DENNIS UDOMA, Uyo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Akwa Ibom Friday, condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what it described as the cacophonous utterances bordering on irresponsibility by its leaders, since they lost their bid to grasp the governorship of the state.
The PDP, which spoke through Akwa Ibom Leaders Caucus led by Senator Anietie Okon, was attacking APC national chairman, Chief John Oyegun’s comments that his party would take over Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
Chief Oyegun, according to Sen. Okon was allegedly said after the Appeal Court’s nullification of the governorship elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States that his party, “Will take over the two states at all costs” and that, he was confident of winning Akwa Ibom than any other state in the South-South.
He said but, shortly after making his “greed for power” declaration in respect of the two states, the apex court upheld the election of Chief Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued by the group at a press conference in Uyo, Senator Okon maintained that, the APC boss since then could no longer contain his frustration.
“He is so frustrated because, in his own words, the oil producing states should not remain in the hands of the opposition. To quote him, “We have lost very important resource states to the PDP.
“The decisions by the Supreme Court have led to the unnecessary and unprofessional maligning of the Supreme Court by those perceived to be sympathetic to the APC candidates. More worrisome is the fact that prominent amongst those condemning the Supreme Court are renowned legal minds…”
He also condemned a statement credited to Professor Itse Sagay in Punch Newspaper of February 5, 2016 saying that, the Supreme Court judgment was strange and likening it to an ancient King called Draco, who punished every crime by death.
Okon further maintained that, APC leaders have failed woefully to demonstrate the leadership, which their offices imbued on them adding, “It is sad and clearly explains why this country is wobbling under their leadership.”
It would be recalled that, just few days ago, Akwa Ibom APC had rejected the Supreme Court judgment which declared Mr. Udom Emmanuel of the PDP winner of the April governorship election.
The elders, after exhaustive review of the apex court’s decision during their one day parley, described the ruling as a dangerous act of political advocacy that completely ignores the uncontested and overwhelming evidence of the petitioners (Umana Umana and APC) at the Tribunal that, there was no valid election in 18 of the 31 local government areas in the state.
APC in a communiqué read by its State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Ita Awak declared the judgment as weird, arbitrary and an inexplicable endorsement of violence and electoral fraud that was procured by the use of state power and resources for evil ends.
