Cross River Governor Apologises to Peter Obi, Condemns Convoy Attack, Orders Arrest of Perpetrators
Read Also FACT-CHECK: Did INEC Display the Voters’ Register from October 9 to 15 as Promised?
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has expressed deep regret over the attack on the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Calabar, condemning the incident and directing security agencies to ensure that everyone involved is brought to justice.
The governor’s reaction followed an attack on Obi’s convoy by suspected hoodlums around Watt Market Roundabout in Calabar on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during the former Anambra State governor’s visit to Cross River for an NDC presidential town hall meeting.
Obi was returning from a courtesy visit to the palace of the Obong of Calabar when the incident occurred. His convoy was heading towards Metropolitan Hotel, the venue of the town hall meeting, when a group of suspected attackers emerged around the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis.
More Read
According to the police, the attackers were armed with machetes and sticks and smashed the windscreens of some vehicles in the convoy.
The incident caused panic in the area, with supporters and other residents reportedly scrambling for safety. Some NDC supporters were also reported to have sustained injuries, while vehicles belonging to party supporters were damaged.
Obi subsequently spoke about the incident, explaining that the attackers began throwing stones at his convoy after sighting NDC supporters. He said his security team advised him to take another route but that the attackers eventually fled.
More Read
Despite the incident, he proceeded with his scheduled political engagement.
Governor Otu expresses regret, orders investigation
In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo, Governor Otu expressed heartfelt sympathy to Obi and his entourage, describing the incident as disturbing and contrary to Cross River State’s reputation for hospitality and peaceful coexistence.
The governor said:
“I extend my deepest, most heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Peter Obi and his team over the deeply disturbing incident that occurred yesterday during his campaign visit to our state capital.”
He further stated that Cross River stood in solidarity with all political actors seeking to engage peacefully with the electorate, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Otu condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable and alien to the values of Cross River people.
He also warned that his administration would not tolerate political violence or criminality.
More Read
The governor consequently directed security agencies to identify everyone involved and ensure they face the full weight of the law.
Police arrest 27-year-old suspect
Following the incident, the Cross River State Police Command confirmed the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect identified as Victor Edet Yellow-Duke.
According to the police, the arrest followed the attack around Watt Market Roundabout at approximately 2:20 p.m. on November 4.
Police spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said officers deployed to the area intervened and dispersed the attackers.
The suspect was subsequently transferred to the State Police Headquarters for investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, directed a comprehensive investigation to identify other suspects and establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The police also cautioned that the arrest did not amount to a determination of guilt, as the suspect remained entitled to the presumption of innocence.
In a subsequent update on November 7, the police spokesperson disclosed that Yellow-Duke had been released on bail and was expected to be charged to court on Monday, November 9.
Cross River Government denies APC involvement, blames internal NDC disagreement
However, the incident generated controversy after the Cross River State Government rejected allegations that supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were responsible for the attack.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, described the allegation as unfounded.
In a November 5 statement, the government claimed that the disturbance resulted from an internal disagreement involving aggrieved individuals within the opposition camp.
According to the commissioner, some individuals who felt used and abandoned by the opposition party allegedly turned against members of their own faction.
The government further claimed that individuals captured in videos of the incident were displaying NDC insignia.
It challenged anyone alleging APC involvement to provide verifiable evidence and called for an investigation.
However, the police account confirmed that suspected hoodlums attacked vehicles within Obi’s convoy. The police have not publicly established the political affiliations of all those involved or identified any sponsors.
Consequently, responsibility for organising the attack remains a matter for investigation.
NDC demands accountability
The NDC condemned the incident, describing it as an unacceptable threat to democratic participation and political freedom.
In a statement signed by its National Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the party demanded a thorough investigation and the prosecution of everyone responsible.
The party maintained that political disagreements should never be settled through violence and insisted that its presidential candidate and supporters must be allowed to participate in political activities without intimidation.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the safety of opposition politicians and their supporters as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For now, attention remains on the police investigation and whether those responsible, including any possible sponsors, will ultimately be identified and prosecuted.
Sources: Channels Television, TheCable, Premium Times, The ICIR and Cross River Watch.
