Social commentators and activists have condemned the violent disruption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat commissioning in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, allegedly carried out by suspected political thugs.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, was captured in a viral video showing hoodlums storming the venue of the ceremony, scattering chairs and tables, destroying sound equipment and pulling down canopies set up for the event.
In the footage, some of the attackers, who claimed allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), were heard vowing that the ADC would never be allowed to hold political activities in the area.
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One of the leaders of the group was also seen issuing orders for the venue to be completely disrupted, directing the destruction of equipment and instructing members to manhandle ADC supporters present at the gathering.
The development triggered widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the incident as an attack on democratic freedoms.
A commentator, Sunday Away, described the action as unconstitutional. “ADC should be allowed to operate like every other party. Imagine people taking the law into their hands,” he said.
Another respondent, Cletus Mandela Bassey, blamed the situation on the failure of the political system to productively engage young people. “This is the reason democracy in Nigeria has continued to breed lazy and jobless youths,” he wrote.
Similarly, Etim Akpan criticised the attackers, saying poor citizens were being used against one another instead of demanding good governance from political leaders.
Reacting to the development, the 2023 ADC governorship candidate in Cross River State, Effiong Nyong, condemned the disruption, describing it as a sign of fear and political intolerance.
Nyong said the incident reflected how poverty had been “weaponised” against young people, alleging that political actors were misleading youths to attack opposition figures. He, however, vowed that the party would continue to mobilise and educate citizens across the state.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command described the perpetrators as hoodlums and said officers had been deployed to restore order in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, said the group disrupted the gathering by scattering canopies, chairs and sound systems at the venue. He added that although no arrests had been made as of the time of filing the report, police personnel and tactical teams had been stationed in the area to prevent further escalation.
Efforts to reach the Cross River APC Chairman, Chris Etta, for comments on the incident were unsuccessful.
Culled from BANNERNEWS
