...calls for political inclusion, separation of powers
28th November, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the third major political party in Akwa Ibom is saddened by the event in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and has to make a statement to save the state from impending crises and chaos.
As a party that is guided by the rule of law, it is the interest of the good people of Akwa Ibom State to make the following position to bring peace and normalcy back to the House of Assembly and Akwa Ibom State.
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is the main symbol of democracy in the state and should be protected by all. The Assembly is not the property of the PDP or the APC; it is meant for the people of Akwa Ibom State and opened to all political parties who sponsor candidates and win during electoral contest.
We are aware that there was a judgment of the High Court concerning the law maker Hon. Idongesit Ituen of Itu State Constituency and at the plenary session of the House last Monday 19th November, 2018, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke should have acted on that judgment and declare only the seat of Hon. Idongesit Ituen vacant, and not the other four law makers who defected from the PDP to the APC, since they did not take any lawsuit against the House of Assembly. We stand on the ground that, the law maker representing Urueffong Uroko/Udung Uko State Constituency who defected from the APC to the PDP in this 6th Assembly that there was no crisis.
The APC lawmakers, in as much as they want to safeguard their interest should have followed the appropriate legal channels to defend their rights rather than resorting to self-help. As lawmakers, rule of law should be the ultimate guide to action.
The PDP and the APC should not whip the ethnic card and reduce politics in the State to one of political thuggery as this will amount to invitation of unprecedented crises, which will hunt and hurt the peace of the State.
The Police Force and its hierarchy in the State should be neutral and seen to be completely apolitical, in the happenings in the House of Assembly, and more importantly in the 2019 General Election.
We call on the PDP and APC in the State to manage their political interest well and check their excesses, as there are other political parties in the ballot in the 2019 General Elections in Akwa Ibom State.
We call on the ruling PDP in Akwa Ibom State to be tolerant of the opposition parties, not only in the House of Assembly but also as we move forward to the 2019 General Election. In the same token, we call on APC to stop the show of force, using Federal Agencies to subvert due process and abuse of the rule of law in the State.
Politicians of high standing should watch their statement carefully by not inciting violence in the state, as it is capable of over-heating the polity that is already charged.
Let the other four lawmakers be called back to their seat, while we await the judgment of the Appeal Court. This we believe will bring peace and justice to all deserving of it in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
In conclusion we call on the peace loving people, particularly the youth and women of Akwa Ibom State to stay away from politically incited protest and avoid being used to cause ethnic tension in these political times, as this will lead to casualty and untimely death.
Comr. Mfon Gabriel Udoh
Akwa Ibom State Publicity Secretary APGA
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