ADC Bekwarra Chapter Petitions Inspector General of Police Over Alleged Threats, Disruption of Rally
By Amawu, Cletus Albert Amawu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bekwarra Chapter, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police over what it describes as a disturbing pattern of political intimidation allegedly carried out by the Area Commander of Ogoja Division, Cross River State.
In a petition dated 27 February 2026 and addressed to the Inspector General of Police through the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 6 and the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State, the party accused the Area Commander of threatening opposition members and attempting to disrupt a planned political rally in the Northern Senatorial District.
The petition, signed by Mc Johnson on behalf of the MacJohnson Odey Political Defence Volunteer Front, alleges that on 21 February 2026 at about 8.00 a.m., armed police officers stormed his premises in Bekwarra while preparations were underway for an ADC rally.
According to the statement, the officers allegedly threatened to shoot him and his supporters if they failed to disperse.
The petitioner further claimed that the Area Commander stated he was acting on “superior orders” to scuttle the ADC Northern Senatorial District rally.
The ADC described the incident as inflammatory and provocative, warning that such actions could heighten political tensions and trigger a breakdown of law and order within the state.
In the petition, the party maintained that it had earlier written to the Police Command Headquarters to notify authorities of the intended rally and attached evidence of that correspondence. However, it alleged that the Police neither responded nor engaged in dialogue before deploying armed personnel to the venue of the rally.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemns this act,” the petition stated, adding that the incident was not isolated but part of what it termed a “dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against our party across the State.”
The Party further expressed alarm over what it described as inflammatory rhetoric and threats that have preceded recent events, including an alleged claim attributed to the Area Commander that he would “shoot and nothing will happen.”
The ADC stressed that Cross River State “is not a private estate of any Party or Governor” and argued that no elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten, harass, or endanger law-abiding political actors for exercising their democratic rights.
“Our members and supporters across the Northern Senatorial District and Nigeria have the constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and lawful self-defence,” the statement read.
The Party party warned that while the Cross River State Government is free to pursue its present course, responsibility for any harm that may befall its members or supporters as a result of what it described as escalating official hostility, intimidation, or incitement would rest squarely with those who choose “the path of provocation over the path of peace.”
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Police Service Commission, the State Chairman of the ADC, the Public Complaints Commission, and the Human Rights Unit.
As at the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Cross River State Police Command regarding the allegations.
Political observers note that the development comes amid rising political activity in Cross River State ahead of forthcoming electoral contests, with opposition parties increasingly raising concerns over security neutrality and the protection of democratic freedoms.
EpistleNews will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as further details emerge.
