Cross River 2023: IPAC raises alarm of plan to circumvent the people will

The Chairman Inter-Party Advisory Council, (IPAC) in Cross River, Comrade Anthony Bisong has alleged that there are a series of plans and strategies by some high-profile politicians in the State to disrupt the will of the people in the forthcoming general elections.

Comrade Bisong said in a press conference in Calabar on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, that IPAC is curious about the formation of a new Tactical Unit positioned opposite the Governor’s office to facilitate training and used for the election. He said the unit which would be headed by an officer from the Abuja Police Command is meant to militarize the polls and is concerned as well about the leader of the team, CP Garba Aliyu whom he said has no competence to carry out the job professionally.

In his reaction, the gubernatorial candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Mr. Patrick Effiom Henry Solomon “PATSOL” who had earlier led a protest by candidates who were short-changed over the attitude of the major stakeholders during the signing of the Peace Accord which ended in a stalemate proposed the domestication of the NHRC core-mandate in the state if elected as governor during the 2023 elections.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Cross River State, Supol Irene Ugbo said the Command has remained resolute and most professional in the discharge of its constitutional duty to protect lives and property stressing that no Tactical Unit will work for anybody except for the success of the polls as they are non-partisan and will never take sides while urging all parties involved to remain calm and law-abiding as there is no cause for alarm.

In a subsequent development, the deputy governorship candidate of the NRM, Hon. Mathias Akpelishi Amgbah has thrown more light on the reaction of esteemed members of the public during the launch of the party mega campaign rally held in Calabar on Saturday, February 11, 2023. He said any member of NRM caught breaking the law would be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution in accordance to the electoral act.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)