Political tension has gripped Akwa Ibom State following the sudden withdrawal of police security details attached to the immediate past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, over the weekend.
Reports confirmed that all security personnel stationed at Mr Emmanuel’s residences within the state have been recalled, sparking speculation and political backlash.
While the reasons behind the move remain unclear, the development has prompted mixed reactions. Some political observers have accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led state government of using the withdrawal as a coercive tactic to pressure Emmanuel into defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he remains a prominent figure.
Others see it as a clear indication of a growing rift between Governor Umo Eno and his predecessor-turned-political mentor.
Governor Umo Eno, who was handpicked and supported by Emmanuel in the 2023 elections under the PDP platform, recently defected to the APC—a move that reportedly strained the once cordial relationship between the two leaders. While Eno has adjusted to his new political base, Emmanuel has stayed loyal to the PDP and is reportedly working to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Government denies involvement
In response to the backlash, the Akwa Ibom State Government has denied any role in the withdrawal of the former governor’s security, describing media reports linking the action to Governor Eno as “false and misleading.”
Speaking at a press briefing, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umana, said:
“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.
“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.”
Umana further affirmed that all former governors of Akwa Ibom are entitled to and continue to enjoy security provisions as prescribed by law. He urged the public to disregard what he called “baseless propaganda.”
Ex-Governor’s aide confirms withdrawal
However, contradicting the state government’s stance, Barrister Steve Abia, the Special Assistant to Mr Udom Emmanuel, confirmed the development.
“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,” he said. “Who withdrew the security personnel is what I cannot make any statement on.”
PDP group alleges political intimidation
In reaction, a pro-PDP pressure group, PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice, condemned the development, calling it a politically-motivated move designed to “subdue” the former governor and destabilise the opposition in the state.
Chairman of the group, Dr Tom FredFish, expressed concern over the silence from security agencies, suggesting a deeper political motive behind the withdrawal.
“If the state is saying it does not know the whereabouts of the security details in Udom’s place, how does that sound?” he asked during a phone conversation.
“It’s a pity that politics has been taken to this extent. This is all about killing PDP in the state and pocketing the opposition.”
He praised Mr Emmanuel’s decision to remain with the PDP and urged political actors to focus on governance rather than intimidation.
“Udom has perhaps come out to say, ‘no, PDP must stand as a party.’ They are working towards everything to see that the party collapses in the state. But it will not work. PDP is not anybody’s federal property in Akwa Ibom State,” FredFish added.
What Next?
As the state government distances itself from the controversy and the PDP continues to decry what it describes as growing political persecution, questions remain over the real motive behind the security withdrawal — and whether it signals a deeper political crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom has issued an official statement as of press time.
