The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has raised the alarm over alleged attacks and intimidation of its members in some states controlled by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The party warned that opposition members were nearing the limits of their restraint over what it described as persistent attacks and intimidation.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the continued failure of security agencies to protect its members could push the situation towards self-help and undermine the 2027 general election.
Mr Abdullahi said the party was not seeking special treatment but demanding the enforcement of existing laws to enable its members and other Nigerians to organise, campaign and participate in political activities without fear of violence.
The party also demanded that the police publicly account for investigations into attacks allegedly carried out against opposition members in several states.
According to Abdullahi, the party had documented incidents involving attacks on political meetings, destruction of party property, and assaults and threats against citizens because of their political affiliations between July 2025 and September 2026.
“We are getting close. We cannot ask our people to continue to turn the other cheek when they are being slapped all the time. We are not pastors or imams, or we are not running a religious organisation. We are running a political party,” he said.
Mr Abdullahi said the incidents documented by the party occurred in Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu states, although responsibility had not been conclusively established in every case.
He said the party’s concern had been heightened by what it described as a lack of visible conclusions from police investigations into some of the incidents.
Mr Abdullahi cited an alleged 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, where political leaders had gathered.
He said the Edo State Police Command had confirmed the attack on the secretariat, reported damage at Oyegun’s residence and announced investigations.
However, he said the party was yet to hear of any arrest, prosecution or public report on the outcome of the investigations.
The ADC spokesman also alleged that one of its members, 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.
“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,” he said.
Mr Abdullahi further alleged that armed men disrupted an opposition gathering in Enugu around the same period, leaving some participants injured.
He also alleged that attacks on ADC members preparing for meetings in two wards in Kogi State last week left several members injured.
The party called for investigations into allegations involving both private individuals and security personnel, including claims of complicity in attacks on opposition supporters.
The ADC said effective investigation and prosecution of perpetrators would be necessary to restore confidence and ensure that political activities ahead of the 2027 general election could take place without intimidation or violence.
