Peter Obi’s convoy attacked again in Cross River, one arrested

.As Police warn political thugs against destruction of campaign posters, billboards

. CAN disowns Archbishop over election comments, restates political neutrality

 

The convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi and supporters of the party reportedly came under attack in Calabar on Wednesday.

The incident occurred shortly after Obi arrived in the Cross River State capital for the party’s presidential town hall meeting at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.

However, the Nigeria Police Force has warned politicians, political thugs and their supporters against destroying campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to rival candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, threatening to arrest and prosecute offenders.

The warning comes amid reported incidents of campaign posters and billboards being torn down or defaced in some states, as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria has disowned Archbishop Chivir Chianson over his alleged claim to the position of its general secretary, insisting that he has no authority to speak or act on behalf of the association

The Force said it had observed increasing incidents of deliberate tearing, defacement and destruction of campaign materials belonging to candidates and political parties across the country.

According to report, Obi’s convoy was moving through the metropolis amid cheers from supporters when suspected political thugs ambushed it around the popular Watt Market area, hurling stones, bottles and other dangerous objects at the vehicles and supporters.

The attack threw the area into panic as supporters scampered for safety, while vehicular movement and commercial activities were disrupted.

Several NDC supporters were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident, while vehicles and other valuables were reportedly destroyed.

Some of the vehicles in the convoy were also reportedly damaged, with their windscreens shattered.

Men of the Cross River State Police Command, who were on the ground, swiftly intervened, dispersing the attackers and restoring order to the area.

The police arrested one suspect in connection with the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, who confirmed the arrest in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar, said the suspect, identified as Victor Edet Yellow-Duke, 27, had been apprehended, while investigations had commenced to identify those behind the attack and their sponsors.

“NDC supporters under heavy attack in Watt Market. The police have made an arrest to this effect. The suspect name is Victor Edet Yellow Duke, male, 27 years,” the police spokesman said.

He assured residents that normalcy had been restored and that adequate security had been deployed to strategic locations in the metropolis to prevent a recurrence.

Despite the attack, Obi later proceeded to the venue of the town hall meeting, where he was expected to address party supporters and stakeholders in Cross River State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the Force said it considered the acts a form of political intolerance and urged those involved to stop immediately.

“The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns this act of political intolerance and warns political thugs, hoodlums and other mischief-makers involved to desist immediately,” the statement read.

It noted that the destruction or unlawful removal of another candidate’s campaign materials could constitute malicious damage, a criminal offence under applicable laws.

The police cited Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law, which provides for the offence of mischief.

“Political differences or loyalty to a particular party do not give anyone the right to destroy another candidate’s property or infringe on their right to campaign freely,” the statement added.

The Force reiterated that all political parties and candidates, regardless of their affiliations or status, were entitled to equal protection under the law.

It said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had directed commissioners of police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to take preventive measures, investigate reported incidents and ensure that those found culpable were arrested and prosecuted.

The police also warned that political sponsors and individuals who recruited, encouraged or facilitated the destruction of campaign materials would be held accountable if evidence established their involvement.

“The Nigeria Police Force will not allow political thugs and troublemakers to turn the nation’s political environment into a theatre of lawlessness. Those who choose to break the law will face the full consequences of their actions,” the statement said.

The Force urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the rights of others, warning that political intolerance and intimidation must not undermine the democratic process.

CAN also distanced itself from a group allegedly using its name to mobilise support for a political candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, reaffirming its commitment to political neutrality.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday, warning that neither Chianson nor the group he represents had any official affiliation or institutional relationship with the association.

Okoh said CAN had not authorised, endorsed or mandated the cleric or his group to organise or promote any political mobilisation in its name.

He said any political position, endorsement or activity attributed to them should not be mistaken for the official position of the Christian body.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Archbishop Chivir Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf,” the statement said.

CAN’s statement comes against the backdrop of his public comments over the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, a conference of which Chianson is the Secretary-General.

CBCN is a religious association of charismatic and Pentecostal Christian leaders, bishops, and archbishops in Nigeria.

In September, the conference’s President-General, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the endorsement while speaking at the organisation’s 2026 synod.

Chianson also reportedly predicted on a national TV show that Tinubu would win re-election, saying, “God told us President Tinubu will win. He’s not only going to win, he will perform better.” PUNCH Online cannot confirm this statement.

Meanwhile, CAN warned against what it described as attempts by individuals and groups without official connections to appropriate its identity and exploit its name for political or personal interests.

It said that, as the umbrella body representing Christians across Nigeria, it had a responsibility to protect the interests of the Christian community and contribute to national development.

Reaffirming its position ahead of the 2027 elections, CAN said it would continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of their party affiliations, without endorsing any political party or candidate.

The association urged Christians, members of the public and media organisations to disregard claims of official representation by Chianson and his group.