Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, condemned the recent attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat in Cross River State. He described the violent disruption as an “attack on democracy itself” and warned that such actions threaten the foundations of the nation’s political system.
The incident occurred when unidentified assailants targeted the ADC state headquarters. The attackers destroyed property and disrupted party activities. Local authorities reported that the assault caused significant damage to the building and created an atmosphere of fear among party members.
Obi called for a thorough investigation into the attack. He urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible. “This attack represents a direct assault on our democratic values,” Obi stated. “When political violence goes unpunished, it emboldens others to follow the same destructive path.”
The attack comes amid rising tensions in Cross River State ahead of upcoming elections. The ADC has positioned itself as an alternative to the dominant parties in the region. Party officials reported that threats against their members had increased in recent weeks.
Obi appealed to all political actors to embrace peaceful conduct. He emphasized that competition for power must occur within constitutional boundaries. “Violence has no place in our political discourse,” he said. “We must protect the rights of every citizen to participate in the democratic process without fear.”
State police command spokesperson Irene Ugbo confirmed that officers had launched an investigation. She stated that patrols around political offices would increase. However, no arrests had been made at the time of reporting.
ADC state chairman Edim Inok confirmed the extent of the damage. He accused rival political groups of orchestrating the attack to intimidate the party. Inok demanded that the federal government intervene to protect smaller parties from suppression.
Obi warned that attacks on opposition parties undermine the credibility of the entire electoral system. He noted that democracy requires a level playing field where all parties can campaign freely. “When we allow thugs to determine who can organize and who cannot, we have surrendered our future to chaos,” he said.
