By Dianabasi Effiong
Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River says he is deeply saddened and concerned over Wednesday’s attack on the convoy of the presidential candidate of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi by suspected political thugs in Calabar South Local Government Area.
(Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River)
Otu made this known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser, Media, Mr Linus Obogo, on Thursday.
The governor, in the statement also empathised with Obi and his entourage over the incident.
“I extend my deepest, most heartfelt sympathy to Mr Peter Obi and his team over the deeply disturbing incident that occurred yesterday during his campaign visit to our state capital,” Otu said, adding that the people of Cross River were firm in their solidarity with all political actors seeking to engage peacefully with the electorate ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The governor, who said that Cross River State remained an enclave of civil harmony and hospitality, added that the ugly occurrence was an unacceptable anomaly.
“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,” Otu said the leadership and residents of the State were saddened by the emotional toll the incident might have caused, lamenting that such hostility contradicted everything the state held dear.
“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,” Otu reassured Obi’s campaign team.
“We unequivocally condemn this reckless assault and deprecate the action as entirely unwholesome, barbaric, and completely alien to our identity as Cross Riverians.
He added that much much as lawlessness woukd not be normalised under his administration, criminal aggression was contrary to the ethos of the people of the State.
“This disgraceful display of lawlessness does not reflect who we are, nor does it represent the cherished values of our peaceful state,” he said, reassuring political parties that the state remained open and safe for constitutional political activities.
He restated his administration’s uncompromising stance on law and order and gave a stern warning to the perpetrators to desist from the unwholesome act.
“Let it be made unmistakably clear: our administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance against political violence and criminality in any form,” he stated.
Otu called on security agencies to fish out the criminals, pledging that those behind the violence would be made to face swift justice.
“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,” Otu declared.
Recall that the Nigeria Police Command in Cross River on Wednesday swiftly averted a breakdown of law and order and arrested one person following a reported attack on the convoy of the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, and his running mate, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Calabar on Wednesday.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, who confirmed the attack, said the command had also intensified its surveillance to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
He said: “The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old suspect, identified as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, in connection with the alleged attack on the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency, Peter Obi, along the Watt Market Roundabout axis of Calabar, on Wednesday, 4th November 2026.
“The attack reportedly resulted in damage to the windshields of some vehicles in the convoy.
“The incident occurred at about 2:20 p.m. as the candidate’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar en route to Metropolitan Hotel, the venue of the party’s presidential town hall meeting.
“At the Watt Market Roundabout, a group of suspected hoodlums, reportedly armed with machetes and sticks, emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles within the convoy, smashing their windshields. The exact number of vehicles affected is yet to be ascertained.
“Police personnel deployed around the area responded swiftly to contain the situation. The intervention, which included the deployment of tear gas, led to the arrest of the suspect, while other suspected attackers fled the scene.
“The arrested suspect was subsequently moved to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for discreet investigation and to prevent any possible reprisal or further breakdown of law and order. Normalcy has since been restored in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has directed a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend other persons who may have participated in the attack and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The command emphasises that the arrest of a suspect does not amount to a determination of guilt, as the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pending the conclusion of investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
“The command assures residents, political stakeholders, and visitors that adequate security measures remain in place to protect lives and property and guarantee the peaceful conduct of lawful political activities across the state.
“It reiterates its commitment to providing equal security protection to all political parties, candidates, and their supporters, irrespective of political affiliation, while urging members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and promptly report suspicious activities through established Police communication channels.
“The Cross River State Police Command remains committed to maintaining public safety, protecting democratic participation and ensuring that all lawful political activities are conducted in a peaceful and secure environment,” the statement added.
