A prominent civic group in Akwa Ibom State has called on Governor Umo Eno to urgently address the killing of Mr John Monday Marcus, a local chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the state may be sliding back into an era of political violence.
In an open letter to the governor, the Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM) described the killing as a “bad omen” for Eno’s administration and accused rival political interests of attempting to revive the “dark days of bloodletting” that once plagued parts of the state.
Mr Marcus, who chaired Ward 2 in Ukanafun Local Government Area, was reportedly killed during a political clash on Sunday, 29 June.
The group’s National President, Akparawa Prince Emmanuel Sam, who signed the letter, urged Governor Eno to see the killing as a test of his leadership and a wake-up call to prioritise the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
“Akwa Ibom has enjoyed relative peace in recent years. But the resurgence of politically linked violence, such as this killing, threatens to unravel those gains,” the letter read.
The group warned that the murder was not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern of increasing tension between rival APC factions—especially in areas like Ikot Ekpene, Oruk Anam, and Ukanafun.
It cited past instances of political instability, including the 2019 elections in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, when violence broke out during the now-infamous “Warsaw” campaign, leaving several dead and communities traumatised.
Sam cautioned that if the latest killing is not investigated and addressed with urgency, it may embolden further violence.
“Your Excellency, this unfortunate killing should not be brushed aside. It’s more than a tragedy—it’s a warning,” he said. “You have a duty as the Chief Security Officer of Akwa Ibom to prevent a relapse into crisis.”
While the police have confirmed the incident, no arrests have yet been announced. The group is demanding a transparent investigation and swift action against those behind the killing.
AILM also questioned the growing factional disputes within the APC in the state, warning that unresolved internal conflicts were escalating into full-blown violence that threatens the state’s hard-won peace.
“We must not allow the politics of desperation to drag Akwa Ibom back into chaos,” Sam added. “The lives and safety of the people must be put above party interest.”
The group also referenced recent national security data, noting that over 600,000 Nigerians were reportedly killed and more than two million abducted within one year under the APC-led federal administration. It stressed that Akwa Ibom must not become part of that grim statistic.
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