The Etinan Local Government Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom state has pulled out of the Local Government Council elections following alleged widespread violence and allegations of rigging and other malpractices. The Party made its position known in a statement issued on Saturday by its leader, Chief Sunny Udo, Vice Chairman, APC Etinan Local Government Area, Mr. Idorenyin Thompson; and APC chairmanship candidate, Dr. Mrs. Esther Etuk.
The statement disclosed that the decision was taken after the party observed that voting materials were in short supply especially in areas considered to be APC stronghold.
The statement added that there were also no voting registers or accreditation as required by law. The statement read in part;
“In view of the widespread violence and irregularities in the ongoing local government elections in Etinan LGA, we the executive members of the APC are left with no choice than to withdraw forthwith from this ongoing sham election.
“This is because voting materials are in very short supply and there are no voting registers or accreditation, as required by the law.
“Where very limited materials are issued at all, well armed thugs of the cowardly PDP government in Akwa Ibom State are going around, shootings, stabbings and snatching empty ballot boxes at gun point.
“Consequently, we protest vehemently against this brutal and bloody attack on our supporters and on our democracy and therefore unanimously pull out from this fake elections with immediate effect,” the statement added.
