Ex-House of Representatives aspirant denies involvement in Boki communal clashes

A feeble Home of Representatives aspirant for Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, Pius Abang, has distanced himself from allegations linking him to the sponsorship of violent attacks connected to the most up-to-date communal clash between Boje and Isobendeghe communities in Boki Local Council of Inferior River Direct.

Violent clashes honest honest these days erupted between the two communities, allegedly led to by longstanding boundary disputes and competing claims over farmlands. The warfare led to the destruction of property, the displacement of residents, and heightened tensions. Armed youths from each and every facets reportedly engaged in retaliatory attacks, prompting interventions by safety agencies and appeals for peace from neighborhood leaders and the divulge authorities.

Talking to journalists by process of mobile phone from Ikom on Saturday, Abang denied any involvement in the crisis, describing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.

Abang, who contested the 2023 Home of Representatives election underneath the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) earlier than defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), argued that it turn into as soon as illogical to suggest he would sponsor violence in a neighborhood where he has extensive agricultural investments.

“I dangle several hectares of cocoa farmland in Isobendeghe. It will likely be senseless for me to jeopardise my livelihood by instigating violence in an subject that sustains my business,” he acknowledged.

The feeble trees merchant grew to turn into farmer disclosed that he had no longer been able to construct up entry to his farm since Would possibly perhaps also 15, 2025—his birthday—when four men, allegedly from Boje, stormed his cocoa plantation and threatened his lifestyles. He emphasised that farming is now his main source of profits, namely after shedding his trees business on account of what he described as negative authorities policies. “I in actuality have not any cause to gas any warfare. I stand to lose, no longer build, from unrest in that subject,” he acknowledged.

Abang alleged that the accusations were the handiwork of political opponents making an are attempting to discredit him earlier than the 2027 long-established elections. In step with him, these folks had resorted to hiring of us to unfold unsuitable narratives via social media and online blogs in an are attempting to tarnish his image.

“As a law-abiding citizen, I in actuality dangle petitioned the Commissioner of Police, asking for a radical investigation and pressing intervention,” he illustrious. He also refuted claims made in a little bit of writing published by a Calabar-basically based entirely mostly blog, which alleged that a “Jerry,” purportedly concerned with the warfare, turn into as soon as his assistant.

“That's entirely unsuitable. I pause no longer dangle a interior most assistant named Jerry. I’m no longer on the 2nd conserving any public plan of business, and there would possibly perhaps be no longer one of these person on my payroll,” he clarified.

Abang entreated these wanting for justice to undertake honest and silent ability comparatively than enticing in smear campaigns and threats. “Anyone with a good criticism would possibly perhaps quiet ability the courts. Resorting to persona assassination and lifestyles-threatening actions perfect undermines the peace and safety all of us need,” he urged.