The Cross River State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, has accused the administration of Governor Bassey Otu of allegedly violating a subsisting court order by invading his property and pasting a fresh demolition notice on the fence of his residence.
Eba, in a statement issued following the alleged incident on Thursday, October 8, 2026, said the development occurred despite a restraining order which he claimed had been issued by a court against the planned demolition of his residential buildings.
He alleged that the state government had, on June 29, 2026, issued a demolition notice on the property, prompting him to approach the court for protection.
According to him, the court subsequently issued an order restraining the state government, its agents and representatives from demolishing the property or taking further action against it.
Eba said the order was later extended after the state government requested an adjournment to enable it to respond to the claims before the court.
He maintained that the order remained in force pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.
The PDP chieftain said he was therefore shocked when officials allegedly invaded his property on Thursday, defaced his fence wall and pasted what he described as a fresh final demolition notice.
He alleged that the notice indicated that the property could be demolished at any time, including during the night.
Eba described the alleged action as contempt of court and said he had informed relevant security agencies of the development.
He also expressed concern over the safety of himself, his family members, supporters and the property, urging security agencies to intervene.
The PDP chieftain further warned that Governor Otu should be held responsible should anything happen to him, members of his family or supporters as a result of the alleged threat.
However, the allegations had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Reacting to suggestions that the alleged demolition threat might be linked to his political ambition, Eba said he remained committed to contesting the 2027 governorship election.
He declared: ‘If the plan to break this property is meant to break my spirit for the 2027 election, then I make bold to say that Governor Otu has only emboldened my spirit to pursue this ambition with added vigour and vitality. Nothing will make me withdraw from the race.’
Eba also accused the state government of creating what he described as an atmosphere of political tension, alleging that the administration was apprehensive about returning to the electorate because of its performance.
He further alleged that he and members of his political party had come under attack in Calabar and Odukpani on May 11, September 28 and October 2, 2026.
The PDP deputy governorship candidate described the incidents as assassination attempts, although the claims were not independently established in the statement.
Despite the allegations, Eba appealed to his supporters and sympathisers to remain calm, saying the party would continue to pursue its rights through lawful and constitutional means.
He urged those allegedly behind the actions against him to reconsider their position, stressing that political loyalty should not be allowed to undermine personal safety or the rule of law.
Eba also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Army Staff and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to intervene in the matter.
He urged the security chiefs to prevail on the governor to respect the rule of law and allow the dispute to be resolved through the judicial process.
Eba maintained that democratic governance was founded on respect for the judiciary and obedience to valid court orders.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no response from the Cross River State Government or Governor Otu to the allegations contained in Eba’s statement.