Three people were injured after gunmen allegedly disrupted consultative meetings organised by the Peoples Democratic Party in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The incidents occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, at two locations where the party was holding consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP governorship candidate in the state, Sir Arthur Javis Archibong, said the first incident occurred at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, Etubom Nyong Edet Okon I.
According to him, suspected hoodlums disrupted the meeting, leaving three people injured. The victims were subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
Archibong said the situation later escalated at the African Club along Calabar Road, where a second consultation was scheduled to hold.
He alleged that gunmen opened fire on the party’s convoy and that several vehicles belonging to members of the consultation team and supporters were vandalised.
The candidate said about 3,000 supporters attended the consultation, adding that the police had been informed ahead of the meetings and that the party expected adequate security arrangements.
He said PDP supporters were restrained from retaliating and instead moved their convoy to the office of the Commissioner of Police to seek protection.
Archibong added that the party would petition the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services and other relevant security agencies over the incidents.
The PDP State Publicity Secretary, Mike Ojisi, also condemned the attacks, calling on security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid reprisals, stressing that political consultations should not become avenues for violence.
The All Progressives Congress, however, denied involvement in the incident.
The APC state Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, said the party was focused on its own political activities and advised the PDP to look elsewhere for those responsible.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of the reported incidents and had deployed personnel to the affected locations.
The command said the situation was under control while investigations were ongoing into reports of gunfire, injuries and property damage.
Police also urged residents to remain calm, avoid affected areas where necessary and refrain from circulating unverified information.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
