Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the disruption of the African Democratic Congress secretariat opening in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, describing the incident as “an attack on democracy itself.”
In a statement shared via X on Sunday, Obi said the invasion of the party office by suspected thugs highlighted a troubling decline in democratic values in Nigeria.
“What occurred at the ADC office in Bakassi, Cross River State, is not merely an attack on a political party; it is an attack on democracy itself,” he stated.
“When thugs can storm a party office and destroy property without facing arrest, it reflects how dangerously low our democratic standards have fallen,” he added.
Obi further warned that the continued erosion of leadership standards and tolerance for political misconduct could push the country toward violence.
“In the current state of Nigeria, what can we expect when leadership standards have plummeted to the extent that qualification, certification, and credibility are no longer deemed necessary for public office?” he queried.
He also criticised the acceptance of questionable credentials in the political space, noting that such practices send dangerous signals to society.
“The ability for individuals to present forged certificates for election sends a troubling message. If we continue down this path, violence may become the future of our democracy,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor’s reaction followed the disruption of the planned opening of an ADC secretariat in Bakassi on Saturday by suspected political thugs.
Eyewitness reports indicated that the attackers stormed the venue, dispersing supporters and destroying canopies, chairs, loudspeakers, and other equipment prepared for the event.
A viral video circulating on social media showed a group of youths forcefully dismantling the setup while chanting that the ADC would not be allowed to operate in the council area. A man believed to be leading the group was heard instructing others to scatter the items, claiming the party had not contributed to the development of the area.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command described the perpetrators as hoodlums and said officers had been deployed to restore order.
The Bakassi incident comes months after Obi and other ADC chieftains were reportedly attacked by suspected thugs in Benin City, Edo State.
The earlier attack occurred shortly after Obi, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, and other party leaders visited the ADC secretariat, where the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, was formally received into the party.
Following that incident, the Department of State Services announced the arrest of a suspect, Udeme Sunday Stephen, in connection with the attack.
Obi reiterated the need for accountability and respect for democratic principles, warning that failure to address such incidents could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s political future.
