Cross River APC Leadership Disavows Involvement In Bakassi Political Violence, Cites ADC Internal Conflict

Chairman Christopher Eta blames ADC internal factions for Bakassi violence, stating the APC has no reason to interfere in opposition secretariat disputes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 9:37 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Sun Nigeria

Deflecting Allegations of Electoral Aggression

The Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to distance itself from recent reports of political violence in the Bakassi region. State Chairman Christopher Eta addressed the media in Calabar, responding to claims that APC supporters disrupted a gathering organized by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Eta characterized the accusations as baseless, asserting that his party does not view opposition activities as a threat and has no strategic interest in suppressing rival political events through force.

Internal Factionalism Identified as the Source of Unrest

According to the APC’s internal findings, the violence in Bakassi was triggered by a leadership crisis within the ADC itself. Eta explained that the confrontation occurred when one faction of the ADC attempted to open or take over a secretariat currently held by a rival group within the same party. He argued that the "echoing" of the APC’s name in connection with the brawl was a tactical move by those involved to attract media interest, noting that the ruling party’s name is often injected into local conflicts to amplify the perceived scale of the event.

The "Marketplace of Ideas" and Opposition Dynamics

In his defense of the party’s conduct, Eta expressed a personal and organizational affinity for political competition, stating that he "loves the opposition" and thrives on contesting ideas. He questioned what the APC would stand to gain from interfering in the activities of a party that currently holds no significant territorial advantage in the state. By framing the APC as a confident and united family, Eta sought to portray the party as being above the "noise" of localized skirmishes, focusing instead on broader ideological debates.