Along convoy of vehicles, youths singing and drumming as crowds of residents waved excitedly.

Then shots rang out. The carnival ended abruptly. Everyone ran for dear lives. By the time the dust settled, nine Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) supporters of Akwa Ibom governorship candidate John Udoedehe lay dead. Many were injured.

It all happened in Ikot Ekpene, home of the Annang, in Akwa Ibom State.

Udoedehe’s main opponent Governor Godswill Akpabio, is from Ikot Ekpene zone. 

Guns, stones and other weapons were used on the ACN candidates and their supporters by people suspected to be thugs of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Udoedehe and his supporters were heading for a primary school in Ikot Opongadong for a rally. 

Some of the victims died on the spot, others died as they were being taken to Uyo, the state capital  his words for treatment.

The incident happened around 2.45 pm. The campaign train left Uyo, Udoedehe’s constituency, around 2 pm.

One filling station and a house on Uyo-Ikot Road  were burnt. Twenty vehicles were either damaged or burnt.

It was learnt that the ACN had been warned to stay away from Ikot Ekpene. The party’s request for three venues was turned down before it got a primary school in Ikot Opongadong.

Speaking with The Nation last night, Udoedehe described the incident as “unfortunate”. He said it was like a war.

He said: “This is the first rally we would be holding in Anang land. We had a long convoy. They were shouting on us, stoning us and shooting sporadically. They ambushed us on both ends of the convoy. They thought they had killed me and went to Uyo to break the news of my death. They stoned my vehicle and that of my deputy. We were really helpless. Even the Army and SSS could not do anything. They could not protect us. Police said they had no men.”

Udoedehe’s running mate, Ime Umanah, who is  Annang like Akpabio, said he was sad that his people could allow themselves to be brainwashed.

He said: “What happened today has been a disgrace to me. Akpabio is trying to bring ethnic war to Akwa Ibom. He does not want anyone to campaign in Annang. They prevented us from getting to the venue of the rally. It is a pity that God gave him power and he is using it badly. My principal’s Toyota car is riddled with bullets. Even when we managed to get to the venue, they chased us out.”

The ACN senatorial candidate for Ikot Ekpene, Mr Joe Ukpong, said he was in the same vehicle with Umanah all through the attack on the convoy. He said the attackers’ goal was to prevent the party from campaigning in the area and winning over the people.

PDP sources said   ACN members descended on government and private properties in Uyo after escaping from Ikot Ekpene.

Speaking through his Commissioner for Information Aniekan Umanah, Akpabio said he had no hand in the fracas. He said he was busy with his campaigns in two local government areas when  the Ikot Ekpene incident happened. He said his  rallies were peacful.

He said: “We don’t know those involved. We had our own rallies in two local government areas, Abak and Mkpatenin. There was no clash with anybody. We were surprised when we returned to Uyo to see houses and vehicles being burnt. Clearly, some people have taken laws into their hands. It is unfortunate if people decide to shed blood for politics and burn down public buildings. Some people are taking government’s tolerance for weakness.”

A PDP source blamed the incident on the ACN which tried to force its way through the town despite the fact that it had been warned to take its campaigns elsewhere. “They had been warned that no other party, except PDP, should come for campaign in Annang land. So, why did they come?”

Ukpong said ACN supporters never showed any violent attitude while on the campaign

ACN wants to destroy Nigeria. No way for them.

Enugu_Ukwu:

ACN wants to destroy Nigeria. No way for them.

Did u read the post @ all?

@ Poster, the title is at variance with the post. Pls re-phrase.

author=Adelaide2 A PDP source blamed the incident on the ACN which tried to force its way through the town despite the fact that it had been warned to take its campaigns elsewhere. “[b]They had been warned that no other party, except PDP, should come for campaign in Annang land. So, why did they come?”[/b]Ukpong said ACN supporters never showed any violent attitude while on the campaign

Bolded; Na wa oo.

@poster, y didnt u read d article properly b4 hastily choosing ur title.