Soldiers, Police Arrest Akpabio’s Convoy For Attempting To Intercept Jonathan’s Motorcade

Security operatives, Monday afternoon arrested the convoy of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswil Akpabio, for driving against traffic in Abuja, Premium Times has reported.

The convoy, which was headed towards the Three Arms Zone, had encountered a mild traffic jam close to the Nigeria Police Headquarters as the route was briefly blocked.
At the time, President Goodluck Jonathan was leaving Aso Rock Villa for the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which held at the national secretariat (Wadata House).

It was gathered that as the convoy moved out of the Villa towards Shehu Shagari Way, security operatives blocked the road to regular traffic, a normal occurrence when the president’s motorcade passes.


But while other road users stopped, the governor’s convoy which came from the Asokoro axis was unwilling to queue. It quickly made detour and drove against traffic at high-speed, blaring siren and swerving dangerously.

The situation reportedly forced heavily armed soldiers and police officers to approach the convoy, ordering the occupants to alight.
The security operatives then arrested the convoy, insisting that it would not go further for displaying such audacity.

After several minutes of exchange of words, the vehicles were released and cautioned, following the intervention of security operatives attached to the governor.
It is unclear whether Akpabio was inside the convoy at the time of the incident.

But the way his convoy drove suggested he might be in, as the governor could have been rushing to arrive Wadata House before the president.

It is a security breach to allow anyone entry into a venue the president is already seated. Also, he usually leaves an event before other persons.

Akpabio, who is also Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum, PDPGF, is known to be very close to the president, a privilege he flaunts.