**Thugs Disrupt ADC Secretariat Opening in Cross River** Last Saturday, a planned ceremony to open the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bakassi Local Government Area, Cross River State, was disrupted by suspected political thugs. The incident has sparked concerns about the growing trend of violence in our politics. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the venue, dispersing party supporters and destroying party equipment, including canopies, loudspeakers, and chairs. A video that went viral on social media showed a group of youths forcefully dismantling the setup while shouting that the ADC would not be allowed to operate in the council area. The leader of the group was heard ordering others to scatter everything, claiming that the ADC was not present when the All Progressives Congress (APC) was "fixing" the council area. This statement suggests a clear partisan motive behind the attack. The Cross River State Police Command described the perpetrators as hoodlums and deployed officers to restore order. However, the ceremony could not continue, and no arrests have been made yet. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in Cross River State. On Tuesday, the ADC's activities were disrupted in Calabar, leading the party to raise concerns about an attempt to hijack its structure in the state. The incident highlights the need for security agencies to be proactive in preventing such attacks and ensuring that politicians and parties can operate freely without fear of intimidation or violence. It also underscores the importance of peaceful coexistence and respect for democratic principles in our society.