By Ike Uchechukwu

EKORI—PROPORTIONAL peace has returned to Ekori community in Cross River State where three persons were killed in an orchestrated violence between the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP, faithful in the area over political rally.

Schools, markets and hospitals in the town were shut down as a result of the crisis and until the police intervened, the political thugs, who held the entire community hostage as they shot now and again, were not prepared to simmer down.

Speaking in his palace where he played host to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Orientation and Public Affairs, Prof Osam Edim Temple, who was on a peace mission to the community, the Obol Lopon of Ekori, HRH Donatus Ofem, called on politicians to the overall interest of the people above their personal and parochial interests. He said what happened in the past few days in Ekori was appalling, as some people sat in Abuja and other places to sponsor crisis in the town.

Professor Temple, who represented the governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, warned that the state government would not condone political merchants of violence, who see chaos as the best path to achieving their political ambition.

You can campaign anywhere- Imoke

“Nobody or politician has the right to close the door of his/her community against other candidates from going there to campaign, the entire door of the state should be open to all for campaigns just as there should be a level playing ground for all, irrespective of their political coloration or platform,” he asserted.

I tried to stop them—Monarch

The monarch told Niger Delta Voice that on that fateful day, a political party wanted to carry out rally and another was preventing them from doing so, and he sent messengers to tell them to allow the other party to carry out their rally, but to no avail, and from there crisis erupted.