After Governor Ayade’s Defection, Armed Policemen Take Over PDP Secretariat in Calabar

The presence of armed police officers at the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Calabar, the capital of Cross Rivers was obvious on Saturday, May 22.

Daily Trust reports that the security operatives were probably deployed to the secretariat to avert chaos over possible eviction of the PDP from the building.

An eyewitness who spoke with journalists on the development said:

“The security operatives numbering about 50 came in unmarked pickup trucks and have blocked access from the nearby Kia motor shop all the way to the secretariat, located along the Murtala Muhammed Highway in Calabar.”

According to Vanguard, the security men stood on guard as some persons repainted the building with colours associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Earlier, troubled by the defection of Ayade to the ruling party, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDPs held a closed-door meeting in its headquarters, Abuja.

The meeting started shortly after Governor Ayade’s defection filtered in, adding that the party officials assembled at the office of the national chairman ahead of the emergency meeting.

The leadership of the PDP has urged its members in the Cross Rivers to remain united. Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP national publicity secretary, in a statement he issued on Thursday, May 20, wished the governor well in his future endeavours.