Breaking : APC Names Ayade's Aide Allegedly Behind Odok's Assassination Attempt

Barr. Joseph Odok

Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has named Raphael Odu, a man said to be appointed by Governor Ben Ayade as a Director in the HomeLand Security Agency as a prime suspect in the recent foiled assassination attempt on Barr Joseph Odok.

Odok, a member of the APC and a critic of the Ayade's administration was attacked on Monday in Calabar at Zanazi Bar along Parliamentary road.

The Chairman of the party, Mr. John Ochala in a chat with newsmen said that the party has been on the matter and the party's independent investigation has revealed that Odu was allegedly behind the attack.

He however stated that the story trending on social media about a visa business between Odok and an unnamed lady who invited him to the place was true but used as a ploy to trackdown the victim.

According to him "All the stories about the Visa business between Odok and the girl is true but it was only a ploy used to set him up. From our own investigation, there have been confessional statements that point towards the Director General of Homeland Security, Richard Odu as a prime suspect in the said attack.

"As a political party, we will not rest until the truth is revealed. Odu is currently in detention in connection to the crime and some powerful government officials have been trying to get him out".

The APC Chairman warned that "The Cross River government must know that no single man has monopoly of violence. That APC and its members are peace loving does not mean we will sit and watch their intimidation and harassment.

"We call on the security agencies handling the matter to ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book".

He added that "We will not allow Ayade and his aides to gag opposition in Cross River State. All this is in connection with the coming elections to intimidate and harass our faithfuls but we won't accept it".

When contacted to react to the alleged arrest, the State Police Public Relations officer, Irene Ugbo who was not willing to comment on the issue denied knowledge of Odu's arrest.

But in her earlier conversation with CrossRiverwatch, she confirmed that the matter was connected to Visa racketeering even as she said that the unnamed lady was still in detention.