Gunfire attack at PDP consultation in Calabar deeply disturbing, unacceptable – IPAC
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) of Cross River State has condemned the shooting of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a political event in Calabar last weekend. The council characterized the incident as “deeply disturbing and unacceptable.”
Effiom Edet Okon, the chairman of state IPAC, emphasized during a formal statement that political engagement should not be equated with warfare and that campaigning is not akin to battle. He noted, “Political opponents are not enemies.”
The altercation reportedly occurred during a consultation visit led by governorship candidate Arthur Jarvis Archibong to a paramount ruler in the region. Eyewitness accounts indicate that gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries to several supporters and bystanders and damage to vehicles as panic ensued.
![Bandits use RPG to turn semolina in camp [Video]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bandits.jpg "Bandits use RPG to turn semolina in camp [Video]")
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that they have intensified their presence in the area and initiated an investigation.
In response to the violence, Okon reiterated the importance of the democratic process, asserting that every political party has the constitutional right to engage with the public and local leaders without facing intimidation or hostility. He called on political participants throughout the state to maintain restraint as preparations for the 2027 elections accelerate.
He cautioned that conflicts among political parties should not escalate into violence or property damage, advocating for resolution through dialogue and existing party mechanisms. “There must be no politics of violence in Cross River State,” he stated.
IPAC also urged political leaders to guide their supporters against provocation and retaliation, reminding them of their responsibility to manage their followers’ actions.
