The recent invitation of some publishers by the Akwa Ibom State Police command for a “chat”... towards 2015 elections is unnecessary. I believe the action is a calculated and veiled witch hunt sponsored by certain elements within the Akpabio led administration, with intent to intimidate media practitioners to submission. My questions to the Police command are:
1. Since when did the police become the organ that regulates the operation and activity of newspapers?
2. Has the police fished out the killers of Late Albert Ukpanah who was assassinated in the night of Wednesday, 12th March 2014, my late father Chief Ekpe Otu Antia; who was brutally assassinated on the 25th day of January, 1997 in Uyo, Iniekong Udonwa’s mother who was murdered in the build up to 2007 gubernatorial polls and the Ekpenyong brothers, amongst others.
3. Has the police finished with their constitutional duty of protecting the citizens of ado Ok state against kidnappers and other social vices?
4. Does delving into regulating newspaper activities not translate to misplaced priority?
5. What threat do the invited media practitioners pose to the people of Akwa Ibom State, whom the police swore to protect?
Until the questions are satisfactorily answered, i state here that the Akwa Ibom State police command is only an instrument used by desperate politicians to clampdown on journalist in the state, and I call on all to rise up and say No to intimidation, No to militocracy and dictatorial traits in a democratic setting.
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