BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI
Following alleged frequent clashes between supporters of incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, and those of opposition parties, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Engr. Frank Okon, yesterday, approached the Abuja Court of Appeal for an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to exclude the state from its electoral plans for this month.

The appellant/ applicant is specifically seeking “an order directing the 1st respondent, INEC, to postpone the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State fixed for 26th day of April, 2011”

He is asking the appellate court to take judicial cognizance of the increasing political violence in the state, and make further order(s) as it may deem fit in the circumstances of the case with a view to averting further bloodshed in Akwa Ibom state.

It would be recalled that the applicant had earlier gone before the appellate court with a view to voiding the candidacy of the incumbent governor of the state who he said was not validly nominated by the PDP.

Though the court is yet to deliver judgment on the pending appeal before it, the appellant yesterday, re-approached it for an order stopping election in the state.

Outlining his grounds for the relief sought, the applicant argued that based on the serious security lapses on ground in Akaw Ibom State, there was reason to believe that serious breach of peace might likely occur should INEC proceed with its plans to hold gubernatorial election in the state come April 26.

He further told the court that “since there is likely to be serious breach of peace, if the election is proceeded with on 26th day of April 2011, INEC needs time to be able to make adequate security arrangements in the state to guarantee the safety and security of lives and properties of the electorate.

“The failure of the second respondent, PDP, to resolve up till now the controversy as to its legal and validly nominated candidate for the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State has created serious emergencies that may likely lead to break down of law and order and peace if the said election is not postponed.”

According to him, “since the announcement of the 26th day of April, 2011 for the governorship election in the country, there has been continuous, persistent and unabated destruction of lives and properties in Akaw Ibom State and most opposition candidates and their supporters have fled the state to neighbouring states, including the appellant/applicant.

In a motion on notice and a five paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mr. Olorunsogo Olusoji John, the appellant/applicant further averred that “it has been difficult, if not impossible, for Akwa Ibom State government to stem the dangerous tide of kidnapping, arson, looting, loss of lives and properties since the announcement of the 26th day of April, 2011, by the 1st respondent for the conduct of the governorship election nationwide”.

He maintained that Akwa Ibom State has remained “a no-go area” for him and his teaming supporters, alleging that the 3rd respondent, Governor Godswill Akpabio, “regards the 26 day of April 2011 as a do or die matter and is therefore doing everything possible including using the machinery of the State to silent or muzzle the appellant/applicant and other opposition candidates and their teeming supporters”.