Police Probe Calabar Political Attacks as PDP Accuses APC, Ruling Party Denies Role

The Cross River State Police Command has opened an investigation after violence disrupted political meetings organised by the Peoples Democratic Party in Calabar South, triggering conflicting claims between the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The incidents occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a consultative tour led by the PDP’s Cross River governorship candidate, Arthur Javis Archibong. Punch Newspapers
The PDP says gunmen disrupted activities at two locations, leaving three people injured and damaging vehicles belonging to party members and supporters.
The APC has denied any involvement.
Police, meanwhile, say they are verifying what happened and have not publicly identified those responsible.
First incident reported at traditional ruler's palace
According to the PDP, the first disturbance occurred at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, Etubom Nyong Edet Okon I, where the party was holding part of its consultation.
Archibong said suspected attackers disrupted the meeting and that three people were injured.
The injured individuals were taken for medical treatment, according to the PDP.
Vanguard independently reported the PDP's account of three injuries but, like Punch, did not report a police finding establishing who carried out the attack. Vanguard News
Second incident reported at African Club
The PDP said another confrontation later occurred at the African Club along Calabar Road, which had been selected as another venue for the consultations.
Archibong alleged that vehicles belonging to members of the consultation team and supporters were vandalised and that shots were fired toward the party's convoy.
He said thousands of supporters had attended the day's activities and claimed the police had been notified about the consultations beforehand.
The exact number of participants has not been independently verified.
PDP says supporters were told not to retaliate
The governorship candidate said party officials instructed supporters not to respond violently.
Rather than engage the alleged attackers, he said the convoy proceeded to the office of the Cross River State Commissioner of Police to seek security assistance.
PDP State Publicity Secretary Mike Ojisi separately appealed to members of the party to remain calm and avoid retaliation.
The party said it intends to petition national security authorities, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services, over the incidents. Punch Newspapers
APC rejects allegation of involvement
Cross River APC Publicity Secretary Emmanuel Inyang denied that the ruling party was connected to the violence.
He said the APC was focused on its own political activities and rejected suggestions that its members were responsible.
The party told the PDP to look elsewhere in determining who carried out the attack.
No evidence publicly released by police at the time of reporting had established responsibility for the violence. Punch Newspapers
That distinction is important because statements made by political parties immediately after violent incidents can contain allegations that have not yet been tested through an independent investigation.
Police deploy officers and begin investigation
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of reported incidents connected with political activities in Calabar South.
Police said personnel had been deployed to the affected locations and that the situation had been brought under control.
The command said investigators were examining reports of gunfire, injuries and property damage.
Residents were advised to remain calm, avoid affected locations where necessary and refrain from circulating unverified information while investigations continued. Punch Newspapers
Investigation will determine responsibility
The police investigation will be important in separating verified evidence from the competing political claims surrounding the incident.
At present, several elements of the story come directly from the PDP's account, including the circumstances of the attacks, the number of supporters present and its suspicions about political responsibility.
Police have confirmed that reports of violence are being investigated but have not announced arrests or identified any organisation as responsible.
That means headlines describing the attackers as APC members or presenting the incident as an established assassination attempt would go beyond what authorities have confirmed.
Incident comes during growing 2027 political activity
The violence occurred as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 Cross River governorship election.
Archibong is the PDP candidate for the election, while incumbent Governor Bassey Otu secured the APC governorship ticket earlier this year. Premium Times Nigeria
The two political camps have already exchanged criticism over governance and policy, with Archibong previously accepting a proposed public debate involving Otu. The Guardian Nigeria
The latest incident adds a security concern to what had largely been a political contest conducted through statements, consultations and public criticism.
Political parties have responsibility to prevent escalation
Violence surrounding campaign activities can create risks beyond the immediate victims.
If supporters believe political opponents are responsible for an attack, retaliatory actions can quickly turn isolated incidents into wider clashes.
That makes restraint from political leaders important while security agencies investigate.
The PDP's public instruction to its supporters not to retaliate is therefore significant.
The APC's denial should likewise be assessed alongside the eventual findings of police rather than treated either as proof of innocence or evidence of guilt.
Security agencies face an important test
Political parties have the right to organise meetings and consultations within the law, while security agencies have responsibility for maintaining public order and investigating violence.
The Cross River Police Command says it has increased its presence and monitoring following the incident.
What happens next will depend on whether investigators can establish who carried weapons, who damaged property and whether the violence was politically organised or arose from another cause.
Any suspects identified would still be entitled to due process before legal responsibility is established.
Three people reportedly injured, but no deaths announced
No deaths had been reported from the incidents as of the latest available accounts.
The PDP says three people were injured and taken for treatment.
Police have acknowledged receiving reports of injuries but said the circumstances were still being verified.
There was also no independently confirmed financial estimate for the vehicles and other property reportedly damaged.
Focus turns to investigation
For now, the central confirmed development is that violence occurred around PDP political activities in Calabar South and police have opened an investigation.
The PDP alleges that its members were deliberately targeted.
The APC rejects suggestions that it was responsible.
Until investigators release findings identifying suspects and establishing what happened, those positions should remain clearly separated from verified facts.
With campaigns and consultations increasing ahead of the 2027 elections, the incident also places additional pressure on political parties and security agencies in Cross River to ensure that competition remains peaceful.