- As NDC tasks CRSG, Police on prompt action
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Days after the violent ambush on the convoy of National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, a cross-party wave of condemnation has continued to trail the unfortunate political development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The attack, which took place near the popular Watt Market in Calabar South Local Government Area, of the State, left at least one convoy vehicle with a smashed windscreen and thankfully, a full-scale disaster was averted when a swift, collective counter-reaction from local traders and NDC supporters successfully repelled the hoodlums and stopped them from inflicting further damage on the visitors’ convoy.
While the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have confirmed the arrest of one Edet Yellow-Duke, described as the prime suspect, their official statement seemed to be raising more questions than answers. More so, the Police authorities are yet to offer information on Yellow Duke’s political affiliations, leaving the public on the realm of speculation about the real intention of the attackers.
Forefront News gathered that though the said suspect is in Police custody, the NDC chapter in Cross River is angling to know if the attack of its presidential candidate’s motorcade was politically motivated or Yellow-Duke is just a mercenary hoodlum paid to orchestrate the violent attack, alongside others currently at large.
Eyewitness account at the popular market recounted that from all indications, it appeared the hoodlums had mounted surveillance along Clarks Alley Street, monitoring when Obi’s convoy would return from paying courtesy visit to the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, knowing fully well that Obi would go through the market to the venue of his consultative Town Hall meeting,
The source said amidst the flying debris and rising panic at the popular Watt Market, the loyalty of NDC faithful, some local traders and passers-by instantly came into play. Refusing to back down and allow fear to dictate the day, they surged forward in a defiant action, successfully driving back the assailants before any further harm could be inflicted on Obi’s convoy.
With the dust settling, a chorus of heavy condemnation continues to rise from every corner of the political landscape, uniting bitter rivals in shared outrage. From Calabar to Abuja, the nation’s capital city, the anger expressed have not been in short supply and many political actors and stakeholders cautioned that allowing violence in any form to thrive in this political season would not augur well for the country.
This is as NDC insiders expressed concerned that though the Police were quick to nab a single suspect, the Force may only be playing to the gallery, especially given that the Atakpa Police Division is located within the crisis vicinity.
The opposition party sources claimed that parading Yellow-Duke as the prime suspect is a ploy to divert attention from those who may have actually instigated the attack, adding that the Police can do better by widening the investigations, and leaving no stone unturn to ensure the perpetrators and their sponsors are brought to book as a deterrent to others.
Some NDC supporters, who spoke to Forefront News on condition of anonymity, dragged the Police for their seeming lack of interest in getting to the bottom of the incident with the way they are tightly guarding the suspect and his perceived partisan allegiance.
For now, the public are left in the realm of speculation as to whether the attack was a calculated action by political foes or the mindless chaos orchestrated by some thugs who may have been hired to disrupt the NDC’s Town Hall engagement in Calabar.
Fuming over the unfortunate incident, a chieftain of NDC, Chief Chukwura Obinta, told Forefront News that the soaring popularity of their presidential standard bearer, Peter Obi has been sending shockwaves through the ruling party, with his campaign train now a major threat to their political survival come 2027.
In the blunt assessment of Chief Obinta, who is prominent auto spare parts merchant, the political establishment is jittery and visibly panicked by the massive momentum the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) ticket is gathering across the country.
According to him, “The fact that Obi won in Cross River during 2023 general elections, is enough indication that such an unimaginable fit is likely to repeat in 2027, and that explains why APC in the State is jittery.”
The opposition member, while cautioning that Cross River State should be turned into a battlefield ahead of the upcoming elections, condemned what he terms “gestapo tactics” by certain politicians and urged the State government to provide a level playing field for all candidates across party lines in terms of their safety and security.
Sharing the same sentiments about APC being uncomfortable with the opposition, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Edet Okon, sounded an alarm over political activities in Calabar South, the area where the convoy ambush took place.
He alleged this latest development mirrors a previous, near-identical assault on the convoy of the PDP’s governorship candidate within the same local government area.
