Destruction of our billboards may cause violence – Cross River PDP cautions

The chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem, has said the ongoing destruction of their billboards would precipitate actual violence in the state if not addressed.

Ikem bared his mind in an interview with newsmen in Calabar, the state capital, on Tuesday.

But the state ruling party, the All-Progressives Congress, APC, has rather accused the PDP of wanton destruction of their own billboards in the Cross River North Senatorial District.

The state governor, Prof Ben Ayade had ordered the security agencies to clamp down on party supporters alleged to perpetuate billboard destruction, leading to the alleged arrest of many PDP loyalists.

Ikem has insisted the ruling party is masterminding the destruction of their billboards in parts of the state, saying it knows that they are more formidable than them.

The PDP chairman further disclosed that the police have decided to wade into the crisis.

“I am happy that the Commissioner of Police, Balarabe Sule, has decided to wade into the crisis, especially in the northern senatorial district.

“I have received an invitation from the Commissioner of Police just yesterday to a meeting at Ogoja, and I understand it is a truce meeting.

“This is commendable if true, because the way things are further destruction of our billboards will precipitate actual violence in a scale that is unpredictable.

“APC hoodlums are responsible for the damage to our billboards across the State and security agencies are routinely informed but do nothing. In some situations, our enraged youth attempt reprisals but we always pull them back,” he said.