Tension in Calabar as Police Avert Clash Between Obi, Kwankwaso and APC Supporters

Police operatives on Wednesday intervened to prevent a possible confrontation between supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during separate political activities in Calabar, Cross River State.

The incident occurred near a hotel along Murtala Mohammed Highway, where the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) had scheduled a presidential town hall meeting featuring its presidential candidate, Obi, and his running mate, Kwankwaso.

At the same time, a sizeable number of APC supporters, including members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and other party members, had gathered for a street rally in the area.

The situation became tense when the two groups met in front of the hotel. Hundreds of NDC supporters had reportedly assembled at the venue, partially blocking the highway in an apparent effort to prevent the APC crowd from gaining access to the area.

Security operatives quickly moved in to separate the groups and divert the APC supporters. Following the intervention, the hotel management restricted entry into its premises, while police personnel remained around the facility to maintain calm.

An unnamed police officer described the intervention as crucial in preventing a potentially violent situation.

“What we have done is very necessary; otherwise, it would have been a bloody scene,” he said.

The Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, also confirmed the incident in a WhatsApp message to Vanguard, explaining that officers acted promptly to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

According to him: “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 Hotel along the Murtala Mohammed Highway in 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 the 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.”

Neither camp had issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing the report. Nevertheless, some senior APC officials were spotted departing the area around the NDC meeting.

Obi and Kwankwaso were yet to arrive at the hotel, even as party stalwarts and supporters continued to gather at the venue and its frontage.

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