Young Women’s Rally in Eleme Interrupted by Unidentified Thugs

In Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, a gathering organised by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Young Women Forum was abruptly halted after a group of suspected political thugs stormed the venue. The event, intended to be the forum’s first meeting, had been set up with chairs and equipment outside Alesa Town Hall before the disruption occurred.

Eyewitnesses said the intruders claimed the organisers had not obtained proper approval for the event and that authorities such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not cleared the programme. They removed banners, told attendees to leave the area, and brought the meeting to a standstill.

Officials organising the forum described the disruption as an attempt to stifle democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that they had previously faced warnings against holding the event under their party’s name.

Meanwhile, the alleged involvement of party supporters on both sides has heightened concerns about political tensions in the state, with local police yet to officially comment on the incident.