A’Ibom PDP uncovers allege plot by APC to arrest leaders on trump up charges

As political parties continue their campaign for next month general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of plotting to incriminate its leaders and supporters on trump up criminal charges and eventually clamp them into detention so that they would not participate in the election.
Addressing a press conference yesterday at the party secretariat in Uyo, the state chairman of the PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo alleged that the party has received intelligence report that the APC was planning to plant arms and ammunition in buses and other vehicles branded as PDP or state government buses during APC rallies to perfect their evil plot. “We have received credible intelligence that on Monday, 21st January, 2019 or any other day during APC rallies, buses branded as PDP buses or vehicles bearing state government number plates, will be loaded with arms and occupied by some criminals, heading to the venue of the APC rally. “On approaching, the buses and their occupants will be arrested and the contents of the buses displayed for all to see as a major breakthrough. Additionally, the criminals will mention some PDP top shots as their financiers necessitating their arrest and subsequent prosecution under the anti-terrorism Act.” “This plot which is hatched and sponsored by the opposition APC is aimed at arresting and incarcerating our key leaders and keeping them away from circulation throughout the elections. This is, to say the least, very crude, anachronistic and antediluvian, signalling APC’ imminent defeat at the approaching polls”, Ekpo said. The state PDP chairman disclosed that members and supporters of their party across the state have for weeks now been wantonly arrested and detained without any lawful justification. He cited instances in Essien Udim council area where the former governor Godswill Akpabio comes from and PDP members were arrested and detained on frame up charges “In Essien Udim, scores of our youths and elders have been arrested on trumped up charges of defacing or destroying posters belonging to the President”, he said Ekpo said the PDP is a peaceful party hence has not directed any of its supporters to disrupt APC rallies, cause violence or destroy posters of any political party, adding that it would not be intimidated by the oppressive antics of the APC. It would recalled that last month, the Akwa state elders under the aegis of Akwa Ibom leaders Vanguard rejected plans by the state Commissioner of police Mr kimo to set up Anti Terrorism unit at the state police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia. The elders further alleged that such unit within the police was not necessary considering the peaceful disposition of the state adding the proposed plan was aimed using it to intimidate members of PDP and government functionaries in the state. Isaac Job, Uyo