The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has protested alleged attacks on opposition parties, saying political violence and intimidation are threatening the conditions for the 2027 general elections.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on Monday in Abuja at a press conference to address political violence and voter intimidation.
Abdullahi said every Nigerian has the right to support a party of choice and every registered party has the right to organise, hold meetings and conduct lawful activities, adding that the government must protect those rights.
“The Nigerian police is not APC police; it is the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
He said that between July 2025 and September 2026, the ADC documented a series of incidents involving attacks on opposition meetings, destruction of party property, assault on participants and threats based on political preferences across Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu states.
In Edo State, Abdullahi said the ADC secretariat in Benin was attacked in February during a political gathering, while gunshots were reported at the residence of former governor and former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, where political leaders had gathered. He said the Edo Police Command confirmed the attacks and ordered an investigation, but no arrest, prosecution or report has been made since.
He said the situation had worsened as the elections approached, citing an attack three days ago in Community Ward One, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, home of ADC’s vice-presidential candidate, where a party member, Kamadiyoi, was killed while preparing for a meeting.
He also cited the disruption of an opposition gathering by armed men in Enugu, with injuries recorded, and attacks on ADC members in two wards in Kogi State last week that left several members hospitalised.
“These incidents require proper investigation, including an examination of allegations against both private individuals and public security personnel who were complicit,” he said, adding that repeated violence against lawful political activity demanded a serious government response.
Abdullahi also faulted what he described as inflammatory rhetoric by some APC members, including threats of physical punishment, eviction for not supporting the APC, and calls to attack opposition members. He said some were invited by the police and released after claiming their statements were metaphorical, without prosecution.
He alleged that an APC woman leader called for divorce against women whose husbands did not support the APC.
“We are not crying. We are only serving notice. When the state refuses to protect citizens, citizens have the right to embark on self-help,” he warned.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to give a public account of the status of investigations, saying people had been killed, maimed and property destroyed with no prosecution as of mid-September.
Abdullahi said the ADC maintains a central record of incidents, including dates, locations, witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical documentation and complaints to law enforcement, and would pursue petitions, judicial remedies and engagement with the National Human Rights Commission, ECOWAS Court of Justice, African Union and civil society organisations.
He urged international partners and the ECOWAS delegation currently in Nigeria to assess pre-election conditions, not just election-day activities, including whether meetings are protected and whether security agents are impartial.
He also alleged the denial of advertising space to opposition parties, saying only ruling-party billboards were visible in Abuja, while some states demanded up to N200 million for a billboard, thereby tilting the playing field.
“The election is not free and fair if opposition parties cannot campaign freely, cannot hold meetings freely, cannot advertise our candidates. This will form the basis of whether we accept the outcome of the 2027 election,” he said.
He asked President Bola Tinubu to clarify his statement that “all is fair in politics”, which he said was being used to justify violence.
“Mr President, the authority of your office confers on you the responsibility to protect every citizen regardless of whether they support you or not,” Abdullahi said, urging the President and APC to condemn the attacks.
He reiterated that the ADC does not support violence and that its National Chairman, Senator David Mark, had directed candidates to avoid divisive rhetoric.