Tension gripped Calabar on Friday as suspected hoodlums believed to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, allegedly opened fire on the campaign convoy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, during a political engagement in the Cross River State capital.
The incident occurred during a consultative meeting involving Archibong, his running mate, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, PDP State Chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem, and other party leaders and supporters at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
According to Archibong, the attackers disrupted the meeting at the palace, leaving three persons injured with gunshots wounds. He said the victims were later rushed to hospital for treatment.
The PDP governorship candidate said the situation later escalated at the African Club along Calabar Road, where another engagement was scheduled.
He stated that hoodlums opened fire on the PDP convoy and vandalised vehicles belonging to members of the campaign team and party supporters.
The PDP State Publicity Secretary, Prince Mike Ojisi, who gave a separate account of the incident, said the attackers fled the scene on motorcycles after snatching phones and video cameras.
He also revealed that campaign materials worth millions of naira were destroyed during the attack.
According to the party, the attackers were dressed in APC colours and chanted APC slogans, including, “Cross River is for Otu and APC, no room for opposition here.”
Archibong said about 3,000 supporters at the venue were forced to flee for safety, disrupting the consultation.
He said the party had duly notified the police ahead of the exercise but was still confronted with the violence.
“We restrained our supporters from retaliating because we do not want to compound the situation or take the law into our own hands,” Archibong said.
He disclosed that the convoy subsequently moved to the office of the Commissioner of Police to seek protection.
The PDP candidate said the party would petition the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services, DSS, and other relevant security agencies over the incident.
Archibong warned that continued attacks on political activities could undermine the democratic process and threaten public order as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.
“Let the party not be held accountable when such disruptions lead to a total breakdown of law and order,” he said.
The PDP condemned the incident and called on security agencies to investigate the attack, identify those responsible and prosecute them in accordance with the law.
The party also appealed to its members and supporters to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions, stressing that political consultation and democratic participation should not be disrupted by violence.
However, the APC denied responsibility for the incident.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Inyang, said the PDP should look elsewhere for those responsible, adding that the APC remained focused on its political activities.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of reported incidents during political activities in Calabar South.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the Command said police personnel had been deployed to the affected locations and that the situation was under control.
The Command said it was verifying reports of gunfire, injuries and damage to property, while advising residents to remain calm and avoid affected areas where necessary.
It also warned against the circulation of unverified information, assuring residents that police presence and monitoring had been strengthened to maintain peace and public order.
The incident comes amid heightened political activities in Cross River ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties intensifying consultations and mobilisation across the state.