The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the attack on its members in Kaduna State, warning political actors against introducing violence and thuggery into the 2027 electoral process.
The party, in a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the incident as an unacceptable escalation at a time when political activities ahead of the 2027 elections were just beginning.
Abdullahi warned that no political party or group had a monopoly on violence, saying the use of thuggery could have dangerous consequences for the country’s democracy.
“Let nobody mistake our commitment to peaceful democratic participation for weakness. No political party has a monopoly on non-state sanctioned violence,” he said.
“Once violence becomes an accepted instrument of political competition, nobody can predict where it ends.”
The ADC called on security agencies to investigate the attack, identify those responsible and prosecute them, including anyone who sponsored or organised the incident.
The party also expressed solidarity with its Kaduna governorship candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru, and other members affected by the attack, while urging the Kaduna State Government to ensure the safety of opposition parties.
“Kaduna belongs to its people, not to any party. If anyone believes intimidation will frighten the ADC off the political field, they have badly miscalculated,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the ADC would continue to organise and campaign across the state, insisting that the 2027 elections should be determined by ideas and votes rather than violence.
“We will not be intimidated. We will organise, we will campaign, and we will compete in every part of Kaduna State. The 2027 elections must be decided by ideas competing at the ballot box, not by thugs and bruises,” he said.
