Gunfire attack at PDP consultation in Calabar deeply disturbing, unacceptable – IPAC

The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Cross River State, has described last weekend’s shooting of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Calabar as deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

In a formal reaction to the unfriendly development, the state IPAC Chairman, Effiom Edet Okon, said political consultation is not warfare, campaigns are not battles, and political opponents are not enemies.

Recall that governorship candidate, Arthur Jarvis Archibong, had led a consultation visit to the paramount ruler when the gunfire allegedly disrupted and dispersed the PDP supporters.

Many supporters and bystanders were reportedly injured and vehicles damaged during the stampede that ensued.

The state Police Command had confirmed the incident and reinforced its presence in the area, and commenced investigations.

The IPAC chairman, in a reaction to the incident, said, “The democratic process gives every political party and every aspirant the constitutional and democratic right to consult with citizens, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders without intimidation, harassment or violence.

“IPAC therefore calls on all political parties, aspirants, candidates, supporters and political actors across Cross River State to exercise the highest level of restraint as consultations, party activities and preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.”

It warned that no disagreement within a political party or between political parties should ever degenerate into physical confrontation, destruction of property, threats, intimidation or the use of weapons, and advised political parties to resolve internal disagreements through dialogue, reconciliation and the established mechanisms of their respective parties.

“Similarly, disagreements between political parties must be handled through mature political engagement, negotiation and lawful dispute-resolution mechanisms.

“There must be no politics of violence in Cross River State.”

IPAC particularly appealed to political party leaders to caution their supporters against provocation and retaliation, cautioning that political leaders have a responsibility to control their followers.