2027: Political violence could jeopardise electoral process — ADC - Punch Newspapers

African Democratic Congress National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday. Photo: Abdulrahman Zakariyau

The African Democratic Congress has warned that rising incidents of political violence, attacks on opposition members and alleged voter intimidation could jeopardise the credibility of the 2027 general elections. The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, raised the alarm at a press conference on Monday, where he accused the authorities of failing to adequately investigate and prosecute perpetrators of attacks on opposition political activities across several states. Ahead of the August Osun governorship election, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, was reported to have urged supporters of the All Progressives Congress to “kill” members of the rival Accord Party. Similarly, the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, recently sparked controversy after reportedly threatening to cut off the fingers of individuals who refused to support the ruling APC. Earlier, the Chairman of the Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Danjuma Shekwolo, also drew criticism after reportedly warning residents to either support the APC in the 2027 elections or leave the council area. Days later, suspected thugs armed with cutlasses reportedly attacked an Accord Party political gathering in Kuje, Abuja, on Sunday. The attackers allegedly dispersed participants, destroyed campaign materials and furniture, and injured at least one person. The ADC said such incidents, among others, amounted to threats and intimidation against opposition parties and their supporters by individuals associated with the ruling APC. Abdullahi cited recent incidents in Rivers, Enugu, Kogi and Edo states, saying the party had documented cases involving attacks on political meetings, injuries, destruction of property and the killing of a party member. He urged the Inspector General of Police to publicly account for the status of investigations into the incidents.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Abdullahi stated, “Let me begin with a simple proposition: Every Nigerian has the right to support a political party of their choice. Every registered political party has the right to organise, hold meetings, and conduct its lawful activities. The government has a responsibility to protect those rights, and the police have a duty to enforce the law without regard to political affiliation. “The Nigerian police is not APC police; it is the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These are not extraordinary demands; they are the ordinary requirements of constitutional government, and so citizens should not have to struggle the way we are doing to obtain the rights that the constitution already guaranteed us, which is the right to organise ourselves and the right to campaign openly and without fear for our lives. “Between July 2025 and September 2026, we have documented a series of incidents involving attacks on political meetings of opposition political parties, destruction of party properties, assault on political participants, and threats directed at citizens because of their political preferences. “Our memorandum examines incidents reported across several states, including Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi, and Enugu. The incidents defined their circumstances, and responsibility has not been conclusively established in every case. Nevertheless, their frequency, the nature of the activities affected, and the questions surrounding the response of the law enforcement agencies give us serious cause for concern.” The ADC National Publicity Secretary recalled the February attack on the party’s secretariat in Benin, Edo State, during a political gathering, as well as reported gunshots at the residence of former governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun. He said the police confirmed the incidents and ordered an investigation, but added that there had been no arrest, prosecution or public update on the probe. Ex-Adamawa lawmaker joins governorship race, unveils agenda Tinubu celebrates Falae at 88, hails contribution to democracy Anambra debt: APC campaign council demands Obi honour resignation promise Abdullahi said political violence against opposition members was worsening ahead of the 2027 elections. Contemporary reports of the press conference similarly quoted him as saying the ADC had not received information on any arrest, prosecution or outcome of the Edo investigation. He added, “Only three days ago, as our members were preparing for a political meeting in River State, specifically in Community Ward One in Odua Local Government Area of River State, which is the home of our vice-presidential candidate, they were attacked, and this led to the killing of one of our party members, a young man named Kamadiyoi. Although this incident has been reported to the police authorities, it does not appear that they are willing to take any action that could bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent future recurrence. “About the same time that our members were being attacked in Rivers State, we received reports from Enugu that armed men disrupted an opposition political gathering and injuries were recorded. Similarly, last week, about five days ago, we received reports of another attack on our members as they prepared for meetings in two separate wards in Kogi State; the attacks, which were carried out by thugs suspected to be acting on behalf of the ruling party APC, left several members of our party injured. Many of them are still in the hospital, battling for their lives.” Abdullahi called for thorough investigations into the attacks, including allegations involving private individuals and security personnel, saying the repeated violence demanded a stronger government response. He stressed that the ADC rejected political violence and would continue to uphold non-violence. The ADC publicity secretary stated, “We have said it that we will not support violence in whatever form. We have told our candidates to avoid any form of rhetoric that is likely to incite violence, but we cannot control how people will respond when they are being attacked, and that’s why we are serving these notices. “With all these cases documented, as of mid-September, where we are today, we have not heard that the police authorities or government authorities have identified a single person and prosecuted that person or brought them to justice. We want to know where they have promised us that they are investigating; it’s about time we know the results of those investigations. “We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to provide appropriate public accounts of the status of these investigations. People have been killed, people have been maimed, properties have been burned and destroyed. Police say they are investigating, so we want to know the status of the investigations they have conducted. Needless to say, Nigerian laws protect citizens and grant rights for citizens to decide which political parties to support, to express themselves politically, including organising protests. “We don’t need police permission to organise protests. We don’t need police permission to hold political meetings. We don’t need police permission to decide which party to support or who not to support. These laws are guaranteed. These rights are guaranteed to us by the constitution.” Abdullahi said Nigeria was a democracy where citizens’ rights to political activities must be respected, accusing the ruling party of violating the rule of law. He added that the ADC would pursue the matter through all available lawful channels. The ADC publicity secretary continued, “We currently maintain a central record of reported incidents, including dates, locations, witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical documentation, and records of complaints submitted to law enforcement agencies. “That record is getting thicker by the day. We will preserve relevant material. We will submit appropriate petitions to the responsible authorities and seek judicial remedies where the circumstances justify them. We will also ensure that advance security requests for lawful political activities are properly documented, so that questions concerning notification responsibilities and the response of security agencies can be resolved by reference to reliable records. “Let us make this clear: we are keeping records. We are documenting every single incident. All those who hide under the authority of the state today, and the official position they occupy currently, to violate the rights of citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, no matter how long it takes, they will face the consequences of their actions, and this is why we document today, not because we expect them to do anything, because whatever is happening is happening in their political interest. “But are we documenting to ensure that someday, no matter how long it takes, they are brought to justice, and that is why we will continue to engage the National Human Rights Commission, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, the African Union, and the International Court of Human Rights, and relevant judicial bodies, relevant civil society organisations.” Abdulrahman Zakariyau Abdulrahman is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with nearly a decade of professional experience covering political parties, elections, religion, civil society organizations, and the Nigeria Governors Forum. He is also a development and strategic communication expert, skilled at analyzing complex issues and delivering impactful narratives. Abdulrahman’s reporting reflects extensive newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to informative and insightful journalism.

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