Some socio-cultural groups in Akwa Ibom State have given Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress 1 week ultimatum to withdraw his remarks against their governor.
The groups, Afigh Iwaad Ekid, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance and Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio which noted that the APC presidential candidate does not deserve the votes of Akwa Ibom people, gave him the 1 week ultimatum to retract the statement and apologise to the governor or face legal action.
During his campaign rally in Uyo on Monday, Tinubu described Governor Emmanuel as a ‘small boy’ who lives in his (Tinubu) backyard in Lagos.
”That Boy (Udom) wey de call himself Governor, tell him enough is enough! He lives in my backyard in Lagos, If no be say we be one, I would have driven him home. You see that mansion he is living, I would just put lizards, pigeons and scorpions inside.“
Governor Emmanuel expressed shock over the unwarranted verbal attacks by Tinubu after reportedly enjoying access to state facilities for his rally.
He appealed to residents to ignore the comments, saying he would remain calm because Tinubu obviously had nothing to offer the people.
But the socio-cultural groups in their separate statements made available to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday condemned the verbal attacks on the governor and Akwa Ibom people in general.
The president of the Apex Ekid socio-cultural organization, Afigh Iwaad Ekid, Etiene Bob who spoke earlier said Tinubu does not deserve the votes of Akwa Ibom people as his attack on their governor whom he described as the father of the state was an indication of his “lunacy.”
He regretted that Tinubu failed to throw light on his manifesto during his campaigns but resorted to personality attacks and vituperation.
He, however, urged other candidates to make their campaigns issue based to avoid heating up the polity.
“We do not expect a statesman like Tinubu to talk carelessly like an Agbero who lacks decorum. He should thank the governor for having a liberal mind and peaceful nature for even releasing the state facility for him.
“Politicians all over the country should face their manifesto content and not personal abuses. Tinubu calling the governor a small boy that lives in his backyard shows his level of lunacy and character. He will not have vote in Akwa Ibom, if what he did here was to be in Lagos he wouldn’t have gone out of that stadium, that shows that our youths are well-behaved and calm.”
On his part, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance, Stephen Abia gave Tinubu Seven days ultimatum to retract his statement and apologize to the governor or face legal action.
He said, “We consider as worrisome, the threat to the life of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in the shabby outburst by Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We also take serious exception to such unwarranted, unfortunate, and uncontrollable height of vituperation by Mr. Tinubu on our State and people as the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, without mincing words, is the face of Akwa Ibom.”
Also in a statement by the International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Akparawa James Edet, said Tinubu’s statement was capable of inciting strife between Ibibios and their Yoruba brethren with whom they have cohabited for decades without any rancour.
“We condemn in very strong terms the veiled threats directed at our son and Governor of our State by Tinubu and charge him to be measured, circumspect and responsible in his utterances as a leader while campaigning.” The statement said.
Immediately after the rally, an angry mob destroyed all APC campaign billboards. According to
Duumbeh: “Tinubu‘s campaign billboards and posters destroyed in Akwa Ibom after the apc rally He’s political structure has been destroyed and you’re part of the betrayals.