The Akwa Ibom State Police command has ordered the arrest of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.
Already, a senior staff of the commission in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Kingsley Effiong, has been picked up and many others might be arrested today.
A source in Uyo, the state capital said the arrest of electoral officers in the state was approved by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Kaoje.
“Mr. Kingsley Effiong is currently being held in an unknown location on the orders of the commissioner of police,” the source, who pleaded not to be named, told The NEXT EDITION.
“We learnt that more INEC officials will be arrested between today (Wednesday) and Friday and that could affect the conduct of elections in those areas.
“INEC should rise up and challenge the ongoing impunity and ensure that the forthcoming election is free, fair and credible.”
When contacted, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, said he has been informed of the arrest of Mr. Effiong.
Asked whether the CP got in touch with him before the arrest was effected, Mr. Igini replied, “I cannot say anything now. I have been informed of the arrest of our official in Nsit Ubium and we were investigating the circumstances of his arrest.
“However, I cannot tell you anything more as at now but will get back to you as soon as we are done with our findings.”
Attempts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), MacDon Odiko, were unsuccessful as he would not pick calls or respond to a text message sent to him.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society groups under the auspices of Akwa Ibom State Civil Society Forum has condemned the plot the remove the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini.
In a statement by its Chairman, Harry Udo and Secretary, Nsekpong Udoh, the coalition called on the INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu and the Federal Government to shelve the idea.
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It also advised INEC not to be hoodwinked by enemies of democracy into taking decisions that would portray Nigeria in a bad light and demean her status in the comity of nations.
“We cannot understand why anyone will want Mr. Igini redeployed from the state just a few days to the governorship and state houses of assembly elections,” the group stated.
“It is our considered belief that Mr Igini has acquitted himself creditably well with the transparent manner with which he handled the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in the state.
“Especially considering that many citizens of the state were afforded the opportunity to cast their votes for the very first time in their lives.
“Before now elections in Akwa Ibom state have always fallen short of the yearning and aspirations of the people as they have been fraught with irregularities, massive rigging, ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching and violence.”
The group said the deployment of Mr. Igini to the state was one of the best things to that happened to Akwa Ibom state in recent times.
It posited that no elections can be rigged anywhere without the tacit connivance of INEC and its core officials.
Continuing, the groups said, “Mr. Igini is reputed for his unassailable integrity and forthrightness. We have confidence in his capacity to deliver a free, fair, credible and acceptable election come next Saturday.
“Please let Mr, Igini be. He has done no wrong. He has only worked to return power to the masses of Akwa Ibom State.
“The call for his redeployment can only be the wish of nefarious politicians who do not mean well for the state and seek to truncate the aspirations of the majority of Akwa Ibomites.
“We call on every well-meaning Akwa Ibom citizen to speak up against the redeployment the State INEC REC, Mr. Mike Igini as it has the potential to subvert the collective will of the masses of the state,” it concluded.
