Chaos in Bakassi as thugs attack ADC event

By Lawrence Agbo

On Saturday, suspected political thugs attacked party members and damaged property during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat commissioning in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Witnesses claimed that while yelling that only the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be allowed to operate in the area, the thugs attacked the event site, damaged seats, tables, and sound equipment, and scattered canopies.

The attackers were shown demolishing structures erected for the commissioning event in a video that went viral on social media.

Additionally, sources said that a Department of State Services (DSS) employee who was keeping an eye on the event was attacked during the incident, with his clothing allegedly ripped in the midst of the chaos.

Political observers have expressed concern over the disruption, warning that such activities could jeopardise political tolerance and democratic standards ahead of the general elections in 2027.

Samuel Edet, a Bakassi resident, said the act posed a threat to the democratic culture of the state.

“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.

ADC 2023 candidate for governor of Cross River, Effiong Nyong,  also condemned the attack in Bakassi, describing it as a sign of growing political intolerance in the state.

Effiong Etim Okon, the chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, claimed he was not aware of the incident or the alleged attack.

“I am not aware of such incident,” he said when contacted.

According to the Nigeria Police Force in Cross River, the event was disrupted by thugs.

Police Public Relations Officer Eitokpah, on Sunday, said the assailants dispersed seats, canopies, and audio equipment across the site.

As of the time the report was filed, no arrests had been made, he said, but investigations were still on, and tactical teams and police had been sent to the area to stop things from getting worse.

The incident follows previous alleged interference with ADC programmes in the state, notably the sealing of a Calabar venue scheduled to host the inauguration of the party’s Membership Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation Committee earlier in March.