By Aplefe Ojong
Information reaching indicates that three persons have been feared dead and several others injured is an ongoing confrontation between the supporters of the Labor Party (LP) and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekori, Yakurr LGA in Cross River State.
We gathered that the violence broke out since Monday when some persons claiming to be members of PDP and supporters of the party’s House of Representative candidate for Abi/Yakurr constituency, Hon. Bassey Ewah blocked the campaign team of Alex Egbuna, the Labor party candidate for the same seat, from going to campaign in Nko, Mkpani, Agoi Ibami Agoi Ekpo, Iyima among other Ekori communities where Hon. Bassey Ewah hails from.
Attempts to speak with both politicians all day were not successful all day as several calls to their telephone lines were not taken. But sources on the ground in Ekori confirmed that the violence has claimed lives including one Mr. Bam Eko, a strong supporter and relative of Hon. Bassey Eko Ewa and some residents expressed concerns about their safety as the community is still very tensed with security forces still not able to calm the situation.
The run up to the general election has seen the central senatorial district being more politically volatile among the three senatorial districts with the two arch-rival political parties, LP and the PDP at each other’s throat.