Some unidentified persons on Saturday disrupted the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat in Bakassi LGA of Cross River state, attacking party members and destroying property at the venue.
The attackers, said to be political thugs, reportedly stormed the gathering shortly before the ceremony commenced.
In a video circulating online, a man is heard saying no other party is wanted in the local government apart from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We don’t want any party other than APC in Bakassi,” he said, after which he instructed his accomplices to “scatter everywhere”.
“Everywhere must shut down,” he added.
The other thugs were seen scattering chairs and pulling down canopies and sound equipment arranged for the event.
The Cross River police command confirmed the disruption, stating that hoodlums vandalised equipment and forced participants to flee.
Eitokpah Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, said no arrests had been made but investigations were ongoing.
The incident comes amid heightened political activity around ADC, which has recently attracted opposition politicians seeking to build a coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.
Several opposition figures have adopted the party as a platform to challenge the ruling APC.
The coalition is expected to formalise its structure at the party’s forthcoming national convention on April 14, where new national officers are to be elected.