Political Violence Erupts in Cross River as Suspected Thugs Disrupt ADC Secretariat Commissioning in Bakassi

Violence disrupts ADC party event in Cross River State as attackers destroy equipment. Police deploy to Bakassi after suspected thugs target opposition ceremony.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 7:01 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP News

Chaos and Destruction at the Bakassi Party Launch

What was intended to be a formal political milestone for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State descended into chaos on Saturday as a group of suspected political thugs stormed the venue. The ceremony, organized to commission the party’s new secretariat in Bakassi, was halted when hoodlums began a systematic destruction of the event's infrastructure. Viral video footage of the incident captured the moment the attackers scattered seating arrangements, dismantled sound systems, and tore down canopies that had been erected for the guests.

Partisan Aggression and the Threat to Local Democracy

The nature of the disruption appeared deeply partisan, with several individuals in the footage explicitly declaring their loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). These attackers were recorded vowing to suppress any future political activities by the ADC within the Bakassi Local Government Area, with one shouting that the incident marked the end of the party's presence in the region. This brazen display of intolerance has raised concerns regarding the safety of opposition parties in Cross River as they attempt to establish a grassroots presence.

Condemnation from Social Critics and Activists

The violent footage has triggered widespread backlash from social commentators and democratic activists who view the event as a direct assault on constitutional freedoms. Sunday Away, a prominent commentator, argued that the ADC should be granted the same operational rights as any other political entity, criticizing those who take the law into their own hands to silence rivals. Other observers, including Cletus Mandela Bassey, pointed to the incident as a symptom of a deeper systemic failure, suggesting that the political class continues to exploit unemployed youths for violent ends rather than providing productive engagement.