APC group, government disagree over alleged plan against LG autonomy in Akwa Ibom

The National Youth Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has alleged that the state government, in collaboration with 31 local council chairmen, has concluded plans to sponsor street protest against the implementation of the local government autonomy.

The state chairman of the APC youth group, Mr. Iniobong John, in a statement made available to journalists in Uyo yesterday, titled “Planned Protest Against Local Government Autonomy,” further alleged that the action was as a result of the state government’s failure to get court order to stop the implementation of the local government autonomy in the state.

But reacting to these allegations, the PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ini Ememobong, said the party had no such plan, adding that such had always been the handiwork of the APC in the state.

“There is no such plan known to the party,” he said.Also, the state Public Relations Officer of ALGON and Chairman of Ikono Local Council, Mr. Itoro Columba, said such allegation was completely false, as no such plan was in the offing.

Columba described the allegation as “one of the antics the opposition is known for in the state.”“You know their (APC) antics. Nobody is planning any such protest. We are not against financial autonomy but that NFIU has no constitutional powers to direct state councils on how money should be used,” he said.

The APC youths further said: “We must state here categorically that should they carry out the planned protest, we would have no option than to mobilise APC and other concerned youths to hold a counter protest.“PDP should stop instigating unnecessary tension, crisis and apprehension in the state. The fight against local government autonomy is one fight the PDP government in the state has lost.”