Senator John James Udoedeghe, has finally been absolved of a damning allegation that he ordered his supporters to raze down 800 newly acquired salon cars and 500 brand new tricycles worth over N2billion, parked at the State Secretariat and the Goodluck Jonathan presidential campaign office , both in Uyo, during a pre-election skirmish between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in 2011.
Udoedeghe, who was then the governorship candidate of ACN in the State, was arrested, charged with treason and flown to Abuja to be docked at a Federal High Court sitting in Nigeria’s capital city.
Although Udoedeghe was latter discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence, he had borned the stigma of an ‘arsonist’ for 12 years, untill the former Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Ibanga Akpabio, in a trending video alleged that his brother, former governor Godswill Akpabio, was the mastermind of the hate crime in a desperate bid to frame up Senator John James Akpanudoedeghe, incarcerate and keep him out of circulation all through that year’s governorship election.
Ibanga, who left his appointment as Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Development, and decamped with his brother, Senator Godswill Akpabio, from PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC, made this startling revelation few days to warn constituents against voting for Godswill Akpabio, during the February 25 national assembly election.
According to him, Akpabio often turns on those who helped him. He sited Udoedeghe, saying he was innocent of the allegations of arson and treason becaise it was the former governor who ordered the razing of those commercial vehicles and Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign office to frame up Udoedeghe.
“You know, as we are seated here, they claimed Udoedeghe broke into the Secretariat and burn things. Who were the executioners? It had nothing to do with that man. Is that not what we heard? That they’ve burnt presidential campaign office, that has always been Godswill”. He stated.
While reassuring Enoidem of a landslide victory, Ibanha urged him to take personal security seriously knowing that there is desperation on the part of Senator Akpabio.
“Let me assure you, in this election my big brother, you’re going to win and win convincingly, but don’t forget the fact that there is desperation in the air. Don’t go to Kaduna tomorrow, saying that Udom send me on errand or that Oruk Anam Chairman, asked me to check stuff for him, then you forget your security. Don’t go to Imo State, saying ‘ oh, that’s my comfort zone’.
“I’m just using this figuratively. Please your security is very important because there is desperation in the air. I’m not pointing accusing finger on anybody, but I know because I’ve always been part and parcel of that government.
“It’s not about him, but I’m telling you as we are here seated that your security is very important. Don’t go to Ibadan. If they hit you there, they will establish an alibi. Know that in this business your security is paramount.”
