• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

ABUJA - In a defiant response to escalating attacks, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has signaled that its patience has limits, warning that its commitment to peaceful engagement should never be interpreted as weakness. The declaration follows the torching of the party's Ubima secretariat in Rivers State, an incident the ADC brands as a criminal strike against democracy itself. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, described the arson as part of a disturbing pattern of violence targeting ADC offices and members, adding, "only days earlier, party supporters were shot at during a political gathering, and in recent months, several other party offices have faced attacks and vandalism. "The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the criminal attack on our party secretariat in Ubima, which was burnt to the ground last night by thugs loyal to the ruling party. "This fire is not only an attack on the African Democratic Congress as a political party, it is also a direct assault on democracy, political tolerance, and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate and participate in the democratic process." The ADC emphasized that violence and intimidation have no place in Nigerian politics. "Just a few days ago, ADC members were shot at during a political gathering. This is also not the first time that our offices have been targeted. In recent months, ADC offices in several locations have faced attacks, harassment, and acts of vandalism clearly intended to intimidate our members and disrupt our activities." Warning those behind the attacks, the party said, "those who believe they can intimidate opposition parties through arson, violence, and criminal attacks should be reminded that those who choose violence should not assume others are incapable of defending themselves." While reiterating its peaceful stance, the ADC vowed to protect its members and properties nationwide. "While the ADC remains a peaceful and law-abiding democratic party committed to peaceful political engagement, we will not stand by and allow our members, supporters, and facilities to become easy targets for political thuggery. We will take every lawful step necessary to protect our party and our members across the country," the statement stressed. The party also urged security agencies to act swiftly, adding, "we call on the security agencies to immediately investigate this attack, identify and apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure that those who sponsor or enable political violence are brought to justice. Anything short of this will embolden those who believe violence can silence political participation and weaken Nigeria's democracy." Closing on a resolute note, the ADC affirmed, "no amount of intimidation, arson, or destruction will weaken our commitment to building a democratic Nigeria founded on justice, fairness, and the rule of law. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must collectively reject violence and defend the sanctity of our democracy." Source: https://independent.ng/adc-warns-apc-against-alleged-political-intimidation-vows-protection-for-members/