• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) South-South Zone has strongly condemned the arson attack on its party office in Ubima Ward, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, where suspected political thugs allegedly invaded the facility and set it ablaze on Friday. In a statement issued by the South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, the zone described the incident as alarming and a dangerous escalation of political intimidation against opposition parties in Nigeria. Oboh stated that the facility destroyed by fire was the same Ward 8 ADC Secretariat in Ubima Community that former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was scheduled to visit for the party's ongoing membership revalidation exercise. According to reports, suspected political thugs set ablaze the ADC Ward 8 Secretariat in Ubima on 6 March 2026, just hours before Amaechi was expected to arrive at the ward office. Oboh said the timing of the attack raises serious concerns and cannot be treated as a coincidence. "The attack on the African Democratic Congress is deeply alarming. We have every reason to be suspicious that these attacks are connected to early political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 elections," she said. She added that the burning of a political party's office goes far beyond property destruction, stressing that it represents a direct challenge to Nigerians' constitutional rights to freely associate, organise politically, and participate in the democratic process without fear or intimidation. Oboh also noted that shortly after the incident, Amaechi was reportedly prevented from entering his community, a development she said raises serious concerns about the safety of political leaders and citizens exercising their democratic rights. The ADC South-South spokesperson warned that recent events suggest a troubling pattern of hostility against opposition voices across the country. "We must state clearly that the lives of our leaders and members are increasingly being placed in grave danger across the federation. When political actors can no longer freely visit their communities or participate in lawful political activities, it means that freedom of political choice is being eroded," Oboh stated. She warned that if such developments are not urgently addressed, Nigeria's democracy itself could face serious danger. "Nigeria cannot claim to operate a democracy while opposition offices are burnt and political leaders are prevented from freely participating in political activities," she said. "When opposition offices are burnt, gatherings are disrupted, and leaders are blocked from their communities, democracy itself is under attack." The South-South Zone also recalled that the attack comes barely a week after a similar security scare in Benin City, where violence was reported around the ADC secretariat and later near the residence of former governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun during the declaration event of Olumide Akpata. The event, which was attended by prominent political leaders, including Peter Obi, reportedly placed the lives of several party members and leaders in grave danger. The statement noted that the Edo incident remains fresh, with the authorities so far offering no satisfactory explanation regarding the circumstances surrounding the attack. Oboh emphasised that repeated attacks on opposition activities create an atmosphere of fear that undermines democratic participation. The ADC South-South Zone, therefore, called on security agencies to immediately launch a thorough and independent investigation into the Rivers incident, identify the perpetrators, and ensure that those responsible, including any sponsors of political violence, are brought to justice. She further warned that the continued silence or inaction of security agencies in the face of these attacks risks emboldening those who believe violence can determine Nigeria's political future. Reacting to the development, the Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Luckyman Egila, condemned the attack and warned against attempts to intimidate opposition members. "We cannot normalise a situation where political offices are attacked simply because citizens choose to associate with an opposition party," Egila said. Similarly, the Rivers State Chairman of the party, Leader Sampson, expressed deep disappointment over the incident, describing the destruction of the party's facility as a troubling signal for democratic engagement in the state. "These violent actions against the ADC are a disgrace to Nigeria's democracy. However, our members remain resolute and will not be intimidated," he said. The statement also urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise the protection of lives and property, particularly those of opposition members and political organisations, stressing that safeguarding democratic freedoms remains a fundamental responsibility of government. While reaffirming the party's commitment to peaceful democratic engagement, the ADC maintained that it remains resolute and undeterred and will pursue all lawful and constitutional measures necessary to protect its members, facilities, and democratic rights. Nigeria belongs to all its citizens, not to any political party, and no group should resort to violence or intimidation to dictate Nigerians' political choices. Source: https://independent.ng/adc-south-south-condemns-arson-attack-on-party-office-in-rivers-urges-president-tinubu-to-prioritise-protection-of-lives-property/