Tension gripped Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State on Sunday after suspected political thugs violently disrupted a membership registration exercise organized by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), destroying property and forcing party officials to flee the venue.
The incident occurred shortly after the party commenced its membership registration drive and formally opened a new secretariat in the coastal local government area. Witnesses said the attackers stormed the venue in large numbers, overturning canopies, smashing plastic chairs, and scattering materials meant for the exercise.
A video circulating widely on social media captured the chaotic moment when the thugs invaded the gathering, shouting threats and vandalizing the venue as startled party members scrambled for safety.
In the footage, an unidentified leader of the attackers could be heard issuing warnings against the presence of any political party in the area except the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“What is going on in our Bakassi? Scatter everywhere,” the man shouted. “We don’t need any party here apart from APC in Bakassi. Scatter everywhere. God punish una there. Everywhere must shut down. We don’t want ADC in this Bakassi.”
The attack has sparked concerns among political observers and civil society groups over the rising intolerance and violence that continue to threaten Nigeria’s democratic space.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Cross River State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Sunday Eitokpah, acknowledged that security authorities were aware of the attack.
According to him, no arrest has been made in connection with the incident as investigations are ongoing.