By | Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over alleged attacks on opposition members and political gatherings across Nigeria, warning that growing incidents of violence and intimidation could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, raised the concerns at a press conference at the ADC national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, where he called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to publicly account for investigations into reported cases of political violence across the country.
Abdullahi said the ADC had documented incidents between July 2025 and September 2026 involving alleged attacks on opposition meetings, destruction of party property, assaults and threats against citizens because of their political affiliations.
He listed Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu states among locations where,
according to the party, opposition members had been attacked.
The ADC spokesman acknowledged that responsibility for the incidents had not been conclusively established in every case but said the frequency of the reported attacks and the responses of security agencies were a source of concern.
“The Nigerian Police is not APC police; it is the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Abdullahi said, insisting that all political parties must be allowed to organise meetings and conduct lawful political activities without intimidation.
He cited the reported February attack on the ADC secretariat in Benin City, Edo State, as well as alleged gunshots fired at the residence of ADC chieftain, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, where party leaders had gathered.
According to Abdullahi, although the Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident and promised an investigation, the party had yet to see any arrest, prosecution or public report on the outcome of the probe.
He also alleged that an ADC member identified as Kamadiyoi was recently killed when party members preparing for a political meeting in Community Ward One, Oduo Local Government Area of Rivers State, were attacked.
The party further alleged that opposition members were injured during a disrupted political gathering in Enugu, while attacks in two wards in Kogi State allegedly left several ADC members injured, with some still receiving medical treatment.
“These incidents require proper investigation, including an examination of allegations against both private individuals and public security personnel who were complicit or who have inspired people to carry out the kind of attacks they are carrying out against our members,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC spokesman also accused some politicians in the ruling party of making inflammatory statements, citing remarks allegedly made by a commissioner, a Kuje Area Council chairman and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, among others.
He alleged that authorities had failed to investigate some of the statements or prosecute those responsible, despite repeated assurances.
The ADC therefore challenged the Inspector-General of Police to “provide appropriate public accounts of the status of these investigations.”
“People have been killed, people have been maimed, properties have been burned and destroyed,” Abdullahi said.
The party also accused the authorities of failing to guarantee a level playing field for opposition parties, citing what it described as the dominance of ruling-party billboards in Abuja and high charges for political advertising in some states.
Abdullahi argued that the credibility of an election should not be judged solely by events on election day, but also by whether opposition parties are able to organise, campaign, advertise and mobilise supporters freely in the months preceding the poll.
He said the ADC was maintaining a central record of reported incidents, including dates, locations, witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical records and complaints submitted to security agencies.
“We are keeping records. We are documenting every single incident,” he said, adding that the records would be preserved for possible future legal proceedings.
According to him, the party would petition relevant authorities and pursue judicial remedies where necessary, while also engaging the National Human Rights Commission, ECOWAS, the African Union and other relevant institutions.
Addressing President Bola Tinubu, Abdullahi urged him to clarify remarks which the ADC said were being used by some members of the ruling party to justify political violence.
He also called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to publicly condemn attacks against opposition parties and ensure that its members avoided political rhetoric capable of escalating violence.
Abdullahi stressed that the ADC did not support political violence, saying the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, had directed its candidates to avoid divisive rhetoric and promises capable of heightening ethnic or religious tensions.
“We stand for non-violence,” he said. “We have told our candidates to avoid any form of rhetoric that is likely to incite violence.”
The ADC spokesman, however, warned that continued attacks could weaken citizens’ confidence in participating in political activities and ultimately affect the 2027 electoral process.
“We are not asking for any different law or any special arrangement as an opposition political party,” Abdullahi said.
“We are saying that this election must be governed by rules already provided for in the law and in the Constitution.”
The ADC’s warning comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections, following recent comments by APC chieftain Abdulmumin Jibrin that “2023 is not 2027” and his claim that President Tinubu would secure 65 per cent of votes in the next presidential election. Jibrin made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
