Opposition party alleges coordinated attacks across five states
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned the burning of its Ekiti State secretariat, describing the incident as an act of political terrorism allegedly orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, October 21, 2025, is being linked to a broader pattern of violence targeting opposition parties across Nigeria.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, calling the act a “deliberate attempt to silence dissent” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Secretarial attack precedes major ADC political event
According to ADC, the arson attack happened just hours before the party was set to hold a reconfiguration and affirmation ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, an event meant to reaffirm its leadership and rebuild its grassroots political structures in Ekiti State. The attack destroyed documents, equipment, and symbolic assets vital to the party’s operations.
“This was a deliberate act of arson intended to sabotage and terrorise the opposition ahead of the governorship election in the state,” said Abdullahi.
He added that the timing and target of the attack were “too strategic to be coincidental,” implying that it was intended to cripple the party’s momentum in the state.
ADC calls for urgent investigation and justice
The ADC has called for a swift and independent investigation into the incident, demanding that those responsible be brought to justice. The party emphasized that unchecked political violence poses a severe threat to Nigeria’s democratic future.
“This act is criminal, anti-democratic, and a disgrace to all who claim to believe in political freedom. If opposition parties cannot operate freely, then the whole idea of democracy is undermined,” Abdullahi said.
Pattern of intimidation beyond Ekiti, ADC claims
The party also alleged that the Ekiti attack is part of a larger coordinated campaign of violence targeting opposition figures and facilities across the country. According to the statement, similar incidents have been recorded in Kaduna, Lagos, Kebbi, Kogi, and Edo states since July 2025, when an opposition coalition endorsed the ADC as its preferred political platform.
Some of the incidents listed by the party include:
-
An attack on party leaders in Alimosho, Lagos
-
A disrupted inauguration event in Kaduna
-
An assault on the convoy of ADC officials in Birnin Kebbi
-
Vandalism and threats at the party’s secretariat in Dekina, Kogi
-
Alleged intimidation and veiled threats from the Edo State governor
“Too many coincidences to ignore,” says ADC
Abdullahi emphasized that while each of these events could be dismissed as isolated incidents, the recurring nature and shared targets of these attacks suggest a well-organized campaign of political intimidation.
“Each of these cases could be dismissed as isolated acts of political miscreants. But taken together—five states, multiple incidents, one consistent target—they form a pattern too dangerous to ignore,” he stated. “This is no longer about partisanship. It is about the integrity of the political process itself.”
APC yet to respond to allegations
As of the time of this report, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not issued an official response to the accusations. However, political observers suggest the ruling party may soon address the matter, especially as the allegations could spark broader scrutiny of political activities in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
Civil society calls for electoral reforms and security
In light of the allegations, several civil society organizations have renewed calls for electoral reforms and stronger protection of opposition parties. They argue that political violence not only threatens free and fair elections but also discourages civic participation.
“If this trend continues unchecked, it could lead to widespread voter apathy and even violence during the next general elections,” warned one Abuja-based election monitoring group.
Nigeria’s democracy under pressure
The ADC’s allegations have intensified the growing debate around political violence and democratic backsliding in Nigeria. As the 2027 elections approach, all eyes will be on how both the government and electoral institutions respond to rising tensions and ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remains intact.
