Police Halt ANPP Rally In Akwa Ibom
UYO, March 28, (THEWILL) – The police in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State today stopped the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) from launching its campaign rally in Essien Udim Local Government Area, the home town of the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio claiming its decision was to avoid “unforeseen circumstances.”
Architect Paul Bassey, the state Chairman of the party informed other party executives of the action of the Force during a meeting between the state police commissioner and political party leadership in the state which held earlier today at the Police Officers’ mess, Metro Road, Uyo.
Bassey alleged that a letter from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area, Mr. Dominic Effiong stopping the event was served the party as it was set to move its campaign train to the local government area.
Recall that the Itai Afe Annang, the traditional umbrella of the Annang people during their meeting recently to endorse one of their own, the incumbent governor of the state for a second term had vowed that no other candidate would be welsomed in Annang land.
The last week’s violence that claimed about 50 lives and assets running into several millions of naira has also been linked stand of the Annang clan.
However reacting to the complain, the state police commissioner, Mr. Felix Osita Uyanna promised to look into the matter, reasoning that the decision to stop the rally may have been to avoid further crisis in the state. He also disclosed that there are still two unidentified corpses in his custody from last week’s crisis.
On the allegation that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Haviz Ringim was paid N500 million to effect his posting to Akwa Ibom State for political reasons, the police commissioner debunked the allegation adding that he was transferred alongside about five other police commissioners.
Uyanna, who last served as police commissioner in Taraba State said the IG has the right to effect posting in the Police Force at any time he deems it necessary saying he has come to secure peace and order in the state.
“My duty by law is to make sure that the people of the state sleep with their two eyes closed,” he stated.
The police boss who has barely served for one week in the state called on party chieftains to promote inter party relationship and shun violence in the state.
Notably absent from the meeting were chieftains of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for fear of being detained having made the wanted list of the state police.
The meeting, according to the police commissioner was to draw up modalities to see to a peaceful conduct of elections in the state as well as broker peace and togetherness amongst the political parties.