Okon took direct aim at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging them to let their track record do the talking instead of relying on intimidation. He argued that “If the ruling party has performed creditably, their achievements should be their credentials, not a falsified, rosy picture being manufactured to deceive the electorate in the State and across the country.”
Further delivering a blistering critique of the current economic climate, the PDP chieftain said the biting hardship has pushed citizens to the brink, adding that the level of hunger in the land is now so severe that it “would possibly take an angel descending from heaven to convince voters to support the APC in next year’s polls.”
However, in her reaction, a staunch APC supporter in Calabar South, Madam Nkoyo Asi Ita, has thrown a curveball amid the rising political tensions, suggesting that opposition claims of political violence might be part of a staged play for public sympathy.
Madam Asi Ita, popularly called ‘Madam Stand Well Well’, while firmly condemning all forms of violence, urged the public to look closer at recent clashes in Cross River State before reaching any conclusion.
The APC loyalist argued that because the State is a known ruling party stronghold, struggling opposition factions might be orchestrating their own attacks to weaponize public outrage.
She also took a swipe at opposition figures for always being quick to point fingers at the APC before any real investigations have taken place, calling the quick accusations a premature political stunt by desperate politicians still struggling to find a foothold in the State.
NDC To C-River Govt: Probe Obi’s Attack Now
The NDC, in condemning the attack on Obi’s convoy, described the incident as an attempt to intimidate the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections and demanded an immediate probe by the Cross River State government.
A statement signed by the NDC National Presidential Campaign Council Spokesperson, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, described the attack as unacceptable and warned against making violence a condition for political participation in the country.
Challenging the State Government and security agencies to investigate the Calabar incident, identify those responsible and ensure their prosecution, the Party warned that failure to act decisively could encourage further political violence and create the impression that perpetrators were being protected.
“Let it be clearly understood: NDC will not be intimidated, silenced or deterred by violence,” the statement said, insisting that Nigerians must be allowed to campaign, associate and participate in the democratic process without fear of attacks or intimidation.
The Party said political power must be earned through the will of the people rather than threats and violence, adding: “This is a crucial election for Nigeria. Our democracy must not be held hostage by political violence.”
The alleged attack comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties intensifying campaigns and mobilisation across the country.
Obi’s Convoy Attack ‘Completely Unacceptable’ – Gov Otu
Soothingly, the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu had promptly condemned in strong terms the attack on Peter Obi’s convoy by suspected political thugs in the state capital, Calabar.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Linus Obogo, Governor Otu expressed deep sadness and concern over the attack, extending his warm empathy to the visiting presidential candidate and his entourage.
“I extend my deepest, most heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Peter Obi and his team over the deeply disturbing incident that occurred yesterday during his campaign visit to our state capital,” the Governor declared, stressing that Cross River State stands in firm solidarity with all political actors seeking to engage peacefully with the electorate.
Accordingly, he tasked security agencies to fish out the criminals and pledging that those behind the violence will face swift justice, he said, “I have directed our security agencies to leave no stone unturned until every single perpetrator of this shameful act is brought to book to face the full weight of the law”.
Governor Otu said Cross River remains an enclave of civil harmony and hospitality, making the ugly occurrence an unacceptable anomaly, stressing that: “As a government and as a people, our hearts go out to him, and we stand in firm solidarity against any act designed to instill fear or disrupt the peaceful exercise of political rights.
“Cross River has long been cherished as the cradle of hospitality, warmth, and civil decorum in Nigeria; our culture is rooted in peace, harmony, and mutual respect for all people, regardless of political affiliation”, adding, “To witness such hostility within our dear state breaks our hearts, and we extend our unreserved comfort to Mr. Obi as he continues his engagement with the Nigerian electorate.”
While offering reassurance directly to the Obi campaign team, Governor Otu reassured political parties that the state remains open and safe for constitutional political activities and reaffirmed his administration’s uncompromising stance on law and order.
“Let it be made unmistakably clear: our administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance against political violence and criminality in any form”, Governor Otu warned.
For now, the NDC and political observers are now locked in a tense waiting game, watching to see how far the police will push their investigation into the violent convoy attack.
