2023: Akwa Ibom state won't return to its bloody era, says Group- Some Akwa Ibom groups say they will protect the state from witnessing violence in the 2023 general elections - One of such groups is the influential Akwa Ibom Good Governance Advocates who berated Senator Godswill Akpabio for his recent comments - Another such groups, Democracy Defenders, want the minister to come to terms with his present political status in the state PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! A group, Akwa Ibom Good Governance Advocates, has stated that the south-south state is not ready to go back to the days of a bloodbath in the name of politics ahead of the 2023 general elections. The group was reacting to a recent statement credited to the minister of Niger Delta affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio suggesting that the current governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has not performed well in office. Read also Buhari's govt has failed on security - Northern group spits fire, reveals its next move In a statement issued by the group and seen by Legit.ng on Sunday, December 6, it stated that Akwa Ibom is not ready to go back to the era of bloodshed which it alleged was the hallmark of Akpabio's administration between 2007-2015. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! The national president of the group and a former youth leader in the state, Comrade Udeme Ekpe, said the comments of Akpabio were unfortunate, adding that it came at a time the state was still struggling to free itself from the psychological trauma and scars of the Akpabio administration. The group described Akpabio's comment as hypocritical, pointing out that the minister was being mischievous and was playing to the gallery. Comrade Ekpe said: Read also Video shows emotional moment Governor Zulum helped locals to bury 43 farmers killed by Boko Haram Similarly, a civil society organisation, Democracy Defenders, have warned Akwa Ibom's political class never to allow anyone to return the state to the Akpabio era. The spokesperson of the group, Dr. Umoh Etim, said while Akpabio is free to dream about who becomes governor in 2023, Akwa Ibom people are grateful to God for rescuing the state from the grip of state-sponsored in 2019. Read also Another top southeast politician dumps PDP for APC, reveals reason His words: Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order to investigate Akpabio, and the five members of the embattled Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) interim management committee. Reports say the judge also ordered an investigation over allegations of N3 billion contract fraud allegedly involving the NDDC. Recall that a group, Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI), recently called for the suspension of Akpabio. The group made the demand in a press statement sent to journalists and signed by its executive director, Ambassador Yomi David. The group also called for the suspension of the IMC and the NDDC, accusing them of corruption and mismanagement of the interventionist agency. Read also Group asks President Buhari to call Umahi to order over political tension in Ebonyi Youths demand Akpabio's removal over NDDC crisis | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Some Akwa Ibom groups say they will protect the state from witnessing violence in the 2023 general elections - One of such groups is the influential Akwa Ibom Good Governance Advocates who berated Senator Godswill Akpabio for his recent comments - Another such groups, Democracy Defenders, want the minister to come to terms with his present political status in the state PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng PAY ATTENTION: “I feel the minister was mischievously playing to gallery, but I find this out of place because that was not the best place to talk or play politics. It was disrespectful to the family that was mourning their dead. “Akpabio's rhetorics that Akwa Ibom state does not need leaders that would build temples in Dubai, and London, but those that would build people and community, is ironic and an indictment on Akpabio himself and his administration which was famous for littering the state with white elephant projects which he left behind. “While we agree with Akpabio that governance is like a building block and when one takes it to a level, another who succeeds him has to take it further, it does not warrant building on existing evils. “Never will Akwa Ibom have a governor like Akpabio in 2023. He is day dreaming. He will not take us back to the gory era.” “The truth is that Akpabio is yet to come to terms with the fact that Akwa Ibom people have moved on and retired him to the dustbin of history where he rightly belongs.”