Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance has urged Governor Udom Emmanuel not to honour the Young Progressives Party, YPP, request to use the Eket Sports Stadium to flag off its political rally.
The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Stephen Abia on Monday, said if the state government actually wants to preserve its legacy and avoid vandalization of the facility, it should not attempt entrusting the party with the facility.
The statement said the group decided to be proactive in informing the governor about the repercussions because it knew that he (the governor) being a leader with a good heart and fairness to all, will not hesitate to grant such approval irrespective of party divides.
“It is against this background that we humbly beg the governor never to consider approving Eket Ultra-Modern Sports Stadium for use by the Young People’s Party under the guise of a political rally.
“It may just be an opportunity they have been waiting for to hit and score a political point.
“This should never be allowed to happen.The young opposition party with an old trick, YPP is bent on destroying the cynosure achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
“They particularly made Eket Sports Stadium a major subject of their negative campaign, where they neither believed construction was going on, and will eventually be inaugurated,” the statement partly read.
However, Chief Usoro Usoro, Director of Communications of campaign organization of the YPP governorship candidate, Senator Bassey Akpan said the statement was not surprising because it was issued by Akwa Ibom Integrity group, which is a pro-government group.
“The truth is that they (government) has denied the YPP and Senator Bassey Akpan from all the public venues in Akwa Ibom state. For instance we requested to use Ibom Hall, we were denied, we requested to use Ikot Ekpene Stadium we were also denied.
“As I speak to you, the Apostolic Church in Onna, has just been suspended a Pastor for hosting YPP. So we are facing serious persecution but we are not deterred.”
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate