The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom yesterday called on security agencies to arrest the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere and Senator Godswill Akpabio for alleged electoral offences.
It alleged that Ekere and Akpabio committed the offences during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections last Saturday.
PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong made the call at a news conference at the party secretariat on Four Lane, Uyo.
He said: “We were shocked yesterday by the press statement issued by the state Chairman of the broom-wielding party, Ini Okopido, and the subsequent press conference hosted by the duo of Obong Nsima Ekere and Godswill Akpabio alleging that they won in 26 local government areas of the state.
“This is surely the best example of living in fool’s paradise. We must state that the APC lost in all the local government areas, including Essien Udim and Ikot Abasi local government areas.
“In Essien Udim, materials in Ekpeyong Ward were hijacked by APC agents at the voting units in Independence High School, thugs and policemen sympathetic to Senator Akpabio mounted the gates and prevented PDP supporters from gaining access to the venue.
“The thugs further unleashed physical attack on a reporter (names withheld) who was there to cover the elections. He was severely beaten up and chased away.”
The PDP alleged that an aide to the senator was accompanied by scores of policemen and thugs to disrupt the elections on Saturday.
Ememobong went on: “As if that was not enough, the INEC office in the local government area was (allegedly) kept under siege by the senator.”
According to the PDP spokesman, result sheets were filled and forced on presiding officers to sign.
“These facts are alive and at the tribunal, we will avail the court,” he stated, adding: “The entire world noted the delay it took for Essien Udim to collate and transmit results, all because of Senator Akpabio’s unwholesome interference.
“In Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, APC thugs were on the rampage, carting away electoral materials and personnel and taking them to Ekere’s residence, where thumb printing was done.
“Even in Nsima Ekere’s Unit, pictorial evidence abound to show armed soldiers arranging the voting queue to ensure that PDP supporters did not vote.
“In units 2, 6 and other units in Ward 7, thugs led by Ernest Ntuk hijacked ballot boxes and electoral personnel, delivering them at the residence of Ekere.
“We therefore call for the arrest of Godswill Akpabio and Nsima Ekere for the numerous electoral and criminal offences committed by them in the course of these elections.
“The rule of law makes all men equal before the law.”