Chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation, Archbishop Andrew Unwanta has accused some officials of the Akwa Ibom State Government and officials of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of harassment and intimidation of delegates.
Akwa Ubok Abasi is the campaign organisation of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) a frontline 2023 governorship aspirants on the platform of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.
Briefing newsmen in Uyo on Thursday, ArchBishop Uwanta stated, ”we want to clear all doubts and baseless speculations flying around town, and state unequivocally that our superlative aspirant and principal, Senator (Obong) Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) is still very firmly in the gubernatorial race to the Hilltop Mansion in 2023.
He is not shaken in his resolve and his love for Akwa Ibom increases daily.
“Above all, he still holds onto his belief that power belongs to God and he gives it to whoever He pleases. Therefore, we call on our teeming supporters and delegates to remain steadfast in their resolve, too, We are still on course!
“To this effect, Obong (Senator) Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) will soon launch his manifesto,which is a rich and verifiable blue print that will roadmap the path to a more refreshing Akwa Ibom State of tomorrow. The due date will soon be announced,” Uwanta disclosed.
He condemned “recent and ugly activities of government and party officials, individually and as a group, calling meetings as well as reaching out to some party members, mostly statutory delegates to direct them against freely associating with other leaders/party members of the party and also threatening and intimidating them with violent and illegal sanctions such as delisting, suspension and prevention from participating in voting at party primary elections of which they are legitimate delegates is unfortunate, irrational, unconstitutional, null and void.
“This has been the scenario across the state in recent times and cuts a picture of systemic and strategic plan to victimize, undermine and infringe on the inalienable rights of these members of the party as provided for by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and PDP.
“In as much as this negates the tenets of democracy and fundamental rights, it is an abuse of office and threat to public peace, in contravention of the oath of office taken by government and party officials,” Uwanta.
Uwanta underlined that such actions are in violation of Chapter IV- Fundamental Rights, Section 40 which provides that: “ Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to political party, trade union or other association for the protection of interest.
He stated that these unwholesome and illegal actions are seriously viewed as a calculated attempt to polarise the party with the potential of negativity affecting the long-earned success of the party in the state and it is condemned.
“We hereby encourage our party members/delegates to ignore their empty threats and intimidations and continue in their lawful and loyal activities to promote an egalitarian society founded on freedom, equality and justice.
“We insist that in line with the appropriate provisions of our party, the leadership of the party should ensure a level playing field for all delegates to exercise their free choices by supporting whoever they want without intimidation. Nigeria is running a democracy and not a theocracy (a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God), monarchy or dictatorship- where one man’s choice or decision must be obeyed by all without question.
“We also demand that primary, as stipulated by our party constitution, be conducted in a free, fair and credible manner where all the aspirants will subject themselves to the voting choices of delegates and test their popularities. This will truly ensure that our parties retains its enviable hold on our dear state in the general election,” submitted Uwanta.
Uwanta advised the perpetrators of the ignoble and illegal acts of intimidation to retrace their steps to avoid appropriate sanctions in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution.
No comments:
Post a Comment