Group Alleges Plot by Top Governor to Reintroduce Special Forces Ahead of Election

A group, Cross River Democratic Watch (CRDW) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Cross River state governor, Ben Ayade, to reintroduce a team of Special Forces in the state.

The CRDW in its claim alleged that the forces are expected to clamp down on the opposition in the state ahead of the 2023 National Assembly election.

Likening the alleged move to the sad experience in the last House of Representatives by-election for Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, on February 26, 2022, the group said the forces were earlier used to commit electoral offences during the poll.

Expressing worry at the repeat of the same scenario in the 2023 election, CRDW coordinator and secretary of the group, Messers Emmanuel Agbor Agbor and Austine Ushie respectively, said the governor is already in Abuja to perfect the process.

Read also

Igbo group excited by Atiku, Northern elders' promise to release Kanu, investigate 'Python Dance

Agbor and Ushie in a statement released on Friday, February 17, alleged that there are moves to lobby top security personnel within the police to set up the forces.

They said:

"Our attention has been drawn to the disturbing moves by Governor Ben Ayade to Police Headquarters to lobby for a Special Force Unit to be approved in Calabar for the general election. The ulterior motive is for him to deploy the same force to the northern part of the state and use it to compromise the senatorial election where he is a candidate.

"We wonder why Ayade is always looking for a special force once the election is around the corner. He did it in the last Ogoja/Yala federal constituency by-election using the governor's office security unit.

Read also

Traditional leaders dare IPOB on sit-at-home order, tell southeast residents what to do on election days

"The Inspector General of Police has committed to a level playing field, but Ayade who has been rejected by his people is bent on rigging the election."

The group further noted that all attempts to comprise the senatorial election in the state will be resisted.

Cross River Governor Ayade reshuffles Cabinet Months Before Exit From Office

Governor Ben Ayade has made history in Cross River by appointing the state's first Muslim non-indigene as commissioner.

Adamu Uba Musa from Kano state is the new commissioner for inter-governmental affairs in the south-south state.

A senior journalist in the state says the move by the governor will promote inclusion and foster harmony in the state.

Source: Legit.ng