Reported bodily assault on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bakassi on the weekend throughout a celebration occasion allegedly orchestrated by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has generated reactions from outstanding Cross Riverians.
In a press assertion made obtainable to Blueprint in Calabar, Sunday, a frontline ladies chief in Cross River and a outstanding voice in Efik kingdom, Obonganwan Barbara James, described the stated assault as “lawlessness which have to be nipped within the mud.”
Obonganwan James known as on political leaders “to set the appropriate tone for the 2027 election season or danger an escalation of violence and insecurity that may transcend politics.”
She stated: “Yesterday Saturday 14th March 2026, a gathering of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was disrupted by touts and cultists in Bakassi Native Authorities of Cross River State.
“A viral video proof marks a grave reflection level within the political affairs of Cross River State as we start the 2027 election season and questions the standard of political management within the state.
“A state by which opposition political events or factions are usually not allowed their constitutional proper to fulfill freely is a lawless State. Such lawlessness have to be nipped within the bud and the culprits arrested and prosecuted.
“I name on all political leaders within the State to denounce this political violence, and cascade the message to their political followers that such violence is not going to be tolerated and anybody inflicting or escalating insecurity within the State can be handled appropriately.
“I particularly name on the state governor, native authorities chairmen, political social gathering and political motion leaders in addition to neighborhood leaders to publicly and robustly denounce this violence so as to set the appropriate tone for this election season.
“With out a strong denunciation of this type of political violence, Cross Riverians can anticipate an escalation of insecurity that may spill over into society and past the 2027 elections.”