Police barricade PDP mega rally venue in Calabar
The Police on Saturday barricaded Calabar Sports club premises, venue of Cross River chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) mega rally and campaign flag off.
Our reporter, who was at the venue as early as 7:00am reports that a team of security personnel nunbering about 100 comprising of Operation Akpakwu security outfit (army, civil defence and police) stormed the venue in twenty five Hiliux 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 resisited the order to leave, stressing that they were given due approval by the State Police command.
Our reporter however, reports that hundreds of PDP supprters later defied the security operatives and forced their way into the venue through the emergency exits.
It would’ve 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, are officially to be inaugurated, Saturday February 19, 2022.
Some PDP governors expected at the kick off rally include Governors Nyesom Wike, Udom Emanuel and Samuel Ortom of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Benue states respectively.
Members of the National Assembly from the Cross River including Senators Gershom Bassey, Sandy Onor and Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe: others are Rt Hon Essien Ayi, Eta Mbora and Daniel Asuquo are also expected to attend the event.
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, Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, Mr Aminu Alhassan, comfirmed the deployment of his men to cardon off the venue of the rally, saying it was because of security report.
“I sent the security to avoid breakdown of law and order in the state.
“Two big parties cannot hold events in the same day so that they wont cause problem.
“So, I had to stop the PDP own and allow APC own. PDP can hold their own tomorrow please, ” he said.
