Several supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were injured while vehicles belonging to members of the party were damaged during the party’s consultative tour of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State on Thursday.
The PDP governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis-Archibong, said the first attack occurred at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, Etubom Nyong Edet Okon I, where gunmen allegedly disrupted the meeting and injured three persons.
He said the victims were taken to hospital for treatment, adding that the violence later escalated at the African Club along Calabar Road, where another meeting was scheduled.
According to him, hoodlums allegedly shot at the party’s convoy and damaged vehicles belonging to members of the consultative team.
Jarvis-Archibong said about 3,000 supporters attended the exercise and that the party had notified the police ahead of the tour, expecting adequate security.
He said the party restrained its supporters from retaliating and instead moved its convoy to the Commissioner of Police for protection.
The candidate said the PDP would petition the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies over the incidents.
He warned that continued attacks on political activities could undermine the democratic process and lead to a breakdown of law and order as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
The PDP State Publicity Secretary, in a separate statement, condemned the attacks and urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The party said it had reported the incidents to the Commissioner of Police, Cross River Command, and appealed to its members to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions.
However, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) denied responsibility for the incident.
The APC Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, said the PDP should look elsewhere for those responsible, adding that the party was focused on its own political activities.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incidents and said personnel had been deployed to the affected locations.
The command’s spokesman, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said police were verifying reports of gunfire, injuries and damage to property, adding that the situation was under control.
He advised residents to remain calm, avoid affected areas where necessary and refrain from circulating unverified information, while assuring that police presence and monitoring had been strengthened to maintain peace and public order.
PDP supporters attacked in Calabar, many injured, vehicles damaged