Suspected political thugs allegedly loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday disrupted the planned opening of a secretariat by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
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.
A video of the incident circulating on social media showed a group of angry youths forcefully dismantling the setup while shouting that the ADC would not be allowed to operate in the local government area.
Eyewitnesses said members of the ADC had already mounted canopies, installed public address systems, and arranged seating for the opening when the youths arrived and halted the gathering.
In the video, a man believed to be leading the group allegedly declared that the APC would not allow the opposition party to hold political activities in the council area.
Reacting to the development, the 2023 governorship candidate of the ADC in Cross River State, Effiong Nyong, condemned the disruption, describing it as a sign of fear and intolerance.
Nyong said the incident showed how poverty had been “weaponised” against young people, accusing political actors of misleading youths into attacking 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 to mobilise and educate citizens.
He also called on opposition figures in the state to unite to “rescue the state from a government that lacks capacity and vision,” while urging authorities to arrest those responsible for the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command described the perpetrators as hoodlums and said officers were 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 noted that although no arrests had been made as of the time of filing the report, police personnel and tactical teams were stationed in the area to prevent the situation from escalating.
Efforts to reach the Cross River APC chairman, Chris Etta, for comments on the incident were unsuccessful.
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