so dismayed that the armed thugs came and carted away materials meant for Ward 11 and abducted the electoral officials into unknown locations.’
“I was surprised when my attention was drawn to a purported trending videos on the social media space alleging that the Councillorship Candidate of National Rescue Mission (NRM) won the Councillorship election in Ward 11, even when there is no existence of such party in our local government area.
” It was by the mercy of God that I was able to escape from being lynched by those hired thugs who invaded the Local government AKISIEC office in Uquo.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia, admitted that there was no election across the units in Ward 11 adding that the hoodlums laid ambush in order to murder him.
The Councillor representing the ward, Mr Collins Jimmy said there were gunshots on the night to the elections before the attack by hoodlums during the elections calling for a fresh election under strict security enforcement to enable the people exercise their franchise.
