The Cross River Government has debunked allegations that All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters attacked the motorcade of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Calabar on Wednesday.
The government made the expression in Calabar on Thursday in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Ekpenyong Cobham.
Cobham described the allegation as false, unfounded, and misleading, insisting that the incident was caused by internal misunderstanding among some NDC supporters.
He said that the incident was not a politically motivated attack by APC members, but reactions by some NDC who felt used and abandoned by the party.
The commissioner stated that some of those involved were seen openly displaying NDC flags, and that the incident should not be attributed to APC for any reason.
“That is not APC. That is not our character. That is not our conduct,” he said.
He challenged those behind the allegation to provide verifiable evidence linking any APC supporter to the incident.
Cobham further said that Cross River remained a peaceful state, and that the Gov. Bassey Otu-led government was committed to promoting peace, tolerance, and issue-based politics.
He described Calabar as Nigeria’s tourism capital, saying that the state welcomed visitors with warmth, culture, and dignity rather than violence.
The commissioner urged security agencies to investigate the incident and identify those responsible, saying, ”people must avoid using the development to create political tension in the state”
It would be recalled that the NDC presidential candidate’s motorcade was attacked on Wednesday during his visit to the state for a townhall meeting.
The Police Command in Cross River says it has apprehended a 27-year old man over alleged involvement in the attack.
