APC, NDC Supporters Clash In Calabar As Police Intervene

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) were involved in a heated confrontation in Calabar, Cross River State, on Wednesday, disrupting traffic and commercial activities in parts of the city.

The incident occurred as both parties held separate political activities in the state capital ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The supporters reportedly encountered each other along Murtala Mohammed Highway, around the U.J. Esuene Stadium, before tensions escalated in front of Metropolitan Hotel, where the NDC was holding a presidential town hall meeting.

The situation was brought under control following the intervention of the Cross River State Police Command.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said officers intervened when participants at the NDC event converged with APC supporters staging a rally and road walk towards the Governor’s Office.

According to him, the officers engaged both groups and appealed to them to remain calm and conduct their activities peacefully.

The statement read, “The Cross River State Police Command, through timely intervention and constructive engagement, helped avert a possible confrontation between participants at a presidential town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, and a group of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) undertaking a rally/road walk towards the Governor’s Office.

“Upon the convergence of both groups in front of Metropolitan Hotel, police officers promptly engaged them, appealing to all parties to exercise restraint, maintain peace and ensure that their respective activities were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.”

Eitokpah said normalcy had been restored in the area, urging political parties and their supporters to shun violence and embrace peaceful campaigns as the 2027 general elections approach.