By Joy Umo
Suspected hoodlums on Saturday disrupted the unveiling of the African Democratic Congress secretariat in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, attacking party members and destroying property at the venue.
The incident has heightened concerns over alleged intimidation of opposition parties in the state. It occurred barely five days after the Cross River State Police Command sealed off a venue in Calabar slated for the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress Membership Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation Committee.
The committee, chaired by Eko Alobo, was scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at an event centre along Marian Road. However, the ceremony could not take place after security operatives shut down the venue.
Earlier in the year, a similar development occurred in Ogoja Local Government Area when the impeached Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, defected to the African Democratic Congress. Security operatives reportedly sealed the venue where he was to be formally received into the party, allegedly on the directive of the council chairman, Hon. Chris Agbe.
Witnesses said the hoodlums who invaded the Bakassi event disrupted the inauguration of the party’s local chapter secretariat, attacking supporters and damaging canopies, chairs and other property at the venue.
Some witnesses alleged that the attackers were linked to the Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Hon. Effiong Etim Okon. A video circulating on social media shows the assailants pulling down canopies and destroying chairs and tables while shouting that no political party other than the All Progressives Congress would be recognised in Bakassi.
Sources at the scene also alleged that a personnel of the Department of State Services assigned to monitor the gathering was assaulted during the incident, with his clothes reportedly torn in the process.
The development has drawn criticism from political observers who warned that such actions could undermine democratic principles and political tolerance in the state. They urged political leaders and authorities to condemn the violence and ensure that all political parties are allowed to operate freely without intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A resident of Bakassi who identified himself as Comrade Ekong Ekong described the incident as dangerous for the state’s democratic culture, warning that suppressing opposition voices could encourage political violence and insecurity in the future.
Reacting to the development, the 2023 governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Cross River State, Effiong Nyong, condemned the disruption and described it as a sign of political intolerance. He alleged that some politicians were exploiting the economic hardship of young people to incite them against opposition parties but maintained that the party would continue to mobilise and educate voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
When contacted, the Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Hon. Effiong Etim Okon, denied knowledge of the incident, stating that he was not aware of any political activity by the African Democratic Congress ADC in the area.
Confirming the development, the Cross River State Police Command described the attackers 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 equipment 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.