By; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
Leaders and stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akpabuyo and Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State have cried out to the state government and security agencies to intervene in the alleged on-going destruction of property owned by members of PDP in Akpabuyo by All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters.
It would be recalled that there were alleged attacks on members and supporters of the People’s Democratic Party in Akpabuyo Local Government Area on Sunday February 5, 2023.
Addressing newsmen on the issue after holding a meeting with the Cross State Commissioner of Police, the group led by Rt. Hon. Esseien Ayi, member representing Calabar/Akpabuyo/Odukpani in the House of Representatives, called on the security agencies to come to the rescue of their members whose property and lives were under serious threat.
Speaking, the spokesman, Sir Arthur Javis Archibong, said, ” you will recall that on Tuesday January 24, 2023, when our party held its governorship campaign rally in Akpabuyo, some miscreants sponsored by the All Progressive’s Congress (APC) attempted to disrupt by firing gun shots within the venue “.
The statement maintained that”that attempt was swiftly contained by the security officers who accompanied our campaign team to the local government area”.
It noted with dismay “the current barbaric attacks on PDP members in the area which allegedly resumed shortly after the candidate of the All Progressive’s Congress APC for the Calabar South/Akpabuyo and Bakassi Federal constituency, Hon. Joseph Bassey and other APC Leaders held a meeting on Sunday 5, February at Ikot Oyom, Akpabuyo.”
According to the statement, “at about 8.15pm, one Hon. Joseph Bassey and a certain Cyril Anthony (aka) Etete Nkukuk, without any form of provocation allegedly led a team of miscreants to destroy billboards of PDP candidates displayed within the private residence of Mr. Amanso Okon Etim, the Chapter Youth Leader of PDP at Atimbo”.
“As if they were not satisfied, the statement further stated, the hoodlums armed with guns and other dangerous weapons moved on and carried out an all-night attacks on the residences and business premises of our party leaders and supporters within Atimbo East and Atimbo West wards”.
The statement noted that “we made desperate calls to the Police Quick Intervention teams, but nothing was done till this moment. However, on Monday night, the continued on the residence of Hon. Orok Ekeng, Hon. Ikpeme Erete as well as Mr. Amanso’s resisence”.
Meanwhile, the leaders have reported these acts of unwarranted attacks and provocation to the attention of the authorized by writing to the State Police Commissioner, the AIG, Zone 6, and the DSS .
“As we speak, nothing has been done to abet these attacks of terrorism. No single security team has been deployed to the area. These hoodlums are now having an unhindered environment to attack innocent residents of the area, it further stated”.
The statement further alleged that “there are plans by the APC Leadership and their collaborators to provoke our supporters into a retaliation so that they can find reasons to deploy their usual boastful power of incumbency and use security agents to arrest and detain our supporters before the forthcoming elections”.
“For this reason, we have consistently prevailed on our supporters not to react, the statement noted “.
The statement called on the security agencies to as a matter of priority despatch personnel to secure lives and properties in the area and begin the process of arresting those who have been identified as perpetrators of these wicked acts
It said “we can no longer guarantee the continued patience of our supporters if nothing is done to protect them as they may be forced to protect themselves”.
The statement called on the leaders of APC in the state and Akpabuyo local government area, who are alleged to have sponsored these acts of destruction to stop forthwith as we are prepared for a peaceful elections.
Those whose properties were destroyed included, Amanso Okon Etim, Hon Francis Ekeng, the state organizing secretary of PDP, Hon. Francis Effanga, the DG of the Senatorial Candidate, Elder, Effiom Edet Ekpo.
Others are Mr. Innocent Atsenudiara, Edet Okon Etim, Emmanuel Eyo, Saviour Maurice among others.
Those leaders present include, Ntufam Ekpo Okon, Sir Arthur Javis Archibong, Hon. Bobby Ekpenyong and former deputy governor, His Excellency, Barr. Efiok Cobham.
Property worth millions of Naira were destroyed. They are buildings, vehicles and house furnitures. Though no life was lost, several people sustained serious injuries as a result of gun shots.
As at the time of filling this report, no single arrest has been made.
