“Mayhem Unleashed: Thugs Disrupt ADC Women’s Forum Gathering in Rivers”
Alleged political hoodlums on Friday interrupted a gathering of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Young Women Forum in Alesa, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The assembly had gathered for the initiation of its forum when the aggressors invaded the location, scattering participants and damaging items such as tents, speakers, and seating arrangements.
The interruption caused the event to conclude suddenly.
As per eyewitness accounts, the infiltrators asserted that the organizers had not received prior authorization for the assembly, insisting that political events in the region necessitated clearance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Despite efforts by organizers to elucidate the aim of the gathering, the assailants halted it.
In response to the occurrence, the forum’s national coordinator, Atosemi Oma-Uwame, denounced the act, labeling it a tactic to suppress political engagement and silence dissenting voices.
She clarified that the assembly was exclusively to establish the forum’s presence in the local government and not for campaigning, emphasizing that it was an internal meeting for young women within the party.
Oma-Uwame additionally disclosed that one of the individuals involved in the disruption was recognized as a ward councillor, who claimed that the organizers did not obtain authorization from local authorities and protested against the utilization of the party’s name.
She went on to mention that she had previously been cautioned against conducting the meeting under the party’s banner in the area.
Reiterating the forum’s objective, she stated it seeks to enhance the participation of young women in politics and augment representation within party frameworks.
She clarified that the group is not a feminist initiative but a platform aimed at advocating gender inclusion in politics, motivating interested parties to join the party and seek elective positions through appropriate channels.
