Peter Obi ADC secretariat attack condemnation follows disruption of party office opening in Cross River, which he described as a threat to democracy

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the disruption of the planned opening of an office belonging to the African Democratic Congress in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, describing the incident as an attack on democracy.

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Peter Obi reacted on Sunday in a statement posted on the social media platform X following reports that suspected political thugs stormed the venue of the event on Saturday and destroyed property.

According to Peter Obi, the incident reflects a troubling decline in democratic standards and political tolerance 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,” Peter Obi said.

“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.

Reports indicated that the attackers disrupted the planned inauguration of the party secretariat by dispersing supporters and damaging items arranged for the ceremony.

Witnesses said canopies, loudspeakers, chairs and other equipment set up for the event were destroyed as the group forced its way into the venue.

A video circulating online showed a group of youths dismantling the event setup while shouting that the African Democratic Congress would not be allowed to operate in the council area.

In the footage, 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 council area.

Reacting to the incident, the Cross River State Police Command described the perpetrators as hoodlums and said officers had been deployed to restore order.

Peter Obi also warned that the erosion of leadership standards and the tolerance of political misconduct could push Nigeria towards deeper instability.

“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 said.

Peter Obi further cautioned that allowing fraud and violence in politics would ultimately create chaos that could affect future generations.

The Bakassi incident occurred months after Peter Obi and other chieftains of the African Democratic Congress were reportedly attacked by suspected thugs in Benin City.

The earlier attack took place shortly after Peter Obi, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, and other party figures returned from the ADC secretariat, where the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, was formally welcomed into the party.

Following that incident, the Department of State Services announced the arrest of a suspect, Udeme Sunday Stephen, believed to be linked to the attack on Peter Obi and other ADC leaders.

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The former governor of Anambra State urged authorities to take decisive steps to protect democratic institutions and ensure that political violence does not become normalised.