The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concerns over alleged attacks and intimidation of its members, warning that continued failure by security agencies to protect them could push the situation towards self-help and imperil the 2027 general election. The party demands that existing laws be enforced to allow its members and other Nigerians to organise, campaign and participate in politics without fear of violence.
ADC spokesman, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party had documented incidents involving attacks on political meetings, destruction of party property, assaults and threats against citizens because of their political affiliations between July 2025 and September 2026. The incidents occurred in states like Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu.
Abdullahi cited the February attack on the ADC secretariat in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering, as well as reported gunshots at the residence of former Edo State governor and former APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun. The Edo State Police Command had confirmed the attack on the secretariat and announced an investigation, but the party had yet to hear of an arrest, prosecution or public report on the outcome.
The party also alleged that an ADC member, identified as Kamadiyoi, was killed three days before the press conference when party members preparing for a political meeting in Community Ward One, Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State, were attacked. The incident has been reported to the police authorities, but it does not appear that they are willing to take any action.
Abdullahi further alleged that armed men disrupted an opposition gathering in Enugu around the same period, leaving some participants injured, while attacks on ADC members preparing for meetings in two wards in Kogi State last week allegedly left several members injured. The party is calling for investigations into these allegations.
The ADC demands that the police publicly account for investigations into attacks allegedly carried out against opposition members in several states. The party said it was not asking for special treatment, but rather that existing laws be enforced to protect its members and other Nigerians.
The ADC's concerns have been heightened by what it describes as a lack of visible conclusions from police investigations into some of the incidents. The party warns that it cannot continue to ask its members to turn the other cheek when they are being attacked and intimidated, and may resort to self-help if the situation persists.
Key points
- ADC demands police action against attackers of its members
- Party warns of self-help over continued attacks and intimidation
- Incidents occurred in several states, including Kaduna, Rivers and Enugu
