Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the disruption of the opening ceremony of the African Democratic Congress secretariat in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, describing the incident as a direct threat to democratic values.
Reacting to the development on Sunday through a post on X, the former Anambra State governor said the attack, allegedly carried out by political thugs, highlights a disturbing decline in the country’s democratic culture.
According to him, the destruction of property at the party office goes beyond an attack on a political organisation and instead undermines the broader democratic system.
Obi warned that when individuals can invade a political office, vandalise facilities and disperse supporters without immediate consequences, it signals a worrying breakdown in democratic accountability.
He also expressed concern over what he described as falling standards in leadership and the increasing tolerance of questionable practices in the political system.
The former governor argued that allowing individuals with questionable credentials to hold or contest public office sends a damaging signal to society and could encourage further misconduct in the political arena.
He cautioned that if such practices continue unchecked, Nigeria’s democracy could gradually slide toward violence and instability.
Obi stressed that leadership built on fraud or intimidation cannot deliver genuine progress, adding that the long-term consequences of such a system would ultimately affect future generations.
The remarks followed an incident on Saturday when suspected political thugs reportedly disrupted the planned inauguration of an ADC secretariat in Bakassi.
Witnesses said the group stormed the venue, forcing party supporters to flee while damaging items arranged for the ceremony, including canopies, chairs, loudspeakers and other equipment.
A video circulating online appeared to show several youths dismantling the event setup while insisting that the party would not be allowed to operate in the area.
In the footage, a man believed to be directing the group was heard instructing others to scatter the materials, claiming the party had not contributed to the development of the council area.
The Nigeria Police Force in Cross River confirmed the incident, describing the attackers as hoodlums. The command said officers were deployed to the area to restore calm and maintain order.
The development comes months after Obi and several leaders of the ADC were reportedly attacked in Benin City, Edo State.
The incident occurred shortly after Obi, alongside former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, attended a gathering at the ADC secretariat where Olumide Akpata, the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, was officially received into the party.
Following that attack, the Department of State Services announced the arrest of a suspect, Udeme Sunday Stephen, believed to be linked to the assault on Obi and other party figures in the Edo State capital.
