Akwa Ibom government flays APC’s ‘war declaration’ on state

• Urges Buhari to punish alleged political thugs

Akwa Ibom State government has condemned what it described as a declaration of war on the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC).According to a signed statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy Charles Udoh yesterday, “the volume of boastful pronouncements of the much vaunted plot to capture Akwa Ibom by force; even if it means spilling human blood and destroying properties, reached a crescendo with the reckless utterances of Mr. Adam Oshiomhole and some unfortunate remarks which are shockingly credited to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo whom a number of Nigerians had seen as a God-fearing man.”

The statement noted: “While we discountenance the statements credited to the pastor and vice president, we are however embarrassed that Oshiomhole matched his boasts with action by sending truck loads of Edo State-born thugs and hoodlums from Benin to Akwa Ibom State.”

The government urged President Muhammadu Buhari “to direct the Inspector General of Police to ensure that all the arrested hoodlums are brought to book, while those still at large are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.”

It enjoined the people of the state “not to bow to these brazen acts of harassments and intimidation as the darkest part of the night is usually the closest to dawn.”It further urged them to “cast their votes for Governor Udom Emmanuel and candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), confident that no amount of intimidation can subvert our collective resolve to move to newer territories of possibilities and opportunities.”