Tension has built up in Akwa Ibom State, as the security details attached to the immediate past governor of the state, Mr Udom Emmanuel were withdrawn over the weekend.
This has raised mixed reactions in the state as some accused the All Progressives Congress, APC-led State government of being behind it to coerce the former governor to join the party. Some believe this action is a validation that all is not well between governor Umo Eno and his predecessor, Mr Emmanuel.
Recall that Udom Emmanuel is the political godfather of the incumbent governor Eno, having played an active role in his election as governor under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections.
That relationship appears to have strained following Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the APC.
Mr Emmanuel has remained quiet all the while but only pledged total loyalty to the PDP.
Mr Emmanuel’s stance to remain in the PDP and work towards rebuilding the party ahead of the 2027 elections was said to be a threat to the APC-led state government, hence the move to coerce him.
The Akwa Ibom government through the Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umana in a press briefing, distanced itself, describing as false and misleading media report alleging that it directed the withdrawal of security detail attached to the ex-governor.
Mr Umana said the report was intentionally fabricated to mislead the public, stressing that deployment of police officers is the sole prerogative of the commissioner of police and not the governor.
“The deployment, reassignment, or withdrawal of police officers is the exclusive responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police and the commissioner of Police in each State, and not the duty of any Governor.
“I can tell you on good authority that the Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor,” he said.
He also stated that all former governors of Akwa Ibom State are entitled to, and continue to enjoy, their security details as approved by law.
“To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former Governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,” he added.
The Special Assistant to former governor Emmanuel, Steve Abia, confirmed the withdrawal of the security detail attached to the former governor, but could not tell who ordered the withdrawal.
He said, “The reality on ground is that if you go to the Ex-governor’s houses right now, there are no police security men, that is the truth.”
“Who withdrew the security personnel is what I cannot make any statement on. So, if you have time we can go there, so you find out.”
