Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the reported attack on the office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, describing the incident as a serious assault on democratic values in the country.
Reacting to the development, Obi said the destruction of a political party office by suspected thugs without any immediate arrests highlights a troubling decline in the nation’s democratic culture.
“What occurred at the ADC office in Bakassi, Cross River State, is not merely an attack on a political party; it is an attack on democracy itself,” he said.
According to him, the situation raises deep concerns about the state of leadership and accountability in the country. He warned that when acts of violence against political institutions go unchecked, it sends a dangerous signal about the health of Nigeria’s democratic system.
“When thugs can storm a party office and destroy property without facing arrest, it reflects how dangerously low our democratic standards have fallen,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor also linked the incident to what he described as declining leadership standards in the country, stressing that the integrity of public office holders is critical to sustaining democratic governance.
“In the current state of Nigeria, what can we expect when leadership standards have plummeted to the extent that qualification, certification, and credibility are no longer deemed necessary for public office?” he asked.
Obi further warned that allowing individuals accused of presenting forged certificates to contest and occupy public offices could deepen public distrust in the system and encourage further instability.
“The ability for individuals to present forged certificates for election sends a troubling message to our society. If we continue down this path, violence may become the future of our democracy,” he added.
He cautioned that leadership built on fraud and intimidation cannot deliver sustainable governance, stressing that such practices would only breed chaos and insecurity.
“We must recognize that fraud and violence cannot create true leadership; they will only result in chaos. This chaos will ultimately affect us and our children,” he said.
Obi ended his remarks on a hopeful note, reiterating his long-standing message for national renewal.
“A New Nigeria is Possible,” he concluded.