By Seyi Odewale
Suspected political thugs on Saturday disrupted the commissioning of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, attacking party supporters and destroying property at the venue.
Witnesses said the attackers stormed the event on March 14, pulling down canopies and smashing chairs and tables while forcing participants to flee.
Videos circulating on social media show the assailants vandalising equipment and shouting that no political party other than the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be allowed to operate in Bakassi.
The incident occurred amid growing concerns about the alleged intimidation of opposition political activities in the state.
Just five days earlier, security operatives sealed off a venue in Calabar where the ADC planned to inaugurate its Membership Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation Committee, chaired by Eko Alobo.
The event scheduled for March 10 along Marian Road could not proceed after security personnel shut down the venue.
Earlier in the year, security operatives also sealed the venue where the impeached Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, was expected to be formally received into the ADC after defecting to the party.
Political observers say the Bakassi attack mirrors similar incidents elsewhere. In Benin City, Edo State, suspected thugs disrupted a political event during the defection of Labour Party figure Olumide Akpata, an event attended by former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Some witnesses alleged that the attackers in Bakassi were linked to the local government chairman, Hon. Effiong Etim Okon.
However, Okon denied any involvement.
“I am not aware of any such incident. I did not receive any report of political activity by the ADC in Bakassi,” he said.
Sources at the scene also alleged that a personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) assigned to monitor the event was assaulted during the chaos and had his clothes torn.
A resident of Bakassi who identified himself as Comrade Ekong Ekong warned that such actions could damage the state’s democratic culture.
“This is political intimidation against citizens, and it has never happened in Cross River. If we do not stop it early, we may all pay for it later,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the ADC’s 2023 governorship candidate in Cross River State, Effiong Nyong, condemned the disruption and accused some politicians of exploiting economic hardship to recruit youths as political thugs.
“Some politicians are taking advantage of the hardship in the country to recruit and manipulate youths against opposition parties,” he said.
Despite the disruption, Nyong insisted the party would continue its mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We will not be intimidated. Our party will continue to organise, mobilise and educate voters ahead of the 2027 elections,” he added.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command described the attackers as hoodlums and said security personnel had been deployed to restore order.
“Hoodlums disrupted the gathering by destroying canopies, chairs and sound systems at the venue,” the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, said.
He added that police tactical teams had been stationed in the area to prevent further disturbances, noting that no arrests had yet been made.
