*Police Warn Against Violence As Governor Ben Ayade-led All Progressives Congress (APC) takes over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Calabar, the Police have warned hoodlums to steer clear and not forment any trouble, in view of ongoing renovation work.

However, some artisans, yesterday, who claimed to be renovating the PDP Secretariat, were painting it in APC colours, aside the ruling party hoisting its flag. But the property’s landlord, Mr. Lawrence Asuquo, in a statement, decried attempt by APC to take over the secretariat, maintaining PDP remains his tenant, as he has no dealings with APC.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to the property at 42A, Murtala Muhammad Highway, Calabar, which PDP holds as tenant, is presently being painted in APC colours. On behalf of the Estate of E.A Lawrence and myself as the administrator, I hereby state that PDP’s tenancy with the family is still subsisting and remain legal and recognised tenant.”

Similarly, in a statement, the Commissioner for Police, Mr. Sikiru Akande said: “The attention of the Nigeria Police has been drawn to plans by some individuals or group to disrupt the renovation work going on at a building on No: 42A along the Muritala Mohammed Highway, Calabar.”

He noted that the property is a rented property and its tenancy is not in contention. So as a responsible command, it will not sit back and watch any person(s) come to disrupt the relative peace it has worked tirelessly to achieve. He, therefore, warned all stakeholders to maintain peace, law and order.

Also, following Ayade’s decamping to APC, the PDP has dissolved the state PDP caretaker committee and put in place a new one, led by the immediate past deputy governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham.

Meanwhile, former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN and the APC Cross River North by-election senatorial candidate, Mr. Joe Agi, SAN, have congratulated Ayade on his defection to APC.

Ndoma-Egba said: “Unquestionably, the energy, clout, pedigree and certain elements of incumbency that your presence is bound to bring to the fold will provide a robust anchor for the party. This will not only create a fresh momentum in the party, but will also position it to better leverage on the APC national structure for a more effective delivery of critical services and development milestones for our people.”

Agi, on his part, said the movement to APC by Ayade is a well thought-out decision, stating that being in the opposition in the last six years has impacted the state negatively, even though he had consciously navigated the ship of governance in sync with the APC-led Federal Government.