The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over alleged attacks on opposition members and political gatherings across the country, warning that growing violence and intimidation could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, sounded the warning at a press conference at the party’s Abuja national secretariat on Monday.
Abdullahi called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu to publicly account for investigations into many reported incidents of political violence across the country.
The ADC said it had documented incidents between July 2025 and September 2026 involving attacks on opposition meetings, destruction of party property, assaults and threats against citizens because of their political affiliations.
Abdullahi listed Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu states, as places where opposition members were violently attacked.
The party spokesman said while responsibility for the attacks had not been conclusively established in every case, the frequency of the attacks and the response of security agencies were concerning.
“The Nigerian Police is not APC police; it is the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Abdullahi said, insisting that all political parties had the right to organise meetings and conduct lawful activities without intimidation.
He cited the February attack on the ADC secretariat in Benin City, Edo State, as well as reported gunshots at the residence of ADC chieftain, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, where the party’s leaders had gathered.
According to him, although the Edo State Police Command confirmed the attack and promised an investigation, the ADC had not seen any arrest, prosecution or public report on the outcome of the probe months later.
Abdullahi also alleged that an ADC member, identified as Kamadiyoi, was killed recently when party members preparing for a political meeting in Community Ward One, Oduo Local Government Area of Rivers State, were attacked.
He further alleged that opposition members were injured in a disrupted political gathering in Enugu, while attacks in two wards in Kogi State allegedly left several ADC members injured, with some still receiving treatment.
“These incidents require proper investigation, including an examination of allegations against both private individuals and public security personnel who were complicit or who have inspired people to carry out the kind of attacks they are carrying out against our members,” he said.
The ADC spokesman also accused some politicians in the ruling-party of making inflammatory statements, citing remarks attributed to a commissioner, a Kuje Area Council chairman and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, among others.
The ADC noted that the authorities have failed to investigate such incendiary statements or prosecute the individuals who made them, despite repeated assurances.
The party challenged the Inspector-General of Police to “provide appropriate public accounts of the status of these investigations,” saying, “People have been killed, people have been maimed, properties have been burned and destroyed.”
The ADC also accused the authorities of failing to ensure a level playing field for opposition parties, even as it deplored the dominance of the ruling party’s billboards in Abuja and the exorbitant charges for political advertising in some states.
Abdullahi argued that electoral credibility should not be assessed only on election day, but should also take into account whether opposition parties were able to organise, campaign, advertise and mobilise supporters freely in the months preceding the poll.
The ADC spokesman said the party was maintaining a central record of reported incidents, including dates, locations, witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical records and complaints submitted to security agencies.
He said the party would petition relevant authorities and pursue judicial remedies where necessary, adding that it would also engage the National Human Rights Commission, ECOWAS, the African Union and other relevant bodies.
“We are keeping records. We are documenting every single incident,” he said, adding that the records would be preserved for possible future legal proceedings.
Addressing President Bola Tinubu directly, Abdullahi urged him to clarify remarks which, according to the ADC, were being used by some members of the ruling party to justify political violence.
He also called on the APC to publicly condemn attacks against opposition parties and ensure that its members did not use political rhetoric capable of escalating violence.
Abdullahi stressed that the ADC did not support political violence, saying that the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark had directed ADC candidates to avoid divisive rhetoric and promises that could heighten ethnic or religious tensions.
“We stand for non-violence,” he said. “We have told our candidates to avoid any form of rhetoric that is likely to incite violence.”
He, however, warned that continued attacks could undermine citizens’ confidence in participating in political activities and ultimately jeopardise the 2027 elections.
“We are not asking for any different law or any special arrangement as an opposition political party,” Abdullahi said. “We are saying that this election must be governed by rules already provided for in the law and in the Constitution.”
