Police disrupt venue of PDP mega rally in Calabar
The Police on Saturday barricaded the premises of Calabar Sports club, the venue of the mega rally, and campaign flag-off of the People’s Democratic Party in Cross River State.
Our reporter, who was at the venue as early as 7:00 am reports that a team of security personnel numbering about 100 comprising of Operation Akpakwu security outfit (army, civil defence, and police) stormed the venue in twenty-five Hilux Vans and one Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).
The leader of the team on arrival threatened hundreds of PDP faithful to vacate or face the wrath of the law, but they resisted the leave order stressing that they received due approval from the State Police command.
Our Correspondent reports that hundreds of PDP supporters later defied the security operatives and forced their way into the venue through the emergency exits.
It would be recalled that last week the State Working Committee of PDP constituted a campaign committee for Ogoja/Yala federal constituency and Akpabuyo State Assembly by-election scheduled for Saturday, February 26, 2022.
The campaign committee, made up of over 1,000 members, is officially expected to be inaugurated on Saturday, February 19, 2022.
Some of the PDP governors expected at the kick-off of the rally were Governors Nyesom Wike, Udom Emanuel, Samuel Ortom of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Benue states respectively.
Members of the National Assembly from Cross River expected at the event were Senators Gershom Bassey, Sandy Onor, and Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe. Others from the green chamber of the National Assembly are Rt Hon Essien Ayi, Eta Mbora, and Daniel Asuquo.
The rally tagged ‘operation-deliver-PDP’ is also expected to witness the presence of former governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke, zonal leaders, chapter and ward leaders.
In his reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, Mr. Aminu Alhassan, confirmed the deployment of his men to cordon off the venue of the rally, saying it was because of a security report.
“I sent the security to avoid breakdown of law and order in the state.
“Two big parties cannot hold events on the same day so that they won’t cause problems.
“So, I had to stop the PDP own and allow APC own. PDP can hold their own tomorrow please, ” he said.
