The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of descending into violence and “acting like a terrorist organisation” after suspected thugs attacked its members during a political gathering in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The event, held within a church premises and attended by party leaders, including Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who formally declared his defection to the ADC, was reportedly disrupted when armed thugs stormed the venue.
Vehicles were vandalised, property seized, and several attendees injured.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC condemned the incident as both a desecration of a place of worship and a troubling escalation of political violence.
“The invasion of a church premises by government-backed thugs is a profound act of sacrilege by a jittery ruling party desperate to silence opposition voices,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC alleged that the Alimosho attack reflects a wider trend of intimidation against its members and leaders across the country. It cited recent threats in Edo, harassment in Kogi, the closure of a private radio station in Niger, disruption of meetings in Kaduna, and assaults on party convoys in Kebbi as evidence of a coordinated campaign of suppression.
The party also recalled a recent ruling by a Canadian court which categorised the APC as a terrorist organisation, warning that the Lagos violence only reinforces that perception.
“If churches and other places of worship are no longer regarded as sacred by APC-sponsored goons, how does the ruling party expect Nigerians and the world to believe it is not a terrorist organisation? After all, attacking places of worship is the very definition of terrorism,” Abdullahi added.
The ADC called on the Nigeria Police Force to remain impartial, resist political manipulation, and ensure that those responsible for the Lagos violence and similar incidents nationwide are brought to justice.
“The police have a constitutional duty to protect all Nigerians and must not allow themselves to become an enforcement arm of the ruling party. Justice must be served swiftly and transparently. Nigerians and the international community are watching, and the credibility of our institutions is on trial,” the statement read.
According to the ADC, the APC’s reliance on violence demonstrates a lack of achievements to showcase as the 2027 elections approach.
“Resorting to intimidation and thuggery is a confession of failure. Instead of presenting Nigerians with a track record of good governance, the APC has chosen brute force and suppression. This is not democracy, it is dictatorship,” the party declared.