Cross River NDC Plays Down Attack On Obi After Governor’s Apology

Only one suspect, 27-year-old Victor Edet Yellow Duke, was arrested at the scene, police have confirmed.

Contrary to speculations that he had already been arraigned, the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Eitokpah Akata, said the suspect is still in police custody undergoing thorough investigation before being finally charged to court for trial. “For now, we are still investigating. It’s just a matter of time now,” he said.

The Cross River State Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Goddie Akpama, in a telephone conversation with LEADERSHIP on Thursday, explained why the party did not immediately raise alarm over the attack. According to him,”The leadership of the party decided not to raise the alarm on the basis that the governor has apologized to that effect.

“It’s the reason why we said we should play down not to heighten the already existing tension and reaction created as a result of the incident.” He added that the party asked that the matter be played down to avoid escalating tension.

But some supporters of the party said playing down the incident is not enough. One staunch supporter, Mr. Fred Agom, described what the political thugs did as absurd and completely barbaric, insisting the police should not limit trial to only the one person caught.

 “The police should extend their dragnet to other places. The one in their net should be able to assist them with useful information that can lead to the arrest of other suspects who fled the scene of the incident at the time when police stormed the Watt Market Roundabout to effect arrest,” he said.

Another supporter, Beatrice Onuha, called for drastic action against what she described as the barbaric behaviour of some young men who attacked the presidential candidate’s convoy, to deter others from doing so when prominent candidates of another party visit the state for campaign. “Nobody would ever conceive such idea of launching attack on such candidate,” she said.

Grace Bassey, who identified herself as a supporter of the ADC, advised security agents and the leadership of the Cross River State House of Assembly to come up with legislation that protects candidates of other parties entering the state for campaign, if the state is prepared to witness true democracy.