‘Threat to democracy’ – Peter Obi reacts to attack on ADC secretariat

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the violent disruption of an event organised by the African Democratic Congress in Bakassi Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria, describing the incident as a threat to democratic values in the country.

The incident happened on Saturday when suspected political thugs attacked the venue of the party’s secretariat opening.

Obi reacted to the development on Sunday through a message shared on the social media platform X. He said the incident went beyond an attack on a political party and reflected a wider problem affecting Nigeria’s democratic system.

According to him, acts of violence against political activities show a worrying situation where political misconduct is becoming common in the country. He warned that when such actions occur without arrests or consequences, it sends a negative message about the state of democracy.

The former governor of Anambra State also expressed concern about the growing tolerance for actions that weaken democratic practices. He said the situation could create conditions that may lead to further violence if not addressed.

Obi also spoke about the wider effect of political malpractice, stating that practices such as presenting forged documents during elections create a dangerous example for society. According to him, when such actions are allowed, they could gradually damage public trust in leadership and governance.

He maintained that leadership built on intimidation or dishonest conduct cannot bring lasting development. Obi added that such behaviour could affect not only the current political system but also the future of younger generations.

The attack that led to Obi’s reaction occurred during the launch of the ADC secretariat in Bakassi. Reports said suspected thugs entered the venue and disrupted the gathering, forcing party supporters to flee the area.

During the incident, several items arranged for the ceremony were destroyed. These included canopies, chairs, loudspeakers and other equipment prepared for the event.

The development has drawn attention to the security of political activities in the area and has raised concerns among observers about the safety of party events as political activities continue across the country.