APC berates A’ Ibom govt over LG polls conduct

By Kingston Obung

Calabar

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom state has chided the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led government for allegedly recruiting illegal ad-hoc staff for the State Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) with an intention to rig the December 2, 2017, local government elections.
Speaking in Uyo, the Chairman, APC Local Government Election Campaign Committee, Senator Aloysius Etok, said: “Consequent upon further concern, APC had issued a press release on November 8, 2017, titled ‘Illegal/Secret Recruitment and Training of Ad Hoc Staff for the December 2 Local Government Election by AKISIEC,’ wherein we queried and cautioned the recruitment exercise by AKISIEC which ought to be open and transparent but was fraught with irregularities and embellished in secrecy.
“APC candidates in the Local Government Election are aware of threats and intimidation by their PDP opponents who boastfully assert that the election result will be written and announced from ‘Government House.’ This is not a mere boast and assertion.
“APC takes the assertion very seriously as it is the accustomed practice of the PDP to announce local government election results from Government House contrary to the rules and procedure guiding announcement of election results. APC shall resist any attempt to manipulate the election and will reject the results of an election not founded on the rule of law.”
Responding, the PDP said the opposition party’s accusation was a ‘concession speech.’ Speaking, its state Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said: “The entire world listened to the concession speech by the opposition All Progressives Congress as read by Sen. Aloysius Etok… In their statements, the world gleaned that they had not commenced marketing their councillorship and chairmanship candidates to the electorate among other failure indicators.”
Meanwhile, the opposition APC has flagged off campaign for the council polls with a vow to ensure no stone is left unturned in taking over power at the third tier of government.
In his remarks, at the event which took place at the Uyo Township Stadium, the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, said the massive turnout of members and supporters were indication that the APC was gathering momentum each passing day.
Oyegun used the occasion to receive defectors from the PDP, including Senator Nelson Effiong, who defected to the APC few months ago.

 

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