The Civil Liberties Organisation, Akwa Ibom Branch has advised politicians not to overheat the political space but to go about their electioneering campaigns in a responsible and decorous manner.
The body at a press conference in Uyo waded into the controversial the refund of the arrears of the deducted 13% Derivation Funds to the Government of Akwa Ibom State by the Federal Government.
Chairman of the CLO says the outburst is unnecessary and distracting after investigating what the government used the funds for in the state.
Franklin Isong warns against any situation that can lead to a re-enactment of the 2011 pre/post electoral violence recorded in the State in which several lives were lost and properties worth hundreds of millions of Naira were destroyed.
CLO observes with dismay that some politicians in the State are attempting to make political capital out of the statement credited to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on the 13% Derivation Funds arrears refunded to the State by the Federal Government through deliberate misinformation and misrepresentation of the fact in issue in a manner that is capable of fuelling unrest and derailing the course of governance, peace and security in the State.
CLO is disturbed by the tension that the issue of 13% Derivation Fund arrears refund is being used to create. Particularly worrisome is the resort by certain politicians to heat up the polity with incendiary and inciting statements.
CLO commends the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the government and people of the State, and all the security agencies in the State for the sustenance of peace, which has earned Akwa Ibom State the enviable status of the most peaceful State in Nigeria in the past seven and a half years to the glory of God.
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, had revealed the refunds of the 13% derivation funds a few days back while thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for the numerous projects being commissioned by him.
