Attempt to Frustrate PDP Convention Beyond Party Crisis – Emmanuel

By Okon Bassey

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has said that the attempt to frustrate the just-concluded national convention of the People Democratic Party (PDP) held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, was beyond internal party wrangling.

The Governor, who related his experience at the convention, described as a rape on democracy the attempt to scuttle a legitimate programme of a duly registered political party in a country that is practising multi-party system.

He spoke with reporters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on returning to the state from the national convention of the PDP.
Emmanuel said he was not surprised of the move to stop the convention of the party, maintaining that it was typical of a third world country such as Nigeria.

The governor specifically frowned on the barricade of the earlier venue scheduled for the convention, the Shark Stadium, by security operatives that he said were armed to the teeth.

Such action, according to him, has truncated the growth of democracy in the country. He therefore sued for a re-orientation to enable the country move forward as regards political culture and all-round development.

Emmanuel particularly stressed the need for political gladiators in the country to uphold democratic tenets as it is practised in other climes to allow for a level playing ground in political activities by other parties as provided for in the Country’s constitution.

However, despite the near set back, the Governor said the Port Harcourt outing was a huge success for the Peoples Democratic Party as it has enable the party to chart a new course for it sustainability and reconciliation of all interest.

Speaking on alleged recent invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House by ex-militants for the payment of their allowances, the Governor denied such invasion saying the information was spurious allegation and unfounded.

He strongly condemned some people taking delight in fabricating stories to suit their wimps and caprices saying he was surprised to read in the media that Akwa Ibom Government House was invaded by ex-militants when actually the Police dispersed a crowd in the streets.