A maiden meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Young Women Forum in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State was violently disrupted on Friday by suspected political thugs in Alesa Eleme.

The attackers reportedly stormed the venue, dispersing attendees and destroying property including canopies, loudspeakers, and chairs.

According to reports, the assailants claimed the organizers failed to obtain prior approval for the gathering, with some sources alleging that a ward councillor led the disruption.

Also insisting that political activities required clearance and citing lack of authorization from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), despite organizers maintaining it was not a campaign event.

Ms. Atosemi Oma-Uwame, National Coordinator of the ADC Young Women’s Forum, condemned the attack as a deliberate attempt to suppress democratic participation and intimidate opposition voices ahead of elections.

She clarified that the meeting was meant to inaugurate and mobilize young women within the party in her Eleme constituency, not to host a rally, and disclosed prior warnings against organizing ADC-related events in the area.

Oma-Uwame highlighted that the forum, organized alongside The Atosemi Movement (TAM), aims to strengthen grassroots mobilization, encourage women’s political participation, and promote gender balance within the party, urging young women to actively engage in politics and contest for positions rather than waiting for inclusion.