Protest In Uyo As Senate Halts Etim’s Swearing-in

The people of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District have on Monday protested over the Senate refusal to obey court ruling by swearing-in Mr. Bassey Etim as the authentic winner of the senatorial election.

The Federal High Court 2, sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, had on February 27, 2017, sacked the current senator representing the area, Bassey Akpan, in a 2014 pre-election matters.

The court, which was presided over by Justice Fatun Rima, affirmed Etim as the authentic winner of the Peoples Democratic Party primary and subsequent election in 2015.

Worried by the delay in swearing-in Etim, as ordered by the court, his supporters took to the streets of Uyo and urged the Senate to heed the ruling.

The protesters numbering over 500 paralysed socio-economic activities around Obio Imo Street, Aka Road and other adjoining streets for many hours.

On their placards were inscriptions such as, “We demand justice, Bassey Akpan’s stay in the Senate is illegal; The Federal High Court has spoken; For now, we have no senator representing us.”

However, for fear of the protest going out hand, the Chairman of Uyo Senatorial District Elders Forum, Mr. Idorenyin Jacot, appealed to the aggrieved supporters of Etim, to remain calm.

He assured that the mandate would be restored to the rightful owner as the elders of the forum had since petitioned the leadership of the Senate on the matter.

Source: Punch