|By Chinwendu Nwani
Suspected political thugs allegedly loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday disrupted a planned secretariat opening by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bakassi Local Government Area.
The attackers reportedly stormed the venue of the event, dispersed supporters of the opposition party and destroyed canopies, loudspeakers, chairs and other equipment arranged for the ceremony.
Eyewitnesses said members of the ADC had already mounted canopies, installed public address systems and arranged seating in preparation for the opening when a group of youths suddenly arrived and halted the gathering.
A video circulating on social media showed the youths dismantling the venue while shouting that the ADC would not be allowed to operate in the council area. In the footage, a man believed to be leading the group was heard declaring that the APC would not permit the opposition party to conduct political activities in the locality.
Reacting to the development, the 2023 governorship candidate of the ADC in Cross River State, Effiong Nyong, condemned the disruption, describing the action as a sign of fear and political intolerance.
Nyong said the incident reflected how poverty had been “weaponised” against young people, accusing political actors of misleading youths to attack opposition figures.
“It is a very sad development coming out of Cross River State. But it shows the extent to which poverty has been weaponised,” he said, adding that the party would continue mobilising and educating citizens.
He also called on opposition figures in the state to unite in order to “rescue the state from a government that lacks capacity and vision,” while urging security agencies to arrest those responsible for the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Nigeria Police Force through 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, 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 this 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.
