The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concerns that the increasing trend of physical attacks on opposition members, escalating violence, and systematic political intimidation across Nigeria may compromise the credibility of the 2027 general elections. According to the party, these incidents could undermine the integrity of the electoral process if not addressed. The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, addressed a press conference at the party's national headquarters in Abuja, highlighting the party's concerns.
The ADC has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to provide a public account of ongoing investigations into reported acts of political violence nationwide. The party alleged that several acts of intimidation against opposition platforms by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) followed a statement attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that "all is fair in politics." The ADC urged the President to either retract the remark or clarify its context to avoid being seen as inciting violence.
The ADC has compiled a comprehensive dossier detailing incidents of political violence between July 2025 and September 2026, including physical assaults, destruction of party property, and targeted harassment of opposition members. According to Abdullahi, the party documented a series of incidents involving attacks on political meetings of opposition parties, destruction of party properties, assaults on participants, and threats directed at citizens due to their political preferences. The incidents were reported across several states, including Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi, and Enugu.
The ADC highlighted specific cases of political violence, including an attack on the ADC Secretariat in Benin, Edo State, and reported gunfire targeted at the residence of former Edo State Governor and former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. The party also recalled an incident in which party members were violently attacked in Community Ward 1, Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State, resulting in the death of a young party member named Kamadiyoi.
The ADC argued that President Tinubu's statement that "all is fair in politics" encourages lawlessness and grants a license to thugs and criminals to commit unlawful acts under the guise of serving his interests. The party rejected this approach and urged the President to withdraw the statement or explicitly clarify it. Abdullahi emphasized that the President has a fundamental duty to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and discourage his supporters from believing they act on his behalf when attacking opposition members.
The ADC remains committed to seeking redress through legal and institutional channels, despite the lack of state action. The party maintains a centralized database of all reported incidents, complete with dates, precise locations, witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical reports, and copy receipts of complaints filed with law enforcement. Abdullahi stated that the party will preserve these materials, submit formal petitions to relevant authorities, pursue judicial remedies where applicable, and ensure that advance security requests for their political activities are meticulously documented.
The ADC has called on the international community and regional bodies to monitor pre-election developments closely, stressing that an election cannot be judged solely by events on polling day if opposition parties are prevented from freely assembling and campaigning in the months preceding the vote. The party emphasized the need for a credible and transparent electoral process, free from violence and intimidation.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress warns that persistent physical attacks on opposition members, escalating violence, and systematic political intimidation across Nigeria could severely compromise the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
- The ADC has compiled a comprehensive dossier detailing incidents of political violence between July 2025 and September 2026.
- The party has called on the international community and regional bodies to monitor pre-election developments closely.
