Chidi Tony| Members of the Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organization, a political structure galvanizing support for the gubernatorial aspiration of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has kicked against the recent developments in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State.
The campaign organization issued the condemnation on Thursday, February 17, 2022, through a press briefing addressed at the Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Secretariat in Uyo Akwa Ibom state.
The text of the press briefing, entitled, “Intimidation of PDP Party Members/Delegates by some Akwa Ibom State Government/Party Officials: An Unconstitutional Act and Threat to Public Peace”, was read by the Chairman of the Campaign Organization, Bishop Andrew Unwanta.
They frowned at a situation in which some officials of the Akwa Ibom State government and the party were threatening some party members mostly statutory delegates with a directive to vote a particular aspirant, failure of which they could be denied voting rights.
The press statement duly endorsed by the Chairman, Bishop Andrew Unwanta, and the Secretary, Obong Kennedy Ekong, read thus in parts, “It is therefore on the strength of the above provisions that the recent and ugly activities of some Akwa Ibom State government and party officials, individually and as a group, calling meetings as well as reaching out to some party members mostly statutory delegates to direct them against freely associating with other leaders/members of the party and also threatening and intimidating them with violent and illegal sanctions such as delisting, suspension, and prevention from participating in voting at Party Primary elections of which they are legitimate delegates is unfortunate, irrational, unconstitutional, null and void.
“This has been the scenario across the state in recent times and cuts a picture of systemic and strategic plan to victimize, undermind and infringe on the inalienable rights of these members of the party as provided for by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“In as much as this action negates the tenets of democracy and fundamental rights, it is an abuse of office and threat to public peace, in contravention of the oath of office taken by these government and Party Officials.
“These unwholesome and illegal actions are seriously viewed as a calculated attempt to polarise the party with the potential of negatively affecting the long earned success of the party in the state and it is hereby condemned”.
The statement cited numerous sections of both the Nigerian and the PDP Constitutions, observing that they both guaranteed freedom of association and the inalienable rights of partymen to fully be part of the election process.
The campaign organization, therefore, encouraged party members/delegates to “ignore the empty threats and intimidations” of government and party officials and “continue in their lawful and loyal activities to promote an egalitarian society founded on freedom, equality, and justice.”
“We insist that in line with the appropriate provisions of our party, the leadership of the party should ensure a level-playing field for all the delegates to exercise their free choices by supporting whoever they want without intimidation. Nigeria is running a democracy and not a theocracy (a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God), monarchy, or dictatorship – where one man’s choice or decision must be obeyed by all without question.
“We also demand that primary election, as stipulated by our party constitution, be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner, where all the aspirants will subject themselves to the voting choices of the delegates and test their popularities. This will truly ensure that our party retains its enviable hold on our dear state in the general election.
The people described as baseless, the speculations that their superlative aspirant and principal, Senator (Obong) Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) was still very firmly in the gubernatorial race to the Hilltop Mansion in 2023.
“He is not shaken in his resolve and his love for Akwa Ibom increases daily. Above all, he still holds onto his belief that power belongs to God and He gives it to whoever He pleases. Therefore, we call on our teeming supporters and delegates to remain steadfast in their resolve, too. We are still on course!
“To this effect, OBA will soon launch his manifesto, which is a rich and verifiable blue-print that will roadmap the path to a more refreshing Akwa Ibom of tomorrow. The due date will soon be announced.
“So far, we deeply appreciate our increasing number of supporters, well-wishers, and delegates and assure them of victory at the end. We however urge more Akwa Ibomites, particularly our party delegates, to join us in this unstoppable march towards a truly prosperous future”.
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