Mobile police units sealed off an event centre in Calabar on Tuesday morning, blocking the planned inauguration of the African Democratic Congress membership mobilisation committee amid an internal party dispute.
The venue along Marian Road was cordoned off around 7am following a petition from some party members, preventing supporters from entering, party officials said.
The African Democratic Congress had scheduled the launch of its Membership Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation Committee, headed by Eko Alobo, under state chairman John Oga.
South-South zonal vice chairman Uguru Usani and other leaders, including Bassey Ewa, later met the state police commissioner, after which proceedings were relocated to Usani’s residence.
The party disowned the event, describing it as unauthorised and driven by individuals not recognised by the state executive. It insisted there is no faction within the ADC in Cross River and that it operates strictly according to its constitution.
Vice chairman for the Central Senatorial District Mcphalane Ejah reaffirmed the party’s stance: “As an opposition party, ADC in Cross River State is committed to people-centric development, placing the interests of the people at heart. We believe that the will of the people should prevail and be respected. We reject impunity and imposition and will not tolerate actions or attitudes that undermine the democratic will of the people.”
