Tension in Akwa Ibom as Police Withdraw Ex-Gov Udom Emmanuel’s Security Aides

There is growing tension in Akwa Ibom State following the reported withdrawal of security operatives attached to the immediate past governor, Udom Emmanuel, over the weekend.

Findings revealed that police officers stationed at both of Emmanuel’s residences in the state were recalled without prior notice, sparking political speculation and controversy.

The development has stirred mixed reactions, with some residents accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led state government of orchestrating the move to pressure the former governor into joining the party. Others believe it points to a deepening rift between Governor Umo Eno and his predecessor.

Mr Emmanuel, who governed Akwa Ibom between 2015 and 2023, was instrumental in Umo Eno’s emergence as governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the last general election.

However, the once-close political relationship appears to have broken down following Governor Eno’s defection to the APC.

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While Emmanuel has maintained a low profile since leaving office, he has repeatedly pledged loyalty to the PDP and vowed to help rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources close to the former governor claim his firm stance on remaining in the PDP may have made him a target of political isolation.

Reacting to the controversy, the Akwa Ibom State Government dismissed reports linking it to the withdrawal of Emmanuel’s security aides, describing the claims as “false and misleading.”

Addressing journalists in Uyo, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, said the story was “fabricated to mislead the public and stir unnecessary tension.”

“The deployment, reassignment, or withdrawal of police officers is the exclusive responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in each state, not the duty of any governor,” Umanah stated.

He added: “I can tell you on good authority that the Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past governor.”

Umanah further maintained that all former governors in the state “continue to enjoy security protection as approved by law.”

“To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,” he said.

Contrary to the state government’s position, Barrister Steve Abia, Special Assistant to former Governor Udom Emmanuel, confirmed that the security personnel attached to his principal had indeed been withdrawn.

“The reality on ground is that if you go to the ex-governor’s houses right now, there are no police security men. That is the truth,” Abia said.

He, however, declined to attribute the order to any authority. “Who withdrew the security personnel is what I cannot make any statement on. But if you have time, we can go there so you find out,” he told our correspondent.

PDP Group Alleges Political Witch-Hunt

Meanwhile, a pro-PDP pressure group, PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice, has described the incident as politically motivated, alleging that it was part of a plan to weaken the opposition in the state.

Speaking with The Punch on Sunday, the group’s chairman, Dr Tom FredFish, said the withdrawal of Emmanuel’s security aides was a “clear sign” that the current administration was uncomfortable with the former governor’s influence.

“So, if the state says it doesn’t know the whereabouts of the security details in Udom’s place, how does that sound?” FredFish asked.

“This means confirmation that Umo Eno is having issues with his leader. It’s a pity that politics has been taken this far, all this is just to kill the PDP in Akwa Ibom and make the state a one-party system,” he alleged.

Dr FredFish insisted that despite alleged attempts to silence key figures, the PDP would not collapse in Akwa Ibom.

“Udom has said PDP must stand as a party. They want to cripple the structure, but it will not work. PDP is not anybody’s federal property in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

He advised the state government to “stop panicking and focus on governance.”

As of press time, neither the Akwa Ibom State Police Command nor the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters had issued an official statement on the matter.

However, political observers say the development could escalate tensions between the camps of Governor Eno and his predecessor if not quickly addressed.

For now, Emmanuel, who remains a key PDP figure in the South-South, has yet to publicly comment on the incident.