The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in-charge of South-South, Prince Hilliard Eta has said that the recent murder of a state assembly candidate of the party in Akwa Ibom would not intimidate them.
Eta told newsmen in Uyo on March 25 that though the intension of the murderers of Uwah, a former deputy Speaker in the state assembly was to frighten the party, his death would however encourage party members to work towards the success of the party.
He regretted that this was coming less than two months after political parties in the state signed a peace accord to ensure peaceful and violent free elections in the area.
“Rt. Hon. Uwah and others before him will not die in vain. The position of our party is that we will not be intimidated.
“As I speak, my heart drips with tears because political expression has taken a frightening dimension in Akwa Ibom State such that if you profess any other political inclination outside that of the ruling party you are finished.
“ Now all what Rt. Hon Uwah did on the day he was killed was canvassed for votes, that is all he did and his life was taken from him because the state government has created an enabling environment that will allow such heinous crime to be perpetuated on our land.” He said.
He said that the APC would surprise many with victory in Akwa Ibom even after opinion polls and some analysts have given the state to PDP
“You are aware that the South-South zone of Nigeria is a battle ground because the President as at today is from that zone of the country. There is a lot of sentiments. Having said so, we must come to the reality of the situation. Where does General Buhari stand? Where does President Jonathan stand in the South-South?
“ The Nation Newspaper did a very good analysis of Edo and Rivers States. They also did a fairly good analysis in Delta State but they did not do a fair analysis of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, most especially Akwa Ibom State. They missed a point. Let me say without any fear of contradiction that Akwa Ibom State has become an APC State.
“We all know that politics is about people and yesterday’s (Saturday’s) rally in Akwa Ibom State afforded an opportunity for anyone who wants to a clear analysis about Akwa Ibom State to have a clear picture of the situation.
“The politics of Akwa Ibom State is driven by certain gladiators and from what I have seen, 95 percent of the gladiators led by the very revered former governor of the State, Obong Victor Attah, is on the side of Umana Okon Umana and by extension on the side of General Buhari.
“ It therefore beats my imagination how the analysis gave Akwa Ibom State to the PDP. The analysis suggests that we will be struggling in Akwa Ibom State but the reverse is the case as I speak with you Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State is on his own.” Eta explained.