Religious, Royal Fathers Condemn Militarisation of A’Ibom

 

Akwa Ibom State religious leaders under the umbrella of Fathers of Faith on Wednesday condemned the invasion of the state by the military ahead of the governorship and state House of Assembly polls.

Prelate Emeritus, Sunday Mbang of the Methodist Church, who spoke for others, noted the ‘high’ movement of military to the state after the presidential and National Assembly elections.

He frowned at the role of Senator Godswill Akpabio in the alleged ‘militarisation’ of the state ahead of the March 9, 2019, elections.

According to the cleric, “Although as an individual, Akpabio reserves the right to freely associate with whatever political party he deems fit for himself, but his unguarded utterances have however ignited unhealthy rivalry among members of the different political parties in the state.

“This unpleasant political atmosphere came to the fore since the uncommon defection of our son and former Governor, Akpabio, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on August 8, 2018.

“Key among his below par utterances is the infamous ‘Warsaw Saw War’. Ever since he made that statement, things have not remained the same in our polity.

“As if to confirm the belligerent disposition of Akpabio and his party, the APC, the invasion of Akwa Ibom State landscape by the military, shortly before and during the last presidential and National Assembly elections of February 28, 2019, sent a wrong signal to our people.

“There were reports of harassment, intimidation and physical assault of the electorate in some parts of Akwa Ibom State, especially in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, where Akpabio stood in elections.

“As we speak, some of the political actors arrested by men of the Nigerian Police and the military are still held in custody without any charge brought against them in the court of law.”

The Prelate Emeritus further noted that with few days to governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state, troops have been moved to the state like never before, adding that “men of the Nigerian police have also become battle-ready.

“This militarisation of our state would have been understandable and apt if we were in a war situation. For God sake, we are not at war, and therefore, we condemn this suspicious deployment of soldiers and men of other security forces to the state. Commanders and other hierarchy of security forces should remember that professionalism is the hallmark of their callings, and they are never expected to turn their guns against a peaceful people with whose monies the guns are bought.

“As a concerned body, we therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently look into the situation before it degenerates into an ugly scene.”

In another development, an enlarged meeting of the state Council of Chiefs held at Ibom Hall has called on political gladiators in the state to sheath their swords, noting that signals coming from their activities are unhealthy for the state which is known across the country a peaceful state.

In a statement read by the Chairman of the state Council of Chiefs, HRM Edidem Ntoeng-Udo Effiong Akpan, it advised all political parties and their candidates to eschew violence, thuggery, ill utterances which are likely to cause problem in the society.

 Highlight of the royal fathers’ gathering was the presentation of traditional fresh palm fronts signifying peace to the three major ethnic groups in the state, the Ibibios, Annangs and the Oros.