Suspected political thugs on Friday disrupted a meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Young Women Forum in Alesa, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, bringing the event to an abrupt end.
The group had gathered for the inauguration of its local forum when the assailants reportedly stormed the venue, dispersing attendees and destroying property, including canopies, loudspeakers, and chairs.
Eyewitnesses said the intruders claimed the organisers failed to obtain prior approval for the gathering, insisting that political meetings in the area required clearance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Efforts by the organisers to explain the nature of the event were unsuccessful, as the attackers proceeded to shut it down.
Reacting to the incident, the forum’s National Coordinator, Atosemi Oma-Uwame, condemned the disruption, describing it as an attempt to suppress political participation and silence opposition voices.
She clarified that the meeting was strictly for the inauguration of the forum’s presence in the local government and not a campaign activity, noting that it was an internal engagement aimed at mobilising young women within the party.
Oma-Uwame further disclosed that one of the individuals involved in the disruption was identified as a ward councillor, who objected to the use of the party’s platform and alleged that the organisers lacked approval from local authorities. She added that she had earlier received warnings against holding the meeting under the party’s name in the area.
Reaffirming the forum’s mission, she said the initiative is focused on increasing the participation of young women in politics and improving representation within party structures, while encouraging members to pursue elective positions through due process.
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