Bakassi Council Chairman Denies Involvement of APC in ADC's Attack
The Chairman of Bakassi Local Council, Effiong Etim Okon, has firmly denied allegations circulating on social media that implicate the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the disruption of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) meeting. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, March 14, 2026, reportedly involved thuggery and chaos, with influential figures from the state and local council being named in the accusations.
Official Statement Rejects Claims
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Eyo Eyo, and distributed to journalists in Calabar, Chairman Okon dismissed the allegations as baseless. He asserted that reports indicate the uproar was actually instigated by rival factions within the ADC hierarchy, which raised concerns for government and security authorities. The statement emphasized that the council chairman could not have ordered any disruption of public peace, especially during a period of personal mourning following his father's death.
The release stated: "The whole scenario lies on falsehood and is calculated to undermine the focus of the administration. The APC in the local council enjoys internal democracy and is led by responsible leadership, and is not afraid of opposition."
New Security Measures Implemented
In response to the incident, the Bakassi Local Council leadership has introduced stricter regulations for political gatherings. Henceforth, all such events in the area must align with the overall public interest and receive clearance from both local security operatives and the council itself. The statement highlighted that Bakassi is a governed entity with established rules promoting peace and cohesion, and it will not tolerate actions that threaten social stability.
"Since Bakassi Local Council believes in the rule of law, it takes responsibility to protect lives and property in the area, and would not allow any of its assets to be destroyed anymore under the guise of a political gathering by the rising generation," the statement noted. It further condemned destructive behaviors, aligning instead with progressive forces and expressing gratitude for community support.
