Opposition Clampdown Escalates in C’River as Hoodlums Disrupt ADC Event in Bakassi
By Bassey BASSEY
Suspected political thugs on Saturday, March 14, 2026 disrupted the commissioning of the African Democratic Congress secretariat in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, attacking party members and destroying property at the venue.
The incident occurred amid growing concerns over alleged intimidation of opposition parties in the state. It came barely five days after the Cross River State Police Command sealed off a venue in Calabar scheduled for the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress Membership Mobilisation, Registration and Revalidation Committee.
The committee, chaired by Eko Alobo, was to be inaugurated on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at an event centre along Marian Road, but the ceremony did not hold after the venue was shut down by security operatives.
Earlier in the year, a similar situation occurred in Ogoja Local Government Area when the impeached Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, defected to the African Democratic Congress. Security operatives reportedly sealed the venue where he was to be officially received into the party, allegedly on the instruction of the council chairman, Hon. Chris Agbe.
Witnesses said the hoodlums who invaded the Bakassi event disrupted the inauguration of the party’s local chapter secretariat, attacking supporters and damaging property at the venue.
Some witnesses alleged that the attackers were linked to the Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Hon. Effiong Etim Okon. A video circulating on social media shows the assailants pulling down canopies and destroying chairs and tables while shouting that no political party other than the All Progressives Congress would be recognised in Bakassi.
Sources at the scene also alleged that a personnel of the Department of State Services who was assigned to monitor the gathering was assaulted during the incident, with his clothes reportedly torn in the process.
The development has drawn criticism from political observers who warned that such actions could undermine democratic principles and political tolerance in the state. They called on political leaders and authorities to condemn the violence and ensure that all political parties operate freely without intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A resident of Bakassi who identified himself as Comrade Ekong Ekong described the incident as dangerous for the state’s democratic culture. According to him, suppressing opposition voices could encourage political violence and insecurity in the future.
“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.
Reacting to the development, the 2023 governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Cross River State, Effiong Nyong, condemned the disruption and described it as a sign of political intolerance. He alleged that some politicians were exploiting the economic hardship of young people to incite them against opposition parties, but maintained that the party would continue to mobilise and educate voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
When contacted, the Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Hon. Effiong Etim Okon, denied knowledge of the incident, saying he was not aware of any political activity by the African Democratic Congress ADC in the area.
Confirming the development, the Cross River State Police Command described the attackers as hoodlums and said officers had been deployed to restore order.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, said the group disrupted the gathering by scattering canopies, chairs and sound systems at the venue. He added that although no arrests had been made as of the time of filing the report, police personnel and tactical teams had been stationed in the area to prevent further escalation.
