From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Tension heightened in Calabar, Cross River State, on Wednesday as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) converged during separate political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The incident occurred around the U.J. Esuene Stadium area and later in front of Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, where the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, held a presidential town hall meeting as part of his political engagements ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development reportedly disrupted vehicular movement and commercial activities for some time as supporters of the two political parties engaged in heated arguments.
According to the Cross River State Police Command, the incident involved participants at the NDC presidential town hall meeting at Metropolitan Hotel and a group of APC supporters undertaking a rally and road walk towards the Governor’s Office.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists.
He said the police, through timely intervention and constructive engagement, helped avert a possible confrontation between the two groups.
The statement said that when both groups converged in front of Metropolitan Hotel, police officers promptly engaged them and appealed to all parties to exercise restraint, maintain peace and ensure that their respective activities were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
It read: “The Cross River State Police Command, through timely intervention and constructive engagement, helped avert a possible confrontation between participants at a presidential town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, and a group of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) undertaking a rally/road walk towards the Governor’s Office.
“Upon the convergence of both groups in front of Metropolitan Hotel, police officers promptly engaged them, appealing to all parties to exercise restraint, maintain peace and ensure that their respective activities were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.”
The police spokesman added that normalcy was later restored following the intervention of security personnel.
The Command urged political parties and their supporters to shun violence and embrace peaceful campaigns as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
It also warned against actions capable of undermining public peace and called on political stakeholders to respect the rights of others to participate in lawful political activities.
