AC, Mbatessien Slam Sunny Ibanga

Wild reaction continues to trail the Ananngs over their decision to bar political campaigns in their local governments from camps opposed to Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Those who speak to Global Concord insisted that such stance was a negation of the dream of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to conduct credible elections in the country in 2011. Acting President Jonathan has told the country that conducting a free, fair and credible election in 2011 was his major target. Recently at washinton DC in a meeting of Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) moderated by Howard Jeter, former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, the Acting President had told President Barrack Obama of Uninstall state of America that he was about to embark on a holistic overhaul of the nation electoral process to ensure that there is as free and fair election in the country.

He said. “Before 2011, there will be a number of changes in INEC. A number of people talk about the chairman and is not the chairman alone. The chairman's tenure is going to expire by 13th of June, but not just him alone, but quite a member of the officers, more than two third of them. Basically, I am a bit lucky now because most of the Commissioners at the national level have completed their tenure or will complete their tenure in a couple of months. So we are going to review them individually and the ones that are not good to be reappointed, we will not reappoint them and we will inject fresh blood and we will make sure that we bring people on board that if you mention the names, people in the civil society will be happy that they will conduct free and fair election…”


The acting President was speaking in views of the fact that free and fair election in all state of the federation was the solution to endemic corruption and abuse of office by political office holders. In the midst of wealth, citizens of Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigerians in general have been thrown into abject poverty, insecurity and general disregard to due process since the rigging and mal practices during election can be used to perpetrate self by any desperate political office holder. Jonathan further stated: “only credible electoral reform and credible election can guarantee durable democracy” adding that “without credible reforms, we can not phase out bad leadership and without that process, we cannot have a strong nation.

In his response, Barrack Obama said Nigeria had to set example in leadership to regain its loss glory in the comity of nations through the conduct of credible elections.

The American President said; “Nigeria is critical to the rest of the continent and if Nigeria does not get it right, Africa will really not make more progress. There is the urgent need for free and fair elections and the need to tackle the problem of corruption and to establish security and stability in the country”.

If Goodluck Jonathan can conduct credible election which reflect the desire of the masses across the federation, President Obama told him: “America would like to work with Nigeria to ensure a politically stable environment which will make Nigeria a good example to other African countries”.

But this cannot be if the threats to mar the election by stalling all electoral campaigns in some section of the state by some officials in Governor Akpabio's cabinet are not nipped at the bud. This was opinion of those who spoke with the press.

Speaking to Global Concord, Comrade David Ekanem of Action Congress said recent utterances of some government official were direct threat to national and state security and should not be over looked by security operative if they are interested in the protection of lives and properties in the state especially when considering the casualty that was botched when Justine Udoedehe visited Ikot Ekpene. Comrade Ekanem who is the state chairman of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP described political campaigns as a channel where manifestoes are presented to the electorates to assist them in making right choices during election.


The Action Congress boss said Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district should not attempts to stall political development of the state by attempting to scare away aspirants from the axis. He said his party will not be deterred by such threats as his governorship candidate who will soon venture will campaign throughout the state adding that “all sections of the state belongs to all of us and we can't be barred by anybody, not even the governor”.

David Ekanem reasoned that if candidates from other senatorial district can't campaign Ikot Ekpene, then there was no moral justification for Governor Godswill Akpabio or any governorship aspirant from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district to campaign in other senatorial districts.

On his part, Chief Ime Mbatessien has called on the public to disregard the statements describing it as ranting of mandate thieves. Mbatessien while advocating for credible election in the state urged Governor Godswill Akpabio to call his “foot soldier to order” to avoid disaffection in the state.

He maintained that if the governor is generally accepted because his policies are people oriented there was no need for panic as the election year draws closer. To him Obong Attah remains the political leader of Ibibio race whose council must not be ignored by any sane Akwa Ibom person.