Supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Nigeria Democratic Congress faced off in Calabar on Wednesday, heightening tension in the Cross River State capital ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The incident, which occurred around the U.J. Esuene Stadium area and later in front of Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, reportedly disrupted vehicular movement and commercial activities for several hours as supporters of both parties engaged in heated confrontations.

The two parties were holding separate political rallies in the Calabar metropolis when their supporters encountered each other along the busy Murtala Mohammed Highway, leading to arguments that disrupted vehicular movement.

However, the situation was brought under control following the intervention of the Cross River State Police Command.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, who confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists, said the police, through timely intervention and constructive engagement, helped avert a possible confrontation between participants at a presidential town hall meeting organised by the NDC at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, and a group of APC supporters undertaking a rally/road walk towards the Governor’s Office.

The command said that upon the convergence of both groups in front of Metropolitan Hotel, police officers promptly engaged them, appealing to all parties to exercise restraint, maintain peace and ensure that their respective activities were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.

The statement read, “The Cross River State Police Command, through timely intervention and constructive engagement, helped avert a possible confrontation between participants at a presidential town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, and a group of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) undertaking a rally/road walk towards the Governor’s Office.

“Upon the convergence of both groups in front of Metropolitan Hotel, police officers promptly engaged them, appealing to all parties to exercise restraint, maintain peace and ensure that their respective activities were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.”

He added that normalcy was later restored in the area after the police intervention, urging political parties and their supporters to eschew violence and embrace peaceful campaigns as the 2027 elections draw nearer.