Hoodlums Interrupt ADC Female Supporters' Gathering in Rivers

Suspected political thugs brought chaos to the inaugural meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Young Women Forum in Eleme Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers on Friday, dispersing supporters and destroying equipment in the process.

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The thugs, who stormed the venue in Alesa Eleme, Rivers, claimed that the meeting's organisers had failed to obtain prior approval and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not given the green light for political activities.

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The National Coordinator of the ADC Young Women’s Forum, Ms Atosemi Oma-Uwame, was quick to condemn the incident, viewing it as a blatant attempt to suppress democratic engagement and opposition parties ahead of the elections.

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According to Oma-Uwame, the group had gathered to launch the ADC Young Women Forum in Eleme LGA, but their meeting was disrupted by thugs led by a ward councillor, who objected to the use of the ADC name and the fact that the event was being hosted under the party's platform.

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Oma-Uwame revealed that she had been warned beforehand not to host the event under her party's banner in the area, and that the councillor had insisted that she should not mention her political party or use its name if she wanted to hold an event in the community.

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The disruption of the meeting was, in Oma-Uwame's opinion, a clear attempt to stifle democracy and prevent political engagement, and she emphasized that the event had been organised in collaboration with The Atosemi Movement (TAM) to promote grassroots mobilisation among women.

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The forum, she explained, aimed to provide a platform for young women in politics to organise and work towards shared goals, and was not a feminist movement, but rather an effort to promote gender balance within the party.

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Oma-Uwame urged young women to take an active role in politics, stating that they should not be intimidated or feel the need to beg men for their rights, and encouraged those interested in participating in politics or contesting positions to obtain party forms and run for office.