2027: ADC urges probe of attacks on opposition members

The African Democratic Congress has warned that rising incidents of political violence, attacks on opposition members and alleged voter intimidation could jeopardise the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, raised the alarm at a press conference on Monday, where he accused the authorities of failing to adequately investigate and prosecute perpetrators of attacks on opposition political activities across several states.

Ahead of the August Osun governorship election, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, was reported to have urged supporters of the All Progressives Congress to “kill” members of the rival Accord.

Similarly, the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, recently sparked controversy after threatening to cut off the fingers of individuals who refused to support the ruling APC.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Danjuma Shekwolo, also drew criticism after reportedly warning residents to either support the APC in the 2027 elections or leave the council area.

Days later, suspected thugs armed with cutlasses reportedly attacked an Accord political gathering in Kuje, Abuja, as the attackers allegedly dispersed participants, destroyed campaign materials and furniture, and injured at least one person.

Speaking on the incidents, the ADC said they amounted to threats and intimidation against opposition parties and their supporters by individuals associated with the ruling APC.

Abdullahi cited recent incidents in Rivers, Enugu, Kogi and Edo states, saying the party had documented cases involving attacks on political meetings, injuries, destruction of property and the killing of a party member.

He urged the Inspector General of Police to publicly account for the status of investigations into the incidents.

Abdullahi stated, “Let me begin with a simple proposition: Every Nigerian has the right to support a political party of their choice. Every registered political party has the right to organise, hold meetings, and conduct its lawful activities.

“The government has a responsibility to protect those rights, and the police have a duty to enforce the law without regard to political affiliation.

“The Nigeria Police is not APC police; it is the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These are not extraordinary demands; they are the ordinary requirements of constitutional government, and so citizens should not have to struggle the way we are doing to obtain the rights that the constitution already guaranteed us, which is the right to organise ourselves and the right to campaign openly and without fear for our lives.

“Between July 2025 and September 2026, we have documented a series of incidents involving attacks on political meetings of opposition political parties, destruction of party properties, assault on political participants, and threats directed at citizens because of their political preferences.

“Our memorandum examines incidents reported across several states, including Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi, and Enugu.

“The incident defined their circumstances, and responsibility has not been conclusively established in every case. Nevertheless, their frequency, the nature of the activities affected, and the questions surrounding the response of the law enforcement agencies give us serious cause for concern.”

The ADC spokesman recalled the February attack on the party’s secretariat in Benin, Edo State, during a political gathering, as well as reported gunshots at the residence of former governor and ex-APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

He said the police confirmed the incidents and ordered an investigation.

Abdullahi, however, said there had been no arrest, prosecution or public update on the probe, adding that political violence against opposition members was worsening ahead of the 2027 elections.

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He added, “Only three days ago, as our members were preparing for a political meeting in Rivers State, specifically in Community Ward One in Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State, which is the home of our vice-presidential candidate, they were attacked, and this led to the killing of one of our party members, a young man named Kamadiyoi.

“Although this incident has been reported to the police authorities, it does not appear that they are willing to take any action that could bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent future recurrence.

“About the same time that our members were being attacked in Rivers State, we received reports from Enugu that armed men disrupted an opposition political gathering with injuries where injuries were recorded.

“Similarly, last week, about five days ago, we received reports of another attack on our members as they prepared for meetings in two separate wards in Kogi State. The attacks, which were carried out by thugs suspected to be acting on behalf of the ruling APC, left several members of our party injured. Many of them are still in the hospital, battling for their lives.”

Abdullahi called for thorough investigations into the attacks, including allegations involving private individuals and security personnel, saying the repeated violence demands a stronger government response.

He stressed that the ADC rejected political violence and would continue to uphold non-violence.

“We have said that we will not support violence in whatever form. We have told our candidates to avoid any form of rhetoric that is likely to incite violence, but we cannot control how people will respond when they are being attacked, and that’s why we are serving these notices.

“With all these cases documented, as of mid-September, where we are today, we have not heard that the police authorities or government authorities have identified a single person and prosecuted that person or brought them to justice.

“We want to know where they have promised us that they are investigating; it’s about time we know the results of those investigations.

“We, therefore, call on 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.

“Police say they are investigating, so we want to know the status of the investigations they have conducted.

“Needless to say, Nigerian laws protect citizens and grant rights for citizens to decide which political parties to support, to express themselves politically, including organising protests.”

Abdullahi said Nigeria is a democracy where citizens’ rights to political activities must be respected, accusing the ruling party of violating the rule of law.

He added that the ADC would pursue the matter through all available lawful channels.

Abdullahi said the ADC would protect witnesses, respect due process and avoid releasing materials that could compromise ongoing investigations.

He urged Nigeria’s international partners, including the Economic Community of West African States, to assess the integrity of the 2027 elections beyond events on election day.

He said attention should also be paid to whether political meetings were protected, complaints investigated, and candidates and supporters allowed to conduct lawful activities without intimidation, while security agencies performed their duties impartially.