Ononokpono's Arrest Provocative, Overkill - Says Liberty Network

Foremost faith-based and pro-democracy NGO in Akwa Ibom State has described the arrest and prosecution of the 75-year old elder statesman, Hon. Effiong Ononokpono as kangaroo and provocative. In a press statement demanding the 'immediate step back' of Governor Godswill Akpabio from the case, the group advised the governor to develop a thick skin ahead of the forth-coming elections because 'there are a million Ononokponos in Akwa Ibom State waiting for Akpabio to give accurate account of his stewardship'.
"We condemn in its entirety the Gestapo arrest and kangaroo prosecution of a respected elder statesman of the calibre of Hon. Effiong Ononokpono, for simply exercising his right to ask the governor some questions that obviously perturbed him as a senior citizen of Akwa Ibom State . We note that these were simple questions that even a journalist would have asked the governor; which required simple or even humorous answers. We are disturbed that, instead of towing a decent path of giving and publishing his answers to Ononokpono's questions, he opted to mobilize the coercive apparatus of State against a sick and frail elder statesman who has contributed enormously to the economic and socio-political fortunes of both Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. This is heavy-handed and certainly an overkill", the NGO said.
The group also expressed concern about what it called "the incredible level of intolerance that is increasingly manifesting in political and government circles in the State and called on the governor to "develop a thick skin ahead of the 2011 elections because there are a million Ononokponos in Akwa Ibom State waiting for the governor to give some account of his stewardship"..
Liberty Network recalled that this is not the first time that Governor Akpabio would drag his critics into detention, citing the case of a local journalist and son of a pastor in Uyo; as well as the rampant confiscation of newspapers and harassment of vendors in the State. The integrity group noted with displeasure the atmosphere of tension and insecurity in the State and said that even during the military rule; Akwa Ibom people were never so afraid to air their views, even in private, as it is now. "It is patently wrong, oppressive and inadvisable for the governor to seek to silent every dissenting voice by all means, even in a situation where all the state media establishment and beyond are blaring non-stop for him and against his perceived opponents".
Said the Liberty Network: "We have noted that even while Ononokpono was being hounded into prison custody and up to this point, the supporters of the governor are daily running a three-page expensive and potentially libellous advertorial against former Governor Attah, Senator Udoedehe and Sam Ewang in virtually all the national and local newspapers. We therefore call on Governor Akpabio to retrace his steps immediately, facilitate the release of Ononokpono and promote a conducive atmosphere for democratic norms and ethos. Akwa Ibom government must be reminded here and at all times that opposition is a perfectly legitimate and acceptable institution that must blossom in order for democracy to take root and grow".