From George Oraeki
Coalition of 17 Civil Society Groups drawn from within and outside Nigeria under the aegis of Electoral Security and Transparency Groups, Have called for the resignation of Governor Godswill Akpabio Akwa Ibom state Governor.
In a statement signed by the chairman (BOT) of the coalition chief Titus Gilbert Adewumi said his Association met in Abuja to review and evaluate its mandate bordering on elections / selection of candidates for various electoral offices as a way to strengthen democracy in Nigeria,also looked at issues that center on electoral fraud, post election violence, election petitions and growing spate of violence as it may affect future elections in Nigeria.
In consideration of these issues, the coalition condemn among others, act of election rigging by impunity perpetuated by government officials.
In Particular is a statement accredited to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State claiming to have rigged election in favour of a ranking Senator in the National Assembly, held from his State. This statement was published by the media .
Governor Godswill Akpabio stated thus.
“I used my own hand to strike out the name of the person who has won before, and I said it is important for me to give that region a Senator in 2007, and I produced Senator Aloysius Etok for you; that’s where he comes from,” the governor said, before gesturing to Mr. Etok, who attended the session.
Not too Long ago this same Governor was quoted as describing the fellow Governors as “Judas” meaning betrayer in Christian parlance, yet nothing happen since He is being touted as ally of Mr. President Jonathan.
Chief Gilbert Adewumi said their evaluations further shows that this rigging admission statement was supported by the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the ruling party – PDP where the Governors junior brother – Barrister Ibanga Akpabio is the State Secretary of the Party, the State Executive Council and Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The Governor has also directed that this Senator should be recalled or withdrawn from National Assembly. This shows a complete breakdown of democracy in Akwa Ibom State.
The group contends that in view of this democratic breakdown and effort by the Governor to promote dictatorship in Akwa Ibom State, they are constrained by this action and therefore resolved that
the group solidarize with Mr. President in his effort to promote free and fair election and good governance in Nigeria and
Mr. President should set up a judicial commission of enquiry to investigate the veracity of claims made by this Governor. And if it is true that the Governor rig the election, he should be made to face the law of the land otherwise the Governor should be sent to psychiatric home for proper medical examination.
The Governor Akpabio should resign as the Governor to pave way for this probe.
Since the state House of Assembly is a product of his “rigging”, the National Assembly – House of Representatives should commence investigation into the activities of this Governor to avoid further disintegration of democracy in the state.
The coalition will do everything to team up and mobilize various democratic groups in the Nigeria to protest this executive rascality by this Governor to save the nation nascent democracy. In the event that the Governor may work around to frustrate this probe and continue with this act, particularly as He is the governor’s chairman of the running party – PDP, the group will extend this protest to Nigerians embassy in other countries of the world particularly the United State of American.
