APC, Police condemn destruction of Akwa Ibom Governor’s campaign billboards
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has condemned the destruction of campaign billboards of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the state.
Some billboards promoting Mr Emmanuel’s second term bid were torn into pieces about two days ago along the airport road, Ekpene Ukim, in Uruan Local Government Area, by unknown persons.
The billboards for a senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Bassey Albert, were also destroyed in the area.
There is suspicion that APC supporters may have been responsible for the destruction.
But the APC chairman in the state, Ini Okopido, said his party supporters couldn’t have done “such a thing”.
“I am not even aware of that,” Mr Okopido told PREMIUM TIMES, Friday morning.
The chairman condemned the destruction of the billboards, saying “it is very unfair”.
“There’s no way we can support that kind of criminality, that kind of destruction of anybody’s property.”
He added, “Why would my party supporters bother about the governor’s billboards? We are concerned about how we are going to bring out credible candidates to win in all the elections in the state.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have been having billboards from day one till date, nobody has ever bothered about it.
“Maybe, they (the governor and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party) are having internal issues.”
The police in the state said on Thursday they were saddened by the development which they said was “a criminal and electoral offence”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Command has put in place mechanisms to identify and prosecute those involved in such criminal acts.
“Henceforth, anyone caught removing, defacing or destroying campaign posters or billboards of their political opponents or those found breaching any part of the Electoral Law will be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with extant laws,” Odiko MacDon, the police spokesperson in the state, said in a statement.
Police Press Statement Below
POLICE PRESS RELEASE
The Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State has observed with dismay that some persons are going about maliciously destroying,defacing or removing the posters and bill boards of their political opponents.This is a criminal and electoral offence. For the avoidance of doubt, the Command has put in place mechanisms to identify and prosecute those involved in such criminal acts.Henceforth,anyone caught removing, defacing or destroying campaign posters or bill boards of their political opponents or those found breaching any part of the Electoral Law will be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with extant Laws.
The Commissioner of Police is calling on all politicians and stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State to call their supporters to order and to eschew politics of bitterness, hate speeches and anything that will overheat the polity, and will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone caught in any act that is likely to cause a breach of the peace being enjoyed by Akwa Ibom people.He assures the good people of Akwa Ibom State of their continued security, before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
DSP ODIKO MacDON
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
For: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
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