By DESMOND EJIBAS

Suspected political thugs disrupted the maiden meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Young Women Forum on Friday in Eleme Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the thugs stormed the venue in Alesa Eleme, Rivers, dispersed supporters and destroyed canopies, loudspeakers, chairs and other equipment.

The thugs disrupted the meeting on the grounds that the organisers had not obtained prior approval and claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not authorised political activities.

Reacting, the National Coordinator of the ADC Young Women’s Forum, Ms Atosemi Oma-Uwame, condemned the incident.

She described the disruption as an attempt to suppress democratic engagement and opposition parties ahead of the elections.

“We gathered here today to inaugurate the ADC Young Women Forum in Eleme LGA. Thugs led by a ward councillor (name withheld) disrupted our meeting.

“The councillor claimed that we did not obtain approval from his office, but we did not come here for a 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, ADC, or mention my political party,” she said.

Oma-Uwame said she had earlier been warned against hosting the event under her party’s platform in the area.

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

She added that the meeting was organised in collaboration with The Atosemi Movement (TAM) to promote grassroots mobilisation among women.

“The forum provides a platform for young women in politics to organise and advance shared goals,’’ she said.

Oma-Uwame stated that the group was not a feminist movement but aimed at promoting gender balance within her party.

“Young women should not shy away from politics. We do not need to beg men to grant us our rights.

“We encourage young women who wish to participate in politics or contest for positions to obtain party forms and contest,” Oma-Uwame said. (NAN)