The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to the burning of its Ekiti State office in Ado-Ekiti by suspected All Progressives Congress (APC) hoodlums, calling it a deliberate act of political intimidation.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the attack occurred just hours before its scheduled “Reconfiguration and Affirmation Ceremony.”
Abdullahi described the incident as a criminal and undemocratic attempt to terrorize the opposition ahead of the state’s governorship election, adding that it was a disgrace to anyone who claims to uphold democracy and political freedom.
The party noted that this was not an isolated case, citing similar attacks on its offices and members in Kaduna, Lagos, Kebbi, Kogi, and Edo States since the Opposition Coalition chose ADC as its preferred platform in July.
He warned that these repeated attacks represented “a dangerous pattern” that should concern all Nigerians. Abdullahi also criticized the authorities for remaining silent, saying that any government that ignores assaults on opposition parties is effectively inviting chaos.
The ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the attacks due to fear of the party’s growing popularity among Nigerians frustrated with the current administration’s failures.
“The fire in Ekiti is further confirmation that the APC is afraid of the rising wave of the ADC,” Abdullahi said.
The party has called on security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure the perpetrators are punished. It also urged INEC, civil society organisations, and international observers to monitor the situation closely.
Despite the attack, Abdullahi confirmed that the party’s planned event in Ekiti would go ahead. He added that even if it had to be held outdoors, the ceremony would proceed, stressing that violence would not stop the ADC from moving forward.