The disputed party secretariat in Calabar
PDP, APC renew battle for control of secretariat complex in Calabar
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Cross River State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resumed their battle for ownership of a two-storey building along Murtala Muhammed Highway in Calabar.
The disputed building which is a rented property served as the party Secretariat of the PDP for over 20 years.
However, following the defection of the Cross River State governor to the APC, the defecting party officials claimed that the property was paid for by agents of the new APC.
They assumed control of the property and rebranded it to the colours of the APC.
This led to protests by the PDP and also a legal action against the ruling party.
Speaking in Calabar on the recent plan by the new executive of the APC to resume at the disputed property, Prince Mike Ojisi, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP condemned the action.
Ojisi said, “as law-abiding citizens, we hereby, without any form of equivocation call on the AIG Zone 6, Commissioner of Police, Civil Defence and heads of all Security Agencies in Cross River State to expeditiously intervene and help restore the rule of law in the face of this brazen and evasive rape of the law by the APC.
“We hereby demand an explanation into this unlawful invasion of our Secretariat by the overzealous SWC of the APC.
“As a party, we are very much aware of the APC’s incurable craze and penchant for lawlessness both at the National and State Level, an obvious tragedy all rational Cross Riverian nay Nigerian, must speak against. We call on the APC to respect the rule of law and redeem her image in the eyes of the people, at least for once.
“As a party with the inalienable right to freedom of association as enshrined in our nation’s constitution, we shall continue to resist any attempt by the APC to gag, victimize or subjugate members of our great party.
“We also call on our teeming supporters and members of our great party to remain calm and law-abiding as we explore all legal and legitimate means towards reclaiming our party Secretariat”, he said.
