Again, Hired Thugs Disrupt ADC Gathering In Eleme, Rivers State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Suspected hired hoodlums on Friday, March 20, 2026, violently disrupted a political gathering by the women wing of the opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Eleme Local Council of Rivers State.

The source reports that the latest attack comes on the heels of a similar violent disruption of the flag-off of the ADC e-registeration exercise in the home town of former Governor of Rivers state Rotimi Amaechi, Ubima community,  Ikwerre Local Government Area,of the State a couple weeks back.

According to reports, the hired thugs in their numbers invaded the venue of the launch of an ADC Young Women Forum in Eleme and violently disrupted and dispersed the gathering, as well as destroyed canopies public address systems ,chairs and other materials set for the event.

The attackers who were said to have been led by a serving Councilor of the Eleme Local Government Area, reportedly warned the organizers and others that no ADC event will be allowed in the area without an  expressed approval from his office.

The hoodlums also insisted that the programme will not be allowed because the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has not signaled the commencement of campaigns by political parties.

But reacting to the development, the National Coordinator of the ADC Young Women Forum Ms Atosemi Oma-Uwame, while condemning the action of the hoodlums, also described the incident as a direct assault on the country’s democratic arrangement.

“We gathered here today to inaugurate the ADC Young Women Forum in Eleme LGA. Thugs led by a Ward Councillor disrupted our meeting.

“The Councillor claimed that we did not obtain approval from his office. But we did not come here for campaign, rather for a gathering of ADC young women in my Eleme constituency.

“They said that if I want to host an event in the community, I should not use the name of ADC or mention my political party” Oma-Uwame stated.

The Women Coordinator however informed that she had earlier been warned by some people suspected to be close to the said Councillor not to attempt the hosting of any ADC-related events in the area.

“The disruption of our meeting is an attempt to stifle democracy.and prevent political engagements”, she added .