Tag: Emeka Samuel

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is
partnering with the police to nab hoodlums who stole more than 2,045 Permanent
Voters Card (PVCs) from its office in Okobo local council of Akwa Ibom.

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It could be recalled that the INEC office in Okobo was attacked last month during a mob action by angry youths who protested the outcome of
the primaries election conducted by one of the political parties in
the area.

INEC national commissioner supervising Akwa Ibom, Delta and Cross River states, Dr. Mohammed Lecky, disclosed this yesterday at the commission’s office in Uyo during a press briefing to mark the completion of his tour of the state.

Lecky who also assured that the incident would not affect the 2019 elections in the area while the stolen PVCs would not be of any use to those who stole them during the election.

“The PVCs were stolen in Okobo local government area; they were 2,045 PVCs. We have visited the local government and we can a lot of security lapses around the local government office.

“I think it was a mob action which was a consequence of the primaries elections that were taking place at that time and I want to assure you that the police are looking into the matter. These things (PVCs) were stolen from where we kept them for safety.

“Like I have said what they (hoodlums) have done is a nullity because we have a list of everybody; we have their names; we have their pin numbers and we have their pictures on the voters’ register. It is a matter of reproducing the PVCs and making them available.

“But still we have to go after those culprits who were responsible so that we can apprehend them and punish them according to the law.” The National commissioner explained.

He dispelled insinuation that federal might would be used
truncate the credibility of next year’s election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the current leadership of the INEC would not pander to the interest of any political party.

He condemned politicians for kick-starting campaigns before November 18th fixed by the commission saying they have defied INEC’s
regulations.

Also speaking INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Mike Igini assured that he would ensure that credible and transparent elections are conducted in Akwa Ibom.

“Under the current leadership under my watch in this state and with our Commissioner of Police, we will maintain absolute, unqualified neutrality to provide a level playing field to leave behind a legacy and electoral process where attitude are shaped.” Igini said.

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The ongoing ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ by the military in Akwa Ibom State has stemmed violent crimes including the activities of sea pirates and militants especially around the coastal communities of Ikot Abasi Local council.

Council Chairman, Mr David Eshiet told newsmen yesterday at Ikot Abasi that the military routine exercise which would last for two months, was already sending criminal elements in the area into hiding.

Eshiet, who commended Governor Udom Emmanuel, for investing in security of lives and property of residents, noted that “since the arrival of the soldiers, fishing and other maritime activities in the coastal areas of Ikot Abasi, have been carried out smoothly”.

“We use to have frequent cases of sea pirates disturbing our people, dispossessing them of boats, outboard engines, cash and marine resources.

“Militancy, armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism that used to be our nightmares, have given way to peace because the exercise has become enough deterrence measures to keep them away from crimes.

“That is why we have to commend governor Udom Emmanuel, for not playing politics with security and other physical development of the state since he was sworn in as our governor in 2015.” The chairman said.

He pointed out that the security measures put in place by the administration has gone a long way to make the state a safe haven for investors and for the industrialization framework to have a bearing.

“The state need effective security because the governor has embark on massive drive to reposition the state from its hitherto civil service state into an industrialized economy and that is why the enabling environment must be created for socio-economic activities to thrive for the betterment of the people.” He stressed.

According to him, series of interventions in various sectors of the state including agriculture, free education, road works, human capital development and empowerment as well as rural development have combined to redefine Akwa Ibom as a destination tourists and investors.

He, therefore, enjoined discerning residents of the state not to be engrossed with the sentiments of the political era, but to see Emmanuel on the prism of his performance in the last three years and be in the vanguard for his re-election in 2019, in line with equity, justice and fair play.