As APC accuses Akpabio, Effiom Abai, Ukoette, ors for complicity

The Akwa Ibom state  chapter of the All   Progressives Congress (APC) have condemned in totality the assassination of Rt. Hon. Okon Uwah last Wednesday in Ukanafun by thugs suspected to be working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The late Okon Uwah was said to have gone on a campaign tour of his constituency ahead of the April 11 House of Assembly elections but came under the vicious attack of suspected PDP thugs in Nkek village.

In a press statement released by the party and made available to newsmen, the party condemned the assassination of Rt. Hon. Okon Uwah in the strongest possible terms and called on the relevant authorities, including the police and the Directorate of state security to apprehend and bring his murderers to justice. “ the party notes with the deepest concern that the foundation for Uwah’s assassination was laid at a PDP rally in Oruk Anam in February this year when Hon. Emmanuel Ukoette, PDP member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal constituency on live television called on PDP supporters to kill whoever opposes the party in the state. Ukoette made this statement in the presence of Governor Godswill Akpabio, who clearly endorsed it.

Emmanuel Ukoette, without doubt took a cue from Governor Aklpabio who had said on live television also last year that those who want to get power without his approval will die. Those who carried out the assassination on Wednesday, led by Hon. Effiom Abai, Ukoette’s campaign coordinator and current Vice Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Area, must have done so spurred on by the inciting statements made by PDP leadrers in the state, including Governor Godswill Akpabio.’’ the release stated further that Uwem Ita Etuk, Akpabio’s current commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs had expressly said on tape that APC supporters who come out to campaign and votes for the party would be killed and maimed.

“We want it to be noted that Hon. Effiom Abai who led the murdering squad                               

                                                                                                   that assassinated Rt. Hon Okon Uwah is an aide to Prince Akpabio who nominated him for the position of Vice chairman of Ukanafun.  Capt. Iniobong Ekong, Special Assistant to the governor on security and Hon Enobong Uwah, commissioner for environment have also issued a threat to kill APC supporters in Nsit Ubium, including the APC Governorship candidate in the state and members of his family.’’ The party maintained that eyewitnesses to the assassination of Rt. Hon Okon Uwah said the killers invaded the venue of the meeting which the deceased was attending, bearing Hon. Emmanuel Ukoette’s posters and hailing him as their master, they reportedly shouted that Hon. Uwah was going to pay for daring to oppose their master before setting upon the man and beating him to death.’’

In a swift move to unravel the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Obong Okon Uwah, the APC has petitioned the International Criminal Court on the roles played by Governor Akpabio, Hon Emmanuel Ukoette, Prince Akpabio, Uwem Ita Etuk, Capt Iniobong Ekong, Enobong Uwah and Hon Abai on the murder of Rt. Hon. Okon Uwah. The party maintained that it wants those mentioned in the ignoble act to face justice noting that Uwah’s death is the latest in a string of politically motivated killings since Governor Godswill Akpabio took over power in 2007. “They should be held responsible for the assassination of Rt. Hon Okon Uwah and any future politically motivated violence in the state. Three arrests have already been made in connection to the assassination of Obong Okon Uwah.