C/River: APC denies attacking ADC in Bakassi

2026-03-24 - 21:24

....dismisses Duke, Imoke coalition as no thrreat in 2027 By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has denied any involvement in the political violence that disrupted an African Democratic Congress (ADC) event in Bakassi. APC State Chairman, Hon. Christopher Etta, said the clash stemmed from an internal rift within the ADC, not the ruling party. Speaking in Calabar, Etta insisted the APC does not shy away from opposition but thrives on contesting ideas in the “marketplace of ideas.” “From our findings, they had two factions. One faction was opening or taking over a secretariat which the other faction had. That is where their problem came,” he said. He wondered how the APC’s name was injected into the incident, suggesting some people exploited the situation for media attention. “What is APC to gain? The way you are seeing this state currently, does it look like we are afraid of anybody?” Etta queried. The chairman, who assumed office barely two weeks ago, said all contending issues within the APC have been resolved, describing the party as a united family ahead of its zonal congress. He declared that opposition parties in the state are virtually non-existent and pose no threat to the APC’s dominance. Etta specifically dismissed concerns over a budding coalition under the ADC involving former governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke, as well as other politicians like Senator Gershom Bassey and ex-Minister Usani Usani. “How can you ask if we are scared of them? Why should we be? They pose no threat to our electoral success,” he said, adding that their combined strength “means nothing” to the APC. He maintained that Cross River remains firmly an APC state, while welcoming a more vibrant opposition to test programmes in healthy competition. “Politics is a game of contest — in ideas, interests, and even ambition. What some call disunity is not unusual; it is part of the process,” Etta added. He likened visible political tensions to activity in a theatre, saying they are natural features of democratic engagement rather than signs of instability. The APC chairman expressed readiness for the 2027 polls, confident that the ruling party’s performance will carry the day.